A fjord is a long, narrow inlet with steep sides or cliffs, created by glacial erosion. This pristine coastal fjord extends to a vanishing point, but what beauty lies beyond? In Alaska, merely seek and ye shall find!
for Nancy Merrill”s Photo-a-Week-Challenge: Vanishing Point
Photo taken in Misty Fjords, Alaska
A poem for my grandchildren:
This morning from my window I saw tracks in the snow.
“Look!” I said to Momma, “Can we see where they go?”
“It’s cold outside!” she answered, “Are you sure you want to do that?”
“Oh, I do!” I said to Momma, “I’ll go get my coat and hat!”
So, I ran to the closet where we keep our winter clothes.
I pulled out boots and mittens plus a scarf to shield my nose.
With Momma bundled up like me, we stepped outside together.
So warmly we had dressed ourselves we didn’t mind the weather.
Tracks led us to the river, then up the rocky ridge,
through the brush and bramble and over the narrow bridge.
We heard a sound then turned to see a fawn and graceful doe
huddled close together under branches hanging low.
The baby deer lay on the ground curled up fast asleep
on a simple bed of crusty leaves where the snow was not as deep.
The doe leaped to attention watching every move we made,
but we were nice and quiet, so she wouldn’t be afraid.
I looked into her big brown eyes and softly said “Hello!”
“So, you’re the ones who left behind the tracks in the snow.”
As Momma took me by the hand, we slowly backed away
from the handsome gentle creatures who had surely made my day.
Across the bridge and through the brush, then up to the plateau,
we paused for just a moment to enjoy the view below.
So brightly the sun glistened that each snowflake was a jewel,
just like glitter on a picture that I had made at school.
Back home I shed my coat and hat. Somewhere I’d lost a mitten.
“Hot chocolate?” Momma asked me as she headed for the kitchen.
“Thanks”, I said to Momma when she handed me a cup.
It tasted great, but really, it’s her smile that warmed me up!
I sat down by the window just as I had done that morning
with thoughts of all we’d seen and done while we were out exploring.
I gazed down to the path where we had been not long ago.
“Look!” I said to Momma, “we made tracks in the snow!”
Always find joy in the little things, my dears!
with love,
Grammy
Nancy Merrill Post a Day: The Things That Matter Most
I found these delicate beauties at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens in Hobart, Tasmania.
for Nancy Merrill Photography’s A Photo a Week Challenge: Delicate
Waterford, a seaport in southeast Ireland, is the country’s oldest city. It was founded by Vikings in 914 A.D. and parts of its ancient city wall still remain. Famed glass manufacturer Waterford Crystal began there in 1783. We enjoyed a tour of the company’s facility located near the historic district. As we explored more of the city, we noticed this street portrait of a Glassblower embedded in the wall. Seemed appropriate for both the challenges “travel” and “portrait”.
For RTD #55: Travel and Tourmaline One-Word Photo Challenge: Portrait
Lovely views from the roof-top of Winchester Cathedral in Winchester, England
For Nancy Merrill Photography’s A Photo a Week Challenge: From Above
Pretty trees “light the night” at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri. (for Nancy Merrill Photography’s weekly challenge)
Once a week for several years now, I have looked forward to the weekly photo challenge hosted by the Daily Post at Word Press. Their weekly theme prompts me to view my collection of photos with a new eye as I try to find what I think best represents the challenge. Sadly, this is the last week of a challenge which has been a constant source of inspiration for me. It’s not that I can’t come up with photos on my own (and I will!), but it’s been such a delight to see how others interrupt the same prompt. Their response usually puts forth a new and different way of looking at things, not to mention some pretty amazing photography and wonderful new blogs to follow! I shall miss it! In this final week, we have been asked to share one of our All-Time Favorites.
I don’t know what it is about this photo—perhaps the colors, the toes, the wisp of hair across her face, or maybe the innocence—but it will forever be one of my all-time favorites!
