Ups and Downs

Most mornings I am starting to doze off by the time the train goes through this section of the great swamp. But since I had a lot of work to do, a definite downer, I was still awake when we got here. 

It is one of my favorite spaces in the great swamp. The blue herons have started a 2nd colony here. It's still small. Only 4 nests even though they've been at it for about 7 years now. A few years back we had a big storm that knocked the nests down, but the herons were undaunted and put them back up. 

In the winter, the water freezes over into little ice islands. One winter a fox was trying to cross, each step he took broke through the ice so he started running faster as he crossed, skipping across the ice staying just one paw ahead of a good soaking. 

In the summer on a hot still day you can look into the water and see the fish slowly making their way up or down in the currents. 

Don't let the surface stillness fool you or the apparent shallowness of the water. It's a good strong current and beneath the 1-2 feet of water is a 7 foot deep muckish mass that will suck you down in a heartbeat. 

On this morning, my train got stopped by a signal problem so we sat here in my favorite spot for awhile. On the one hand, I knew I would be late for work. On the other, I was happy to be able to sit and enjoy. 

Square-inch Gardening

My DH and I were shopping and noticed this flower border in front of the store. Having no room for planters and no soil other than the dirt between the building and the blacktopped parking lot, this store owner decided to take advantage of that tiny gap and planted marigolds. 

It makes for a pretty display, little espaliered marigolds against the foundation stonework. Such a nice pop of color. 

A cute touch of color in an otherwise drab parking lot. 

Unsure

I am really unsure of how this happened. The taxi was not hit by another car. There was no ding on the car. No dent in the fender. 

But there you have it. 

I guess this is what happens when you want to go one way, but you fender says No!

Sunrises Softly

For 2 more days I will enjoy the sun. 2 more days will bring the most light for the year. 2 more days of hope. 

Then the darkness will return. Creeping slowly at first, then faster and faster - aided by the clouds and rains of fall. 

But today I still have 2 more days of light and I plan to enjoy them. Tonight when I get home, I'm taking our pup for a nice walk. 

I love the long days of summer. Even though they're so short!

Skiffing out early

So I just figured out how to put a picture in the middle of the text on the iPhone version of this blogger software - very exciting, but not the main topic. 

The main topic - I got to get out of work early and travel on the Hudson train. Lovely views of the river and man memories of good times with friends on the boat. 

It's been a few years since we've been out on the water, but every time I see a sail out on the river, I get that itch to head out. 

There's really not much better than taking the day and just enjoying the currents, fishing a bit and then navigating back to shore. Of course we have our tales of getting stuck with only the emergency oars to bring us home, being swamped by a tanker, and how I only seem to ever catch starfish, but still I feel calmer just thinking about being on the water. 

It's my personal zen moment. 

Cross in the Woods

My baby sister works at a place called Cross in the Woods. Its a national shrine and she's the music director there. It's a place of quiet reflection and beauty. Mostly filled with a lot of silence. 

Needless to say, my cross in the woods is neither silent nor reflective. It's filled with the blaring horn of the train, flashing lights, clanking metal wheels, steel rails and blacktop. 

This morning when I saw the crossing, however, it seemed more of a guardian of safety rather than a harbinger of noise.  And something linked the 2 crosses together. 

I wonder if the MTA is looking for a music director?

What Dreams May Come

So the movie is really sad, but the saturated colors are fantastic. That's what I thought of when I saw my historic Siberian irises in full bloom.

They're actually a rich purple when you see them in person, but for some odd reason they always photograph this beautiful blue.

Anyway you look at them, they are gorgeous! Yet fleeting. They'll be gone by the end of the week.