• natural areas,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    Topsy-turvy

    August 31, 2021

    My time in Phoenix with my mother and then the 8 hour drive to Texas and back, was far more sedentary than I realized. I did not get in the steps like I needed so need to get back into a routine again. I’m sure more walking will increase also with the coming of cooler fall temperatures.

    After a burst of lightning in Colorado over the past 48 hours aircraft from Colorado Fire Prevention and Control have spotted 37 small fires. We only have a couple that are of concern but the smoke is having a negative impact on our air quality. We will be dry and warm today with moisture arriving on Wednesday.

    I received word yesterday afternoon that my dad and brother-in-law have tested positive for COVID-19. Both are tired and have little energy. My sister Marcee tested negative and my sister Sheree will test today. I’m scheduled for testing Thursday morning. Life is topsy-turvy right now. 😍

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  • Mary Oliver,  Plants

    Details

    August 30, 2021

    ““Keep some room in your heart for the Unimaginable.”

    Mary Oliver, Evidence: Poems

    An image from an afternoon walk at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area. I like the details in this image because I relied on a tripod rather than my image stabilized lenses. After, carrying the tripod over my shoulders for awhile I remembered why I normally leave it in the car. Also, this was not a planned image but one I accidently framed. Another image given to me, with details. Unimaginable.

    I hadn’t visited this natural area in a few days. Loved that the grass was still tall along the trail and the grass they cut and bayled has begun to grow back and turn green again. I was surrounded by dragonflies and grasshoppers along the trail.

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  • Dewdrops,  Plants

    Yearning

    August 29, 2021

    the physical absence
    brings an empty ache
    missing you already

    a gravesite gathering
    family saying goodbye
    hugs, tears, prayers

    taken for granted
    moments with you
    yearning for more

    ms
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  • flowers,  Plants

    The Grieving

    August 28, 2021
    Dahlia from the CSU Flower Trial Gardens

    We had my mother’s graveside service this past Thursday morning, just a small gathering of family and friends. It was good for me to meet my mothers best friend since high school for the first time. They were each others maid of honor. Saw family I’d not seen in a while. And, of course we always say how we only meet at funerals anymore. My sister and I returned late Thursday evening so it was a quick trip. Found myself emotional and crying yesterday morning. I’ve heard it said that greif does not go away but only becomes different. The grieving process.

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  • landscape,  natural areas,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    Opportunity

    August 23, 2021

    Joe had a post last week where he talks about accepting the gift of images rather than taking them or capturing them. I believe that’s true and evident in my photography. And then this morning I was reflecting on how I call myself a photographer as if it’s something I became through self will, practice, training, study, vision. While all of those are needed, maybe I need to see it as another gift where “I’m being given the opportunity to be a photographer.” 😍

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  • clouds,  landscape,  quotes,  sunrises

    Life and Spirit of Landscape

    August 22, 2021
    This morning’s sunrise over Dixon Reservoir at Pineridge Natural Area

    “Previously, during the Industrial Revolution, there was a raiding of the resources of the earth, but now there is the actual destruction of the physical earth itself. There is often a complete disjunction here between the religious outlook of people, which can be very pious, and their total blindness to the life and spirit of landscape.”

    John O’Donohue

    Interesting how we give names to much of our land as if it were a living presence having its own life and spirit. Yet, we can show almost no respect to its value of life, only the use of its resources. My prayer this morning is to live life by respecting, protecting, valuing all of creation.

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