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© Mary Strong-Spaid and Before I Forget/Stories with No Books, 2012-2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Mary Strong-Spaid and Before I Forget/ Stories with No Books with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. NO REBLOGGING WITHOUT PERMISSION.
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Author Archives: Mary Strong-Spaid
Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal
A long time ago, the Hawaiians named this species of seal “llio holo I ka uaua” (dog that runs in rough water). Now the Hawaiian monk seal has become one of the most endangered species in the world, with only … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, Kauai, Photo Essay, photography, Travel, wildlife
Tagged endangered species, Hawaiian Monk Seal Response Team, llio holo I ka uaua, mammals, ocean, seals
47 Comments
Behold the Black Swan
Behold the black swan floating between images of carps and clouds in cool pond waters reflecting. With regal beauty and form, the humble bow of the black swan took my breath away. ~ms ***I took these photos on the … Continue reading
Posted in birds, Nature, Photo Essay, photography, Poetry, Travel, wildlife
Tagged carp fish, clouds, Oahu, Pond, Swan, Water
60 Comments
Love Lives Beyond Death
Love lives beyond death forever on sweet memories of your heart melting slowly into mine. Watching over you each day was my greatest joy. Our 5 years and 6 months together were so wonderful. I thought my time with you … Continue reading
Posted in cats, Pets, Photo Essay, photography, Poetry
Tagged animals, Death, Heart, heart disease, Life, Love, Memories, Pain
116 Comments
Bird Bread Bailout
Back in 2009, when the photo below was taken, the housing market had crashed and different groups were being bailed out by the government for one reason or the other. So when I encountered this flock of birds standing in … Continue reading
Posted in birds, food, Humor, Nature, Photo Essay, wildlife
26 Comments
Sleeping Sink Cat
IF you have a cat~~~ Whenever you go walking in the night— always remember to turn on the lights, because you don’t know who might be sleeping under the faucet curled up in the sink not expecting water or something … Continue reading
Butterfly Apology
Yesterday…. We agreed to rendezvous on these pink flowers, but I have no GPS and to my dismay pink is everywhere. Directionally challenged, I’ve been lost for hours searching through flowers while you patiently waited here for me. So sorry … Continue reading
Posted in Humor, Nature, Photo Essay, photography, Poetry
Tagged butterfly, communication, wildlife
29 Comments
Travel Agent from Hell
I was living on a soft cloud before I was born, enjoying the celestial music of the spheres. My existence was heavenly until a strange man wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a dark cloak, floated in on a hot breeze. He bowed, … Continue reading
Posted in Humor, Nature, Philosophy, Photo Essay, photography, Travel
Tagged clouds, creative writing, Death, Life
43 Comments
Fly Agaric Mushroom in the Woods
Within light shadows stoodorange colors, specks of white,mushroom in the woods.Inedible or edible,bad or good to eat?Is this extremely poisonousor a tasty treat?I don’t know the answerand I’d rather not be dead,so I think I’ll get my mushroomsfrom the grocery … Continue reading
Posted in Nature, photography, Poetry, Writing
Tagged Amanita Muscaria, Fly Agaric, mushrooms, Poisonous
59 Comments
Civil War Cemetery Meditation
Trapped in dark shadows cast by a cemetery sun, Spirits of the past stand by nameless headstones whispering sad stories of young lives prematurely lost to death’s cold hand on Civil War battlefields. Courageous in the battle, Confederate and Union … Continue reading
Posted in Civil War, photography, Poetry
Tagged Cemetery, Death, Ghosts, Graveyard, History
48 Comments
Shivering Pine Tree
Shivering pine tree burdened by a heavy snow dripping ice cold tears on spring flowers far below… so tired of winter! ~ms Just My Imagination ********************************************************************** I said, “Wow! The bent over pine tree in this photo looks like a … Continue reading
Buck in Birch Shadows
In the past few years, I have seen quite a few deer in my backyard munching on various plants. But the summer of 2010 was the first (and only) time that I have ever seen a buck with a full set … Continue reading
New Year Prayers Rising
At midnight, on January 1st, I said hello to 2013. As I watched the glittering ball descend into Times Square, thousands of voices cheered but nothing changed. I felt the same. In spite of all the counting, we have no power … Continue reading
Posted in Buddhism, New Year, Philosophy, Photo Essay, photography
Tagged Happy New Year, Religion, Spirituality
26 Comments
On Wings of Thought
In the middle of the night on a mental flight with no luggage or tickets, I’m traveling light on warm wings of thought flying to a distant land where sunlit flowers, beautiful ocean water and stretches of sand invite my wandering soul … Continue reading
Posted in Imagination, Nature, Photo Essay, photography, Poetry
Tagged flowers, Kauai, Oahu, ocean, Travel, Water
44 Comments
Snow Cold Feet
Birds with snow cold feet quietly meditate on winter’s reflection, appreciating the chance to experience a snowy river. I took these photos during a snowstorm in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The birds and I were standing on the city dock, near the old train bridge … Continue reading
Posted in Nature, Photo Essay, photography, Poetry, wildlife
Tagged birds, bridge, River, Water, Winter
108 Comments
Misplaced Mold Bowl
When lunch breaks are sandwiched in between work deadlines and demands, eating gets postponed and food often gets forgotten or misplaced. It’s true. I think that’s how a small blue bowl ended up on top of the file cabinet, near the … Continue reading
Something about No Thing
While I was sleeping in double negatives, No Thing came and swallowed up my waking world. Without direction in a strange inverted place lost and all alone, I hid behind the branches of a dreaming tree hoping No Thing would not see, or hear me breathing. I … Continue reading
Peep of Pali Ridge
On the island of Oahu where wild chickens roam in rocky shadows, sweet little chick eyes sneak a friendly peep at me up on Pali Ridge. But mother’s eyes quickly say: Come no closer, stay away! Independent we must be left alone, feral, and free … Continue reading
Black-Crowned Night Heron Waiting
Where land meets water under the Hawaiian sun, a black-crowned night heron (’auku’u) stands with no bait, no lure, and without a fishing pole, waiting patiently for the perfect fish to come swimming by. ~ms
Dreaming Eyes
Listen to dark winds caress the leafless tree that stands in moonlight glowing, capturing words of wisdom on cold gnarled branches a thousand dreams old. Open wide your dreaming eyes as thought creates itself here, there, and everywhere wandering without boundaries in … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Nature, Philosophy, photography, Poetry
Tagged Dreams, Shamanism, Spirituality
30 Comments
Honking Attitude
The loudest goose yelled— I thought we were flying south where no lakes are filled with icy cold water. This is not acceptable! I’m not getting in. The lead goose replied sternly— You must remember we are geese from Canada. This is Virginia which … Continue reading
Love Responds to Love
In 2009, I took this photo of two siamang gibbons (Elvis and Mahina) at the Honolulu Zoo. The loving affection between the two of them was a delight to see. The other characteristic that was outstanding about these gibbons was their … Continue reading
Duck Quack Reprimand
What? Where is our bread? You brought a camera instead? How thoughtless is that! Now…. Have you anything to say in your own defense before we quack you away? Yes, actually I do have something to say. You don’t need more … Continue reading
Before I Forget 