As many of you know, one of my favorite places to be is the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, where each season shares its beauty and early winter is no stranger to its lure. There is also a wonderful gift shop where I can usually find a gift or two. Since I was in the area, I decided to visit the Arboretum Store, stroll around, and take a break from the busy-ness that seems to hover around these day. The day was cold and windy, but, the sun kept venturing out from behind the clouds. Besides, my car just seemed to pull me in the direction of the rolling acres and wooded landscape of the Morton.
The Christmas trees were delightful, especially this one that was adorned with grasses and milkweed pods.
Then, these darling fairies were teasing me from another tree.
I shopped, and found a few gifts that I think will please their recipients, then sat for a spell with a drink in the Ginkgo Cafe. It was a blustery day in a Pooh sort of way, so there weren’t too many people walking around the lake. It was quiet and restful, a bit like me, sitting, reflective, still.
As I left the visitor center, I marveled at all the berries still left on this tree. Upon closer inspection, however, I found it was man, not nature, doing the fooling. Those weren’t just berries on the tree.
It was cold and the winter wind blew these prairie grasses. This reminded me of Willa Cather’s book, O Pioneers with the forcefulness of the elements and the loneliness in the prairie. The grasses bent like soldiers to the wind, yet the tree held straight. I wished I could conjure up a poem, but, words and rhythm escaped me, leaving just the picture to hang onto.
Lovely post and lovely photos, Penny. Particularly enjoyed your phrase, “a blustery day in a Pooh sort of way.” (Pooh is such an inspiring bear.)
I finally read Willa Cather’s, “O Pioneers” just a couple of months ago, and your photo aptly portrays the vision I had of those prairie grasses. (“My Antonia” awaits on the shelf.)
Good for you, taking a break for yourself when there are so many “to-dos” tugging at this time of year. 🙂
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Thank you, Karen. Pooh is so endearing, isn’t he? I quote him shamelessly all the time.
Thank you, again. As soon as I saw the grasses, I felt an urge to reread the book. I’m pleased to know the photo captured your image as well.
Those “to-dos” have gotten away from me this year. (I say that every year).
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A great escape place any time of year, but especially now. Lovely serene post. (Had to look closely at the “berry” photo — I saw what you did until I enlarged it. )
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I was sure there were many more berries on that tree, Sallie. They did a good job of wrapping the lights – fooled me. The nest was real, though.
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Dear Penny,
I so liked this line in your post: “It was a blustery day in a Pooh sort of way.”
Winnie has been a friend of mine since I was a sophomore in high school. Our homeroom teacher–Sister Mary Aquinis–read “Winnie the Pooh” to us during the last ten minutes every day before lunch. All of us–some 26–sat quiet and stilled as Christopher Robin and his dear friends entered our lives. Thank you for bringing back this memory today.
Peace.
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What a wonderful memory of Pooh, Dee. Sister Mary Aquinis must have been a very good reader to have held you all at attention. You are so very welcome.
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Beautiful photos and great observations about the Arboretum Penny, you captured the mood there this time of year! I was there this morning – were you there too or was your visit earlier in the week?
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Thanks, Janet. I was there yesterday (Wednesday). One of these days we will run into each other.
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Oh, such lovely photos. And your descriptions made me feel like I was actually there. Delightful post.
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Thank you, Cath. I’m so pleased that you felt as if you were there.
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That first photo is so atmospheric – and chilly! I love this sentence: ‘Besides, my car just seemed to pull me in the direction of the rolling acres and wooded landscape of the Morton.’ I think of your car as a horse, which knows exactly where to go and has a nose for good pasture as well as delectable goodies. Sometimes we just have to go with it (horse or car), and the day turns out just right.
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It was, Juliet. My car as a horse – that describes it. Yes, it does. I’ll have to see where it takes me next.
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I felt as if I went along with you, Penny–such evocative words and images. I love the first image–a mackerel sky if there ever was one! I have returned home after a solo interlude such as yours completely renewed. Glad you had that chance today!
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Thank you, Mike. I’ve heard the term, mackerel sky, and didn’t know what it meant. Now I do, and I did feel renewed. The Morton Arboretum is such a wonderful place to be, I’m glad too.
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Oh my goodness.. how long have I been missing! I have a lot of catching up to do!
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Hi, Joan. It is always a pleasure to see you here and always a pleasure to read you.
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Beautiful Christmas angels. I love angels 🙂 I also love Pooh. Gorgeous photos Penny,
I have just been feeling that I would love a winter Christmas, I am sure that is how they are meant to be.
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Thank you, Marilyn. There is something romantic and scenic about Christmas and winter, I will agree. There is always room at our “inn” if you want to share in it. We had our first snowfall last night and folks are already grumbling. tee hee
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Love the photo of the prairie grass. So nice to have some quiet interludes at this time of the year. With all the frenzied preparations and shopping and parties for Christmas, we need to step back and find some quiet to reflect on the joy of the season. Really enjoyed this lovely post.
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Thank you, Sunday. It was just the thing I needed, and didn’t know it, to boost my energy and get things done the next few days. This year has felt particularly frenzied, but, then I seem to say that every year. Let’s just take those quiet moments as they present themselves as gifts of the season.
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Penny, the light in your photographs is precisely the same as it is here! Lots of blue skies and much barer trees than of late. I loved this account of a serendipitous visit, filled with the little joys which make life rather wonderful. Those fairy lights! I bet it looks beautiful in the dark!
Thank you. What a lovely way to look at this season.
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I’m always amazed at how similar our climate is at times, Kate. I need to get over to see the lights at night.
You are most welcome, Kate.
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Beautiful post, Penny. Your descriptions are almost as good as being there myself. Thanks.
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Thanks, Janet. That is so nice to read from you. I think you would like the Morton.
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You are describing such a gentle and peaceful day, with lots of pictures to take in and thoughts to think. So much better than racing round a shopping arcade and buying rubbishy present because there isn’t enough leisure time to find something worth buying.
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It was a peaceful day, Friko. One we all need from time-to-time. I love to visit our arboretum, where I can refresh and renew. Thank you for you comment.
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