The stories as well as the photo's that go with them - just heart touching lovely.

I still think some of those photo's need to be framed. Including the one of you

I wonder if chicory grows here? I don't recognize the bloom. I love strong coffee too

Thanks again for taking us on a beautiful journey

I was so tired last night but I needed to write those feelings down before I could rest. It has something to do with this lifelong passion for nature, I think.

I'm like the tree that needs to be firmly rooted in the ground and can only survive if the sun can find me.

I think chicory grows there, yes. It's blooming right now, but it's a little modest and doesn't put on as big a show as something like goldenrod. It does need sunshine, too, so you might not find it deep in the woods. Look for the nickel sized blooms, bright sky blue. And its root goes all the way to China.

And aren't those steps something, man made but perfectly blending right into the earth.
Thanks Vic.

Glad you had such a great "heart trip", Sharon. Everyone needs that from time to time.

Chicory is one of my favorite "weed flowers", it grows along the roadsides here and edges of fields. I notice it more in the mornings in full sun but the flowers seem to hide during the heat of the day. I bet you have it in your area, Vic.

One little tidbit about chicory is I tend to use in the spring to let me know when the adult stage of the squash vine borer is out and about, laying its eggs. Those of you affected by that creature should put your row covers over your squash plants for a few weeks helping to keep those pesky eggs/larva from destroying your plants.

Again, great pics, great words and feelings, great trip, Sharon!

Shoe

Thanks Shoe, glad to share it with you.

Dear, dear, DEAR friend Sharon. You have words that melt my heart. How on earth do you do that??

I know that the same words from someone elses fingertips would not be as sweet. Why? Because as soothing and melodic as your writing is, the fact that I hear it in my mind, spoken with your voice, and imagining your smiling face, puts that extra touch of love into it.

You wouldn't understand. You only know you from the inside. You take you for granted. You don't know how it feels to be loved by you. You don't know how special you are. So you'll just have to take my word for it.

You are special.

Lovely story and photos!

Thank you, Nap, from my heart.