• haiku,  lake,  landscape,  natural areas,  sunrises,  writing/reading

    Cloudless Sky

    cloudless eastern sky
    night departs new day begins
    peaceful time of day

    ms

    Not a cloud to be seen from the north to the south this morning. No wind. Very quiet and calming at the natural area. I find these experiences bring serenity and a peace to the world within me. Wish more of the world would start their day with moments like this. Time with nature.

  • Black and White,  Candid Portraits,  coffee life,  coffee shops,  Documentary/Street,  haiku,  lifestyles,  writing/reading

    Grin of Success

    the barista’s craft
    carefully pouring steamed milk
    grin of success

    ms

    I have wondered at times where coffee baristas go after making my life a bit more enjoyable? Seems there is always a turnover as many work at these jobs for some short period of time. I find many are college students studying to be a writer, artist, school teacher, archaeologist, forester and more. For many it’s usually not a fulltime job but provides spending money and can be a lot of fun for them. This young lady was not only my barista but also a budding photographer. I took this five years ago and hope she is still grinning and successful.

  • landscape,  mountains,  Plants,  quotes,  trees

    True Solitude

    “True solitude is found in the wild places, where one is without human obligation. One’s inner voices become audible… In consequence, one responds more clearly to other lives.”

    Wendell Berry

    This solitudinal place is just north of Cowdrey in Roosevelt National Forest and taken back in 2005. Friends I was visiting with at Cowdrey took me to this lovely place where we enjoyed the scenery and grilled steaks on an open fire. This meadow is a series of beaver ponds where anglers love to spend time in solitude. I unfortunately do not remember the creek these ponds were along. Hoping you have a great week.

  • haiku,  Plants,  trees,  writing/reading

    Given a New Day

    given a new day
    accepting the gift offered 
    feel special again

    ms

    If you look close you will see an eagle perched atop the tree on the left. A half dozen or more eagles have been hanging around these trees on the east side of town for the past few weeks. A large cement plant has been moved so there is now a large gravel pit partially drained which has allowed for the gift of easier fishing for the eagles. I wonder if this eagle feels special.

  • clouds,  haiku,  landscape,  natural areas,  sunrises,  writing/reading

    Predawn Mystery

    in stillness and silence
    colors begin to appear
    predawn mystery

    ms

    I sit in the upper parking lot at Pineridge Natural Area for this morning’s sunrise. Below me the city slowly stirs awake. Here, in this natural area, nature has already begun stirring as chattering magpies sit atop cottonwood tree branches. The geese and ducks make small waves across the reservoir. The wind is still. In the cold I listen to the silence and experience a calming that I will carry into my day. This is becoming an integral part of my morning prayer and meditation. A few years ago I couldn’t imagine spending mornings like this. Now, living in the present is how I choose to begin my day. For each new dawn offers the mystery of this day’s events that only we can live and experience in the present moment.