Toadies!

Alex and I have discovered a family of three baby toads living by a nearby seasonal pond. One of the toads has disappeared :( but the other two are there, and today we did a toad photo shoot. Here are some of the best shots!

Baby Toadies

Chee Chee's toes. At least he was smart enough to not wade in further in the cold, windy weather!

And here are some shots of the autumn sunsets and evenings.

X marks the spot!

I recently had a pirate party, and if I get around to it I'll post some pictures from that. But in case I don't before October 31st, I wanted to wish everyone a

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

What are your plans? After going out, my plans include attempting to contact the ghost of Percy Shelley. He often tried to raise spirits when he was young, so maybe he'll recognize what I'm doing and make an appearance. ;) A girl can hope...

Mackenzie's Momma -- I hope Bright Star comes out on DVD soon. I'm anxious to see it again (and I saw it twice in theaters) and know you'll love it. Your photos are gorgeous! I can't get over the colors! I also really like the water shots -- especially the shot of the salmon tulips against the slate blue background of the water -- that one really stood out. You have a great eye. :) I also liked the shot of the Canadian flag, and the snow-capped mountains.

Bright Star

Would I were steadfast as thou art!

Jane Campion's new film Bright Star, about the secret love affair between the poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne, is luminous. I must first confess that I am no unbiased viewer. As a lover of the Romantics, I had instilled in me a great admiration for Mr. Keats' poetry ever since I first came across "Ode to a Grecian Urn" and could not immediately understand his beautiful language and command, but was in awe of lyricism. Jane Campion is also one of the most talented directors there is, and she happens to be a woman in the man's world of filmmaking, which makes me all the more fervent in my support. And lastly... Bright Star is a love story told through gripping performances and beautiful, pastoral scenery -- what better way could you hope to glimpse such Truth as Keats' love?

Trailer

I have since taken it upon myself to read Keats' letters to Ms. Brawne, and of course, his poetry. What beauteous, raw talent! I don't cry easily -- I didn't cry at my grandparents' funerals -- and yet I cannot read Keats' work without shedding tears. That isn't only due to the beauty of his words but also to the insight into his heart and mind and the difficulties of his life. Yes, reading Keats' letters and poetry at night is a poor way to fall asleep, for when I read it, I weep and weep.

Bright star, would I were stedfast as thou art

Bright star, would I were stedfast as thou art--
Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night
And watching, with eternal lids apart,
Like nature's patient, sleepless Eremite,
The moving waters at their priestlike task
Of pure ablution round earth's human shores,
Or gazing on the new soft-fallen mask
Of snow upon the mountains and the moors--
No--yet still stedfast, still unchangeable,
Pillow'd upon my fair love's ripening breast,
To feel for ever its soft fall and swell,
Awake for ever in a sweet unrest,
Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath,
And so live ever--or else swoon to death.

Mackenzie's Momma -- I sure hope they got punished. And I also hope you don't have to work with them again next summer. What brutes! I would love to see your pictures. :)

Summer Flowers

Here are some more pictures from the summer. I promise that next time I post, I'll share something newer! But for now...

Pretty summer flowers that are long since gone.




































And here's some evidence that Piglet is a good teacher!



And last but not least... I know this is random... but I'm just saying... I really, really see a similarity.


Mackenzie's Momma -- Whoa, that's not the fun kind of joking around, then. It pisses me off just to even hear about it. I'm sorry you had to go through that but I'm glad you didn't let them get away with it. I hope they were punished? I want to go yell at them!