Snow deer

“Beyond the bramble” photographed in Bucks County, Pennsylvania by Sanford Ross Bender on November 17, 2015
“Snow deer” composed and performed with guitar and banjo by Sanford Ross Bender on February 25, 2026.

Dark hill sun dance

“Dark hill meadows” photographed by Sanford Ross Bender in Oregon on July 2, 2016.
“Dark hill sun dance” composed and played with guitar by Sanford Ross Bender on February 16, 2026.

Carefully stepping downhill

“Karlstejn Castle” photographed in Karlstejn, Czechia from outside the fortress walls by Sanford Ross Bender on September 21, 2025.
“Carefully stepping downhill” composed and performed with guitar and concertina by Sanford Ross Bender on February 11, 2026.

Note: “KarlÅ¡tejn Castle was built as a mediaeval fortress overlooking the Berounka River valley in Czechia. The Gothic castle founded in 1348 by King Charles IV served as a place for safekeeping the Imperial Regalia as well as the Bohemian crown jewels, holy relics, and other royal treasures.” -SRB description modified from quotations by Wikipedia and the official KarlÅ¡tejn State Castle website.

My traveling circus

“Patchwork quilt row” painted and drawn with mixed media by Sanford Ross Bender
“My traveling circus” composed and performed with guitar, banjo, concertina, and snare drum by Sanford Ross Bender on February 8, 2026.

Tiny Drops of Rain

” Raindrops and Red Berries”” photographed by Sanford Ross Bender in Bucks County, Pennsylvania on November 22, 2025.
“Tiny Drops of Rain” (verses sung from the traditional ballad, “Green Grave, or the Restless Dead”, arranged and performed with vocals, guitar, and banjo by Sanford Ross Bender on November 21, 2025.

The Green Grave, or The Restless Dead*

The wind across the graveyard blew

With tiny drops of rain,

“I never had but one true love,

And she in the grave, one year hath lain,

And she in the grave hath lain.”

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

He sat and grieved upon her grave

As many lovers may,

He sat and grieved and made a moan

A twelvemonth and a day,

A twelvemonth and a day.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

And when the grieving time was past,

The maiden’s ghost did say,

“Who sits a-weeping on my grave

A twelvemonth and a day,

A twelvemonth and a day?”

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

“My lips are cold as coldest clay,

My breath is earthy strong,

Now you have kissed me once again,

Your days will not be long,

Your days will not be long.”

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

*Traditional ballad compiled by John Jacob Niles (Niles No. 32 C).

Twisted path ridge

“Twisted path ridge” photographed by Sanford Ross Bender in Tyler State Park, Neshaminy Creek Watershed, Bucks County, Pennsylvania on October 29, 2025.
“Twisted path ridge” composed and performed with guitar, banjo, mandolin, and concertina by Sanford Ross Bender on October 29-30, 2025.

Dancing eyes around the stone circle

“Dromberg Stone Circle” (Liagchiorcal An Droma Bhig c. 1100-800 BC ) photographed on September 15 , 2025 by Sanford Ross Bender in the Cork / Kerry Region, Ireland.
“Dancing eyes around the stone circle” composed and performed with guitar and concertina by Sanford Ross Bender on October 22, 2025.

A windy day

“A windy day” photographed by Sanford Ross Bender while driving through County Cork, Ireland on September 15, 2025.
“Gazing out from the left side of the car” composed and performed with concertina and guitar by Sanford Ross Bender on October 16, 2025.

Adam driving through the Irish countryside

” Irish countyside, south of Cork” photographed by Sanford Ross Bender on September 15, 2025.
“Adam driving through the Irish countryside ” composed and performed with banjo and guitar by Sanford Ross Bender on October 11, 2025.

The island

“The island” painted with gouache by May Bender (Mom) in 1948.
“The island” composed and performed with banjo by Sanford Ross Bender on July 4, 2025.