A carpet of early spring blooms in the Bois du Boulogne, Paris.
"Heaven is under our feet, as well as over our heads." - Henry David Thoreau, The pond in winter, Walden. I once lived in a little cottage near the beach in Pacific Grove, California. Thoreau's words were carved in a swirling stone pattern into the concrete sidewalk.
Here's a beautiful song about the bliss of sailing and love, Sails performed by the late great Chet Atkins and Steve Wariner.
As a journalist, I had the privilege of covering Steve and his band's Life's Highway concert tour in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Later I spoke by phone to Chet Atkins in Nashville, who had long been a mentor for Steve Wariner. What a charming gentleman he was, as well as an amazingly-talented musician. In 1994, I saw Atkins in concert with Suzy Bogguss at the Warwick in San Francisco. Hearing and watching him play the guitar was pure magic.
Manicured grounds adjacent to the windmill in the Bois du Boulogne.
I like your outlook... the small things and the quirky things in life really are the best aren't they?
Posted by: Elaine | 19 March 2008 at 19:49
Loved Chet Atkins and all! How nice to hear this -- it's a wonderful song.
And spring is showing! How exciting!
Posted by: Jeanie | 14 March 2008 at 18:41
I love vinca's periwinkle flowers - ours is blooming right now too, and I will look at it with new appreciation, remembering Thoreau's quote now, thanks to you. Bisous~XOXO
Posted by: tinker | 14 March 2008 at 09:02
Beautiful signs of spring and exciting snippets from your live.
We started autumn here.
Posted by: marja | 14 March 2008 at 00:32
OOpps , I got lost in Bloggerville! Just popping in to say hi! I'll be back later. Love the post and I'm going to check out Sails. Love!
Posted by: Pam Aries | 13 March 2008 at 13:23
Makes me jealous that you are so much farther ahead of us where Spring is concerned! We are still getting some snow showers, though we are getting some sunny days. I am afraid we still have a bit to go before we see green :) Enjoy it!!
Posted by: My Melange | 13 March 2008 at 12:24
I have been too busy to be reading your lovely posts lately -- it's good to be back! I just spent the nicest half hour catching up!
xo
Karen
Posted by: Karen | 13 March 2008 at 04:55
Oh my, these were so lovely, and brought back some nice memories. I was a big fan of Steve Wariner's and Suzy Boggus' back in the early 90's. I loved it when she teamed up with Chet Atkins.
Ahh. So nice :) A breath of fresh spring air.
Posted by: Becca | 13 March 2008 at 03:52
Aww, love Susy. ;)
Those flowers remind me of this time I was walking to school, and I got it in my head that I could suck honey out of one of them. lol! I plucked one off and sucked on the stem and it had all these little ants in it! YUCK! Right in my mouth! LOL I never did that again.
:)
Posted by: amber | 13 March 2008 at 03:32
you actually talked to chet atkins and saw him play, tara??
these moments must be carved in your heart. a great guitarist!
the image of the flower and leave carpet is so lovely.
spring is still far away here in the valley. heavy storms since a few days!
Posted by: marita | 12 March 2008 at 21:58
There are so many of the things and people I associate with good stuff on this blog, I'm leaving wishing for more. I loved this simple, evocative post.
Posted by: Mary T. | 12 March 2008 at 21:45
I can see how living with such much beauty fuels the creativity.
Posted by: Yoli | 12 March 2008 at 21:15
Ps
I left my a part heart and gained my soul in northern California. I guess what I learned I brought with me for the rest of my life! I think that is why I understand you today.
Posted by: rochambeau | 12 March 2008 at 20:30
Hi Tara,
You lived in Pacific Grove? Guess what? I spent much time with my parents in Pacific Grove in the 60-70's. We had a good friend there. I loved the ambiance. There is no place to compare it to. It is unique. I remember unusual trees growing in unusual ways. Kind of story~tale like. Maybe we saw each other once many moons ago.
xox
Constance
Posted by: rochambeau | 12 March 2008 at 20:27
i've been a long time fan of chet atkins so thanks for the reminder to pull out some old albums. ;o) and thanks for the lovely spring welcome mat ~ i can't tell you how glad i am it's warming up around here!
Posted by: studio wellspring | 12 March 2008 at 20:23
Tara,
Thanks for the introduction to Steve Wariner! i've always been a fan chet Atkins. The piece "Sails" was wonderful and now i'm going back to hear Chet with Suzie. You've made my day. And not just with a musical rondelez but with awesome photos of the windmill in the Bois. I must confess I've yet to browse the Bois and must make a point to do just that on the next trip to Paris. Two magnificent post to lift my spirits; thanks.
rel
Posted by: rel | 12 March 2008 at 17:13
I'm sitting here drinking my morning coffee. My husband, the sailor is next to me on his laptop. Thanks for starting our day together with this beautiful song.
Three cheers for spring!! I have buds coming up at home and at the end of a beautiful sunny day skiing yesterday the snow was beginning to get a bit slushy.
Have a beautiful afternoon, Tara.
Posted by: karen cole | 12 March 2008 at 15:46
Absolutely lovely photos, spring is arrving her and I am so grateful for the blooming flowers it ddelivers and the changes in the air.
XOX
Kristen
Posted by: kristen robinson | 12 March 2008 at 14:25