<p>I have so many stories to tell, moments to share. Having to start somewhere I will start here at one of my favorite spots, one of our Sunday outings: the trail along the Norwalk river at the Ridgefield recreation center (just down the hill from our old house.)</p>
<p>One of the lovely things about this trail is that little bit of man made planning that created semi secluded spots just off the pathway with small weathered docks out to the river, now pea green with duck weed, spotted with purpling lily pads and the dramatic sun bleached fallen branches that one can't help at this time of year to see as witchy hands with boney fingers reaching down into the mucky brew for a toad or two. </p>
<p>There are (purple martin) houses situated here and there along the river and the quiet can be magically momentarily taken over by the huge slow motion swoop of a grey heron there right before you then gone. </p>
<p>On our "outings" Andrew is the photographer with travel tripod, filters and lenses, bracketing every shot so there is a bit of a high fashion shoot feel "beeju beeju beeju". I have trouble with landscapes I've come to realize. His are breathtaking, mine fail to satisfy my desire to capture what I see - the shapes and contours, the secret little depths. They feel too flat and the gentle atmospheric tints and hues are lost. </p>
<p>So I tend toward the small - a leaf, a fern, a branch of thorns or flowers. I'm so fascinated by the shapes in nature, the grace and stature in the natural tableau. The perfect imperfection. But I get "stuck" sometimes in some small vignette of leaves and branches and Andy has moved on and the dog, Holly - for these outings are ostensibly for her - pulls and tugs between us inevitably just as I am trying to keep steady for just one more close up shot</p>
<p>This trail has picnic tables too and I often bring along a little sketch kit (btw.. I have been designing - mentally - the perfect travel art and naturalist's kit... stay tuned.. One of these days I may actually make them! and I'm sure we all need them!) but I don't often get that much sketching done - I tend more to use my photos as reference later at home. </p>
<p>This day I drew a bit tho and decided for fun to leave a "random piece of art" for someone to find. I couldn't fit the entire quote, one of my favorites, but wonder if anyone who came across it knew what I meant. I left a clue of the authors initials. Do you know it?</p>
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