Buffalo River Blues

/ November 8, 2023
These bluffs are called Steel Creek.

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ancient craggy bluffs

eroded limestone mountains

beauty carved in time

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withered and worn

etched by time and water

shadows of their prime

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Almost a pastel painting.

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I finally drove out to the Buffalo River area after an absence of too many years. The Buffalo is the nation’s first National River and is mostly protected. The waters were clear yet low this year after so little rain. I love the limestone bluffs and their scraggly appearance. The colors were more muted than I hoped, but it was still great to be out in nature and see the autumn display. Since I went last week, we’ve had a burst of color around town so the river would be gorgeous this week. Oh well, sometimes we have to say good enough.

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Selfies are not my thing, but it’s good to be seen once in a while.

I’m still feeling blah and blue, but my life is good enough. How about yours?

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83 thoughts on “Buffalo River Blues”

  1. You are looking great Brad… and its nice to see that smile.. 🙂 The Buffalo river still beautiful .. And the limestone always speaks to me… Growing up in Derbyshire we have valleys of limestone too… We also had limestone quarries… Long since closed with nature taking over..

    In fact the Movie of the Last Mission Impossible film, the train plunging over the the cliff face in the film was done just outside the village I grew up in, Stoney Middleton in Derbyshire…
    Along a walk I used to walk as a child, we would find fossils of fishes embedded in the limestone sheer rock either side of the trail…
    Showing how nature is always changing… from drought to flood… As that whole region must have been under the sea at one time…

    Loved your photos and poems Brad.. forgive my book reply xx 🙂

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    • Hi Sue. Thanks for responding and sharing about your limestone bluffs. It’s interesting how some places imprint on us. I was born near other limestone bluffs in Wisconsin that left a strong impression even though we only visited once or twice when I was very young. Hugs..💕

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  2. Thanks for this beautiful blog post — including a rare selfie! And hurrah that you managed to spend some time in this very special place! I agree that sometimes (maybe oftentimes…) we need to say “good enough” and pause and feel grateful for all that we DO have (health, shelter, air to breathe, food and water to ingest, etc. etc. etc.) rather than pine for what we do not have (in this case — brilliant fall foliage). My life is also good enough. Still have my mysterious medical condition, but my most recent check in with the fancy specialist researcher doctor went well. Have a roof over my head. Have lots of music in my life. In fact, my next song release is a wonderful song by John Bucchino called “Grateful” which I have probably included in a previous blog post. It is scheduled to come out the Friday before Thanksgiving… when many of us remember to pause and count our blessings. Let’s keep on keeping on, Brad! Your photography is, as usual, lovely and your poem is terrific. My favorite line is “beauty carved in time…” Maybe that is what is happening to us, too, as we grow older!

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    • Thanks for taking me up on the question Will. I’m sorry that you have an ongoing mysterious health challenge. I’m also learning that aging requires fortitude. Your upcoming song release sounds like a perfect way to celebrate the season. Yes, I’d like to think we too are being carved in beauty with time. May we remember our blessings and gratitude. 💕

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  3. Thank you Brad for these beautiful pictures and I might say that you look very well indeed. All’s well here – finding it difficult to believe that we are now into November! ‘Tis the Season will soon be upon us:). Keep visiting beautiful places – so good for the soul…..

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  4. So happy you got out to explore this beautiful area that inspired lovely words and a rare glimpse of the creative behind it all. You look fantastic, despite how you shared you’re feeling. That shade of blue is wonderful on you! Life is an interesting mix of experiences these days, but definitely full of things to be grateful for.

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  5. Ahhh, Brad! What a great photo of you – I’m so glad you were in a selfie kind of mood! It’s nice to see you and that smile on your face. You look happy and fabulous. 🤗 I’m sorry you are still feeling blah, but how cool is it that you drove out to the park and snapped some great shots. I’ve never been to Arkansas, but it looks gorgeous. Nature is a powerful drug, and we should all step into it more often, myself included. One step at a time, right? I’m so glad you took this one! Big hugs, my friend. 💕

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  6. That must have been a beautiful, refreshing day by the river and the bluffs. I like your poem! And your selfie turned out nice too. No need to feel blah. Look at all that beauty! Just take one breath and then another and enjoy life.

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  8. Hi Brad, lovely photos and words and so good to see you too. Keep getting out in nature my friend as it’s such a great tonic for the soul. We’ve moved on from our house sit and are currently camped by a river. Simple and beautiful which suits me just fine. Sending lots of love and hugs your way. xx

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  12. A lovely autumn post, Brad. Your comment, “… sometimes we have to say good enough” made me laugh. I have to tell myself this with sunrises and sunsets, when there is a gorgeous pop of color after I’ve packed up my camera. I think my lesson is to stay till the end…

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  14. I find so many reasons to smile, looking at these beautiful breathtaking bluffs and the calming sounds of a flowing river. Reminds me how Great and Big God is!! When you look into each delicate detail of the rock formation, surrounded by a scene full of serene pleasures and the comforting thoughts of a new season leading to a new beginning so Graciously granted by God!
    Thank You for sharing.

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  18. Wow, they don’t look muted at all to be but vivid and gorgeous along with your awesome haikus and picture of you Brad. Blue suits you my friend .. your shirt matches the sky but I hear you. Sometimes good enough is enough. I had a spectacular day with the girls seeing the butterflies yesterday but now I’m in my chair longer than is good for me. I’m always trying to “get done”. I think on this note, I’m dragging out and coming back later.. Thanks xo 💕

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  21. Beautiful photos, Brad. With the first shot, my thought immediately was about the history of Earth staring us right in the face… and then your poem painted this feeling perfectly. Beauty carved in time… followed with what I am now appreciating more in life, “shadows of their prime” :-).

    I’m with you in regards to selfies, I am not good at them (it actually takes practice I think), but it is also great to see you and the author every now and then. Great shot!

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  22. Stunning photos Brad, I love those craggy rock faces – beautiful! Sorry you’re feeling blah, but well done for getting out in nature, she’s so nurturing. Thanks for sharing 🙂

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  25. It’s nice to see your face, Brad! 🙂 What a beautiful place! I love when you marry your words to your photos…perfect synergy. I remember way way back when you didn’t want to try writing Haiku!! What a loss that would have been for the world!
    Sending all good thoughts and energy. Life changes and we must adapt…even though you said you are blah and blue, it is so encouraging to read that you also said your life is good (you can always change the “enough” part 😉

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  32. My life is good, Brad.
    Considering all the sad souls past and present on the planet, I’d be one spoiled jack ass to say it wasn’t.
    Love the pics! Is this in Buffalo New York?
    Love the poems, thank you!

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