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When I first spied these illuminated leaves in the Middlesex Fells, I was stopped in my tracks.  At first, I thought the leaves were monarch butterflies — they so resembled the pictures I’d seen of monarchs dripping orangely from the trees along their migration routes. There were many such sights in the Fells this past Sunday.  Such a journey, with the sunlight so golden and falling at that end-of-summer low angle … it was a definite highlight of the month. Following are a few other highlights of the month, as well as a some plans and prospects for September.

For those of you new to my blog, these more or less monthly updates are my attempt to regularly share with friends, family and colleagues my creative activities. These updates also help me put a public stake in the ground about what I am planning to do in the near future … so that (ahem) my friends, family and colleagues can help hold me accountable and keep me honest! Even if you regularly visit my blog, I think you might find a few new items of interest … especially if you like chocolate. 😉

Where Inspiration Found Me

Inspiration appeared in unexpected places in August. For both words and images, Steve’s Kitchen, was a source of inspiration. The images are below. As for the words, you can read the recent short that appears here in Orion Magazine’s online Places Where You Live. FYI, the picture you see in the online story will be appearing in the magazine’s November/December print issue.

And maybe being in Steve’s kitchen set the tone for the month, because food in general inspired me. I sent off poems about food. I’ve been reading books about food. Heck, I may even watch Babette’s Feast tonight. I do know that in August I spent a lot of time photographing food … first at the farmer’s market, and then … in Steve’s kitchen.

Additional images can be found here.

Though it is darn toasty now where I live, earlier this month there were heavy, steady rains and the air was so chill, people had pulled out sweaters and scarves. On my way into work one day I was captured by the pools that had formed on the sidewalks. And floating in the pools were fallen leaves.

More images like these can be found here.

Leaves in general have been inspiring me.

A leaf at the Middlesex Fells. You can view more Fells images here.

Okay, that’s a snapshot of the past month. What’s on tap for September?

* continuing to send off submissions for both the writing and the photography

* investigating what it would take to publish a book of my photos

* following up on some really cool story leads that people have been sending my way

* keeping better track of the arts events taking place in my area, especially those coming up for the holidays

* assessing and investing in the tools of my trade, from pen and paper to camera equipment

I think that’s it for now.  Here’s hoping we all have a good September! 😉


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Images taken at the Middlesex Fells.

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First, is this a Great Blue Heron?  I think so but if you know for sure, please let me know.  Found this fellow standing quiet in the shallows at the Beaver Brook Reservation.  Beaver Brook is  the first reservation established by the Metropolitan Parks Commission, later the Massachusetts Department of Conservation.

Did you know that Queen Anne’s Lace is also known as wild carrot? So I discovered while reading Peterson’s Guide to Edible Wild Plants.  But be careful!  Queen Anne’s Lace and poisonous Hemlock look very similar.

On a day when I have spoken with, emailed, texted and chatted with X-number of friends and family who are all going through tough times, it makes me wonder:  why not turn the world upside down and shake things up a bit?  Sometimes the result can be startling and quite beautiful as in this inverted reflection of the heron, and of grasses in a mountain lake.

And, finally, books.  Yes, books.  My friend Steve is a complete and utter bibliophile who built his own floor-to-ceiling bookshelves that cover two walls of his living room, and yet he still has books piled high as columns every where.  I asked him the other day, if he were traveling indefinitely and could only take three books with him, what would they be?  He answered, “Well, two books come to mind right away, the bible and the Joy of Cooking.”  When he said he wasn’t sure about the third book and that it would depend on where he was traveling, I added, “Well, let’s say you’re stuck on a deserted island.”  He chuckled and said, “Well then that makes it easier.  I’d want the third book to be The Manual of Practical Boat Building.”

What books would you choose?  Send me a note.  I’ll post peoples’ responses in next month’s Words+Images update.

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Recently, in the quiet of the Maine woods and along the shores I saw many beautiful things.  Like a feather caught in seaweed.

And wild blueberries sprouting along rocky crags.

Pinecones, of course.


Most surprising were the butterflies and moths.

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A few years ago, I embarked on a cloud chasing expedition and encouraged others to do the same.  Clouds still beckon my eyes, but so do the waters in which the clouds and so much more are reflected.  Of late, it has been that feature of water — reflection and refraction — that has fascinated me and drawn me to race to nearby rivers and streams on sunny days.  Click the images above to view some recent photos taken around Boston.


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Brooks Estate, Medford, MA

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While lost in the Middlesex Fells on Sunday, this is some of what I saw.

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