floral

Soft light in the morning

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Summer is usually filled with bright and vivid colors – the deep blue of the sky, the lightest whites in the clouds overhead, the bold red geraniums, the intense orange tiger lilies, and the vibrant gold of sunflowers. Yet this morning when I stepped out into the garden I noticed a welcome softness. Maybe it was the cooler temperatures or the haziness of the sky blocking some of the sun’s rays. The purple cornflowers were the same color they had been yesterday but there seemed to be a touch of delicateness in the garden – a softer light that spoke to me more than the primary colors of summer. It was as if it was telling to me to breathe deeply, and to enjoy the summer and this very moment.

Summer red

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Our summer this year is best represented by the color red. These lovely coneflowers are a perfect representation – the full impact of summer’s heat and the warm colors that we associate with it. We jumped from our late and short spring of blues and greens into the heat and drought of summer. The Canadian wildfire smoke has been prevalent here. The usual clear and blue skies have been hazy and murky. The sun rises as a red and orange ball, sometimes barely visible , while the landscape takes on an eerie feeling where things aren’t as they seem.

And there’s the red of watermelon – a summer staple. Take a slice, bite into it, savor that taste of the summer months as the juices drip down your arms. And strawberries too, which are at their sweet peak right now providing a delicious burst when popped in your mouth. There’s red in our US flag representing hardiness and valor, and it’s sometimes said it also represents the blood of the men and women who have fought to protect our freedom and our country. A huge and heartfelt thanks to those people, and a happy 4th of July to all my US friends! Enjoy this carefree time of summer!

Holiday cards and 2021 desk calendars

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2020 has been a year like no other.  If you are looking for a special way to connect with your family and friends, I am once again offering my original line of holidays cards and desk calendars.  These feature my photographic images and are sure to provide color and joy in this year and the next.  The four images here are a sample; more information, along with the complete line of cards and calendars can be found by clicking on the corresponding tabs at the top of my blog page.  Please contact me with any questions.

Thank you for following along with my blog journey in 2020.  This year has brought it’s share of ups and downs, but there’s always something beautiful outside our doors and windows and I’ve enjoyed sharing some of my sights and experiences with you.

A single zinnia

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The summer season is full of hardy flowers that can tolerate the heat of August.  We’ve had our share of high temps and humidity and some of the gardens are showing the stress of the late summer.  But the zinnias and sunflowers are still bright.  Their colors represent this season well and they flourish to remind us to enjoy the blooms and the time that remains before fall comes gliding in on those cool and longer nights.

Holiday cards and 2020 desk calendars

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Staats_holiday cards_calendars 2019_2020

We’re midway through November – a sure sign of the upcoming holidays and the new year.  For the past 16 years I have been offering my original line of holiday cards and desk calendars with my photographic images.

These four images are some of the samples for this year.  More information, along with the complete line of cards and calendars can be found by clicking on the corresponding tabs at the top of my blog page.  If you’d like more information about these distinctive gift items, whether for friends and family or for yourself, please contact me.

Thanks for following along with my blog journeys.  I wish you all joy during the upcoming holiday seasons, and a new year filled with beauty and amazement.