How do you celebrate the birthday of an American icon, naturalist, writer, dedicated observer and commentator on the landscape of his native New England? I suggest doing what I did today: sitting under a tree by a pond, painting and listening to bullfrogs twang and water burble over the top of a beaver dam. On my recommended reading list: Walden (just started it), The Maine Woods (took it along with me there this week), and Thoreau’s Country , see last post). Henry David Thoreau, born this day in 1817.
I’ll leave you with one of his lovely word pictures:
Evening..
Moon not up. the dream frog’s is such a sound as you can make with a quill on water, a bubbling sound…There goes a shooting star down towards the horizon, like a rocket, appearing to describe a curve. The water sleeps with stars in its bosom. (May 5, 1852, Henry David Thoreau, Thoreau’s Country)
Drawing The Motmot 
I enjoy your blog and art works.
I stumbled on your blog while looking for pastel workshops in Oklahoma. I didn’t find a workshop but enjoyed your blog & visit frequently.
I gave you an award on my blog. Don’t feel you have to participate unless you want to š
Wonderful paintings, Debby, and quotes. I’ve tried to read Thoreau a few times but I never got far. Your quotes are so good maybe I’ll try one more time. I’ll have a drink for the guy –I couldn’t paint a pond half so well.
Debby, You’ve made me home sick for MA – at least MA in the summer š Your work is beautiful. Thank you so for sharing and inspiring!
Debby, I came to your blog via our mutual friend, Tim Ryan. I’m happy I visited because I love Thoreau. I love him as a naturalist. And I love him even more for his commitment to peace and civil disobedience. He was an incredibly brilliant and moral man.
When asked for my favorite quote, it’s invariably one from Thoreau. Usually something like “Let your life be a counter-friction to stop the machine.”
I look forward to seeing more of your artwork. ‘Tis lovely!