Sitting and Waiting...

You may be looking at this picture right now and thinking that you have seen enough Evergreen trees over the past month because of Christmas. Isn't there anything else around worthy enough of a photo? Truth is, these trees were not grown with the intent of being decorated with lights and tinsel, but rather to be planted in someone's yard! So, what inspired this unseasonal photo in the middle of winter...plenty!

In the midst of a cold, gray winter everyone needs a little inspiration - a push to keep them going to the warm, colorful days of Spring. As I was driving by a local nursery I noticed this row of vibrant Evergreens lined up along the road. They were all so green and fresh, the perfect addition to any landscaping. I immediately started thinking about Spring time and when these trees would finally be buried in the ground permanently. I was truly surprised at each tree's appearance: despite the cold temperatures and snowfalls that have passed through the area, everything looked fairly unscathed. I was reminded of the strength and resiliency of youth! If I had not known the date, just looking at these trees I would have figured it was April and they were going to be planted the next day.

Amazingly, this time of year you can also see other signs of warm weather:

How many of you have walked through a department store and seen bathing suits or shorts hanging on the rack?

Have telemarketers started harassing you about booking your summer vacation?

How many clearance shelves are full of winter sporting gear and accessories, with baseball equipment and sandals taking over the prime locations?

Even though the return of greener surroundings is still nearly three months away, the thought of Spring was very enticing the day I took this photo! I love winter for its cold, crisp days; peaceful, early morning snowfalls; and warm layers; however, after months of gray grass and empty trees I think colorful, new blossoms will be a welcome sight. Ironically, I feel like the last leaf just fell off the remaining tree and I am already looking for its return!

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?

Art is Everywhere You Look...

For some people, food is simply a matter of sustenance; something they need to consume on a daily basis for strength and survival. For others, especially Italians, food is an art and should never be ignored - particularly when the phrase ends with "parm". There are a number of "parms": chicken parm, veal parm, or in the case of this picture, eggplant parm!

You may be wondering how food can be art...let me explain.

Most people agree that a great meal is usually the product of starting with good ingredients but they don't always think beyond that point. If care is taken when selecting what goes into the recipe, shouldn't care be taken when putting everything together? Much like a piece of art, each step should be carefully considered and executed with precision. For example, when an artist paints a picture he/she must first prepare the canvas, and so too must the cook prepare his/her bread when preparing a sandwich. Once each condiment is spread on the bread, care should be taken to make sure every layer is added nicely, so its taste blends in perfectly with the others. There is usually an order to the ingredients, determined by its importance to the sandwich: is the ingredient considered a "base" or simply a "garnish". If you put the sandwich together incorrectly it could fall apart in your hands.

At the same time, just as artists spend years perfecting their craft, chefs spend years observing and assisting other chefs in an effort to develop an individual style. Once this style is implemented certain trademark dishes follow a chef wherever he/she works - and don't the patrons usually go too? How many times have you traveled out of the way to eat at a restaurant because you know the chef prepares your favorite dish in the most unique way?

Once the meal - or in this case sandwich - is prepared the chef should be very proud of what he/she created. The individual has usually worked hard to produce a "masterpiece" and would like to share it with whoever is around. The day I took this picture, the chef said to me, "Take a look at these...don't they look fantastic! This is something you should take a picture of." He had taken so much care in making each sandwich that, when they were finished baking, he couldn't help but call everyone over to take a look. When I actually pulled out my camera to snap a picture he started to laugh. I said, "No, I agree, they look awesome!"

Unfortunately, they were for someone else and I couldn't buy one!

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?

Changing with the Seasons...

Don't be confused - yes, this is a picture of ducks swimming in the middle of a plowed corn field. As the season changes many locations take on uses different than normally expected: landscape nurseries transform into Winter Wonderlands as they sell Christmas trees and wreaths; local baseball fields turn into sledding fields; and apparently corn fields turn into makeshift ponds!

Recently, my town was experiencing a flash flood as, what felt like, two inches of rain fell in less than 12 hours. Throughout the storm, streets were flooded, shutters and gutters tossed into bushes, and cars floated down the highway. This particular morning, as I drove to my first meeting, I don't think any of my car's tires touched the road at all...I would have been better suited with a row boat!

On my way home, soaked, cold, and ready for a warm cup of anything, I passed this flooded corn field. I originally stopped at the other end, marveling at how two/three inches of water lay where corn stalks stood just a few weeks ago, when suddenly my attention was diverted. In the distance I saw ducks having a great time for themselves swimming around in the rain. I had to laugh because so much rain had collected in this field that it was deep enough for these birds to go swimming. How could they know that due to the obscene amount of rain falling I could barely see out my front window or that my shoes were wet through to my socks - they seemed thrilled at the sudden appearance of a makeshift swimming hole! As I sat there I thought about all of the people I know - who will remain nameless - that don't like stepping outside in a mere drizzle and here these ducks were reveling in a deluge of water...I know, I know, they're ducks and are supposed to get wet! At least someone/something was benefiting from the storm.

As temperatures and snow begin to fall I'm sure there will be many more sights that will seem "out of the norm" and I hope they are all as entertaining as ducks swimming in the middle of a corn field!

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?

Worth a Second Look...

Does this tree look familiar...it's been a few weeks, but originally I snagged a picture of this tree in early November when just one corner's leaves had turned red. Four weeks later every leaf had been set ablaze with the most striking color of Fall. Every day that I passed this tree I stopped for a second to admire its beauty. As the season draws to a close, and the red of leaves are replaced by the red of Christmas decorations, I wanted to share one last "seasonal sight" - and smell!

Have you ever noticed that there is a certain smell to Fall? Whenever I walk by a tree like this one, or a pile of leaves on the ground, there is a certain earthy fragrance in the air. As leaves start to change and fall away for the winter they must emit a certain scent. It's that crisp smell that reminds me of a cool October afternoon; or huddling up on the bleachers to watch a football game; or walking through a pumpkin patch searching for the ideal pallet for a seasonal creation! Whenever I drove by this tree I enjoyed a wisp of that once-a-year fragrance.

Amazingly, in just a few days since I took this picture all of the leaves have fallen to the ground. Most of the Fall colors now brighten up the street corners instead of tree branches, as the leaves have been piled up for garbage pick-up. The neighborhoods have started to take on the appearance of winter: empty flower beds where the mums used sit and bare tree branches waiting for the new buds to blossom come Springtime! At first the sight is bittersweet but then I realize it is a necessary part of nature. Each Maple or Elm that lines the city streets has shared its beauty for the year and is simply making room for another part of nature. Without the bare branches how could anyone ever enjoy the serene beauty of a tree catching snow during an early December storm; or appreciate the return of color in April after months of snow and rain? The sights, sounds, and smells of Fall might be over, but now we have the opportunity to start over again with winter - for those of you who enjoy cold weather and snow!

If you are not a fan of the cold weather keep the image of this fiery red tree with you all winter...maybe its red leaves will help warm you up on the frigid days!

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?

A Place to Relax...

A few weeks ago, when I shared a picture of some Fall leaves, I mentioned the sights and sounds of the season. I said how Fall is such a fantastic time of year that can bring so many senses to life. Since I already shared one of the "sights" I figured it would be good to share one of the "sounds".

Even without a calendar I can tell that Fall is approaching when I hear the sound of Canadian Geese flying over my neighborhood. Throughout the course of three months hundreds of geese fly south in search of a warmer climate, and my town must be in their direct flight path! In a strange way, it wouldn't feel like Fall without the sound of these geese flying overhead. If I happen to hear a lone bird at some other time during the year I have to stop and think for a second what day of the year it is...my mind immediately thinks about the colorful days of autumn. These animals have become as much of a staple in my life as the changing leaves and pumpkin seeds!

During the day, several flocks are guaranteed to stop for a short time at a local pond. You might have to look closely, but lined up across the center of the pond (they couldn't make it easier to snap a picture by being closer to the edge) are about twenty geese. I often wonder why they seem to congregate in this particular area: proximity to a body of water; lots of open, grassy areas; maybe a good source of food. As I said, this does not happen occasionally since these geese cover this area everyday of the week with a sea of black and tan feathers.

Does anyone know much about geese? What makes them "layover" in certain areas? While I'm posing a question, I have always wondered this: if these birds are native to Canada (which I'm assuming they are based upon the name) why do they have to travel south for the winter? Shouldn't they be used to cold weather and be satisfied staying in the north? Perhaps it's all relative...they travel to someplace that is warm for them, but for other birds would be considered cold.


What are some sights or sounds that remind you of Fall?

Are they unique to the area in which you live?

Is there anything else that reminds you of a specific season?


If the season was longer we could talk about the many smells of Fall...who knows, maybe there is time!

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?

A Little Late in the Season...

In spite of the fast-approaching winter season, I couldn't pass up an opportunity to share something I found the other day when traveling near the shore. On a normal day I would be anxious to sit and relax on the beach, but not this particular day when the wind was blowing and the temperature was hovering around 40 degrees. I pulled over for not even five minutes just to take a quick look at the water and experience the Atlantic coast in complete silence - any longer and I think I would have froze.

All along the road were sets of stairs that led over the dike to the beach and water. In front of each staircase was a small gravel parking lot. As I pulled off into one of the tiny lots I noticed "No Parking" signs. I said to myself, "I won't be here very long and besides, this is not the middle of summer with thousands of people swarming around so it shouldn't be a problem." I started to walk up the stairs but suddenly stopped at the sight of a "Private Property" sign! This staircase was private property? These "private" steps led to a large deck set atop the dike, just before the rocks dropped off to a narrow beach. For a brief minute I enjoyed an unobstructed view of the Atlantic then headed back to my car before I caused a stir. I could envision someone running out of the house across the street claiming I was trespassing.

As I started to drive away I thought to myself, "how cool would that be to own a private deck right on the beach?" The owners of this beach-front perch had a fantastic view of the water and plenty of room to entertain a small group of people. Most likely, as I said, the property belonged to one of the residents that lived across the street, making this find even better! I would love to be able to wake up on a summer morning, walk across the street and sit on my deck over looking the beach. What makes this thought even more appealing is knowing that some loud, annoying group of people wouldn't be parking themselves next to me within thirty minutes of sitting down. As far as I could tell, the only thing on this beach was these private steps/decks so most likely the craziness should kept to a minimum.

With the wind pushing my car around the right lane, I continued driving up the shore and thinking about a warm summer day at the beach....and how much fun it would be on my own private beach! I wonder what a person has to do to "own" part of a beach...hopefully someday I'll find out!

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?

A Strong Finish...

Fall is such a colorful and mesmerizing time of year. I love traveling down the highway towards a blanket of red, yellow, and orange leaves; or going for a walk on a crisp afternoon across a sea of fallen leaves that crunch under my feet. One afternoon I spotted this tree and couldn't pass by without taking a picture. This tree is just a small example of the large-scale beauty that is seen throughout Fall.

I am always amazed by the brilliant colors of this time of year but even more so when I see a tree like this one. Every once in awhile I see a tree where only one portion of the leaves have changed, making for an exciting sight. I wish I knew what caused this to happen...maybe it's due to sunlight or water - or lack thereof. I can't even say that the red leaves were scattered throughout several other branches because they were not; there was not one red leaf anywhere else on the tree except the one branch pictured.

I can stand and stare at a tree like this for hours. The striking colors are such a compliment to a blue, Fall sky. Year after year I go through the summer wondering how all of these boring, green leaves can suddenly be set ablaze during September and October, changing an entire landscape. Instead of blending in with its surroundings, these bright trees become the center of attention. People travel for hundreds of miles to witness a marvel of nature. (The travel part is definitely true since I recently met a family from Arkansas who traveled to the northeast to see the changing leaves.) Once people have seen such an array of color they want to capture it forever...how often have you seen someone along the side of the road collecting leaves? You may have seen me. I have pulled over my car or hopped off my bicycle many times because I spotted a small patch of color that I wanted to carry home with me. After much care and concern, I am able to preserve this "pallet" of red, orange, and brown for years to come.

Although I love summertime and warm weather there is something to be said about the Fall: there is plenty of excitement for all of your senses (the smell of a freshly carved pumpkin or the sound of crunching leaves) but most especially your sense of sight! Just before the leaves fall from their branches they provide quite a show. Some may say that nature has saved the best for last.

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?