River’s Influence - Yellowstone River, Livingston, Montana

“Who looks upon a river in a meditative hour, and is not reminded of the flux of all things? Throw a stone into the stream, and the circles that propagate themselves are the beautiful type of all influence.”  — Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), Nature

Tree Shadows and Winter Ornamentation - Grant Creek, Missoula, Montana

“Indeed the river is a perpetual gala,
 and boasts each month a new ornament.“  -Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), Nature

(Many thanks to the folks at the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System  for repurposing and corralling  a broadly inspiring selection of quotes ...and more!)

Seen And Not Seen - Missoula, Montana

“All I have seen
 teaches me 
to trust the Creator 
 for all I have not seen.”

- Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), from XI.Immortality, 
  p. 338, The complete works of Ralph Waldo Emerson: Letters and social aims [Vol. 8]

Pear-Fection - Missoula, Montana

"There are only ten minutes in the life of a pear when it is perfect to eat." 

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

(Yes, this is an Asian pear, of the home-grown, Montana variety - the best kind of proof that it pays to be on the good side of the right people at the office.)

Paint-the-World Pots - Yellowstone National Park

"Dream delivers us to dream, 
and there is no end to illusion. 
Life is a train of moods 
like a string of beads, 
and, as we pass through them, 
they prove to be many-colored lenses 
which paint the world their own hue, and 
each shows only what lies in its focus. " 

- Ralph Waldo Emerson, from Essay ll, Experience 

Sunset Or Poem - Missoula, Montana

"Nature and books belong to the eyes that see them. It depends on the mood of the man, whether he shall see the sunset or the fine poem." 

- Ralph Waldo Emerson, from Essay ll, Experience 

Barred Blossoms - Missoula, Montana

"The sun shines and warms and lights us and we have no curiosity to know why this is so; but we ask the reason of all evil, of pain, and hunger, and mosquitoes and silly people."

~Ralph Waldo Emerson, journal entry for August 18, 1831

New Leaves, Fresh Hopes - Missoula, Montana

"Write it on your heart

that every day is the 

best day in the year...

This new day is too dear,

with its hopes and invitations,

to waste a moment on the yesterdays."
-  from Write It On Your Heart by Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

Daily Bread For Eyes - Missoula, Montana

"The sky is the daily bread of the eyes." - Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

A Question of Sunshine - Livingston, Montana

"The sun shines and warms and lights us and we have no curiosity to know why this is so; but we ask the reason of all evil, of pain, and hunger, and mosquitoes and silly people."  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Influencing Scenery, Missoula, Montana

The influence of fine scenery, the presence of mountains, appeases our irritations and elevates our friendships. – Ralph Waldo Emerson, Culture, The Conduct of Life, 1860

Clouds To Feed The Eyes, Missoula, Montana

The sky is the daily bread of the eyes. 
 ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sainted Doorkeepers, St. Helena's Cathedral, Helena, Montana

"Be an opener of doors for such as come after thee.”
 - Ralph Waldo Emerson, American Poet, Lecturer and Essayist, 1803-1882

Country Still Life, Corvallis, Montana

“Few people know how to take a walk. The qualifications are endurance, plain clothes, old shoes, an eye for nature, good humor, vast curiosity, good speech, good silence and nothing too much.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803-1882

BIG thanks to my dear friend, M., for sharing random beautiful quotes. (The Sandurg Hungarian poem was also her splendid contribution.) 
If you have any favourites, please send them to me, & I'll try to match them to a future photo!