I live in Kansas, right smack in the middle of the United States. The nearest ocean is the Atlantic, nearly 1200 miles to the east. The Pacific is 1800 miles west and would take approximately 25 hours to drive. I am understandably overjoyed when our travels include a trip to the ocean. The sight of the sea flattened across the horizon thrills me, especially if bordered by rocky cliffs that sparkle with remnants of the sun. I watch as foamy waves meet the shore, consuming every crevice in its path. I try to memorize the sound of endless space – the cry of the seagulls and the breaking surf as it crashes over and over and over again.
When memories of the sea begin to fade, something very similar takes its place. Here in Kansas, miles and miles of land, not sea, flatten across the horizon, its vastness interrupted by an occasional rock formation, farm silo, or grove of trees rising up from the banks of a stream. Prairie grass sways in a gentle breeze, creating waves of a different kind, while the warmth of the sun brightly glows on fields of golden grain. Here, the sound of endless space is filled with near-quiet bliss: the mellow moo of a grazing cow and the distant honk of snow geese as they migrate back and forth to wherever it is they go.
Be happy with what you have… make it your source of inspiration!
Beautiful photographs 😊
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Thanks so much, Susie!
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Every word of this was such a pleasure to read
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I appreciate your comment very much!
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Here in Nebraska, we enjoy the same waves! They are quite beautiful, as your images portray.
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The waves – it’s the beauty of the heartland!
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I agree.
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You live in a beautiful area, that golden prairie hay “see” is amazing!
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It’s easy to overlook beauty close to home, but it truly is pretty here! Thank you!
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Wow, these are really great!
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They were fun to take! Thanks!
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Wonderful gallery.
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Thank you so kindly!
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Beautiful all around… ❤ Sharing!
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Glad you think so, Bette!
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Fantastic photos and beautiful message. I love the way you described where you live. We all need to learn to be happy with what we have. It might be challenging to do it right now, I mean, with the world being in chaos and all, but focusing on good things in life and letting go of expectations is a great way to achieve more happiness. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 😊 Aiva
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Being happy with what we have would go a long way in making the world a better place! I appreciate the comment, Aiva!
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A beautiful message indeed Linda. I remember being so enthralled by our visit to the waves of grass in the Palouse, which I assume are similar. There is something very special about places like these.
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Thank you! Palouse looks like an amazing place and I definitely see some similarities. When we pay attention to what we see, there is beauty everywhere!
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I’ve just now noticed that I linked to an old challenge! hummmm, silly me!!
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I got stuck on your early comment about the distance to the oceans. Per Google Maps you are correct! Who knew – the center of Kansas is closer to the Atlantic, not the Pacific. I would’ve guessed wrong on that. Also, on a clear day your amber waves of grain are visible from the top of (our) Pikes Peak.
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Whew, I’m glad I got it right – and being in the Kansas City area puts me even closer to the east. That’s cool about being able to see Kansas from Pikes Peak!
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Oh beautiful, for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain…
This North Dakota boy loves the great plains and your photography showcases the beauty that lies therein. Great post!
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I always think of that song when I see a wheat field waiting for harvest. I love the mountains and I love the ocean, but there is beauty here too!
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Lovely photos. I admire your work. These are amazing captures
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You’re so kind! Thank you!
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I love how expansive the Kansas landscape feels and the similar sensations I experience in looking both at the landscapes and the ocean. I enjoy how you placed the land and water photos side by side. A sense of the mirroring each other.
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For complete opposites, I thought the land and sea photos were strikingly similar. I’m glad you noticed, and I appreciate the comment.
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Beautiful pictures to compliment beautiful words!
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