Sunset Harbor

Fish Creek Harbor

Fish Creek Harbor © 2008 Bo Mackison

The weather was changeable in Door County – sunny skies followed by thunderheads and a brief storm just after sunset. Then at midnight, the skies cleared and the Milky Way poured a hazy band of white light that spanned the sky in a celestial arch. The moon was fully new and the stars put on a deafening show.

Can stars be deafening?

In the northern part of Wisconsin, with no light pollution to diminish the show, yes – the stars were truly deafening in their splendor.

Day Lily on Fire

Red Day Lily

Red Day Lily © 2008 Bo Mackison

Doesn’t it look like it is aflame – such intensity in that yellow. Nearly glowing.

An Old Recipe for Scented Lavender Ink

Lavender from My Backyard Garden

Lavender from My Backyard Garden © 2008 Bo Mackison

Ever need to post something to calm and refresh yourself? That is what this simple photograph of lavender is meant to do for me this evening. I imagine breathing deeply in the plants and feeling a gentle relaxation overcome me.

I have had this recipe for many years, and have never made it, but maybe this August will be a good month to give it a try. My great-grandmother made scented inks every summer using a variety of garden flowers, including heirloom roses, geraniums and her very favorite, lavender.

LAVENDER INK

An ink that you scent with the flowers of the lavender plant will surely send a message of calm and enjoyment when the special recipient opens the envelope. What an added enjoyment to the message you send…

People do still write an occasional letter now and then — don’t they?

Here’s the recipe.

1/2 ounce lavender flowers, dried well
5-6 tablespoons of water (distilled if possible)
one small bottle purchased ink, black or dark blue

Crush the dried lavender flowers and simmer them in water for about 30 minutes – until there is 2 tablespoons of brown liquid left in the pan.

Strain through a piece of cheesecloth and mix with ink when fully cooled.

Enjoy.


Architectural Beauty

Turn of the 20th Century Mansion, Quincy Illinois

Turn of the 20th Century Mansion, Quincy Illinois © 2008 Bo Mackison

Deatail of Roof, Including Wrought Iron Tulip Garden

Detail of Roof, Including Wrought Iron Tulip Garden © 2008 Bo Mackison

This house in part of a several block stretch of turn-of-the-20th Century homes built on Maine Street in Quincy Illinois. Each home is more fascinating than the last. I love the wrought iron detailing on the roof – can’t you just imagine a stately row of early spring tulips in bloom?

Piano in Black and White

Piano Leg and Reflection

Piano Leg and Reflection © 2008 Bo Mackison