Bespoke-Beespeak

***Her blog bespoke of her appreciation of the simple things in life.***

When I saw that bespoke was the daily prompt, I had to respond since my blog is called the beespeak! I hope that my appreciation of the simple things in life is evident when you look at my blog posts, many of which feature nature photographs. Of course, simple is a relative term, right? While simple in comparison to more fancy, expensive things, it is undeniable that trees and creeks and birds and flowers are exquisite in their beauty.

These simple rough woodland sunflowers, reaching toward the sky, made me happy. And it made me smile to see the little bee buzzing around them!

What simple things make you happy?

#beehappy
#beeappreciative

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One Word Photo Challenge-Bee

Busy Bee

Of course, I had to share a bee picture in response to JNW’s One Word Photo Challenge-Bee.
This is, after all, the beespeak blog!

I took this picture of a fuzzy bee on my rhododendrons last summer. It is my only bee picture to date. I think it is a busy bumblebee. Bees are such hard workers. What would we do without the magic (okay, science) of pollination?

I’ll see you on the blogging beeline!

Candy Sweetness

Do you remember Dreamsicles? This bite-size orange flavored candy tastes like a sweeter version of the Dreamsicles I loved as a kid!

I found the candy confection at a nearby family run store. The store is called Jamison’s and the country store (not to be confused with the Country Market posted about previously) is located at the family orchard. I also bought homemade ginger rock candy that was earthy and sweet. I am looking forward to going there again to buy more candy! There are so many flavors to choose from that the decision won’t be easy!

Do you have a sweet tooth?

#besweet, #beesweet
Beespeak- it’s better to be sweet than bitter

This is my entry for JNW’s Color Your World Challenge-apricot.

Antique Brass

Brass Plaque

I like to think this metal image is of Sir Walter Raleigh playing chess.

As far as being antique, it doesn’t go back as far (1554-1618) as the English gentleman himself, but only as far as the 1900’s when my grandmother gave me this nick-knack. For some reason, the image has always intrigued me. So, I have kept it.

Sir Walter was involved in sending people to start Roanoke Colony, later to be known as the Lost Colony, in America. While I live in Roanoke, Virginia and not in Roanoke Island, North Carolina, I still felt a connection to that story when I first learned about it in elementary school history class.

I associate Sir Walter with tobacco, and the plaque gentlemen, in Elizabethan style garments, are smoking pipes. They seem to be in the midst of a strategic game. I have read that Sir Walter Raleigh enjoyed chess and he has been quoted as saying “I do not wish to live longer than I can play chess.”

I do not claim to be a history expert or chess master, but it seems Sir Walter was quite passionate about playing chess. I’m curious, what pastimes (other than blogging, of course!) are you passionate about?

#bepassionate, #beepassionate
Beespeak- Find something that you are passionate about and do it!

This is my entry for JNW’s Color Your World Challenge-antique Brass.

Spiky Circles

Sweetgum Fruit

When I saw this tree in the distance, I had no idea that it was full of dangling spiky circles. I was uncertain of the tree name, but later learned that it was a Sweetgum tree. The circular fruit of the Sweetgum tree is hard and dry and each is composed of about 40-60 capsules. Each capsule contains one to two small seeds and has a pair of terminal spikes. There are about 80-120 spikes on each ball.

Fruits of the Sweetgum

Seeds are released when the fruit opens and are food for many kinds of birds and squirrels.

Downy Woodpecker in the Sweetgum Tree

I believe this woodpecker was more interested in exploring the Sweetgum wood than its fruit.

Sweetgum Burr

The long stemmed fruit tries to cling onto the branches in the winter.

Sweetgum Burr Balls

When the spiky burrs fall to the ground, they are uncomfortable to walk on. The ground surrounding this tree was covered in burrs even though the tree looks full!

I am so glad that I took notice of this tree and its distinctive beauty. I want to see what the leaves and flowers look like later on in the year as the tree goes through the circle of life!

Happy New Year, Everyone!

#beattentive, #beeattentive
Beespeak: Be attentive- take notice of the beauty surrounding you!

*posted for the daily post weekly photo challenge:
Circle

*also posted for Jennifer Nichole Wells new Color Your World Challenge with today’s theme of Almond

2015 in review

Happy New year! Thank you to everyone for following my blog, providing prompts and feedback, and  (most of all) for  the interesting conversations! I wish you all the best in 2016!

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2015 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 5,500 times in 2015. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 5 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wildlife Lessons

Lazy Curtis Taking a Break

Ten things I learned from wildlife while sitting on my porch:

1. Prepare for the winter.
2. Don’t hide all your nuts in one place.
3. It’s okay to relax when your work is done.
4. Blending in is safe.
5. Wear bright colors if you want attention.
6. Look around.
7. Move…run, climb, hop, jump, fly, and soar!
8. Claim your home but share your world.
9. Beauty is not only one thing.
10. Be yourself.

*posted for writing101, list made
To see more of my wildlife pictures and posts click The Backyard Bunch heading at the top of the page!

BeeSpeak Lessons (Happy Blog-O-Versary to Me)

Year One

When I started my blog one year ago today, I had no idea where it would lead me. I thought I would explore life lessons learned along the busy beeline of my life. As my interests and interactions evolved, so did my blog. I have had an opportunity to share my thoughts, writing and photography. My blog has served as a creative outlet for me and a way to expand my world with blogger friends. I really enjoy posting, reading blogs and interacting with all you fellow bloggers. Looking back, I have learned valuable life lessons, ten of which I will share with you here.

1. Be Happy. I discovered that taking pictures makes me happy.
2. Be Observant. It is easy to find beauty in the mundane, if you take the time to look.
3. Be Kind. Words matter.
4. Be Calm. Most anger arises from fear.
5. Be Amazed. I am amazed and a little obsessed with my hummingbirds and nature in general.
6. Be Caring. It is vital to care about others and also to let others care about you.
7. Be Creative. Taking photos and writing poetry, haiku or stories can free your mind.
8. Be Appreciative. Try to recognize the special but fleeting moments of simple daily life.
9. Be Friendly. You really can make blogger friends if you interact.
10. Be Loving. My love for God, family, pets, friends and nature is what lights my spirit.

I am looking forward to another year of learning and growing with you all!

Be Amazed Again-Hummingbird Return

Hummingbird Return!

YAY! Finally! I saw the first hummingbird of the season in my backyard last night and when it returned tonight at around the same time, I was ready with my camera!

I had never seen a hummingbird until last year and I fell in love with the little birds! I introduced my blog last August with some of the first posts being about my search for a hummingbird. I watched for the birds each evening, using binoculars for close up views. Seeing the vivid ruby throat was astonishing. I took a picture as proof of my sighting and you can see the very tiny bird image here.

Now, I have a camera with zoom capability, hence this close up picture. I took two blurry pictures and this featured picture before it flew away. In my excitement, I was lucky to get this shot.

I remain amazed at the beauty of the little birds. Hopefully, I will be able to capture some more pictures, including the glorious ruby throated male. Let the summer viewing begin!

(I am also posting this into Lucile’s Photo Rehab Clinic as my best hummingbird photo yet!)

A Fresh Coat of Paint (Be Creative)

My Fireflies

Recently, I had the chance to try something new that put a spring in my step for three reasons. I went to a local activity called Paint Night at a downtown restaurant.

Paint Night is set up so that you can meet up with friends (reason one), have a drink (reason two), and put some paint on a canvas (reason three.) It was fantastic!

I arranged to meet my friend Donna at the event. It had been years since we had seen each other but our conversation fell right back into place. Smiling and laughing with an old friend is guaranteed to put a spring in your step!

The bar was open and we considered how to enjoy our beverages without spilling them on our developing masterpieces given the small table space. Mission accomplished with a spring in the step and careful beverage placement of Blue Moon drafts.

Our glasses sat right beside special plates decorated with splotches of colorful paint we would use for our paintings. Everyone was going to learn how to paint the same general picture but each would turn out differently as we added our own flair.

I have always wanted to try painting. Placing the first streak of blue across the canvas was exhilarating! I was hooked! I must learn more. My painting may not look like a Monet, or stand up to harsh critique, but it is mine! Mixing colors and placing brush to canvas in a joyful environment was relaxing. The worries of the day drifted away in a swirl of paint. I had a spring in my step as I carried my treasure from the building.

I am learning that making time for creativity is energizing and well worth the effort! Do you feel the same way?

Posted in response to the daily prompt: Re-springing Your Step.