Summer Supper ...

“A forest bird never wants a cage.”

                 ~ Henrik Ibsen

                        ~ 1828-1906

A male American goldfinch - also known as a wild canary - and a female house finch share a birdfeeder as they enjoy a summer supper on a beautiful August evening at Lehigh Gap Nature Center.

In the shadow of the Kittatinny Ridge, also called Blue Mountain, the Lehigh Gap in Slatington, Pennsylvania, is a crossroads where the Lehigh Gap Nature Center’s trails connect two historic trails – the Appalachian Trail and the Delaware and Lehigh Heritage Corridor (D&L Trail). 

The Appalachian Trail, a foot path, follows the ridge on both sides of the Lehigh Gap, running 1,245 miles south to Georgia and 930 miles north to Maine. Running from Wilkes-Barre to Bristol, the D&L Trail passes through the Lehigh and Delaware rivers and their canals in Pennsylvania.

Summer Song ...

“One is always at home in one’s past ...”

                ~ Vladimir Nabokov

                ~ Russian-American novelist

                          ~ 1899-1977

   ~ from his 1951 memoir “Speak, Memory”

Visitors to the 29^th Belvidere Victorian Days enjoy listening to The Antebellum Marine Band in Garret D. Wall Park in front of United Presbyterian Church on a beautiful waning summer afternoon in Belvidere, New Jersey.

Victorian Days, held the weekend after Labor Day, is a celebration of Belvidere’s Victorian heritage. Festivities include live entertainment; antique, craft and food vendors; antique/vintage car show; and Victorian era demonstrations.

Belvidere, one of my very favorite places, is a charming Victorian town located on the banks of the Pequest and Delaware Rivers. Victorian Days is a perfect time to stroll through the town and step back into a bygone era.

The Heart Of Summer ...

“And you’re daddy’s little girl

You’re the end of the rainbow

My pot of gold

You’re daddy’s little girl to have and hold

A precious gem is what you are

You’re mommy’s bright and shining star

You’re the spirit of Christmas

My star on the tree

You’re the Easter Bunny to mommy and me

You’re sugar

You’re spice

You’re everything nice

And you’re daddy’s little girl.”

                      ~ “Daddy’s Little Girl”

                 ~ lyrics & music written by

                     Robert Burke & Horace Gerlach

                                     ~ 1906

          ~ recorded by the wonderful Al Martino

                                              ~ 1967

The heart of summer within the heart of summer … a father teaches his little girl to ride a bicycle on a gorgeous July afternoon on the Saucon Rail Trail, Hellertown, Pennsylvania, such a sweet sight I was lucky to capture and showcase in sepia to enhance the nostalgic feel.