68 Comments
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Going in, I expected to see so much beauty, but the tribute to Darla stole my heart. That last photo 😢💞

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This is really beautiful - all of it. all of it. Thank you. Thank you for sharing your heart. I can feel your connection to this place and of course to Darla. Adding your one-sentence journals is so powerful. I really, really love the black and white photo of the foggy river.

(Also amazed all those photos came over in email! Substack is forever telling me after about 8 photos that they won't.)

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Excellent body of work. What a stunning place. Love to Darla’s spirit. Peace, friend.

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Dec 20, 2022Liked by Chris La Tray

While the writer meticulously sculpts words to illicit emotions from events, the poet and the artist, like the landscape, craft the space for both the manifest world and the spirit. Chris, this photo and lyrical piece touches on one of the most meaningful for me, that you have produced. Thank you.

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Dec 20, 2022Liked by Chris La Tray

Sunshine gets | all the fanfare | but I live for | foggy mornings | on the river | mist rising in clouds | from its surface | herons overhead | heard, unseen

You and Darla the Adventure Dog and all that beauty! Our animal friends are dear to us, as are our beloved places. Thank you for everything here.

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I was creeping through the photos, loved the collage of Darla, then I spied the little owl (?) in the tree trunk. OMG, that was my poem for the day. Thank you for the images.

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Dec 20, 2022Liked by Chris La Tray

Wow. Sometimes you don't know what you need until it's right in front of you. I needed these photos and your words this morning. Much love and thanks to you and Darla. I know she's still out there running beside you.

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Dec 20, 2022Liked by Chris La Tray

The winter stillness in some of those photos is almost palpable. I’m in a much different climate, but the cold peacefulness was all around just a few minutes ago when I welcomed the day on my front porch. Every morning, I say a small prayer of gratitude, and it includes my dogs, four of whom have passed on but will always be by my side. The fifth, a pit, is dozing next to me on the couch. We’re so lucky to share our lives with dogs. Thank you for these beautiful photos and poems.

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So stunning and peaceful, at once. Your photos, your words, the words of others -- all evocative and haunting and startling, too. Thank you for taking us along.

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so sorry that you are without your Darla on the physical realm. blessings to you both during this transition. I miss my shadow, Bill, everyday.

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Dec 20, 2022Liked by Chris La Tray

Thank you for this. It was wonderful; I consider it my first Christmas present!

Thank you for sharing your wonderful writing and photos.

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Dec 20, 2022Liked by Chris La Tray

Omg Darla! So glad I got to see her with your personal eye. Really beautiful photos - including the nature photos - thank you!!

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May 4, 2023Liked by Chris La Tray

I feel the same: Sunshine gets | all the fanfare | but I live for | foggy mornings | on the river | mist rising in clouds | from its surface | herons overhead | heard, unseen

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You got me with the photos of Darla and your bit of poetry for her.

But, you got me with the winter photos, too…

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Really beautiful.

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Dec 31, 2022Liked by Chris La Tray

This one brought me to tears, Chris. Just beautiful. I hope to visit there and take in the beauty as well.

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