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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! 😉


The Beauty in Decay

Images taken at the Middlesex Fells.

When I first picked up my local newspaper, the Somerville News, one of the first things I noticed was Doug Holder’s Lyrical Somerville poetry column.  I don’t think you see poetry columns in print newspapers very often anymore.   I’ve enjoyed reading his selections over the years.  And, so it was an honor to have him select one of my poems to appear in last week’s issue.  If you’re interested in reading my poem, The Absence of Color, you can find it here:  http://www.thesomervillenews.com/archives/6286

To stay on top of the local poetry scene, follow Doug’s blog here:  Boston Area Small Press and Poetry Scene.

Have a good day, people!

Why I Love the Rain

Simply Beautiful Images

Images by Frank on a little island in Maine

Image by Lorraine in a Brooklyn backyard


When my job takes me out to the suburbs, I walk through the woods at lunchtime.  When my job is located in the city, I walk through the Farmers Market.  And one of my favorite markets is the one located in Boston’s Copley Square.  Here’s a photo I managed to capture during a quick sweep this past Friday.  View more images here.

A nice surprise today when I checked email today and saw the latest Orion Magazine newsletter.  At the bottom of the page, in the “Places Where You Live” area, there was a link to “a couple of our favorites.”  Well, one of the favorites was a link for Somerville, Massachusetts.  Since I live in Somerville, I clicked on the link and what did I see?  Well, you can see for yourself.  I hope you enjoy.

http://www.orionmagazine.org/index.php/place_where_you_live/view/somerville_ma_5820/

15 Seconds of Advice?

If you could travel back in time, what would you share in 15 seconds with your 15-year old self?

That is the writing prompt a friend shared with me yesterday at work.  I did not have an answer until I pulled a book from my shelf at home, a book I had not read in a long while.  When I cracked it open, out fell a bookmark inscribed with the following words:  Remember that happiness is a way of travel — not a destination.

I think that is what I would tell my 15-year old self.  I might also mention:  And, no matter what, remember to breathe. 😉