Category: Serendipity

Surviving the Storms

On By Al W GalliaIn Aging, COVID-19, Faith, Haibun, Haiga, Haiku, jesus, Nature, Serendipity, Spirituality, Uncategorized8 Comments
Ominous!

Six years ago, while we were spending a stormy day at an Alabama coastal campground, I simply watched the rain and listened to the continuous thunder. Nature photography was my love at the time and I had no inkling then that, over the next year, I would also fall in love with haiku, a Japanese short form poetry which would greatly enhance my aging life.

thunder and lightning…

cuddled around the fireplace

an old man and his wife

Al W Gallia 08/07/21

The world has changed so much since then with social and political unrest, ongoing Covid pandemic, mask wearing, social isolation, and loss of family and friends. At our age, it is hard for my wife and me to adjust to this new stormy reality. But we are survivors and we have a strong faith and hope in our loving God and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. So we face the storm head-on without fear, staying focused on the Truth and Light. Blessings and peace, my friends.

First Snowfall

On By Al W GalliaIn Faith, God, Haibun, Haiga, Haiku, Nature, Peace, Senryu, Serendipity, Spirituality, Trees, Uncategorized8 Comments

The first snowfall in a late autumn woodlands is a glorious sight! Almost a cleansing of the year’s trials and pains as translucent whiteness slowly overlays the remaining leaves, branches, and grasses.

first snowfall

a white blanket adorned

with reds and golds

©️Al W Gallia 2021

Standing alone amidst this wonderland, I can only marvel at one of God’s greatest gifts to mankind: nature’s beauty. I hear only the faint, pervasive sounds of falling snow, and raising my face to heaven, say “thank you, Lord!”

Eugi’s Weekly Prompt – Winter – February 4, 2021

Looking for Serendipity

On By Al W GalliaIn Faith, God, Haibun, Haiga, Haiku, Love, Nature, Peace, Senryu, Serendipity, Spirituality, Trees, Uncategorized


Nymph, angel or spirit? Walking through untouched nature in a autumn wonderland this morning, I feel an exceptional closeness to God… actually I always feel this way in the woods. But since our loving God, ‘I am’, is an indescribable presence to us dust mote humans, I find myself looking for signs of His/Her presence in Mother Nature usually as a mysterious, fleeting nymph called Serendipity.

autumn forest

wafting in swirling leaves

a nymph’s whisper

©️Al W Gallia 2020

As I meander along the trail, I recognize Serendipity (God’s presence!) in the murmuring tree tops, dancing shadows, fluttering leaves, bird songs, and burbling brooks. Through them, I hear Him gently say to me, “Be not afraid…My peace I give to you,” and I smile. A squirrel chatters overhead.

The Stump and Vine

On By Al W GalliaIn Aging, Death, Haiku, Life, Nature, Serendipity, Uncategorized2 Comments

a young vine
stretches toward the sun…
does the stump feel it?

©️Al W Gallia 2020

Along the road at nearby Lake Martin on a warm spring morning, I see a decaying stump spotlighted in a sun beam. Around this old stump, a new creeper vine spirals upward toward the light, grasping tightly to the dead wood where it can for support. I remember my father’s smile. Life rises from death and will not be denied!

Haiku: A Chance Encounter

On By Al W GalliaIn Haibun, Haiga, Haiku, Nature, Serendipity, Uncategorized, Walkabout5 Comments

They say she is a ‘whisperer’ and that she can ‘talk’ to God’s smallest creatures. I saw her today while wandering a nearby woodlands trail with my camera as I looked for that elusive nymph, Serendipity. She was picking wildflowers in a field, wearing a blue and white gingham dress, and carrying a half filled basket. A late summer breeze frolicked across the field and the flowers bobbed their heads at her as if asking to be picked too! Dragonflies and butterflies flitted about her while a pair of doves watched from an old wooden fence. She saw me and smiled sweetly as I walked past on my search for Serendipity.

picking wildflowers…

a blue dragonfly lands

on her small finger

©️Al W Gallia 2020
A Chance Encounter

Haiku: Nature’s Watercolor

On By Al W GalliaIn Haiga, Haiku, Nature, Peace, Serendipity, Uncategorized, Water

A cool autumn evening after a perfect Indian Summer day. The errant breeze has died, leaving a mirror finish on the marsh pond. Pastel hues of white, blue and pink flowing over the water remind me of Monet paintings. As the sun slips slowly toward the horizon, a red-winged blackbird flies over and the first cricket chirp penetrates the silence. From the grassy shoreline, an otter swims across the pond, its V-shaped ripples adding water-glass texture to nature’s watercolor. Lifting my eyes, I say a silent, “Thank you”.

autumn reflections…

the pond’s stillness split

by a wood duck

©Al W Gallia
Nature’s Watercolor

My New Blog Home!

On By Al W GalliaIn Faith, Fine Art, Serendipity, Simplicity, Uncategorized2 Comments

Heavens Gate!

After lengthy and considered mulling over how to reactivate my personal blog, I have finally decided on moving from my old self-hosted blog to this WordPress hosted blog, primarily for simplicity’s sake. As many of my followers know, I now have two loves: nature photography and haiku poetry, so please bear with me as I make some mental and site modifications. This is where I’ll be from now on. Peace!