Monday, July 14, 2014

The Smiles of Nature - and Other Things

Colors are the smiles of nature.
~ Leigh Hunt

misty morn6
The shadow of your smile
When you have gone.
Will colour all my dreams
And light the dawn.
~ Paul Webster (The Shadow of Your Smile)
Beautiful sunrise. Mist across the bay. Gold in the sky. All reflecting in the tranquil lake. How could one not smile?


 


bleeding hearts
Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking
~ Charles Chaplin (Smile) 
 I was delighted to discover that we had bleeding hearts growing here.





unattended
Keep on smilin' thru the rain
Laughin' at the pain
Just flowin' with the changes
Till the sun comes out again
~ Jimmy Hall - Wet Willie (Keep on Smiling)
This sign, at a local baked goods and trinkets shop, gave me a chuckle.





garage sale books
When you're smiling, when you're smiling
The whole world smiles with you.
~ Joe Goodwin (When You're Smiling)
Saturday morning garage sales - perfect for restocking the library. I just finished reading Secret Daughter. American and East Indian story line. Canadian author. It's not bad.





decorative bike
Pack up your troubles in your old kit-bag, and smile, smile, smile. 
~ George Henry Powell/Asaf (Smile, Smile, Smile)
A decorative bicycle parked in a yard seen on one of my outings.





benny quoi
Smile an everlasting smile
A smile could bring you near to me
~ Barry Gibb - Bee Gees (Words)
Benny - he makes everyone smile. I know you agree.





tree frog
Whenever I see your smiling face I have to smile myself because I love you. Yes, I do.
~ James Taylor (Your Smiling Face)
As promised in my last post, here is the strangest little creature I've ever seen on the outside of the window pane. This adorable tree frog was only about 3cm (just over an inch) long. Cute, or what?






tree frog kitchen window
A long, long time ago I can still remember how the music used to make me smile - 
~ Don McLean (American Pie)
These little guys provide night music (much like crickets do) during their mating season in late spring and early summer.






painted chairs
I'm so happy that you love me.
Life is lovely when you're near me.
Tell me you will stay. Make me smile
~ James Pankow (Thanks, Suldog) - Chicago (Make Me Smile)
Colourful Muskoka chairs (Adirondak chairs south of the border) always make me smile. They remind me of the Laurentians, north of Montreal, where we spent our summers as children.





brotherly love
Keep smiling, keep shining
Knowing you can always count on me, for sure
That's what friends are for.
~ Carole Bayer Sager (That's What Friends Are For)
My Skitty and Zephyr always make me smile. True brotherly love.




Zephyr paw
To know, know, know you
Is to love, love, love you
Just to see you smile
Makes my life worthwhile
To know, know, know you
Is to love, love, love you
And I do, yes I do, yes I do
~ Phil Spector (To Know You is to Love You)
This gentle paw belongs to my beautiful Zephyr.





sunset in east
Looking back at sunsets on the east side
We lost track of the time
Dreams aren't what they used to be
Some things slide by so carelessly
Smile like you mean it
Smile like you mean it
~ Mark Stoermer- Killers (Smile Like You Mean It)
We face east so when a sunset provides colours this vivid, it makes me wonder just how brilliant the view would be facing west. Of course, then we'd miss our wonderful sunrises.

More photos coming up.. sometime.

59 comments:

Bob Bushell said...

You can't beat the first picture, it is something. And a song goes with each one. Then it is a Frog, I love it, and Benny too.

TexWisGirl said...

love your bay views and your cute cats and benny. little frog is sweet, too!

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

always a sweet treat to see what you see...........Oma Linda

Kerri Farley said...

This post sure had me smiling! Beautiful images!

joeh said...

Free puppies. Sounds like a prize until I thought about it for a while.

Tabor said...

You have the eye and I love following you around your world.

Eddie Bluelights said...

Loved all the photo Hilary but in my book the first was the cream of the crop - gorgeous! ~ Eddie :)

Daryl said...

awesome photos … a restaurant in my 'hood has a similar sign …if only they'd follow through on the threat

shirley said...

That first photo is amazing. Yes, they all made me smile. Blessings.

ADRIAN said...

A wonderful post Hilary. The first is a perfect mood setter. Benny should always feature but the frog steals the show.

photowannabe said...

Absolutely stunning!

Sunrise on the Lake... scrumptious.

Your kitty's paw is a prize winner in my book.

Thank you for your sweet and kind comment on my blog post.
It is most appreciated.

Brian Miller said...

aww cute cats paw....and frog too...that bike would be a cool way to get around as well...though the cars may run me over here....

hi to benny as well...smiles.

photowannabe said...

Oops, I forgot to say that the lighting on Benny's photo is fantastic.
It sure brings out the joyous character of him.

Gail Dixon said...

I thoroughly enjoyed each photo and so happy to see Benny included in the set. What a gift to have bleeding hearts growing there. I wish we had them. Precious little frog and beau-tiffic sunrise...glorious, really.

Anonymous said...

Lovely shots - that first one is simply gorgeous!

Lisa Gordon said...

What lovely images, Hilary, and I always love to see Benny here!

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!

stephen Hayes said...

So many great pictures, particularly the ones of the frog. But I stared at the sunrise picture for a long time. It made me feel so serene, calm. Thanks.

messymimi said...

Breathtakingly beautiful, and i love the frog! Hope we see you again soon!

Anvilcloud said...

A lot to love here, particularly the first two and last two photos.

Barb said...

It's so tranquil and lovely there by the lake, Hilary. How wonderful to be serenaded by the tiny frog. (It's not bashful!) Benny looks settled into his new digs - as do the kitties.

Cloudia said...

The scents of beauty and life wisdom somehow perfume these lovely moments. . .





ALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^= <3

Country Girl said...

I love everything about this post. Especially the smiling I did reading it. xo

Red said...

I'm always amazed at the combination of fine photos and bang on quotes. You're really starting to mine your new area for some fine photos.

Leah J. Utas said...

So beautiful. Excellent quotes to round them out and...tree frogs!

Hilary said...

The Shadow of your smile....always one of my favorite songs.

Suldog said...

My first thought, upon encountering that song, was to say "I've always loved 'Smile' by Charlie Chaplin", but then I realized, as I kept scrolling, that I like every one of these songs a lot. I guess I like songs about smiling, period.

One thing: The Chicago song is by James Pankow. It's part of his suite "Ballet For A Girl From Buchanan". I was a big Chicago fan (in their earlier days; as time wore on, so did they on me) so I know.

Suldog said...

By the way, you still take the best cat photos ever. The detail is magnificent. I can feel the fur when I look at your photos.

Suldog said...

I just looked it up. "Ballet for a Girl IN Buchanan". Some expert I am. Definitely by Pankow, though.

Rob-bear said...

Ah, such fun is such a lovely place. Enough to make almost everybody smile!

Blessings and Bear hugs!

Kerry said...

So lovely, Hilary. Your own beauty shines through.
I imagine that the tree froggie will appear again for you; I hope so! How darling.

Jackie said...

Your photography is absolutely magnificent. I love LOVE the Skitty and Zephyr photo. Purrrrrecious!

Rita said...

This post certainly left me smiling like I mean it. Lovely! And some great lyrics, too. :)

Jinksy said...

Everyone likes a promise of sunshine ahead, to start their day... ♥

Gary's third pottery blog said...

The pictures of your lake always remind me that you chose an AMAZING place :)

Andy said...

Another fine collection of photos Hilary! When you post this many I always end up with some I like more than others. I like the sunrise in the first one for it's super colours. Then there's the one with the two cats on the counter. I am attracted to it because of the lighting. Keep on clicking.

DJan said...

Fabulous pictures, as always. I especially smiled at Benny and the kitty paw. Oh, and the sunrise and sunset pictures. And.... :-)

Betty Manousos said...

i always love seeing your stunning photos, hilary.
the bleeding heart is such a lovely flower. so wonderfully captured.
and benny just made me smile!

have a lovely day!

big hugs~

Maggie May said...

Wonderful the way cats relax!
Pretty little tree frog. (What would a frog be doing up a tree?) We obviously don't have them!

Lovely set of photos.
Maggie x

Nuts in May

Unknown said...

The frogs make for one really unique shot.

Slamdunk said...

Thanks for making us all smile. That golden sunrise on the bay would sure make suffering through a long winter more bearable. Also, we have two brother cats who enjoy sitting in the middle of things in the kitchen area--which is fine, but it always seems to turn into a wrestling match.

SandyCarlson said...

I enjoyed all of these, but I especially was thrilled to see Bennie! Enjoy that Maeve Binch book!

Phyllis E said...

Hi Cuzzie,

I did a double-take at the "Unattended Children" sign. There's one just like it at a local coffee shop here in La Jolla.

Indrani said...

I always run short of adjectives in your blog!
This time I liked the sign! :D

Optimistic Existentialist said...

What an absolutely beautiful sunrise!! And I love that picture of Skitty and Zephyr. And of course the smile-inducing Benny :)

Lynne with an e said...

What a delightful day, hanging out with you! Truly worth getting up at dawn to witness that gorgeous sunrise over your lake. Yes, each picture here is well worth a smile. And I've put that Kate Morton book on hold at my local library as I rather like her books for some good escapist reading. Perfect summertime fare.

Now that the sun has set,are drinks about to be served? Surely worth a few more smiles... :-)

Linda said...

Hi Hilary, your first quote was also my quote of the week. Great minds...

I just love the little tree frog. We found a tiny frog on the side of the truck one day and figured it was a tree frog. Your cats are adorable and I love how you got the shot with Skitty's tongue out washing. They are a great pair!

Mage said...

Ah, inspiring. You make me smile now that my sitting place is eased.

yaya said...

They say everyone has a twin and I wonder if that's true of cats...our Squeak has one with your Zephyr! Totally twinners! Every pic made me smile. We get tons of those little tree frogs..or maybe we call them "peepers". My Grandkiddos love 'em! With all the trees that surround us we never get the sunrise so I'll just sit back and enjoy yours...thanks for sharing!

Becca said...

I love seeing frogs out in nature and the one you photographed is super cute! Your pets are cute, also! I need to start taking more photos again :)

Anonymous said...

All made me smile, but Benny made me smile the most. I love the expression on his face.

Chicken said...

Thanks for the smiles:-)

Unknown said...

You sure have a lot of smiles going around.
I love the shot about the unattended children. Parents beware.

Kamana said...

i have never seen bleeding hearts in real life. only in pictures and videos. they looks so delicate and pretty.

Anonymous said...

The colorful Adirondack chairs absolutely SCREAM summertime!

holdingmoments said...

A real smiley post Hilary,
And that sunrise view is spectacular.

Shammickite said...

I read Secret Daughter too, and enjoyed it. Just finished The Light Between Oceans.... I think you would like it.
Sunset reflections in the eastern sky are amazing, sometimes the light on the clouds is even better than the actual western sky.
I've never seen one of those little tree frogs, but I have heard them!

Friko said...

This is a delightful post. I smiled all the way through.

ellen abbott said...

almost missed this one. been so busy. I'd be riding that bike for sure. and I love the little frogs. they sing all night here too. I stumble on one now and then.

Jenn Jilks said...

The bike looks too new to be there!