Something beautiful remains

After Aidan boarded the bus for school this morning, I went on a two mile walk around the village. It was perfect walking weather: sunny and just a bit cool. As always, I had podcasts on my iPod and for most of this morning's walk, I was listening to Cast On, episode 100. I adore Brenda Dayne's podcasts; she is warm and funny, she talks about knitting and she shares sounds and stories from Wales, where she lives.

At one point during the podcast, she was walking through the Welsh village of Laugharne where poet Dylan Thomas lived for many years, and she was narrating what she saw. She stopped in a cemetery (where Dylan Thomas is NOT buried) and read what is written on a tombstone:

The tide recedes but leaves behind bright seashells on the sand.
The sun goes down, but gentle warmth still lingers on the land.
The music stops, and yet it echoes on in sweet refrains...
For every joy that passes, something beautiful remains.

I like it. There are those who will roll their eyes and think it is schmaltzy, but that's okay; the poem made me smile, and made me think of what has remained in my life after joy has passed.


Note: The poem was not written by Dylan Thomas and a quick Google search failed to turn up the poet's name; it is listed as unknown on the various sites where I found the text of the poem.

Apple picking time

It's that time of the year again in New York: apple season. Fresh apples have been appearing in Wegmans for several weeks, but yesterday was our first opportunity to drive down to Beak and Skiff apple farm to pick our own apples.

Jonamacs were the only apples available to pick, but we were able to buy other already picked varieties in their country store. We rode the cart out into the orchard and started picking. The trees were loaded with beautiful fruit:


Apple picking is apparently serious work:


The best apples are always up high:


When we got home, I made an apple crunch pie with a mix of Jonamac, Spy and Paula Red apples:


As good as the pie looks, I can assure you that it tastes even better.