Wishing You Many Good Things

I wander through
a river of stones
searching for life's
infinite possibilities

September snow in dry river bed, Burro Trail, Breckenridge, CO

I started this blog in January, 2011, to participate with other writers around the world in creating "small stones" which are brief, focused observations about daily life. In each subsequent January, I've done daily posts of small stones while also posting once a week or more in other months. The title of the blog is its goal - to find and report on One good Thing (and sometimes on more than one). 

Recently, I've decided that two blogs are more than I can handle. I intend to make One Good Thing private in about a week's time. I know that some people just stop posting and let their blogs in the public domain, but I've heard stories about theft of content as well as actual piracy of inactive blogs by spammers, so I've decided to close One Good Thing to the public. It will remain for my family to read if they so desire.

I want to thank all who have commented here the past several years. I've enjoyed getting to know you - many of you are writers/photographers who also participated in the small stone challenge.

I believe that good things are infinite and are waiting for us to find them. 

Wishing you an abundance of all good things!

I'll continue to post on my blog, Live and Learn.

Perhaps some of you will visit me there.

Thank You for your friendship,

Barb

This and That from Breckenridge

My world is awash with color.

The aspens are shouting in orange and gold. 

A few hardy blooms survive the colder temperatures.

The rest dry and go to seed.

I welcome change.

The Denver house sold - the new owner took possession today.

Our glorious fall is nearly over at high altitude.

Snow last night and again tonight signal the coming of winter.

Between unpacking boxes and rearranging the house,

I'm learning a new camera and editing system.

Wherever you are in the world,

I hope something is making you smile!

(All photos Olympus E-M1, Micro 4/3, edited in Lightroom)

End of Summer - New Camera, New Challenge

goodbye for a little while

I'm studying a new camera format

perhaps I'll grow some brain cells

(or more gray hair and wrinkles)

no worries -

I'll have fun

(comments closed)

Before the Snow

late summer at altitude:

dazzling displays of Fireweed

birds departing for warmer climes

last bursts of color

before the purity of white

It's really beautiful in Summit County these days.

The tourists depart for awhile.

Weather is cool and getting colder.

Gardens flourish until hard frost.

Locals smile and call hello.

Abundance and time to enjoy it.

Now and Then

my favorite time of year

cool days and chilly nights

wet forests of pine and mold

wildflowers in a last encore

before the hush of snow

rain poured as we said our vows

people assured us that the rain meant good luck

we smiled today as the skies opened

a torrent helping us celebrate

48 years

Nature's Garden - Wildflowers at High Altitude

Pinnate Daisies

After a weekend of rain, the forest welcomes me -

a smell of moist decay and green rebirth.

Entering dense growth, I noticed a spot of red.

Wild strawberries are coming into season.

Morning sun backlights grasses.

Senecio

Wildflowers dance in a light breeze.

In a shady ditch, Pearly Everlasting line up for inspection.

A small decaying stump

(which I have photographed countless times)

is especially appealing with its sodden textures

resting on bright ground cover.

delicate and orchid-like but highly poisonous - Death Camus

In boggy areas, Death Camus

waves its ghostly blossoms.

orange Paintbrush, white Paintbrush, Pinnate Daisies

I walk through Nature's garden.

Surrounded by wildflowers - One Good Thing

(all photos iPhone 5)

I've been researching mirrorless cameras (4/3 macros).

If anybody visiting me uses a mirrorless, I'd like to hear from you.

Mountain Music

sweet sounds of river and brass and strings

impromptu concert 

youth and music and Nature

I stop to listen

Lucky Me!

my mother was superstitious

she carefully pressed four leaf clovers

between sheets of waxed paper

I left these where I found them

for

Good Luck

Magical Surprise

sometimes ...

it IS worth

the wait

snow squall, second week of June, Breckenridge

Calypso Orchids (Fairy Slipper) blooming in the forest in mid-June while temps went below freezing  and patches of snow were still on the ground

I like to think that looks can be deceiving...

delicate beauty

tiny fragile magical

Calypso Orchid

snow finally melted except for peaks

still glistening white in the sunshine

high altitude summer begins

(small stones)

Goodbye Again

Everything changes.

Bob and I are busy preparing for a change.

We're planning to sell our Denver house.

I smile as I pack and reorganize - there are many good memories.

However, time is at a premium and most is spent getting ready.

I get tired.

There is no time for the computer.

Think of me as I'll think of you - 

until I return.

Barb

(comments closed)

Stairs As Metaphor

I love photographing stairs:

down

stairs going to street level in our small, restored Bisbee hotel
(Letson Lofts)

sometimes a little scary
(watch your step)

night stroll, Mary descending gritty stairs between buildings
(what might be waiting at the bottom?)

or up

who needs a stairmaster for exercise?

up, up, and up  

a long haul
(and tiring)

changing over time
(like life itself)

sometimes easy and satisfying

crumbling steps to house (behind poppies)

other times precarious - just hanging in there

Mary and I visited Bisbee on my recent trip to AZ.
A historical mining town built on hills
is "taking steps" to reimagine itself
becoming a mecca for artists and entrepreneurs.

The metaphor of climbing Life's stairs - going both up and down
- searching for clarity and meaning -
- trying to remain stable -
my One Good Thing today.

Is there something commonplace
that you particularly like to write about or photograph?
Why is it meaningful to you?

Bonus Time

in the past week

I've moved through

varying ecosystems:

Granite Mt, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, AZ

 desert wilderness

open space, Denver, CO

 urban greenbelt

Breckenridge Ski area - May 2014

  

high altitude peaks

Mile High City and snow covered Continental Divide

 back to the city

with views of peaks

each place I visit - so different

yet, each in its own way

full of wonder:

a celebration

and so it is with all of us:

bound by our shared humanity

yet unique individuals

splendid and wonderous

one-of-a-kind

Barb inside glass sculpture - Scottsdale, AZ

my son says that living after age 70 is "bonus time"

tomorrow, I begin Bonus Time

I hope to continue life's adventure!

(another One Good Thing)

Denver Blooms

suddenly

a realization of longing

after a secret wish is

fulfilled

the arrival of spring in Denver

I'm enjoying the city while it continues to snow in Breckenridge.

Denver is blooming!

I fly to Arizona tomorrow.

I haven't seen my friend for a year.

We'll be road-tripping, talking, eating, playing...

did I mention talking?

Friends are always my One Good Thing!

Leaving Snow Behind!

Ben (11) off Peak 6, Breckenridge

Snow continues to dominate the mountain landscape.
Another 15" (38 cm) fell overnight.

rock garden, Denver Botanic

However, spring is showing itself 90 miles away in Denver.

I'm veering toward that warmth!

Sam (19 months), Japanese Garden, Denver Botanic

In about a week, I'm bound for Arizona.

I hear the Saguaros are in bloom.
I'll be visiting my friend, Mary.

I asked Fox to keep watch until I return.