My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and the mystery of it all.
When we quit thinking primarily about ourselves and our own self-preservation, we undergo a truly heroic transformation of consciousness.
Joseph Campbell
There are times when nature stops me in my tracks. It could be a familiar scene we see regularly such as these leaves. Today it was the life giving viens of these leaves that awoke my consciousness. And, I hear October tapping on the door. I’m ready for the transformation of the world around me into the season of fall. 😊
Solitude has its own special work: a deepening awareness that the world needs. A struggle against alienation. True solitude is deeply aware of the world’s needs. It does not hold the world at arm’s length.
Thomas Merton, Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander
I consider myself a man of solitude, even more-so over the past few years. Some of that is due to a practice of prayer, silence, meditation, photography, a need for connection to nature and maturity through life experiences. One grandson calls me a hermit but mostly because I have a simple life, less attachment to things than he does.
My solitude does not alienate me from some of the brokenness within the world. There are ways to keep abreast of world situations without sitting in front of a television or having our face glued to the news feed on our phones. Admittedly, I’ve been guilty of all the above. I’m finding ways to stay actively connected to the world, find solitude and not be alienated from the world.
We are a part of all creation, not apart from. Wayne Teasdale says to experience solitude as a mystic or monk in the world and not be alienated from it is to be “… engaged in the world and with others but not attached to the world’s greed, indifference, insensitivity, noise, confusion, pettiness, unease, tension and irreverence.” I may be more aware of the worlds needs than I have ever been and always a part of it.
“Courage is the measure of our heartfelt participation with life, with another, with a community, a work; a future. To be courageous is not necessarily to go anywhere or do anything except to make conscious those things we already feel deeply and then to live through the unending vulnerabilities of those consequences.”
David Whyte
What a wonderful wedding for my granddaughter yesterday. The weather cooperated, lots of tears were shed, joy and love was experienced by family and friends, and food was a plenty. The wedding had to be postponed for a year due to the pandemic and our restrictions. I believe it was worth the wait. I pray for a blessed marriage of many years. Congratulations Madie and Brandon. I love you! ❤️
I told myself there probably would not be many opportunities for images when saw the overcast skies as I left the condo. However, I no longer go to the natural areas just get a photo. I go because I want to be there and hopefully nature expects me to show up. Rather unusual scene at Pineridge Natural Area as the clouds offered only a small crease on the horizon to allow the pink glow of the sunrise to peek through. Simple processing: increased exposure to lighten the sky, touch of noise reduction and a 16:9 crop. Shot at 1.2 sec, f 8.0 and iso 800, on a tripod.
This morning is my granddaughters wedding rehearsal and tomorrow afternoon is the wedding. Tried on my sport jacket and danged if it hasn’t also been affected by the pandemic shrinkage problem. 😁
“We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”
Elie Wiesel
As I walked into my bedroom the sun reflecting off the glass in the picture frame caught my eye. So, I grabbed my camera and composed this image. Another scene I was not looking for but given me. Morning light!
Wandered about the CSU Flower Trial Garden. Even though it’s near the end of the season for them it was a good way to spend a warm sunny fall afternoon.
Today is the Autumn Equinox. The word “equinox” comes from Latin aequus, meaning “equal,” and nox, “night.” On the equinox, day and night are roughly equal in length. The equinox is a seasonal signpost in Earth’s orbit around the sun. During the equinox, the Sun crosses what we call the “celestial equator”—an imaginary extension of Earth’s equator line into space. The equinox occurs precisely when the Sun’s center passes through this line. When the Sun crosses the equator from north to south, this marks the autumnal equinox; when it crosses from south to north, this marks the vernal equinox. After the autumnal equinox, days become shorter than nights as the Sun continues to rise later and nightfall arrives earlier. These shorter days bring cooler weather. You can feel the chill in the air. This ends with the December solstice, when days start to grow longer once again.
And, we had the Harvest Moon two days ago. As I mentioned yesterday it was so bright in the morning that it cast shadows across the meadow at Pineridge Natural Area.
Catbird
Mary Oliver
From one branch to another, or across the path,
he dazzles with flight.
Since I see him every morning, I have rewarded myself
the pleasure of thinking that he knows me.
Yet never once has he answered my nod.
He seems, in fact, to find in me a kind of humor,
I am so vast, uncertain and strange.
I am the one who comes and goes,
and who knows why.
Will I ever understand him?
Certainly he will never understand me, or the world
I come from.
For he will never sing for the kingdom of dollars.
For he will never grow pockets in his gray wings.
This is the last part of a poem by Mary Oliver called Catbird. I relate to this part of the poem because I have experienced such moments with Goldfinches, Robins, and Chickadees. I especially like where she writes, “Since I see him every morning, I have rewarded myself the pleasure of thinking that he knows me.” Yes, I talk to birds!
It is a cold fall morning with 43 degrees. I saw where Berthoud Pass had an overnight low of 18 degrees, so it’s actually warm here. After yesterday’s winds the cloudless skies are beautiful. This mornings full moon cast shadows across the meadow at the natural area. Now a mocha latte. Have an Awesome day!
light brush stroke of pink
ms
kisses clouds on canvas sky
a gift of nature
Scenes like this at Pineridge Natural Area are one of the perks for waking early. As I watched this miracle unfold I wondered what if would be like to lie in bed, snuggled under warm blankets, looking out at this scene each morning. Then I realized this awe and wonder moment I’m experiencing is because I’m standing there as a part-of nature rather than some observer laying in bed. The owl greeted me again, asking me “who-hoo” I am. Or, maybe they were asking me if I’m in touch with “who-hoo” creates these scenes each morning. I believe I know! I’ll be here again!