Open to Our Sunday Hike

Even though I was wheezing a bit, we went for a hike.  I'm glad we did because now I feel like I've got my usual cold thing coming on.  Blech.  And just in time for some "Weather" and a week with two after work meetings.  We may get some rain this week, so I best prepare!!  Please read the sarcasm into that last comment.

Anyway, we went for a short two hour exploration in the same general area as last week.  Just on the other side of the mountain.

The area is called Elsmere Canyon, you can read about it here.  

There are lots of trails to choose from.

If you look at the map, you will understand how amazing it was to find the same rock twice...in the 1200 acres (even if it was in the same general area)!!!

*click on photos to enlarge*

I've left them some of them smaller so the post will hopefully load quicker for ya'll.

On the left, August 2013 & On the right, January 2015

I am in love with this story!  I am telling anyone who will listen the Rock Story.

When I picked it up last week, I felt like I was greeting an old friend.

I left it right there on the log.  Maybe we will meet again.

Anyway, today we thought we'd set the goal of hiking to the "knob".

Heading up the dirt trail

This part of the trail was an easy walk.  Along an old paved road, under the freeway and then up the dirt trail we went.

We continued up...up..up.

Looking back down on the trail in

A scattering of wildflowers

Amazing views

He disappears down this opening for a few minutes, but that story will come later!

Well Hello!

King of the hill!

OPEN!

We climb a small hill...greet more views and discover remains of those that lived here in years gone by.  I reflect that I am so darn happy I was open to hiking today.

Broken tile cairn 

This is the point where we have surveyed the land, looking for the best, easiest, quickest route up to the knob.

The thing is, there isn't one.

We decide, another day, with earlier start would be a good idea!

So, we head back down the hill.

J. tells me that the little nook he explored had some odd signs of mankind.

What I see is a house roof.

A typewriter

Got ironing?

Writing in rust

Found button

We find another treasure while walking the rest of the way out!

Stay tuned for our next installment of Sunday Hike!

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2015

Summertime

A scattering...a spattering...
things from here and there.
Summertime, sunshine
Delights everywhere...

Do you see the double curly-cue on the right side?

Do you see how the melon is divided into thirds?

There was a set of curly-cues in each divided third-line, coming from the middle.

Here...wait...I'll zoom in...

Is that better?  Maybe tilt your screen a bit :)

It sure is hard to photograph a shiny watermelon!

Responsibilities abound...

Grab a moment, noon or nightfall.

Enjoying little bits of summertime.

Now a short summer story...

MS. SUNFLOWER &
MS. MOON



Once upon a time there was a very tall sunflower-gal.  Everyday she stood basking in the summer sun.  She turned her face this way and that to let the sun warm her and the wind blow through her petals.

Sometimes her sister joined her. They stood together for hours chatting and sharing secrets the way sisters do.  Their leaves shook with laughter.

Some days she didn't feel quite so sunny and she'd hang her head, studying the earth
at her foot.  The breeze became strong winds, tangling her petals and causing them to fall limp.  "Bad hair day?" the other gals would joke.  Even their friendly humor couldn't always bring her sunshine attitude back.

On those days, she usually hung around waiting for Moon.

Ms. Moon always brought a sense of calm and contentment.  Moon showed her confidence and strength everyday, no matter how full she was, Moon continued to shine.

Ms. Sunflower took this lesson to heart. It seemed she stood a little taller and shone a little brighter!

~The End~

Mo and I discussed making mandalas on the solstice.  Well, better late than never!  Ha!

Here is my attempt at creating a mandala from the flowers in my yard.  Can you see the sunflower head in the middle?  I found it on the ground on my side of the fence.

Look at those shapes and colors!
Do you see the little poppies?  That is the state flower here.  They grow wild in my back yard :) 

Finally, the wind won and I took photos of it's work instead of beautiful mandala handiwork of mine!  Haha

I like how the photo on the left looks like it is either becoming or unbecoming a flower spiral!!!

Not done on the solstice...but fun just the same!

 I took an old round tablecloth, from one of those 3-legged accent tables, and placed it in the washtub for dying.  I used a rusted grid that I found on a walk years ago.  I added other rusted items, onion peels, a copper pipe etc.  I even threw some flowers in, but just for decoration!!!  Haha
A few days later...

 Mmmmm...
I think it needs  more!


Summertime has always meant these special treats to me...

the juicy goodness of watermelon...

the dusty, salty seeds...eaten one by one.
Creative experiences...

And memories of my youth when camp and song filled the days.

I shared this with Cindy and I thought to share it here with you all too, because summer is about singing too.  Well everyday is about singing!  But my memories of singing old folk songs at summer camp with my mom and sister is one of my best memories.   And sitting outside in the shade singing with babies, with children...well it doesn't get any better!  This is one of my favorite quotes, by one of my favorite children's recording artists & more.  Tom Hunter was a most amazing man.  I am proud to know his music and honored to have met him.  No more links today folks, investigate on your own.

Class dismissed.

 

We don’t sing as much as people used to. There’s a lot of music around, but we listen more. We’re increasingly interested in performance, less in participation, so kids in cars are more likely to have headphones on than to be singing together, all of which means we need reminders of the power of song — to connect us, to carry information and tradition, to help us mourn and celebrate, to give us courage and identity, to tickle and touch our hearts. Developing brains need songs. Research is clear on that. Songs awaken memories too. They’re the hooks to hang your memories on. They’re also very useful in engaging kids in learning, and in creating lively classrooms. Recordings are good, but our own voices are better. So I hope you’ll sing, even if you don’t feel you’re very good at it. Use recordings to learn a song, to appreciate how someone else does it, to sing along. Then sing yourself — in the car and at bedtime, on the playground and in the hall, anywhere, anytime. It’s one of the best, cheapest, and most fun things you can do! — Tom Hunter

Enjoy your summer everyone!

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2012