It’s The Berries!

Autumn Berries

Autumn Berries © 2013 Bo Mackison

“I think us here to wonder, myself. To wonder. To ask. And that in wondering ’bout the big things and asking ’bout the big things, you learn about the little ones, almost by accident. But you never know nothing more about the big things than you start out with. The more I wonder, the more I love.” ~ Alice Walker

What a wonder-filled, little things, big things, crazy month this month of October has been! I’ve had years less busy than the last few weeks. And I’ve had months when this much head-on living would have knocked me flat on my back, begging for a deserted island, a stack of books and a few cases of chocolate.

But I’ve given up that desert island wish – it sounds pretty boring these days – and I can read my ever-growing stack of books wherever I am, and I just happily devoured the most delicious, once-a-year, chocolate birthday cake made from scratch from two of my favorite daughters, so I’ve had my quota of chocolate for the near future.

No, instead of living life on a deserted island, I’ve been living a very colorful, action packed life right here in the Midwest. This past month reminds me of this bunch of autumn berries. Colorful. A bit on the wild and ragged side. Full of life and potential. Lots of goodness, all  crowded together.

All that brightness won’t last, and it would be hard to handle if it did. But a spurt of bright-berry living is good now and then – even for an introverted soul.

October ushered in several out-of-state visits to family. Then the highlight of the month – the arrival of the first grand-baby of our family – was the most precious of days! I celebrated one of those milestone birthdays, and family flew in from both coasts for a weekend celebration. There was sunshine almost that entire weekend, much appreciated. I sent my Desert Wisdom Cards out into the world and I am gratified by the generous response. (Thank you.)

As always, there were some difficult times amidst all the good times. But the difficult times helped shine a brighter light on the many blessings of each day.

There’s some catching up to do, emails to answer, a pile of papers on my desk. Plus a few hundred (or so) photographs to process. But I’m incredibly thankful I had the opportunity to celebrate the many blessings of this October with such special people.

What an October this has been…

Art at the Creek

Art at the Creek - October 2011

Art at the Creek © 2011 Bo Mackison

The Coldwater Creek Store at Greenway Station in Middleton, Wisconsin will be featuring Seeded Earth Studio in their inaugural Art at the Creek Show this Thursday, October 20 from 4:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. I’ll be exhibiting my most popular botanical photographs, as well as introducing a new series of photographs on mini-canvases. Each mini-canvas comes with its own easel, a great way to display these tiny treasures.

Coldwater Creek will be providing refreshments throughout the evening. The store is in Greenway Station, just three blocks west of the West Beltline (Highways 12 and 14) and the Greenway Blvd exit.

If you are in the Madison/Middleton area, I would love for you to stop and visit my photography gallery inside the store. You will think you are standing in the middle of a summer garden! Promise!

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Bo Mackison is the photographer and owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC.

 

Taps at Moon Rise

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Moonrise at Twilight © 2007

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh. ~ ‘Taps’

This late October’s full moon is known as the Hunter’s Moon. The moon rise reminded me of the lyrics from the well-known military song, ‘Taps’.

Taken at Indian Lake County Park in Dane County, Wisconsin on October 25, 2007. I photographed both the sunset and the moonrise

Autumn Yellows in Devil’s Lake State Park

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Curving Stone Wall © 2007

Yellow maple leaves
Crunching and browning on road
Stone wall gently curves.

A perfect late October day for a road trip to Devil’s Lake State Park near Baraboo, Wisconsin. Autumn color is at peak and yellows and oranges stretch from forest floor to sky along North Shore Drive

Fungus Amongst Us

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Lavender scallops
Fungus many layers deep
Gift on walking trail.

This inspiring surprise of nature was found on a path along the Black Earth Creek, a trout stream near Madison, Wisconsin. ( A magnificent stream!) Taken just before sunset on October 21, 2007. I’ve misplaced my fungus ID book, so if anyone knows the name of this lovely guy, please share.

Addendum: Mark tells me these are turkey tail fungi. Very well-named.