• Humor,  lake,  landscape,  musings,  natural areas,  rants,  trees

    Twitching my nose

    June 13, 2020
    The old barn at Kingfisher Natural Area

    I spent time at one of the natural areas this morning. Peaceful, serene and for me a great way to start my day. Driving home a young man in a large black CJ7 Jeep come up beside me rather fast, speakers blasting. When he pulled up beside me at the stoplight my car began to vibrate and my bones began to vibrate due to the volume. It was at that moment all serenity and peace evaporated. I quickly began to fantasize for a twitching nose like Samantha from the Bewitched television show and twitch my nose to blow those speakers. I’d show him! Yes, I go there once in a while. Have a great weekend! 😠 

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  • John O'Donohue,  lifestyles,  quotes,  shadows

    Sojourners

    June 12, 2020
    Morning shadows in my bedroom

    “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’Donohue, Eternal Echoes
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  • flowers,  Plants

    Is it a weed?

    June 11, 2020

    Thistle at Pineridge Natural Area

    Thistles are considered a weed, an invasive plant and for good reasons. They are in competition with crops and interfere with grazing in pastures, where dense growths of spiny vegetation suppress forage plants and repel grazing animals from eating either the thistle plants or neighbouring forage. Some species, although not intensely poisonous, do affect the health of animals that swallow more than small amounts of the material.Thistles provide nectar for butterflies, skippers, goldfinches, hummingbirds, and bumblebees. Pollinators seem to love them. (Wikipedia)

    I do find them to be a beautiful plant with a lovely flower. Yet I do not desire to have them in my yard or garden. I have a friend who farms in eastern Colorado and hates them with a passion, even angry at God for creating them, thinking God made a mistake. I think it’s beautiful in its role with nature.

     

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  • flowers,  Plants,  poems

    The Storm Has Passed

    June 9, 2020
    Salsify found at Pineridge Natural Area last week

    There is buried within us
    a beauty hidden so deep
    that we would think
    it would sleep forever.
    But there are those,
    whose eyes so luminous shine,
    they reflect upon our universe
    the light of the Divine. 

    Reflection by Edwina Gateley

    High winds began around 7:00 pm last night. About the time I went to bed we were experiencing lightning, thunder, rain and hail.  Made for a rather noisy night. This morning it is overcast, gusting winds and cold at 48 degrees. Does not feel close to what we’d expect of a June morning but the storm has passed.

    I sit here watching the trees sway with the wind. As clouds move east, patches of blue sky appear allowing the light of the sun to peek through clouds. I choose to see it as a promise of a brighter day.

    I have met people whom the poet is describing and what a difference they make in this world. They are the ones who shine their light when the darkness of the storm is all we see. I believe more people are shining that much needed Divine light in our world. So, I choose to see that as a promise this morning. Maybe the storm of our troubled world has passed over.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  mountains,  natural areas,  prairie

    A Walk at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    June 8, 2020

    The trail leading into Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    I took a walk at a new natural area called Reservoir Ridge Natural Area. The map at the parking lot told me the loop I took was 2.8 miles. My Fitbit told me 6,551 steps, or 2.9 miles. My research when I got home said there are 9.6 miles of trails within the natural  area. I was blessed with meadowlarks, red-winged blackbirds, a hummer, swallows and robins offering me music without the need of an ipod. One jogger told he saw a couple of bobolinks.  Impressive fields of prairie grasses like waves across an ocean. I need to research these grasses and other plants I encounter as I have a tendency to look at them and say, “Ah, how pretty,” then move on. The clouds were gorgeous, constantly changing. Shadows falling across the mountains, constantly changing. I was impressed with this natural area and could find it a great place to get in some exercise in nature. There was several large trees throughout the area with one looking like it had a hawks nest with young ones in it. I couldn’t tell for sure without binoculars. I expect you will see more images from this location. 

    Going to meet a friend today for lunch at a local park, if it doesn’t rain. Have a super Awesome Monday!

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  • flowers,  natural areas,  Plants

    Maybe Tomorrow

    June 5, 2020

    Blue Flax from the Pineridge Natural Area this morning

    Another early morning at the Pineridge Natural Area with coffee and journal. It is always a great way for me to start my day. My topic of interest in my journaling was my tendency for sloth in several areas of my life. Thought I better post something before I forget how or put it off any longer. May need to post a blog on this and get your feedback. But not now, maybe tomorrow.

    After time at the nature area I met my youngest daughter for breakfast, my first time to sit down and eat in a restaurant. They only allowed us to use every other table and we could take our mask off to eat, which was convenient. Now on my porch to write this post while being annoyed by a rather loud leaf blower. Can you tell I’m beginning to hate them! Anyway, have a great weekend.

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  • Humor,  lifestyles

    71 Years, Wow!

    June 1, 2020
    Morning coffee on my porch

    For the past two days we have had afternoon thunderstorms. Those storms ahve brought rain and hail but because of that things are looking green. But, yesterday’s lightning strikes were way to close for my comfort. I was sitting on my porch when there was a sudden flash then instantly a crack of thunder that could be felt. It was to close for my comfort. After I regained my breath I noticed the geese were scrambling every which direction. The little goslings were running around frantically. You could see the fear in their eyes, knowing somewhere in that small head they were asking the question, “What the hell just happened?” Total chaos. I’m still laughing. 😂 Anyway, more showers again today and hoping you have a great week. Enjoy your coffee!

    And, today my parents celebrate their 71st wedding anniversary. Wow! 

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