Purple Haze all in my brain,
lately things don’t seem the same,
actin’ funny but I don’t know why
‘scuse me while I kiss the sky.
~Jimi Hendrix
On the Way in a roundabout way from the train station to Seville Cathedral in 2006 we happened (as we do in our unplanned way) on La Noria (Ferris Wheel) in Prado de San Sebastian, the whole of which was enveloped in a purple haze of Jacaranda blossom.
. . . without Bill Bryson.
As part of Sudbourne Manor given to Bishop Æthelwold by Kind Edgar C959-963 who then granted the land to a Benedictine Monastery, this ancient woodland has been owned by bishops, noblemen and moneyed landowners through the centuries until more recently it was acquired by Suffolk Wildlife Trust. It showcases, if I can use use that word in the same paragraph with ‘wildlife trust,’ a breathtaking display of bluebells in the spring.
Would you care to join me Restless Jo for a stroll in the bluebell wood?
A bench with a view,
Of a sea of blue,
There’s water here too,
But no beach for you,
Jude.
I’m feeling a little bit like this tree, Broken, . . . . . .
. . . . but look carefully at the uppermost branch on the left. It’s regenerating! And so am I.
I have not, however, been struck by lightning.
It’s often said
Without a shred
Of sincerity
Or care,
We don’t appreciate
Til it’s too late
Our youth or job
Or hair.
So in my case
I must make haste
To write and post
And “chat.”
For soon in May
I have to say
It will happen
That . . .
I’m going to lose
The right to use
My right arm
Altogether.
To write a post
I could boast
Would be an
Endeavor.
I will read lots
And “like” your plots
While I am in
Plaster.
What’s that you ask?
A plaster cast!
Plaster! To help heal
Faster.
My right wrist
Has come adrift
And needs a
Little op.
‘Cause if I don’t
My right wrist won’t
Last long. It will
Just pop!
I’ve writ my last
Before my cast.
I’ll read and rest
In fetters.
And then when I’m
Fit and sublime
I’ll tell you
“I’m all better!”
. . . . . Enveloped in plastic . . .
. . . we took our life in our hands . .
. . . to board Maid of the Mist . . .
. . . and headed into Niagara Falls . . .
. . . and disappeared, enveloped in mist.
This week’s photo challenge is to illustrate the word enveloped. Click here to see other entries to the challenge.
To see Niagara Falls enveloped in snow and ice visit Joanne Sisco’s great post A Winter Day At The Falls.
. . . . not Hoodoo or Whoohoo!
While living on the outskirts of Phoenix I witnessed several extreme dust storms, also known by the Arabic name of haboob! I can’t even say it without an exclamation point in my voice.
They would sweep through the valley between our balcony and the distant mountains giving us a perfect view of these Forces of Nature. Only once did I get a mouthful of grit and have to make a hasty retreat to the apartment.
The view would completely disappear behind the spooky murk.
Moments later as the wind blew through the dust would disappear and the view of distant mountains and our ‘world famous’ fountain rising up to over 500 feet would reappear.
And later, a perfect moonrise over Four Peaks was revealed – two more forces of nature:
This is no longer our ‘corner of the world’ but nature is more genteel in this corner of the world and I wanted to share the noxious dust storm pictures with you.
After one-and-a-half years living in and several visits to Washington State we never made it to Skagit Valley to see the tulips. It was one of probably hundreds of wonderful sights that we missed while in the States for nine years. To placate myself I convinced himself to visit ‘Tulipmania’ with me. He was less than enthusiastic. I wasn’t expecting much. Don’t you love it when things turn out so much better than you expected? If you like tulips, click to enlarge these pics. If you don’t, there are more exciting things below!
I’ve christened these tulips Gale Force Yellow: 
If you’re not tulip-ed out (I’m American. We make up words) visit my cousin’s WordPress site and her stunning photos of the Skagit Valley tulips here. And for Jude’s Bench Challenge sit here: 
This bench with a view is only a week late. She said the rules were flexible. If you’re a glutton for punishment, listen to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcSlcNfThUA Go on! It will give you a laugh!
Another entry for this week’s photo challenge of Intricate , but what is it?
Is it an avant garde artist’s latest creation?
Nooooo.
Is it ice crystals on strawberry ice cream?
Noooo.
Did it fall off Lady Gaga’s latest outfit?
No!
So what is it then?
Scroll down and see:
Did you guess it was a tulip? You didn’t cheat and look at the tags did you?
The hoodoos of Bryce Canyon have to be seen to be believed – difficult to describe!
Hoodoos differ from pinnacles or spires with their Intricate shapes formed by erosion of layers of rock of different types.
Hoodoos are also called tent rocks, fairy chimneys and earth chimneys. Which is your favourite name?
These photos are all the same vista taken with wide angle to zoom at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, U.S.A.
Which Way Now 101 