Drawing water from the well -

"The Farmer's Wife"
digital collage by Mick Mather

Lately I've been reminiscing about summer days when I was a boy and taking great delight in walking through the pastures, meadows and woods of my grandparents small farm. Walking, especially at a young age, is just about the only manner of transport convenient to hand, and foot if we press the point. Seeking the right walking stick, the best path, flushing pheasant from the tall grass, listening to bird and bee. All of this while accompanied by a faithful dog, a barn cat or two and the scolding voices of squirrels, jays and the red winged blackbird. How then to document walks that only exist as memories? Around the next bend, perchance, we'll have an opportunity to ask the farmer's wife.

Thursday Challenge: Soft -

"Soft"
manipulated digital photograph by Mick Mather

Like many of you, I'm with family and friends giving thanks for all that we have. Before I dig into another helping of stuffing I offer this week's Thursday Challenge for the theme of soft. This red winged blackbird is keeping himself busy defining and defending his territory amid fluffs of foxtail and cat-o-nine seed, awaiting the freedom of spring winds that will carry them forth. This hails from a small group of photographs that document the Janus Park Walk. I'll show more of these soon but for now: H A P P Y T H A N K S G I V I N G ! ! !