Biltmore Estates - A Feast for the Eyes

This is for "Watery Wednesday #172"  If you have a moment, click over as there are sights to marvel at and enjoy from all around the world.  This charming slice of the world I feature is Biltmore Estates nestled in the mountains of Asheville, NC.  These photos are from late May, 2011.  It is exciting to think this weather is just around the corner...

The time of day is KEY in capturing the reflection of the Biltmore Mansion,  and that key time is late afternoon.  This is late morning and I was taking a bike ride from the Biltmore Inn to the Mansion to explore the flower gardens and walking paths.  The photo below is not crisp, it is a bit blurry, but it does portray the serenity that is abundant here.  There are many grassy spots around this lake (watch out for goose poop!) and people set up chairs and picnic along its edge.

and of course, I went back in the late afternoon (see below).  The water had a lot of movement, so I was unable to get a smooth mirror image, but I guess that means I have to go back someday and try again:

The bikes one is able to rent to ride the numerous trails are very comfortable.  My girls took the more strenuous trails and I opted for the scenic route.  The river you see below is the French Broad River and  the next morning we rented kayaks and paddled our way along this shallow river.  Please come back next week as I plan to continue sharing this leisurely day spent with my camera.

Watery Wednesday #171, IGRT's Ella's Edge "No Promise" and Haiku Wednesday

(Poetry for IGWRT's and Haiku Wednesday are at the bottom of this post)

These are three more photos of my trek last week to the watery edge of a nearby neighborhood lake.  The photo above I loved because they all were "adjusting their feathers" or whatever geese do.  I have linked up with Watery Wednesday #171.  Swing buy and enjoy photography from around the world.

I loved darkening this and highlighting the golden winter color and its reflection in the lake.  I was also almost eye level with the water (or at least as much as possible without getting muddy and wet).

I try to experiment with different angles and almost deleted this as I didn't think it worked.  But it has grown on me...

I tied this poem in with the above because of the movie reference "Fly Away Home" about a flock of Canadian Geese.  The poems themselves do not reflect the photos above.

No Promises

Broken promises

are the worst.

That's why

I live for the moment,

pretend tomorrow

doesn't exist.

No apologies, no

accusations.

Better

not to promise anything.

That way

bitterness is avoided

and pretense

becomes the rule.

The way I see it,

its not so different from

"Happily Ever After".

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, February 1, 2012

This is linked up with Imaginary Garden for Real Toad's "Ella's Edge".  The challenge was to take a quote or title from a movie and incorporate it into a poem.  

My choice is "Fly Away Home" one of my favorite "family friendly" movies.  The quote is "Broken promises are the worst.  Better not to promise anything."  I LOVE how the movie takes this little girl who has no hope and teaches her it is MUCH better to love, trust and believe in promises.

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And here is my "modern" haiku for "Sensational Haiku Wednesday #136" ... the word prompt: craft

definition used here:  skill used in shrewd or sly manner, as in deceiving; craftiness; guile.

A Season of Love

No bitterness, no pretense

No crafty promise

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens, February 1, 2012

Watery Wednesday #170 - "Marooned?"

I drove by this tiny "island" in the early morning and agonized because I couldn't stop.  Fortunately the fog lasted a bit and on the way home I captured this gaggle of geese.  I have linked up with "Watery Wednesday #170".

Three Word Wednesday "Past & Present" Old Salem, continuted.

Past & Present

Eyes glazed, shoulders distraught, alone,

immobile and dazed he stood.  He almost moaned.

Without his Ipad, TV, and DS, he was paralyzed,

surrounded by games he didn't recognize,

music he'd never heard.  His mother said, "What a treat!"

A bow glided upon strings of music so sweet,

little men upon a table stood, with horses so bold.

The proximity of days gone by hovered, took hold,

and he played, intrigued with the past,

his smile ever widening, his imagination vast

as triangles and squares became ships!

Thirty minutes of activity; when asked to leave, a guilt trip

he gave his mother, a fine retribution you see,

as the gift shop she truly wanted to proceed,

but the lure of the past was strong.  The child

played on as mother gave in, smiled,

as the bow still sweetly played, kindred

spirits of past & present dancing together, joyfully indeed.

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This is for Three Word Wednesday #250 (3WW CCL)  This week's words are:  Immobile, Proximity, and Retribution.   I invite you to join in the fun - the link is open for a full week.

This is a continuation at a look at my day trip to "Old Salem", a small "living museum" in Winston-Salem, NC.

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And below are photos for Watery Wednesday #165  The Heritage Bridge of Old Salem connects the Visitor's Center to the Historic District.

A Puddle Reflection

"Heritage Bridge (1999) built to resemble historic bridges of the 19th century"