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© Mary Strong-Spaid and Before I Forget/Stories with No Books, 2012-2025. 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
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
Appreciating the Writer Within
Since it is the end of the year 2012, I decided to make a little card in appreciation of all the wonderful bloggers that I have had the honor to meet this year through words and photos posted on WordPress. Because of you, … Continue reading
Tasting Thoughts of Tea
One pot contains tea leaves steeping in hot water; the other holds thought brewed in its own reflection. From which pot should you drink? Pour carefully, drink wisely! ~ms **This beautifully decorated tea set was given to me by sushi chef and … Continue reading
Posted in Imagination, Philosophy, photography, Poetry, Writing
15 Comments
Tree Reindeer
A rotten old tree dead but still standing cold and riddled with holes, was brought back to life on a cold wintery night when….. Christmas creativity came wandering by with bells, two eyes, and a nose, pine branches and bows … Continue reading
Low-Tech Computer Screen Blockers
When too much time is spent on the computer and other important aspects of life are being ignored, my low-tech computer screen blockers are automatically activated. They are highly effective! If I attempt to remove them from my desktop and … Continue reading
Posted in cats, Humor, Pets, photography, Technology
Tagged computer screen blockers, Siamese cat
49 Comments
Cold November Moon
Outside my window on a brightly lit night … See how gently the trees hold this cold November moon in their dark arms. I stand far below looking up from my small world in shadows covered, as my wandering thoughts go walking on the moon. ~ms … Continue reading
Posted in Nature, photography, Poetry, Space
68 Comments
Orange Autumn Twilight
Cloudy day ending in a sudden burst of light, spilling bright orange into watery shadows as twilight dissolves into darkness approaching on an autumn night. ~ms
Reflections and Shadows
On this autumn day, nature recreates itself with duck reflections and a butterfly shadow….. ~ms
Where Up Meets Down
In a place where up meets down uniting above and below… Look down into up and see! Leaves float in water hanging on trees overhead, connected by reflections drifting in-between clouds that dance through lily pads. ~ms
Posted in Fall Colors, Philosophy, photography, Poetry, Writing
23 Comments
Squirrel Dilemma
In a grassy field a squirrel worked all morning burying acorns. But then… children came to play, and the squirrel was forced to run away. The squirrel climbed up the nearest tree and sat on a limb staring down annoyed…… She had … Continue reading
Revolt of the Green World
It was one of the most beautiful Texas days that he had ever seen, so the young king of trees and bushes decided to wander outside to enjoy his green world. However, as he was soaking in the sunshine and breathing … Continue reading
Posted in Imagination, Nature, Photo Essay, photography, Writing
Tagged Children's Books, creative writing
30 Comments
Behold the Inner Beast
Halloween is an opportunity (and a perfect excuse) for people to dress up and become what they usually are not. Last year, when a stray werewolf jumped out in front of me, his appearance immediately took my breath away. The simple addition of a hairy rubber mask … Continue reading
Posted in Halloween, Imagination, LIfe, photography
2 Comments
Mysterious Witch of Shenandoah
I have wanted to visit the Shenandoah National Park for quite some time and take a trip down Skyline Drive. Unfortunately, the weather started to shift on the day that I planned to go. When I listened to the morning weather report, it said … Continue reading
Posted in Fall Colors, Nature, photography, Travel
Tagged halloween, Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Drive
38 Comments
Wisdom of the Yawning Tree
As the old tree yawned its wisdom awoke and said: Bugs that ate my insides out flew off in a woodpecker. I tried to laugh, but only yawned because I was too tired. Life and death circles ’round coming as it’s going … Continue reading
Bluebird of Consternation
On a leafless branch the bluebird of happiness sits glaring at me. Happiness I once was he sang with a voice of cool blue consternation. But you did not notice because your thoughts were focused on decaying, dying leaves. There is more to life than … Continue reading
Posted in Birding, Fall Colors, Nature, photography, Poetry, wildlife
Tagged Death, Happiness, Life
14 Comments
Curiosity with a Camera
A mother’s concern reaches out, touching my heart. Don’t worry about me, mom through this lens looking…. I am curiosity with a camera Your baby is safe! ~ms
Summer Falls into Autumn Comes
Spring flowers fading summer falls into autumn comes the winter soon. A cool chill enters autumn moves life into death in my heart, sadness. Time aging all things… spectacular colors bring a bittersweet end to what once was mine. ~ms
Alluring Luray Caverns
Shifting and moving slowly changing over time…. earth beneath our feet. Deep below the ground slowly forming, dripping down incredible shapes…. stunning creativity! With magnificent stalactites and stalagmites, leaning towers of Luray defy gravity. Many people travel to Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley to … Continue reading
Obese Fast Food Pigeons
Most of our fast food is filled with salt and saturated fat, and lacking in vital nutrients. That’s why eating fast food on a regular basis has been linked to medical conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, … Continue reading
Aging in Slow Motion
She saw a wrinkle on her face and some gray hairs on her head she complained to Mother Nature that growing old was just not fair. Sigh….. The next thing she knew she was covered with salt and permanently set … Continue reading
Allerton Garden Tropical Paradise
When I first saw the Allerton Garden in the Lāwa`i Valley on Kauai, I knew that I had found a slice of paradise on earth. Blue ocean, tropical flowers and trees, and warm tradewinds—absolutely beautiful. The Allerton Garden is so stunning it … Continue reading
Rough Water Rising
Rough water rising and coming our way. What should we do….fight with each other? That doesn’t make sense! Our time together is limited by nature. The average life expectancy for humans is not very long. All who are alive today will soon … Continue reading
Posted in Philosophy, Poetry
2 Comments
Birds Watching People
Birds watching people watching birds at Kilauea Lighthouse on the Island of Kauai. I didn’t realize, until I uploaded my photos and took a closer look–that I was being closely observed. I thought I was watching the birds, never realizing … Continue reading
Posted in Kauai, photography, Travel
4 Comments
Tribute to Anthurium
Sensual flower almost unbelievable reproduction of….. Botanical Name: Anthurium andraeanum Although this flower is native to South America (Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru), the first time that I saw Anthurium was when I was visiting Hawaii. At first, I didn’t think it was … Continue reading
Posted in Nature, photography, Poetry, Travel
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Before I Forget 