We Ride Around the Sun

sun left early
Originally uploaded by polaris37.

December's dusk lasts but a moment -- Darnkness arrives so very quickly.

Wool and down keep us warm, but our breath still steams into the night sky, disappearing as quickly as did the daylight.

Fear not, however, for the Solstice is near, and daylight will stretch longer again. Today the sun lay low on the southern horizon. Soon it will climb higher and higher and nature will respond with flowers galore in Spring.

What an amazing ride we enjoy as we circle the sun.

Moonlight In Iceland

Moonlight
Originally uploaded by Madddy.

Feel the pull of this moon.

NOURISHING NATURALS

Etienne de La Boétie, a 16th Century French Judge, philosopher and poet, once wrote:

"I like what feeds me: drinking, eating, books."

To that list of nourishing naturals the motorcyclist must add "adventure."

The Old Mills

The Old Mill
Originally uploaded by Jim Dollar.

I've read that West Virginia has some of the finest motorcycling roads in North America. I'll have to go see about that one day.

Old Mills are places of intrigue. Many are now empty: long gone are the jobs and people who once thrived in them. Grain is no longer milled by water power.

In their day these shops were ahum with activity and commerce. Families made such mills their entire world. The work was hard, but the rewards were pure and simple.

Whenever I happen upon the decaying remnants of such places I pause to think of those folk. I say a little prayer of thanks for them.

Flight of a Kite

my most difficult shot yet...
Originally uploaded by Between Ellipsis.

Soaring throught the air, a Kite speeds above the land yet below a bridge. Upon the bridge a patient photographer captures the moment.

Uplifting.

Fish Zen

Coral Garden
Originally uploaded by Catherine Reyes.

A coral garden in Bora Bora affords the perfect playground for those who don snorkle, fins and mask. Fish Zen.

The Amazing Circle

Circle of Fish
Originally uploaded by Catherine Reyes.

As much as I want snow to come I also think of warm tropical places. Bora Bora intrigues me.

Here, tropical fish photographed by a Bora Bora snorkler are subjected to the "Amazing Circle" procedure, creating a spectacular glass ball effect.

Bora Bora...........someday.

Napoli Calling

Upcoming storm
Originally uploaded by rocdam.

The Italian coast lies along some of the bluest waters of the world. I'm reminded of a favorite song by Shawn Mullins (album:"9th Ward Pickin Parlor"), titled "Blue As You."

Of whatever color, the oceans are magnificent.

SUNRISE DOESN'T LAST ALL MORNING

It was a long day today. I'm ending it with George Harrison songs, such as "All Things Must Pass."

But it isn't always going to be this way. In fact, today saw amazing change for me. Darkness can only last a nighttime, but daylight arrives at the right time. (All things attributed to George for those lines that I selected.)

My oldest son called tonight and advised that he had won the University elections for Inter-Fraternity Academic President. I have no idea what that really means, but he sounded so happy about it that it must be really cool. I'm so proud of him for making something he wanted come true. That, after all, is a big part of adulthood.

Its true, sunrise doesn't last all morning. But I tell you this: sunrise lasts as long as you allow it to linger. Being a romantic lost in the wrong century ... I allow it to linger forever.

Parrot Heads

Welcome to Parrot Jungle
Originally uploaded by nal from miami.

I've been listening to Jimmy Buffet's latest album while looking at lovely photos of birds. Then I stumbled across this colorful shot of two fellows looking quite content in their flamboyant attire.

I don't blame them one bit.