My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and the mystery of it all.
cloudless eastern sky
ms
night departs new day begins
peaceful time of day
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.
the barista’s craft
ms
carefully pouring steamed milk
grin of success
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.
“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.
favorite coffee shop
ms
morning mocha and journal
begin with blank page
Today is my sons 52nd birthday. How did that happen? Happy Birthday ,Victor!! 🎂 🎁 🎉
just before sunrise
ms
songbirds give morning concert
feel cold north wind blow
given a new day
ms
accepting the gift offered
feel special again
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.
in stillness and silence
ms
colors begin to appear
predawn mystery
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.
empty parking lot
ms
gate closed due to snow
opening soon
This is sunrise three days ago at Pineridge Natural Area. The area was closed until today due to snow so I pulled along the rode and took this image. It is a different perspective of a common theme I am drawn to. What you see below is is the lower parking area. I normally park in the upper parking lot as I gives me the higher view. I cannot see the horizon when in the lower parking lot. It is now open but the trails will probably take a bit longer to reopen due to mud.
it is a serious thing
Mary Oliver
just to be alive
on this fresh morning
in this broken world.
Violence never brings peace nor does it solve problems in our world. It’s insanity when we think fixing a broken world or disturbed mind can be accomplished through violence. It’s insanity when some keep trying it again and again. It’s insanity when we encourage such thinking. It’s insanity when we fail to speak up against it. There is another way.
“No one else has access to the world you carry around within yourself; you are its custodian and entrance. No one else can see the world the way you see it. No one else can feel your life the way you feel it. Thus it is impossible to ever compare two people because each stands on such different ground. When you compare yourself to others, you are inviting envy into your consciousness; it can be a dangerous and destructive guest.”
John O’Donohue, Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom