Rays of Hope

sunrise hope today
with cooler temps; chance of rain
(yet not a drop fell)

Camp Lake Dreaming

if i could live here
it would be a peaceful life
under a rainbow

Blooming Bees

sunflower lessons:
never underestimate
the power of bees

Road Trip 2022, Day Fourteen: Dollywood

the best theme park rides
(Dolly doesn’t disappoint)
and wins all ages
our last day at home 
(my husband’s former home, here.)
oh how we’ll miss them

Road Trip 2022, Day Thirteen: Reunion

now everyone’s old
but these pretty blond babies?
next generation

Road Trip 2022, Day Twelve: Lake Life

dock spider, mud, fish;
a small hardwood forest hike
to a man-made lake
you can feel the joy
seeping through this perfect view
of nature, reborn
lakes are in my blood. 
i learned to swim in one
and love nothing more

Road Trip 2022, Day Eleven: Cades Cove

a magical place:
the only way to describe
these teenage smiles
even pup loves it 
cycling past wildlife
below the Smokies
where can you see bears
and collect salamanders
under the same sun?
this mountain-framed pic
taken on the same soil
twenty-three years past
we’re fatter, older
while the mountains are hotter;
such is life—sad changes
yet look at our girls
fearlessly taking this on
one moon-wing a time

Road Trip 2022, Day Eleven: Cades Cove

a magical place:
the only way to describe
these teenage smiles
even pup loves it 
cycling past wildlife
below the Smokies
where can you see bears
and collect salamanders
under the same sun?
this mountain-framed pic
taken on the same soil
twenty-three years past
we’re fatter, older
while the mountains are hotter;
such is life—sad changes
yet look at our girls
fearlessly taking this on
one moon-wing a time

Road Trip 2022, Day Ten: Gaps

through Cumberland Gap
we drive down to Tennessee
and stand in three states
it’s been many years
(the gap between visits here)
and everything’s changed
Pappy’s room is new
with the antique furniture
from their grandparents
a whole new kitchen 
to fill Donna’s empty nest
with the light of love
this generation 
will take the time to teach them
and fill in the gaps
they’ll learn who came first,
what they fought for, what they lost;
close gaps, open eyes

Road Trip 2022, Day Nine: Water

Kentucky River
holds the morning cliff paddle
(limestone for horses)
you can’t find this view
west of the Mississippi
(where it’s drought, drought, dry)
here? just paddling
along the river, the creek
till you find yourself
you might find turtles 
(soft shells, even, a bonus)
as you move along
just like the sliders
they slip into the water
hoping for the best