Well, you know it’s fall when the squirrels start stashing their bounty for the winter. And that’s when we, as humans, start to pay more attention to them. We watch to see if they’re frantic. To see how much food they’re collecting. To see if there are any signs, no matter how small, that it’s going to be a long winter.

And yes, these furry little creatures are like an oversized mouse with a fluffy tale. But look a bit closer. They have inquisitive eyes. And twitching ears that pick up on the softest sounds. They have small paws, but with mighty strength. They are more than a sign of a harsh winter to come. They are a soft, curious creature, trying to understand the world around them.

Peonies have a certain old-time elegance to them. Their sherbet petals look like tissue paper against a backdrop of rich green foliage. They seem so fragile; as if the slightest whisper of wind will ruin the delicate blooms. And only a keen observer will see the deep gold, nestled in the center of the flower.

This beautiful flower somehow hints at its Greek mythology namesake, Paeon. Both have certain healing powers. And, if nothing else, simply pausing to admire the soft elegance of the blooms will brighten a bad day.

What really struck me about this was the bright, fresh, summer green leaf looking bug against the neutral, slightly dull, bronze color. The contrast is stunning! And the green gives a certain life to the natural browns and taupes. They seem to have more life.

The green and yellow in this color palette are as unexpected as the bug on the sculpture. It just proves you can find color inspiration in the most unlikely of places.

Do you ever wonder what a dog is thinking? Do they understand us when we talk in full sentences? Do we sound like the teacher on the Peanuts cartoon? Do they like to show off? Do they ever get annoyed?

These questions have struck me a number of times with my own dogs and when working with other dogs. Sometimes, I can almost see the thought bubble above my dog’s head that says ‘Really?’ And this puppy, the model of good behavior and poise, seems to be saying ‘Are you serious? Of course I’m cute. I’m a puppy!’ And she just lays there with those soft, dark eyes that drawing me in. But I also knew that given just a few minutes more, those thoughts would change to ‘What can I explore and get into next?’

Ahhh, summer. There is just something about this time of year. It’s the crisp tang of ice cold lemonade. It’s the bright, beautiful colors of summer flowers. And it’s the fresh, clear scent of aromatic herbs.

Summer kicks off the season of fruitful harvest. It is the first time you can really begin to see the fruits of your labor. But don’t forget to take a moment. Be present. Drink in the sights, sounds, smells and tastes that make each summer unique.

It was the last day in the mountains. The end of the trip was just hours away. Little did I know there were still a few spectacular sights waiting for me.

As we rounded the bend, there it was. The sun, just beginning to set behind the mountain peak across from us. It felt like it had waited for me. It had waited to shine its last, golden rays and create a halo around the mountain as it slipped silently, quickly,  from view.