Picture for One Moment

Saturday was brisk and windy but beautifully sunny. The-future-Mr.-Pagan-Sphinx (that's a nod to the style of hyphening one's name with one's spouse, era ;-) and I decided we had to go to the bulb show at Smith College Botanical Garden, as it was the last weekend before they closed up the bulb display for the season. We figured the last day would be less crowded but we were wrong. The place was busier than I've ever seen it on any weekend I attended this event in the past. The botanical garden is a small jewel among the laid-back, but busy pace of Northampton. And the view from of the lake from the knoll the greenhouse sits upon, is western Mass at its relaxed best. If you live in western Mass and you don't love Northampton, you have no heart!  :-D

Because it was so crowded, it was hard to take decent photos, let alone get any stand-outs. This is my humble photo offering from the bulb show, which I hope you will enjoy. For some photos of this bulb show that will really knock your socks off, go visit my dear friend The Cunning Runt at Little Bang Theory.  (for those of you who don't know him, CR is The Girls' Dad and my western Massachusetts neighbor to the west, not to mention my blog buddy.  (hi, guy).    :-)  

 

The Girls (and then there are three more girls, besides  ;)

As I look out the window my desk faces at home, a mixture of snow and freezing rain is turning to just rain. It's been coming down since around 9:30 this morning. I'm glad I had a chance to get some color and warmth on Saturday at Smith.  On this first day of the vernal equinox, I wish you....well...better weather than what we're getting around here today! But also love, peace and groovy things.

Pagan Sphinx

Linking to That's My World Tuesday

(fantastic folks from around the world gather in these places virtually to celebrate the beauty and interest that surround us through photos and other creative media)

Today's Flowers

The Dahlia

All of these images were taken at the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, on the Deerfield River on September 5.
Once an abandoned trolley bridge, it has been turned into a garden path and maintained for 80 years.

Today's Flowers

 

 

Emily Dickinson - Pagan Sphinx and Linking to Today's Flowers

Those of you who know me a lot or a little or who read here a lot or a little, are aware that I have a thing for Emily Dickinson - her life, her poems and her home turned museum in Amherst, part of my Western Massachusetts stomping ground.

The title of the blog The Pagan Sphinx was actually inspired by an article I read online by a certain Gary Sloan, a literature professor somewhere I don't recall. The topic of the article is Emily Dickinson's views on religion and faith, as known through her poetry and letters. The only items we "know" Emily at all by. The conclusion of the article is that Emily died somewhat of a pagan, having gone back and forth in her mind, throughout her adult life doubting the existence of god.

"Faith" is a fine invention, when gentlemen can see
But microscopes are prudent, in an emergency.-- Emily Dickinson, "Faith" (ca. 1860), quoted from James A Haught, ed, 2000 Years of Disbelief

I am one who continues to think about issues of faith and doubt. I sometimes feel a quick pull toward something slightly akin to faith but just as quickly, I am snatched away by my thoughts of both joy and despair and by matters that need my direct and immediate attention. For example, what is happening with my family. Looking after WP, four daughters, an in-law, and a boyfriend or two (of the girls'  :-), a few other family members as well as a couple of close friends. I try to get back to that place that I know makes me a better person.

I was almost persuaded to be a Christian. I thought I never again could be thoughtless and worldly. But I soon forgot my morning prayer or else it was irksome to me. One by one my old habits returned and I cared less for religion than ever.
-- Emily Dickinson, at age 15, shortly after a Christian revival in her home town of Amherst, Massachusetts, in a letter to her friend Abiah Root, quoted from Gary Sloan, "Emily Dickinson: Pagan Sphinx," Positive Atheism (June, 2001)

On subjects of which we know nothing, we both believe and disbelieve a hundred times an hour, which keeps believing nimble.
-- Emily Dickinson, quoted from Gary Sloan, "Emily Dickinson: Pagan Sphinx," Positive Atheism (June, 2001)

This last visit to Emily's garden was made on a very hot and humid Amherst, Massachusetts afternoon. I don't usually do the audio tour, though I made a mental note that next time I would, to see how it is compiled. There were several people around the garden with the audio and I just snapped away at the phlox and cone flowers, the snapdragons and a couple of elegant orchids.

Those who lift their hats shall see Nature as devout do God.
-- Emily Dickinson

Those who lift their hats shall see Nature as devout do God.
-- Emily Dickinson, more naturalism or pantheism, quoted from Gary Sloan, "Emily Dickinson: Pagan Sphinx," Positive Atheism (June, 2001)

They say that God is everywhere, and yet we always think of Him as somewhat of a recluse.
-- Emily Dickinson (attributed: source unknown)

Credits:

Positive Atheism's Emily Dickinson Quotations

Emily Dickinson:  Pagan Sphinx by Gary Sloan

Eclectica Magazine

Today's Flowers

Today's Flowers and Mellow Yellow Monday

 

The Sunflower

In our western Massachusetts U.S.A. garden, we were delighted by a healthy crop of sunflowers in one of our beds in the back garden.  We did not have much luck with these yellow beauties in the past. Perhaps it was something to do with the seeds?  One thing I find peculiar is that almost all of the sunflowers bend their faces to the north. Whatever their personal preferences, I am partial to the sunflower and I'm thrilled they are liking their home in my garden. Next year, I want more of them! 

Ah Sunflower

 

Ah Sunflower, weary of time,
Who countest the steps of the sun;
Seeking after that sweet golden clime
Where the traveller's journey is done;

Where the Youth pined away with desire,
And the pale virgin shrouded in snow,
Arise from their graves, and aspire
Where my Sunflower wishes to go!

William Blake

Today's Flowers

 

Mellow Yellow Monday

Today's Flowers, Mellow Yellow Monday and Watery Wednesday

Wild Iris along the Connecticut River

Gill, Massachusetts

Today's Flowers

Mellow Yellow Monday

Watery Wednesday

Blogging 'Round the Globe: Today's Flowers

The luxurious Peony

Today's Flowers

click on the link above to enjoy glorious blooms around the world

Today's Flowers, My World, Sky Watch Friday, Camera Critters and Watery Wednsday

It's a lot to bite off in terms of photo memes, but I believe that this will deliver to all five memes!  :-)

A Walk Along Lake Pleasant

Sunday, May 23, 2009

Lake Pleasant was once (see full correction in comments) a reservoir for public drinking water for the residents of Turners Falls and Montague, in lovely rural Western Massachusetts.  Though it is considered trespassing (sush, don't tell anyone), a few townsfolk hang out there once in a while - literally a couple at a time. Overall the area is respected and kept wild and untarnished.

I now take you on today's walk. Watch your step - there may be Lady's Slipper under-foot! 

Looking up toward the sky...

a mixture of sun and fluffy clouds.

Discoveries along the trail...

A painted turtle that my hawk-eyed and determined mate caught for a photo op. It was quickly released back to the lake.

A wild turkey wing

and these guys.

Today's Flowers

Sky Watch Friday

That's My World

Camera Critters

and

Watery Wednesday

Shadow Shot Sunday and Today's Flowers

Poetic Shadows in Honor of National Poetry Month

April is National Poetry Month in the United States. An appreciator of poetry from a young age, I'm weaving the theme through several of my posts all month.

For the last couple of years, I've been making a pilgrimage to The Emily Dickinson Museum. The Homestead and The Evergreens is made up of two historic houses and their three-acre landscape on Main Street in Amherst, Massachusetts. Here, the small sphere of existence is preserved  of one of America's most significant poets. The Homestead was the birthplace, in 1830, and home of the Emily Dickinson. The Evergreens, next door, was home to her beloved brother and sister-in-law, Austin and Susan Dickinson, and their three children.

Here are a few photos I took of The Dickinson Homestead and The Evergreens. 

The yellow brick house front door faces south.

If I'm not mistaken the window farthest to the right and the one around the corner are those of the poet's bedroom.

"Where thou art, that is home."

 ~ Emily Dickinson
 

 The sideyard

"My friends are my estate."

~ Emily Dickinson

 The stone path that leads East to Emily's Garden

"How strange that nature does not knock, and yet does not intrude!"
Emily Dickinson

"The lovely flowers
embarrass me.
They make me regret
I am not a bee..."

"Forever is composed of now."

"Find ecstasy in life; the mere sense of living is joy enough"

A path described by Emily Dickinson as “just wide enough for two who love” linked the two Dickinson houses, crossing the lawn from the back door of the Homestead to the east piazza of The Evergreens.
which lies west of the main house.

"The soul should always stand ajar, ready to welcome the ecstatic experience." 

side porch of The Evergreens

I'll be back in May or June to see how things are growing then, in Emily's garden.

Shadow Shot Sunday

Today's Flowers