Opal Reflections
Perspectives through Prose, Poetry and Photography
Of Bunnies Bats and Basketballs
Bunnies, bats, abandoned basketballs
Across the yyard, as summer’s taken toll,
The once-lush green scape fading into fall,
And school boys back in session, cease their roil.
Their shrieking, wild abandon still rings clear
With choosing sides for stickball (to applause)
And bouncing balls on asphalt drives I hear.
Yet wistfully, reminders give me pause.
For summer’s gone and Fall has fast o’er taken,
Predictably, all sports gear dropped aside
with little thought, their world was never shaken,
For soon, tomorrows playtime would arrive.
I glance across the yard; the rabbit sniffles,
Chomping steady on the crabgrass heap,
Unaware of basketballs or wiffles,
Why, then, are my emotions running deep?
These simple sights give fuel to my affections,
And changing seasons, spur this introspection.
Photo Friday: #blue
Architextures
Today I present a sampling of recent travel photos, showcasing a broad array of architectural styles and textures; including the rustic, turn-of-the-century wood details of Mohonk Mountain House, the glass and steel panoramic reflections of the Manhatten skyline, and the Pantheonic architecture of the
“City of Brotherly Love”.
All styles are as different from each other as they are artistically inspiring…VIve la difference!
Mohonk Morning
Morning at Mohonk is incomparable and unforgettable!
We first discovered this many years ago, when we went to the Mohonk Preserve for the outdoor wedding of the daughter of a dear friend. We outsmarted ourselves by reserving the weekend at Mohonk Mountain House, rather than attempt the 2-hour homeward trek after the festivities. However, we failed to take into consideration that, while the ceremony was indeed in the heart of the preserve, the reception was in Kingston, about 40 minutes from New Paltz.
The weather was terrible, a literal downpour. We checked in amid what seemed like a messy milieu of madness, and changed into our wedding garb; resolving that, despite having a two day minimum, we would forego the loss and get out of Dodge early on Sunday morning.
To make matters worse, by the time we drove back from the reception to the Mountain House via the dark, windy, dangerous mountain road, a thick fog had settled in, making the drive even more nerve-wracking. By the time we returned to our rustic room (sans TV) we were even more committed to leaving at the first light of day.
As the sun rose from behind the mountains on Sunday morning, spreading its rays across the crystal-clear glacier lake, we were stunned at the sheer beauty and peace of this remarkable place. How could we have been so wrong?
We’ve returned to Mohonk many times and are never disappointed. This photo was taken a few weeks ago, from my rocking chair on the balcony, wrapped snuggly in my robe and slippers, as the woodsy aroma from our in-room fireplace permeated the morning air.
Photo Friday: #Morning
Split Personality
Hard-spiked, standing tall
Single stalk, aslant, bursts forth
Wispy, silken stars.
Photo Friday: #black_and_white
Eye Candy
Each day I search for images to capture,
Leave backyard stoop, leashed Bandit by my side,
One never knows when glance will be enraptured,
By boundless wonders, as we reach our stride.
One merely has to stop and smell the roses
(though blooming season’s past it’s fragrant peak),
Eye candy oft is subtle, yet discloses
intricate, fine details – tres unique.
From newly fallen leaves before the deluge,
That rest on fading lawns or blow on curbs,
To hedges gone to seed, providing refuge
for chipmunks reaping harvest-ready herbs.
Nature’s trove compels, my chosen duty,
To spy, to photo-frame, to share this beauty.
photo Friday: #7_day_challenge
Stars of Sugar Gum
When autumn eves turn into golden days,
Fast falling leaves abound on grassy plains,
So much that calloused palms brush them away,
No sooner swept aside, resumes the rain.
And slight distracted through the sinewed branches,
To waves of green ‘gainst cloudless, azure skies,
I know the wafts of leafy avalanches
will soon engulf in blizzard-like surprise.
But this October morn the path is clear,
Save for a few pale stars of sugar-gum,
Which found my garden stoop and rested there,
Announcing e’er so softly, “Here we come”!
I’ll don my knitted wrap and sit outside
This season’s gifts to happily abide.
Photo Friday:
#7_day_challenge
Summer’s Swan Song
The golden rays still filter through the branch,
Descend upon the summer-fitted deck,
And buzzing bees astir, I take my chance,
Venturing out barefooted, blooms to check.
‘Mid wafting scents, September’s light reminds
of fading, lazy, hazy summer days,
Yet more profound, each passing year I find
renewed beginnings; hint to change my ways.
So not surprised, as this fall morn arrived,
I stepped upon the wood planks touched with dew,
The crisp, clear air breathed in, I felt alive,
Then spied, as if on cue, my field of view.
To rest upon my ledge from stems aloft
A lonely, lovely leaf had settled soft.
Happy Trails
Excitement builds, as darkness settles in,
Once sweltering sun dips low as day is done,
From o’er the dark the opening strains begin,
Repeated ritual calling us again.
The sprawling barge lights with their sweet refrains,
Sail slowly ‘cross the languorous lagoon,
And we, like Pavlov’s, dogs are drawn again
toward our beachfront stage to to find our dune
And mirror-like the water’s surface gleams,
Reflecting brilliance from the floating scene,
As young ‘uns chant along “.. a grand old flag..”
And old folks tear up, hearing children sing.
This Polynesian happening never fails
to warm our hearts and bring us happy trails.
Photo Friday: Mirrors
Weekly photo challenge: Mirror
An Engineer’s Journal: Open-minded
He turned to me and asked why had I come,
“To be an engineer” was my reply,
To which he scoffed and rudely put me down
To think a girl was pushing out a guy.
A few months hence, regardless how I tried,
My Chem.instructor oft would make a scene,
To call attention to my failing strides,
Though other classmates did escape his gleam.
It wasn’t all a badly scripted dream,
And I got through the rigors of my choice,
Until recruiters chose to come between
my aspirations, with closed mind, snide voice.
Male mentors, two or three along the way,
Saw more than my persona, sensed my worth,
Encouraged, challenged, nudged me every day,
They taught to ne’er give up, despite the bumps.
My resume’s now deep, spans many years,
With anecdotes of battles fought and won,
Some losses, too, along the jagged way,
A rainbow palette on which I’ve become.
I’m not a victim, just a stubborn sort,
Who felt injustice but refused to go
gently, be a brushed-off afterthought,
Of those who saw, but (blindly) failed to know.
With family ever by my side we thrived,
And now that we’re retired, looking back,
These stories unbelieved, yet uncontrived,
Through decades upon decades, wrought with flack.
My daughter can’t imagine; I’m relieved
that she and others after, can rely
on being judged for value based on truth,
Instead of preconceptions gone awry.
The challenges have only urged me forth,
Despite some passing lows, I’ve had success,
Striving e’er to focus on “true north”,
With God’s great gifts and strengths, I’m truly blessed!
Of Windows
When in the course of eons, man’s ascent,
Desire for creature comforts came to be,
Once mere survival safe could be achieved,
As hay and clay walls opened for to see.
Through ages ice and iron, improved upon,
Increasing heights and breadths, invite light in,
With gilded glass and solid sturdy frames,
For nature’s vistas to be safely screened.
Today, our rooftops e’en are opened wide
with atriums and skylights, ‘tween broad beams,
‘neath cities’ rising walls, like crystal spires,
We nestle warm and sip our potent streams.
I’m not complaining…I enjoy the trend,
More light and “open concept”, all the rage!
I wonder if (as we evolve and grow),
We’ll ‘stead devolve and deem ourselves encaged.
For now, I’ll glory: “Let the sun shine in…”
With lens in hand, I’ll frame these wintry scenes.
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/photo-challenges/frame/
Happy Anniversary
Candles lit across the winding ways,
Candles lit remembering our days,
Candles lit for wishes long sustained,
Candles lit, flames flicker, yet remain,
Candles for our children and their tots,
Candles – all those birthdays …lots and lots,
Candles mark our lives and light our hearts,
Flame within still burns as this day starts.
Happy Anniversary!
#flame
Lighthouse in the Mist, Cape May, NJ
Bandit
Festive View from the Pub, Peddler’s Village – Lahaska, PA.
Home Sweet Home
Opal Reflections 