Unusual Utopia

Umm umm umm... we're on week 21 of the current round of Alphabe-Thursday, meaning we're on the very useful letter U. We (that would be you and I) have spent the past 20 weeks checking out the beauties of Chilean Patagonia, minus a one week detour to Utah (maybe I should have waited until this week for that little diversion). Our little tour has covered much of the wonderful landscape in the fall, since that's when we were there. Fully embroiled in the N. American autumn now, I thought it would be fun to switch seasons and show you the unbelievable colors of spring (from an earlier trip) in the unusual utopia that is found in the far southern reaches of Chilean Patagonia.

So, once again, sit back and enjoy the view.

Ubiquitous Chochos...one of the signature flowers of the region...known to the rest of the world as lupine. In spring, the fields and meadows burst with color...everything from palest white to deep indigo blue.

Nalca plant...this prehistoric-looking wild rhubarb grows everywhere and people can be seen picking it on the road sides. The leaves are enormous, sometimes spanning more than 9 ft/3 meters across. 

Be sure to stop by and visit the other Alphabetarians over at Mrs. Jenny's by clicking HERE.

Mellow Monday...

...or at least I keep telling myself that.

Without Regrets...

How beautifully leaves grow old. 

From green to red to shades of gold. 

Full and vibrant in summer sun

'Til the fall winds come and they are done. 

How beautifully leaves grow old. 

As summer heat turns to autumn cold.
No whining complaint is ever heard
No sorrow or regret, no bitter word.

How beautifully leaves grow old. 

To subtle hues no longer bold. 

For all a lesson to be learned, 

When our time comes, be not concerned. 

Another Saturday Centus from our beloved Mrs. Jenny...the prompt this week in red above, as always, plus 100 words. The poem was inspired by the words of Dieter F. Uchtdorf in his Saturday morning talk at the semi-annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in which he spoke of how we can better live life without regrets.

Be sure to stop by and see what the other Centusians did with this week's prompt by clicking HERE...and then...get off-line, go spend some time with family and loved ones running and playing in the fall leaves or doing whatever brings you joy.