The Berkshires take on different auras throughout the seasons. Autumn is arguably the most spectacular season and people travel to Berkshires just to see the fall foliage, but all of the seasons are endearing in their own way. These are pictures of the four seasons in all their glory.
Autumn
Winter
Spring
Summer
I was absolutely blown away by the sunset last night here in the Berkshires. A beautiful combination of yellows, blues and pinks. Breathtaking.
Winter can be brutally cold. But there is something about how miserable and difficult it can be that tests our stamina and makes us stronger. I see it, in a sense, as a time of renewal, which although typically associated with springtime I think can happen during winter as well. As we trudge through the snow and sail through the wind blowing in our faces we persevere and await the much appreciated warmth that comes along with the indoors. As we look around us at the seemingly dead trees we look forward to spring and the rebirth that it brings. As we think about the animals that somehow manage to survive outside in the cold we think of how brave and strong they must be. As we think about people who have to stay outside in the cold because they have no place to take shelter we get sad and are grateful for how lucky we are to be indoors under our blankets. The wait for spring and rebirth is a long wait, and as we wait, we renew.
A sense of place is a strange thing. We never seem to be happy where we are because we’re thinking of another place we’d rather be, or not necessarily rather be but be as well. On the rare occasion when we’re content in the moment with where we are, we must soak it in because it doesn’t come by too often. We always think about what we could be enjoying somewhere else, and fail to realize what we could be enjoying right where we are. But I guess this applies to other things in life besides just place. We always want what we can’t have…
There seems to be a separation or a divide between aesthetics and feelings. I often look at pictures of things…cities, nature, landscapes, interiors, & see them one way from an aesthetic standpoint and admire them. But then, when I think about how they might feel if surrounded by them, I wonder if I would have a different feeling…
What is it about bare skin that makes it so irresistible? This occurred to me recently since the weather is getting warmer and women (and men) are showing more skin. I, for one, wore a dress yesterday, and not to sound narcissistic, but I kept looking at my legs, especially in the evening when the light has a certain alluring effect on things, and thinking – what is it about bare skin that is so captivating? Maybe it’s the rarity factor – that bare skin is only seen occasionally and only by a few of the person’s closest family, friends, or significant others. Maybe it is its natural quality, that bare skin is such a natural thing, yet we often cover it up because we don’t want others to see it, even though they have bare skin too. Maybe it appeals to our sensuality, and even though we may not be overtly thinking about it, we subconsciously make a connection between bare skin and sensuality or sexuality. I think those that show their bare skin feel a sense of freedom, of not having to cover themselves up, of feeling the air or sunshine against their skin and it feels good.
I have recently been inspired to do something with plants. I got a kitten a few months ago and now, due to her, we can no longer have plants or flowers in the house because her curiosity gets away from her. So, I have been trying to think of a way to still have some kind of greenery presence in the house without harming the kitty’s health.
There is a fabulous garden shop here in South Bend called Marigolds where I found some cute hanging quasi-terrariums. Inspired by the owner’s creations that she had on display, I thought it would be fun to create my own. So this is what I made, and it was so fun to make, I am thinking about getting another one!
Cats have  a curiosity that is unlike any other domestic animal, that I’ve had at least. In comparison to dogs, for example, cats are curious in a way that dogs just aren’t. They are not afraid and they get into everything. They are explorers, hunters, risk-takers, rascals, etc. Cats love to find the smallest space they can get into, and get into it. They like to jump onto a table full of things and sometimes display their agility and delicately walk around the pieces, and sometimes not. They like to get in your face while you’re eating, as they try to steal a nibble for themselves. They like to sleep anywhere but in their own beds. They like to drink water from anywhere but their own water dish (i.e. the toilet, the sink, the dog’s water bowl, your glass of water, etc…) They try to hide from you and get into attack position, even though you can see them as clear as day. They like to pretend windows aren’t there and attack them in hopes of catching that bird outside.
This has been my experience with cats, but I suppose, just like with everything, there are varieties of cats and not all of them are this adventurous. There certainly the fat ones that do nothing but lay around. But not mine, and I love them for it.
This fall I set out to capture various charms of the Midwest and Autumn splendor. I have always been a city girl, but lately I have been drawn to the quieter, calmer comforts of small towns. I reside in the Midwest (and have never been too fond of it), but I have recently grown more accustomed to it.
I use an old-fashoined SLR camera, not a digital camera. My intent is not to create a perfect picture by immediately checking what I have shot, but rather to capture things as they are full of imperfections. I also love the surprise of not knowing exactly what the picture will look like until later on when it is developed.
gooollysandra 