The Sign Says It All
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Among the Trees
From a walk at the Arapaho Bend Nature Area when I am among the trees,
Mary Oliver, When I Am Among the Trees
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness.
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.
I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.
Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, “Stay awhile.”
The light flows from their branches.
And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,
“and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine.” -
Sprinkling of Hearts
A sprinkling of hearts to cheer the heart I found these two hearts in the trunk of a large cottonwood tree along Fisher Nature Area a couple days ago. Since then I have found several others. I’m not sure but I think it is peoples way of saying thanks to first responders and front line health workers. Or, just passing along some love.
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The new norm
Dixon Reservoir and the Pineridge Nature Area I have always loved to watch white, fluffy, billowing the clouds. This morning at Red Fox Meadows the clouds seemed whitier, fluffier, billowingier, and dramatic, against the blue blue sky. Not sure if that’s due to my time in isolation or the cleaner air or both. But, it seemed to me everything was crisp, felt clean and fresh. I apologize because I’m unable to express what it is. I will say this, if this is the new norm then I don’t want the old norm.
Later I drove to the Pineridge Nature Area and glad I did. It’s a nature area of mixed trails around the Dixon Reservoir and along the small ridge in the background of this image. People were out walking and running these trails. It is up against the foothills so away from traffic. It was serene for me and I plan on returning. It will be a good place to exercise and get me out the neighborhood. You may see a few more images from this area.
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A few words from this morning
My journaling from this morning’s walk at Fisher Natural Area -
Happy Earth Day
Mid-afternoon clouds over the Colorado Front Range The Indians knew that life was equated with the earth and its resources, that America was a paradise, and they could not comprehend why the intruders from the East were determined to destroy all that was Indian as well as America itself.
Dee Brown -
Temporary Sojourners
Sunset on Larimer County Rd. 3 “We rush through our days in such stress and intensity, as if we were here to stay and the serious project of the world depended on us. We worry and grow anxious; we magnify trivia until they become important enough to control our lives. Yet all the time, we have forgotten that we are but temporary sojourners on the surface of a strange planet spinning slowly in the infinite night of the cosmos.”
John O’DonohueI broke the stay-at-home orders and headed out of town. Don’t tell anyone. I know how much quieter it is in town with half the traffic but it is even quieter on a dirt road in eastern Larimer County. Meadowlarks were singing their hearts out which made my heart sing. Not sure I have ever photographed these trees before. So, expect more of them.
I am reading a second book by John O’Donohue called Eternal Echoes: Celtic Reflections on Our Yearning to Belong. It is as good as his first one and that’s where this quote comes from. Good night. I’m off to bed.
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Burn off the jelly
Morning toast and coffee 
US Air Force Thunderbirds Awoke early. Couldn’t go back to sleep. Spent a bit more time reading and writing while enjoying toast and coffee. Took a walk this afternoon to Fisher Nature Area, even put in some extra steps. Needed to burn off the jelly I put on the toast.
I heard the jets coming as I stepped outside to take the camera for a walk when. They were on top of me so quickly. I didn’t even look, just raised the camera and fired away.
I had heard earlier this morning that the US Air Force Thunderbirds were planning a flyover across communities in Colorado to honor “healthcare workers, first responders, military members and other essential personnel who are working on the front lines to combat the coronavirus.” The flight path was to take them over more than 40 medical facilities.
I find it a contradiction that military aircraft, designed to kill thousands of people, would plan a flyover in tribute to healthcare workers, first responders whose purpose is to keep people alive and include military members. I’m confused!
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Yesterday’s storm has passed
Snow clinging to branches Blue skies and sunshine bring their warmth this morning.
I see tree branches bending over under the snow’s burden
I watch as the sun’s warmth weaken the snow’s grip,
causing small glistening snowstorms to flutter downward.I check on the nesting geese, standing on my toes to look in
They stretch their necks to check on my presence. All’s well.
Looking up, the sky seems bluer, no contrails, less pollution.
I listen to the quiet, the music that soothes this soul.I’m filled with gratitude for this wonderful world
and the gift of being present, a part of all this beauty.Yesterday’s storm has passed
mws -
Colorado Springtime
The bicycle rack that gives some reference to the snow depth. 
The trees are straining under the weight of the ice and snow. The view in front of my bedroom window. 
Looking down on the pond from the midway point on the stairs. First they said 3-8 inches of snow, then they said 2-6 inches and then they said 8-12 inches. When I looked out the window this morning I could see that we have at least 6 inches and it’s still snowing. It’s not too cold which is a good thing for me. I ventured out and got a couple of images to share the beauty of the Colorado spring.
I’m looking down on the pond from the midway point of the stairs leading to the condos above me. Along this edge of the pond are large rocks where the Canada Geese and Mallards like to nest.They have been bickering for the past three weeks over nesting sites. Now they’re all hunkered down on the nests, keeping the eggs or young ones warm. But more importantly they are quiet.
It is a wet snow so there will be plenty of moisture from this storm. I have not looked at other areas of Colorado. I did read that the brunt of the storm would be farther north in Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, and even Michigan. Sharing some with you, Mark.
In my last post I talked about wanting spring to enjoy the rains, thunderstorms, flowers, weeds and sunny walks. This is not what I was talking about.
