Finding the Beauty - Day 7

We're deep into March now, usually the month I have the most trouble with, and I have to say that so far... knock on wood... there has been lots of beauty to find.

Recently, we went on a hike with some friends - that's where today's pics come from:



Thanks, Angela, for that first one!

Why do I love bleak, dry pictures like this? I don't know, I just do.

Here is the view, seen from between two rocks up at the summit. It is an amazing place, and takes my breath away every time I get the chance to climb to it.

I hope you are finding the beauty in March too! If you want to read a bit more about hiking, go to Shannon's post at our new community blog, The Relaxed Cafe.

Finding the Beauty - Day 5

Today, a field trip in pictures. First, we have The Book Barn. My gosh! What a place:

Next, it was off to an amazing state park in Connecticut:

We topped it all off with ice cream (Thanks Jen:-) Yum!

Finding the Beauty - Day 4

Sword

fighting

practice.

One Day

Yesterday marks the first time I've ever done something on purpose to celebrate Earth Day. I used to think that, while good in theory, the idea of 'doing' something, on one chosen day, to support the earth really could not help all that much.

But, with the kids both of an age to appreciate the problems caused by humans - and able to see the damage to their favorite wild places with their own eyes - it seemed like a good time to put this day to good use.

So, we got some friends, went out to our absolute favorite swimming hole, and picked up some litter!

From Spring 09

See that empty trash can, over on the right?

From Spring 09

From Spring 09

From Spring 09

It is amazing what thirty or so people can do in an hour.

From Spring 09

Giving us the rest of the afternoon for lunch, and play.

From Spring 09

From Spring 09

Yes, half-naked children... on April 22nd.

I couldn't only choose one of these parachute pictures to post, so here they all are:

From Spring 09

From Spring 09

From Spring 09

They were having SO much fun!

And then to top it all off, two swans came to visit:

From Spring 09

I got home and heard on the radio about all sorts of 'green' living products and advertisements that apparently surface each April, to take advantage of Earth Day. I wanted to shout at the radio that all you have to do to celebrate Earth Day is, go outside! Go pick up litter in the park!

I won't miss this opportunity again; one day can really do a whole lot for our earth.

The Ocean In Winter

I know it's weird, but I love the ocean in the off-season. In fact, I prefer it to the summer, when beaches and roads are crowded and everyone is frying in the sun.

So the other night, when the weatherman said something about the recent full moon combined with high tides making for great beach-combing, I knew where The Stone Age Techie's next field trip would be!

From winter 08 09

From winter 08 09

From winter 08 09

We went, and wandered, and got sand in our boots. It was a really good day.

For our next field trip, I want the ocean and some good tidal pools! I'm already figuring out where we'll end up, and feeling grateful that we live so close to the coast.

Walking

Lately, I haven't had enough pictures up, so today I decided to remedy that by sharing a few from a recent walk.

We've had crazy balmy weather, and with Ben around too, it seemed like the perfect day to get out, the 4 of us together.

From Drop Box

From Drop Box

We were fascinated with the creek, and the boys kept tossing in snowballs and running downstream to watch them drift. Such a simple, old-fashioned kind of pastime!

From Drop Box

From Drop Box

From Drop Box

It was the kind of slow-paced, listening-and-looking walk that makes life worth living, and one I hope to do again soon.