growth / ambition

L-Nikon D-60 / T - Nikon 35mm

It was so quiet high up on this mountain top not far from Sugar Mountain. Quiet, windy and cold, but so peaceful. And what a view. What a beautiful site these farms were - acre after acre of neatly planted rows of rich evergreen. These trees are meticulously cared for - pruned and protected – in order to grow to the perfect height and shape for a Christmas tree. In fact, it takes approximately 12 to 15 years for a single tree to grow, from seedling to full height, to be harvested for a Christmas tree? That's a long time and a lot of hard work on the part of the farmer, but they say it's well worth the effort when their trees become the centerpiece of our holidays. Maybe there's something to learn from this: that which is worthwhile doesn't come to us without hard work, proper care, dedication and determination.
i love the quiet of a library, it's ability to elicit focus from whoever is experiencing it. focus, the desire for new knowledge and ambition - things that are undeniably important in one's life. it's necessary in one's self and those you surround yourself with. one must always know to reach and strive and push oneself to growth.

I feel like there is alot analogous to these two images, but I struggle with how to pull it together. Again, I leave it to you.

loneliness / solitude

solo post - L, Nikon

“Language... has created the word "loneliness" to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word "solitude" to express the glory of being alone.” - Paul Tillich

I go in and out of both - pain and glory. I sort of hate to admit that (makes me seem weak), but this year is harder than last year for some reason. Has anyone else with college age children experienced this same feeling - that sophomore year is somewhat harder even than the freshman year. (I guess to relate completely you have to be a single mother of an only child.) The newness has worn off and it's so very real, now, that I am indeed alone. It's time to stop sitting on that wire, looking over the edge in fear, and just take flight.