Last weekend was the time to โFall Backโ one hour. Time change marches on yet another year. The leaves have truly been absolutely gorgeous the last few weeks. This shift in color has really been an inspiration. As the leaves turn golden, life can transform in beautiful ways. Every leaf has a special story to tell. And the Fall crisp morning skies and bright colors from the trees, remind us of a second chance for the soul. Sharing a few of my favorite photo captures from the last few weeks. I hope you enjoy these as much I have. Happy Fall Yโall! ๐๐๐
Fall leaves are changing and so are we with each passing season of lifeFallโฆ every leaf is a flowerAutumn PerfectionChange is beautiful in the FallAutumn shows us the beauty of letting goAutumn DreamOnce cleared paths are scattered with fallen leavesAutumn GlowAutumn: Golden Hour has arrivedAutumnโฆ carrying more gold in its pocket than any other time of the yearFall colorsโฆ reminds me of pumpkin pies ๐ฅงCrisp Fall Morning SkiesHues of Blues mingled with Golden colors of FallFallโฆ a second chance โSpringโ for the soul.
Summer of 2026 is quickly coming to a close as Fall makes an appearance tomorrow.
This past summer has been a bit different for me as I have transitioned from active cancer treatment to a new medication phase for the next 5 years. As a result of that transition, this new medication has impacted my body systems in ways I never anticipated.
My focus shifted significantly earlier this summer, towards finding solutions to these new ongoing issues, keeping the road well travelled to Winston Salem in the Summer of 2026.
The good newsโฆ Progress has been made in regard to finding a new day to day normal for me. Sleep has resumed to a more normal, stable condition. Iโm extremely thankful for small, but necessary changes in the Summer of 2026.
Thank you for all of your prayers and continued support. It means the world to me ๐.
I feel like I have devoted less time capturing the day to day photos of summer. As you view these shared 2026 Summer Memories, I hope you will enjoy them and find a bit of inspiration in the ordinary things that we often take for granted. Finding Joy in the OrdinaryThings.
Iโm finding my ordinary life, extraordinary these days. Taking time to enjoy the simplicity of my daily routine and being simply being home. Hereโs to the Summer of finding Joy in the ordinary days.
After the Rain
Rain refreshes the Earth from the dry, humid days of a Southern summerโฆ Offering a pause to the intense heat. Rain brings growth to a garden. A Summer ordinary event made extraordinary by its own creation.
Summer Blues
The first glimpse of the mountains from 421 from two different tripsโฆ always looks uniquely different based on the weather
The colors of summer seem to hit a bit differently. The beautiful hues of blue dominate our skies each day. The hues of blue along the Blue Ridge Mountains, are a staple of our daily existence looming off in the not so far distance, offering an extraordinary view which is seemingly ordinary to us.
Sunrises and SunsetsofSummer: Ordinary Days at Home
I often step out on my back porch each morning to catch the first glimpse of the new, beginning day. An ordinary daily routine, with extraordinary results, captivated by a new sunrise each morning.
In the Garden
Purple sweet potatoes growing, a fantastic cancer fighting food! Watermelon growingโฆ Angel Trumpet blooms in morning sunlight
In the Blue Zones, gardening is a way that people grow necessities, and it creates gentle, daily movements that have allowed them to live healthier, longer lives. Ordinary people completing a daily routine task, with an extraordinary outcome, longevity.
Hot Summer Days
Movie fun in the summertimeโฆ popcorn ๐ฟ is a must!
The heat of summer can be experienced in different ways. Visually you can see the heat from the morning sunrises or viewing the full moon in midst of a humid night. So how do you balance the summer heat? Find a cool place to be, it could be watching a movie ๐ฟ with friends or family. OR sitting and enjoying the cool breeze of an open doorway. Ordinary living becomes extraordinary in the heat of summertime.
Footnotefrom meโฆ As October approaches, Ladies, donโt forget to schedule your yearly mammogram appointment IF you havenโt already scheduled it yet. My breast cancer was found during a routine mammogram last November. Sadly, more friends are being diagnosed each day. Pray for them as they fight to resume their ordinary days in a new, profoundly different way.
Everyone included, not just ladies here, know your cancer risk factors and advocate for your health! Do not be afraid to ask questions and go seek answers from your health care team.
Iโm currently scheduled for my next round of scans in early November. Thank you for all of your prayers and continued support. It means the world to me๐.
Springโฆ a time of rebirth in nature and renewal. In 2026, Spring has been symbolically filled and personally inspiringly beautiful as I have come full circle with completion of my active cancer treatment in March.
Spring is also a time of transition, the weather can be unpredictable. In North Carolina we can find ourselves wearing shorts one day then the next day bundled up wearing sweatshirts and gloves.
This unpredictably is actually where I find myself after cancer treatment, practicing patience and allowing grace to lead the way.
I have cherished each lovely Spring photographic moment with this new chapter in 2026โฆSpring is here!
As you view this blog, I hope that you will also feel the Spring vibrancy. Each snapshot, capturing the beauty of nature and renewal, symbolizing my journey of healing and growth.
Tiptoe through the Tulips
Treasured Tulip Color Abounds A Unique FindDark Beauties Vibrant Reds Gathering Basket Lunchtime
Easter Day Memoriesโฆ Florals and Feeding the Turtles ๐ข
AzaleasSpring Blossoms Coming out for a little snack Turtle Time
Watching the Spring Growthโฆ
Sunshine peaking through the Magnolia LightMagnolia New growthPhotosynthesisStar JasmineContrast of shadows โA Big Dillโ โฆ these are almost head high this year!
The Life of Ro (Jethro)
Ro loves to ride! Morning naps are the best!My current favorite toy
Spring Mountain Retreatโฆ
Filtered Rays of Sunshine Hello my Old FriendHues of Pink Spring Glowing Splendor Mountain LaurelCasting Shadows Layered Beauty
Thank you for reading and sharing! I truly appreciate your support. Iโm looking forward to capturing a few sweet memories this Summer.
Upcoming Oncology visits in the next few weeks, scans anticipated later on this summerโฆ Prayers appreciated
Winter of 2025-26 has been very eventful with my official breast cancer diagnosis in early December. Several of my December days were filled with appointments, making many trips to Winston Salem. Then came Januaryโฆ Surgery, recovery, and radiation all during the remaining winter months.
I did find time to snap a few pictures that I loved in this unique season of my life and compiled for a Winter memory album. Photography is an outlet for not only creativity, but the beauty that comes to my mind as I go about my daily activities, essential for hope and a great force in cancer recovery. All of these captures are from right here in our beautiful home, Wilkes County.
I hope you will enjoy these pictures as much as I have in a winter season filled with challenges, hope for healing and yet grace abounded in the winter season of 2025-2026.
I personally enjoy the winter season in regard to photography, the contrast of the starkness of barren trees with the vibrant colors of sunrise. I have organized this blog so that you can witness the evolution of the winter with a glimpse into each month of the winter season.
Thanks for supporting my blog and I deeply appreciate all of your prayers.
Clear December SkiesHope AboundsโฆDecember morning sunrise taken about a week after my cancer diagnosisโฆ I now view the pink skies as a beautiful sign of HOPE.Perfection!!! Last Sunrise of 2025Happy New Year!!! The First 2026 SunriseJanuary Rainbow SunriseSnowy January MorningThe Hope of SpringEvergreen GloryJanuary Sunset over the MountainsA Rainbow of Colors in Evening SkyGood Night YโallGood Morning Blue Ridge!Foggy February Winter MorningMarch SkiesMarch Morning GlowHope Reigns in the March Pink SkiesMuted March SkiesBlue Skies Ahead Stormy March Morningโฆ Thunder Rolls March Storm Cloud Watchโฆ Black and WhiteGood Morning!!March Red Sky in Morning
March is in Bloomโฆ The Hope of Spring
March Yellow DaffodilsAnother cute little ButtercupLenten Rose beginning to blossomForsythia
Pup Interludeโฆ
Cookie posing for the camera ๐ทMy little sunshine seekerโฆ JoyJethroโฆ morning nap timeOur sweet little crew of pupsโฆ Cookie, Joy and Jethro (Ro)
From the last of the summer blooms to the changing of the leavesโฆ Fall is Here! The Fall season brings apple and pumpkin season, gentle breezes and the solitary tune of the wind chimes. Fall hints at cooler temperatures, the changing of the sun cycle bringing less daylight creating a colorful change in nature through leaves turning and falling, crunching under foot. The vibrant colors that light the morning and evening skiesโฆ Autumn has arrived. As we head into the holiday season, hereโs to celebrating Fall ONE last time.
Apples are in Season! Time for pumpkins!!
October Skiesโฆ Simply Amazing
Changing of the Leaves
Leafy Carpet Blown Away The Vibrancy of Fall Light filtering throughMajestic Colors Stumped Look Up and Enjoy the ViewA Sneak Peak of Fall In Full ColorAutumnโs Glory Fall Magic The Glory Days of Autumn Finding the Colors of Fall A Walk in the Woods Jethro is enjoying the Leaves everywhereWhere the Leaves Meet the Water Peaceful Retreat Fall Making a Splash Fall SerenityRainy Autumn Days Plentiful Acorns Abundance of Berries A Quiet Place
Thankful for the opportunity to enjoy another beautiful Fall season! ๐๐ Thank you for reading and sharing.
Living the "hardwarelife", join us in our journey of hardware store ownership