LAVENDER

This afternoon my mom and I traveled to Mechanicsville, near Peddler's Village, to visit Carousel Farm which grows and sells organic lavender products. When we arrived a gentleman directed us to parking right by the shop which was a beautifully restored out-building. I asked if I could bring Hannah inside, and we were graciously granted permission. As we walked into the shop, the gentle smell of lavender embraced us. The shop had hardwood floors and a wooden spiral staricase and a sitting area with comfortable furniture. We were greeted and hosted as if we were friends.


Among the products on sale were candles, soaps, lotion, essential oil, sachet, bunches of dried lavender flowers, lavender spritzer, and notecards displaying photographs taken by the owner. After selecting and paying for our purchases, Hannah and I walked around the farm to see the horses, goats, and llamas.

I also purchased loose lavender pods to create my own sachets to give as gifts. The trip was an adventure -- beautiful property, wonderful and hospitable people, and an abundance of lavender. I asked if I could come back in the summer to do some photography, and I was told I could come anytime -- to just call......

I recommend a visit to Carousel Farm to find that perfect gift. The farm's URL is:

http://www.carouselfarmlavender.com/

(all photographs taken from Google images)

Learning From Nature

Juan Manuel Carrion is an artist, ornithologist and environmentalist living near Quito, Ecuador. For many years he was worked to raise Ecuador's public awareness about need to preserve and protect it's natural environment and its bio-diversity.


(red-tailed hawk)
Carrion speaks of the lack of monotony in nature and the lessons we can learn from being a part of the natural world around us ....


(black capped chickadee)
The Globaloneness Project website offers a wide variety of thought provoking articles and video clips.... well worth visiting regularly.


(natural trail in Tamanend Park)
Take a moment to watch this clip and think about the lessons "YOU" learn from nature. I challenge you to walk in areas of unspoiled beauty without your cell phone buzzing in your pocket.

http://www.globalonenessproject.org/video/Juan-Manuel-Carrion/1



( Black River in Hacklebarney State Park)

Winter Walk

Hannah and I ignored the weather today and went for a walk at Tamanend to enjoy the first snow of the season. The "white stuff" excited her, and she would shovel her nose into the snow and come up with ice crystals all over her face. Then she would take off and run wildly. The beauty of Tamanend is not spoiled with paved paths, and the natural terrain is much easier on my joints. This is one of the main trails.

When I am carrying my camera, my eyes are searching for unusual shapes and colors. The tangled wildness provides much inspiration, but so often my camera does not catch what my eye sees.

Deep in the woods there is a pond and a stream. Today the pond was glazed with a fine patina of ice. Dark stars punctuated the surface, and the thin ice reflected the trees.

The pond is small, but the setting is exquisite. There is a dock at one end, and last week Hannah intentionally slid off the dock to swim in the deep, dark water. She immediately panicked and turned around -- her efforts to climb onto the dock were futile. I couldn't coax her to the shore, and wound up having to pull her out of the water.

Tamanend Park is a real sanctuary. My walks there are meditative, and I always come out with my spirit renewed.