A gorgeously sunny Autumn afternoon seemed like an ideal day to visit the orchard.
And it was, for us and oh, say, 500 other Minnesotans. The place was packed, to our slight chagrin. We stuck it out and by 5:00 p.m. the crowds had thinned, leaving behind room for our 3 families to run & roam & play.
Only three families, but there were 16 kids between us!
On an outing like this it’s those little hidden moments that are precious…
…and those happy smiles that are priceless once you’ve captured them.
Looking at these pictures at the end of a glorious day, I am reminded of the poem “Leisure” byWilliam H. Davies, whose stanzas read:
What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand & stare?
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eye began.
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stop and stare.
What a beautiful poem! Sometimes it is easy to get so caught up in assignments and appointments that we do forget to stop and appreciate the present moment. Thanks for the reminder.
The picture of the children on the fence is just perfect, and your daughter really does look just like you!
How lovely to see the smiling faces — 16 kid-get-together, what joy! Wonderful post!