“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.”
– Robert Frost
I went out and took some pictures just for the heck of it yesterday. Or was it? There’s a part of me that feels so nourished by capturing images like these. The first pic is of the lobster-colored house on the corner. It’s been for sale for as long as I can remember…maybe because of its unusual floor plan? I think it’s charming though. I mean, who wouldn’t want to work in a 20-foot-tall, natural light-filled tower with a view of the lake? Apparently lots of people. So it continues to sit…smiling at the herons alone.
The lobster-colored house with Spanish moss hair and white picket teeth.
A birdhouse sitting over on Bungalow Court. Seeing it on the ground makes me want to surprise whoever it belongs to by adding a couple of fairies!
Crouching down behind my neighbor’s azaleas so it looks like they’re mine- ha! (See the lobster-colored tower at the end of the street?
An Alabama-shaped rock nestled under the juniper in the corner of Mrs. Hawkin’s back yard. I wonder if anyone else sees it that way too?
Anywho, I’m no professional photographer, but I’ll be honest, I’d love to put together a whole book chock full of photos and stories that speak to my soul, in hopes that they might speak to other kindred spirits out there too. Pages about people, and their passions, and the places their purposes took them. Wouldn’t that be fun? I would like a book like that. And if I could find the time, I know that just creating it would feel like such a meaningful pouring out and a filling right back up. I guess that’s why I blog the way I do lately…and it’s neat that after a decade of passionately pounding out posts, the Lord can still fine-tune what it is I love to do.
So, who knows, maybe there will be paper pages in my future. Bound together like old friends. A book that is warm and comforting; one whose cheerful cover says, “come on in!”
______________________
They say a good snapshot keeps a moment from running away. Here are some more pictures that I had fun capturing for keeps:
She stood at the sink, lifted her face toward the sun, and relished the blaze that graced her face.
In four words, I can sum up how to ride a life: pedal hard, glide. Repeat.
I have seen tree bark and a leafy climber make together a sweet and unmistakable face. Do you see it there too?
This train is bound for glory, this train,
This train is bound for glory, this train,
This train is bound for glory,
Don’t ride nothin’ but the righteous and holy
This train is bound for glory, this train.
(I know, I know- it’s a tractor…but a mama can make-believe, too!)
And that last one…that’s a sunrise I snapped on a lonely stretch of road between Montgomery and Mathews. Mornings out there are some of the prettiest you’ll ever see. You’ll be driving along, looking for a place to park and pray, and the sky will just come alive…spilling pink and orange light across the prairie. I highly recommend it if you’re in the area. It’s a beautiful way to watch life go on.
Happy weekend, friend-
Layla
PS- Curious about that lobster-colored tower? Here’s another photo I found of it online:
I removed the name of our street from that sign, but if you live in the area you probably know where to find it. 😉
This post brought a smile to my face this morning. Beautiful pictures, Layla!
Thank you, Beth! I’m smiling over here too! 😀
Love your words! Love your voice! Love your message!! Thank you for you being you! ❤️
I love the new feature of listening to you read the post. You are so soothing to listen to. You are a great storyteller. It felt like the words were coming from your soul. I listened to you I could see the pictures in my head. I love the subtle sound effects. It was a joy to listen to.
Leanne! Thank you so much for taking the time to connect with me this morning! Your message filled me up and inspired me to keep pouring things like this out! 😀
I just so much love your heart! It shines through in your words and in your pictures. If we lived close, I know we’d be friends!
Thank you, Kathy! What a gift to be able to meet up with you here! 😀
Oh my gosh, Layla!! I totally agree with Leanne!! What a beautiful voice you have for narrating. You should totally narrate for Documentaries, Books, etc. I think even narrating children’s books would be so great too!! You definitely have a gift in being a Narrator and Writing too. Thoroughly enjoyed this!!
Debbie, you are pure sunshine! Thank you for blessing me with such kind words today! 😀
Thank you for this post this morning. I just put my beloved golden retriever down yesterday and I was just thinking it’s true, life goes on , even though I am sad and so many people are struggling with things that are much worse, life goes on and renews. Love your blog . Do you have recommendations for a beginning photographer for a camera?
Oh, Amy…I am SO sorry to hear about your beloved dog. 🙁 I hope you can get out and feel some sun on your skin today. That always does wonders for me when I’m blue.
And the last part of your comment inspired me to put together a post about cameras. I’ll work on that for next week!
Enjoyed listening to you read what you wrote! I agree with the other comments that your voice is soothing and pleasant to hear. Also, You have a gift for seeing the beautiful, not just in the beautiful, but also in the ordinary things of every day. I love that! And you have a way of writing about it that helps me see it too. It seems to me that there is definitely potential for paper pages in your future…”bound together like old friends.” Thanks!
It’s funny, but I’ve never liked my voice. Isn’t that the way most of us feel though? 😀
Thank you for encouraging me to keep at it with these kinds of posts. It is so fun to read them!
I agree with everyone…you have the nicest voice. You should be in radio! I love your photos too. You have a “photographers eye.” Everyone can snap a picture but it takes real talent to look at something and know how to frame it and capture it’s soul. You, sweet lady, have that talent! We have Tennessee mornings like that. I especially love the sunrises here with fog!
Karen! Thank you for encouraging me the way you always do! Hope the weather is beautiful up there in Tennessee today! 😀
Beautiful pictures! I love this post. I had to go back and have you read it to me again with the audio. That was fun. And yes, I did see the face in the bark and ivy picture, even before you mentioned it. Thank you, Layla, for speaking from your heart and sharing it with all of us.
Thank you, Trina! I’m so glad you enjoyed *hearing* it too! Makes me excited to read another one soon! 😀
You write so beautifully! Always enjoy your posts. 🙂
Thank you so much, sweet Louise! 😀
Seems as if God has given you the talent to capture all of his bounty of the beauty in nature from your photos and the lovingly way you describe life.
I’m surprised you haven’t started a book yet; I know I would enjoy turning every page just to see what amazing story would be on every page.
Thank you, Sue! I have *sort of* started a book. It’s really just a book proposal right now…and I’m sure it’ll change a lot along the way…but we’ll see where it leads! 😀
Just so beautiful! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you, Jeannie! Thank you for stopping by! 😀
I loved listening to your voice this morning. The way you write is the way you talk and comes across so clearly. And…I would buy your photo book. 🥰
Jet, you are always such an encourager, and for that, I am so thankful! Made me smile again today! 😀
I would buy this book, but your voice makes it! Perhaps there is a new genre in the works – narrated coffee table book. Genius.
I know, right? I guess it would be like an audio book…with visuals. An “Audio Visual” genre, perhaps? 😀
I love this post…. and btw… If you put your “pics and your prose” into a book… I will absolutely order that book !!! You made my Friday morning with this post !!!! Beautiful neighborhood… Love, love these homes!!!!! and your surroundings … just feels so peaceful !!! Cannot believe someone has not bought that gorgeous .. little tower home !!! Have yourself a blessed and beautiful weekend!!
Terri! Thank you! 😀
And I hope you have a wonderful weekend too!
I loved the blog read by you on audio!! Your voice is so pleasant, refreshing, and full of expression; it wafted me along on your journey of thoughts through words! Exceptional! Keep it up…
Thank you so much, Jan! I will try to record one every Friday. Seems like a fun new challenge to look forward too. I love how “the same old blog” can continue to unfold into something new! 😀
LOVE LOVE LOVE listening to your posts! Thank you for showing us your part of this beautiful world! 💕
LOVE LOVE LOVE your kind heart, Jessica! 😀
I love that tower house! Looks like a fascinating place to live!
I think so too, Renea! 😀
thank you! You bring a ray of sunshine into all of our lives!
!“You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it.”
“How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You.”
Hi Ginger! You are so sweet to say that! I’ll take being likened to sunshine ANY day! 😀
And that scripture…oh my…what a gift to absorb that. Thank you!!
Miss your shopping blogs.
Martha
Hi Martha,
If you mean that you miss my “Let’s Go with Layla” blog posts, you can always watch them on Instagram. I share those stories every Wednesday…usually around 9am CST. Unfortunately, it takes hours and hours to send, download, edit and upload them into one video here on my blog, so the series is what it was originally intended to be: an Insta-series. Wish it was an easier process so I could share it in both places! 🙁
Oh Layla! I couldn’t love how you put this post together anymore than I already do. Felt like you were talking to just me… rather than thousands. Your words came alive with such vivid pictures as your voice put the inflections in all the right places. And oh that home! Would so live there if I could. Thank you for sharing your part of this Beautiful world. XO
Meghann! What a kind comment you left for me to find! Felt just like a hug! 😀
Thank you for this blog. It strums my soul strings. It takes me to a younger me and I wonder where she went. I consider peeling away layers of disappointment and hurt that have created a crusty cynicism and shrouded my expressive, lovely heart. Your post makes me pause and think…maybe…💜
“It strums my soul strings.”
I loved reading that, Bobbie. Thank you for taking the time to share a bit of your heart here too. Makes me feel less alone and I hope it does the same for you too. 🙂
Good-morning Layla,
I really loved this…I enjoy everything you post. I agree with everyone, your voice is so soothing to listen to. I love how you see the little things and the beauty in the world. I know you would be someone I would want as a best friend. Thank you for sharing your special gifts in this way. Can’t wait for your next post.
❤️Kim
Thank you so much, Kim! So glad we can be “pen pal” friends and I look forward to connecting with you again next week! 😀
This is so dang amazing! I just want to move into that lobster house! I wonder why it sits empty? Have a beautiful weekend!! Great post! 💓
The unusual floor plan, I’m sure. I’m fond of it though. Wish we could just scoot down the street! 😀
“I love this” doesn’t really seem like the right thing…it’s more like you created a spark in my brain that has inspired me so much. I don’t know if I will ever really be able to go back to a “regular” blog post again! Like when you think rubies are the prettiest and then you see a diamond and your perspective changes. God’s leading you…and you’re leading me…somewhere yet to be revealed and that is an exciting thing. I’m ready for a journey. Thanks for turning over the engine.
Nancy
I enjoy looking at your pictures and telling the story. I too like taking pictures, I like taking pictures of my critters and birds. Just yesterday I took a picture of of a dove sitting on the rail on our deck. God is so great when he paints the skies and sun sets. Thank you for sharing your pictures and stories. You are very bless to have such a talent.
Love the new audio addition. I love that I was able to read along when I wanted and also just lose myself in your photos while you spoke your words. ❤️
Beautiful photos! I love the lobster colored tower.
Reading this was a moment of relaxation in a busy day. Do the book! Much love
I’m so sorry you are going thru this angsty period in your life. You are truly one incredible woman. A valiant daughter of The Most High! I just listened to your audio and hunay, that was BRILLIANT!! I so enjoyed every minute. You, my dear, have opened a door and entered a new realm. This is earth shattering! You’ve found a niche and I hope you stay there!! So, so good. I’m blown away. The voice, the prose, the pictures, you captions for these pictures and that song??? All perfection. I just can’t say enough! Please save somewhere so we can go back to it. It truly does something to my soul.
Thank you both, cause I know Kevin was a part of that. You two are priceless!
What a great post!!!! I felt sad for the house, there sitting all alone. Wanting a family to come in and stay. Your pictures were beautiful and I fell in love with them. You have such a refreshing out look and thank you for always sharing from your heart and what God is growing in you and through you. You have a wonderful platform, thank you for using it for Him and for encouraging and making others laugh. Always.
Love the new listen feature and love your incouraging posts. If you could see Jesus standing beside you right now, do you think you would you be afraid of anything? So good! I just had to journal it to remind myself daily! Thank you!
Oh Layla❣️ I don’t generally look at blogs, I feel like I don’t have the time to add one more thing to my plate. But when you started out talking about your bad night…I could absolutely relate. I saw that Kevin put an audio feature on your blog, so I thought why not go and get some words from Layla. And then found it was about photography which is a passion of mine. So I went to your blog and listened. I moved past the words and could go right to the photos and look as you described each one by reading it to me❣️ Genius! My photos are mostly all nature in theme so if you’re feeling particularly anxious please feel free to look and maybe calm yourself with some of my surounding nature. Because you’re right if that look at your tree and sky after your walk doesn’t help you even a little bit, then you have to really LOOK. God is right there in every tree, every sky, every flower. Love you and your family. When I pray for my anxiety I will include you too. Love you Layla💞
Love getting to see how someone else sees a picture or view in front of them. And I could listen to you read all day!
I loved listening to you read this post! You truly have a way with words! Thanks for sharing. I look forward to hearing more!
This post made my day. So life giving. I absolutely LOVE the audio feature! Thank you for sharing your talent and wisdom (by the way, as a professional photographer, those photos are STUNNING).
Xo
Dear Friend Layla,
You don’t know me. I don’t know you. But I first found you on the IG and then came here. Your calming story telling voice today has calmed the anxiety wave I have been on this morning. I was grasping for something to pull me out of it and found it in your voice and your pictures.
Floating in the sea of emotions,
CeliacMegan ❤
Wow, Megan. I am so touched by your comment and am overjoyed that my post helped make your morning a little better. Sending hugs your way…and I hope you’ll visit with us again here next week!
I also suffer from anxiety. Your voice is so soothing❤️
I’m so sorry to hear that you struggle with anxiety too, Carolyn. 🙁 We’re in it together! XO
I love the audio feature! It made this post seem even more rich and alive than your writing already does. And I would definitely buy that book!
Rich and alive…those words just filled me right up too, Amber! Thank you!
My heart is smiling from ear to ear and my soul delighted in connecting with yours. Thank you, Layla, for the beautiful narration and photos.
Thank you so much for blessing me with such a kind message, Vanessa! Makes me happy to know you’re heart is smiling too! 😀
Loved listening to you! You have a soothing voice!
Read it again, read it again! Lol! Honestly, I just started to relax and catch my breath…hoping there was more… it was THAT good! Photography is very therapeutic… your images were beautifully captured… Keep snapping!
Looking forward to future recordings and more …life through the lens.
Enjoy your weekend, Layla and fam!❤️
This is my new fav thing FOR SURE!!!! You seriously need a podcast (!!!!) about anything everything whatever! I think it’s a little ironic thanks God that you have such anxiety and yet you bring other such peace!! He works in us NO MATTER WHAT!!! And in the most unexpected ways how fun! Love you Layla! Thanks for being a front porch friend on the Internet!
Omgoodness I absoooooluuuuutly love this!!! I felt like you were reading to me!! Thank you ao much for recording this lovley post! You truly are a writer and an amazing reader!
I love the photos Layla. I wish that the “lobster” house was in my area, However, I live in a 2-story with a basement that is almost 90 yr old.
Ooh! That sounds beautiful too, Allyson! 😀
I loved listening to you. You have a beautiful kind soul and you are a great story teller. I could have listened for hours. The pictures are beautiful too!
Also, I don’t know why, but it brought me back to a simpler time.
Cathy! That was so kind of you to say! 😀 Thank you for being such an encouragement and I’m glad you enjoyed your “stay”! 🙂
You are one of my greatest daily treasures. I laugh, I cry, and boy that blog was a cry in a good way. Love your pics and what beautiful narrative! I am a photo bug and I always tell people that’s a way God has me slow down focus on the little things or details all around me and appreciate the many blessings in day-to-day living. Thank you so much for sharing your heart and part of your day to day life!! Mwah!
Beautiful post Layla! Your soothing voice pulled me in! Blessings to you and your family.
I always love your insta stories, so it’s no surprise I loved this narrative too!! You are such a delight and I am continually blessed by you.
Oh sweet lady…I loved this post so much… enjoyed you telling a story!! And oh how I love beautiful house stalking too!!
O.K. I have another fun thing for you to do….Your voice is clear and soothing. I think you should be a narrator for audible books!