On Holden Pond

Well, not quite. As you drive down Sperry Road, in Kirtland Village you do get the sense you are in a perfectly quaint town.  Winding up and down through hills, around sharp curves, you pass charming farm homes, old growth trees, and the clear, rock studded waters of Chagrin River gurgling along the roadside.  "Tucked" away on this road is Holden Arboretum, and while they have many ponds on the 3,500 acre preserve, I don't believe any of them are called Holden Pond. (Although it does have a nice ring, doesn't it?)  Once you get a few miles away you see evidence of the industrial revolution, corporate America, and all that....but out on Sperry Road you really feel a world away and maybe even get a vibe for what it might have been like when US President James Garfield lived on his farm in the area.  I can't even image how pretty it must be when the fall leave colors pop!

Well, I hope you enjoy some of these shots taken around the arboretum...I really enjoyed taking them!  Due to the threat of rain I wasn't able to traverse very deep into the preserve but I still found plenty of God's wonderful creation to keep me busy for hours.  Including the manicured butterfly garden, with a waterfall....shots I am shocked to say were taken without a tripod!  Also, below is a little photographic ode to my mama...I found an arbor of honeysuckle, full of red blooms, which are her favorite!  

By Francis of Assisi, 1225

All creatures of our God and king

Lift up your voice and with us sing,

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou burning sun with golden beam,

Thou silver moon with softer gleam!

Refrain

O praise Him! O praise Him!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou rushing wind that art so strong

Ye clouds that sail in Heaven along,

O praise Him! Alleluia!

Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice,

Ye lights of evening, find a voice!

Refrain

Thou flowing water, pure and clear,

Make music for thy Lord to hear,

O praise Him! Alleluia!

Thou fire so masterful and bright,

That givest man both warmth and light.

Refrain

Dear [Heavenly Father], day by day

Unfoldest blessings on our way,

O praise Him! Alleluia!

The flowers and fruits that in thee grow,

Let them His glory also show.

Refrain

Let all things their creator bless,

And worship Him in humbleness,

O praise Him! Alleluia!

Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,

And praise the Spirit, Three in One!

I took this snapshot of a young shutterbug also photographing on the same trail.  He seemed to take his hobby rather seriously.  I can relate!