A short journey through the Vermont woods brought us again to Hidden Valley
What a change a few short weeks had wrought.
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Despite our efforts we’d missed out the height of the colours, although I’m not convinced these hills ever achieved the look we always hope to see, because of the drought which appears to have been worse in this part of Vermont than even where we are a few miles away.
However, what we found on this day was very aesthetically pleasing.
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Likely, not everyone will find it so, but the denuded branches have a softness about them.
Interspersed with evergreens and trees that hold their colour, they make a pretty sight.
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How to capture it?
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Bright sunlight was both a help and a hindrance.
My eyes have trouble processing complex images and bright light is rather dazzling, so while the subject was nicely lit, it was something of a challenge.
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Poor balance and shaky hands contributed to the difficulty.
Increasingly, I get frustrated and tell myself I should find another pastime.
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Years ago I used to enjoy crafts, decorating boxes and frames and repurposing old calendar pictures, but arthritis made my fingers clumsy and in any case, what was I ever doing to do with all that stuff?
So it fell by the wayside.
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With my population of cats having matured, some years ago I took up knitting and crochet which I’d always found soothing. I made a ton of scarves and blankets and pads for kitty beds. The foster suite needed quite a lot of those and I sent some out with cats that were adopted.
Foolishly, I’d persuaded myself that exercising my fingers would be good for them. In moderation, perhaps it would have been. By the time I gave it up in favour of moving my household across the continent, my hands were – a bit stiff!
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Presumably they have recovered somewhat since recently I was able to take back up my old hobby, with much more restraint, to no ill effect.
This was after discovering with great disappointment that jigsaw puzzle building is hard on aging bodies, at least in the size that we attempted, which required standing for perspective and leaning over. Leg cramps, a sore back and a stiff neck resulted.
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Grant still finds these puzzles a great distraction and I do contribute from time to time. I’m quite good at building the frame, those flat edges making it an easy matter and occasionally when a particular piece is needed, I may swoop in to locate it.
Much to the man’s annoyance!
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As I age I find myself having to adapt to the changing needs of my already polio stricken body. The question is always, “OK, what am I able to do now without causing too much harm.” A koan for sue.
I have never had the patience for jigsaw puzzles, (or anything else requiring patient thought) but I respect those that do have it. For what it’s worth, I find your photos of the denuded branches attractive, and somehow comforting. They show that the circle of life continues, despite all of the damage that humans have inflicted on nature.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you, Carolyn, for writing about your hobbies. I am full of admiration for your skills!
The last images of trees, still attractive before all the leaves will be off.
Joanna
I empathise with your difficulties. Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones don’t work quite as well as they used to!
I did a jigsaw recently. It took me about six weeks which I was pleased with because it said 2-3 years on the box.
The trees are stunning – those with leaves and those without. I think you captured the colours beautifully! And the blue sky – it’s such a deep blue and so beautiful. I would rather build 10 puzzles before I knit or crochet – much to my mum’s annoyance 😉.