In this time of the worldwide pandemic do you especially find nature soothing – how so?
I feel so energetic living in nature!! My senses are alive as fresh air fills my lungs, the running river and birds sing, that earthy smell makes me smile.
Author: Julie Stephens
travels
Niagara Falls Canada June 2018 – celebrating the 1st birthday of our granddaughter with our son and his family
The 7 year old’s perspective – would be so interesting to know what he is thinking…
Wherever I am nature… colors…flowers…call out to me
Our son with his sons 
Me with my 1 year-old granddaughter
A little water park we happened upon
The New York Power Authority plant diverts water from the Niagara River above Niagara Falls and returns the water into the lower portion of the river near Lake Ontario.
Your Mountain Friend
My husband and I returned home from a memorable trip to Italy at the end of October 2019. We were shocked a few weeks later about the flooding where we had recently been in Vince and then again a few months later about the Coronavirus in Italy.
Soothing Nature
Often in these days of the pandemic thoughts can weigh heavily
While being ‘one with nature’ I don’t think about anything else
These nesting osprey were a gift of being in the right
place at the right time…
Watching both parents feed the screaming chick was
an incredible experience
I am both writer and photographer – sometimes in nature
there’s just not the words…
Steep hike up to this ‘hidden’ waterfall
It feels so good being able to climb like this – so alive, being
connected to nature…living in the mountains, writing,
photographing and walking…in nature…
Little flying jewels
Since I’m still very much getting use to our new very heavy camera I’m particularly proud of this ‘in flight’ photograph
It’s been scientifically proved that being close to nature reduces stress and tension
What is your connection to nature?
Nature
Another beyond beautiful, blue sky day in the mountains!!! With our new camera, I was on my way to the lake this morning by 6:30, without the dogs who wondered why they weren’t going – it was so cold – my fingers didn’t want to cooperate with the camera – the sun never came over the mountain while I was there this morning – still – what a J-O-Y~!!
Isolating in Nature
Earth Day
After waking to a dark, early morning, heavy spring snow – the sun has come out to create a picturesque day. The dogs and I just walked the nature trail.
These Days Count
Life’s Little Delights
Handmade Easter card from a friend
Playing in the disappearing snow
Hope & Joy
Preparing a colorfully pleasing, tasty
and healthy meal is so satisfying!
Bless us, Oh Lord, and these thy gifts
which we are about to receive from thy bounty,
through Christ, Our Lord.
Coping With the Coronavirus
Last year our town rooster was wearing a life jacket as we prepared for flooding, having endured a winter with unprecedented snowfall – this year the rooster is prepared for keeping the Coronavirus AWAY!!!
Who knew this March 8th ritual would be our last social gathering for…indefinitely.
Lent
I was born in New Orleans which is famous for jazz music, Po’ Boy sandwiches, seafood, bakeries and maybe most of all, Mardi Gras or Carnival as we sometimes called the pre-Lenten season.
There are parades for about two weeks before the beginning of Lent, which is on Ash Wednesday, climaxing on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday.
Leap Day
Every aspect of this Extra, extraordinary blue-sky day is to be celebrated!
Snow is a gift of free art supplies dropped from the sky!
*** Lake City – what a great little mountain village ~!!
Hot dog grilling and marshmallow roasting were part of the snowman building contest this beautiful blue-sky day!!!