A Sunday Morning Walk In What Amounts To The Wilderness For Us Suburban Folk, Part 2 Of 2

October 15, 2014July 1, 2025 / Ally Bean / 10 Comments

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Having first walked through acres of cheerful wild flowers in a native grassland enhancement area, Zen-Den & I took a different path in the nature preserve that lead us deep into a dark forest under gray skies. Here is some of what we saw…

the spooky remains of a rotted out tree…

dainty purplish wild flowers growing in the shade…

a rustic wooden yes-I-can-see-between-the-planks-to-the-stream-below bridge…

lichen-covered logs in groovy colors and patterns…

and lots of bright green moss.

[Part 1 was yesterday.]

A Sunday Morning Walk In What Amounts To The Wilderness For Us Suburban Folk, Part 1 Of 2

October 14, 2014July 1, 2025 / Ally Bean / 16 Comments

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Even though it was a bit hazy outside last Sunday morning, Zen-Den & I decided to go for a walk in a nature preserve. During the first part of our walk, which took us through a native grassland enhancement area, we went…

over a sturdy bridge…

by a pond reflecting colorful autumn leaves still on the trees…

down a quiet path…

to fields of wild black-eyed Susans…

with milkweed and dandelions interspersed among them…

to an unexpected spot to take a rest.

[Part 2 will be tomorrow.]

I’m Cackling Here About Nothing In Particular Just Because I Can

October 7, 2014August 29, 2018 / Ally Bean / 20 Comments

One of the realities of keeping a blog is the expectation that I will have something to say every week when I get here. This expectation emanates both from within me + from you, my gentle readers.

I said that I’d be here, so I’ll be here.

That being explained, I can now confide in you that I don’t always have much to say here. After a decade of bouncing around the blogosphere, I don’t consider this to be a problem. I know that I’m a laid back communicator with an easygoing style who can turn just about anything into a blog post.

Yep, I got skillz.

So it won’t surprise you to know that the retro Kroger egg commercial that I shared above is all that I have to talk about today. To wit, I found the simple b&w animation charming and the honest message entertaining.

“Isn’t the chicken lucky that eggs are the shape that they are?”

And now, having fulfilled my self-imposed obligation to post something ~~of great value~~ on this blog today, I’m going to wander off into the real world where I hope to have positive adventures and to gain deep insights into human nature so that I may share them with you, my gentle readers, next week. Until then:

Be safe. Be happy. Be.

Almost Autumn: This Change Of Season Suits Me

September 8, 2014November 19, 2015 / Ally Bean / 16 Comments

This past Sunday morning was the first day in months where the temperature was below 60ºF and the humidity was low.

Delightful. Refreshing. Clear.

I was able to drink my first mug of coffee while sitting on the deck all by myself. Experiencing the stillness of the early morning centered me in a way that makes me feel whole.

Hopeful. Capable. Calm.

It wasn’t until I looked up into the trees behind our house that I realized how soon it’ll be autumn. And that I wasn’t alone out there on the deck. Two birds, way up high, were keeping me company.

Cheerful. Balanced. Orange.

Autumn is about letting go of what used to work and enjoying what is. I’ve found over the years that I can embrace its message because I’m open to new ideas and seem to have an aptitude for adjusting to what is.

Creative. Grateful. Aware.

Meaning that in about another month this tree, next to where the birds were sitting, will be a showy mess of fall color. And when it is I plan to be engrossed in new projects and a healthier way of life. Hello Autumn!