“Wilderness to the people of America is a spiritual necessity, an antidote to the high pressure of modern life, a means of regaining serenity and equilibrium.”
Sigurd Olson
Spiritual Necessity
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Cathy Fromme Prairie Natural Area -
Gifts Given
When gifts are given to me through my camera, I accept them graciously.
Minor WhiteAt Reservoir Ridge Natural Area they have a picnic table that I sometimes sit at and eat something I’ve brought and/or journal. Just behind the picnic table is a sculpture called “Ghost Kitchen.” As I sat there I noticed the sculpture, the animals within it and it’s strange name. It then dawned on me to stand behind the sculpture and try to get a starburst through the bird’s eye. So, I graciously accepted the gift given. And, the sandwich was good.
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Lovely
I had one of the best nights of sleep in awhile. My Fitbit said I had 74% of light sleep where the norm is 40-60%. Anyway I headed to Pineridge Natural Area with hopes of red and pink skies. I was pleasantly gifted with a beautiful eastern sky and warm temperatures. My car said 48 degrees at home and 61 degrees at the natural area, a distance of 4 miles. I was joined by this nice 2-point mule deer and a couple of his friends. They seemed more interested in grazing and staying alert than watching the colors. Earlier I could hear the who-who-hoo of an owl somewhere in the darkness. Lovely.
I will be offline for a few days as I’m heading to Phoenix to spend an early Thanksgiving with my dad and sisters. This will be our first holiday without mom. Probably good for all of us be together. I leave on Wednesday and return on Monday. Hold down the fort for me. 😂
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I’m a Seeker
Gold Marbled Pelikan M200 with Brilliant Brown ink “The presence of those seeking the truth is infinitely to be preferred to the presence of those who think they’ve found it.”
Terry PratchettI continue to journal because I’m a seeker, not necessarily for knowledge and answers, but for a thin thread of wisdom.
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Clouds and a sandwich
“People who’ve had any genuine spiritual experience always know that they don’t know. They are utterly humbled before mystery. They are in awe before the abyss of it all, in wonder at eternity and depth, and a Love, which is incomprehensible to the mind.”
Richard RohrYesterday I wanted a mid-afternoon sandwich then enjoyed it at one of the natural areas, away from the busyness of the city. I was greeted by silence, silver lined clouds, warm sunshine and a cool breeze. It’s a mystery to me but I know it all made the sandwich taste better. 😊
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The Right Lighting
Sunrise at Pineridge Natural Area yesterday “The secret to life is to put yourself in the right lighting. For some, it’s a Broadway spotlight; for others, a lamplit desk. Use your natural powers — of persistence, concentration, and insight — to do work you love and work that matters. Solve problems. make art, think deeply.”
Susan CainFor any photographer to return home with an image that we feel is a keeper, we must place ourselves in the right spot, at the right time, to find the right light. Photography as well as a spiritual practice have been the work I needed to help me to live life, solve problems, make art and think deeply. I think Susan is spot on. It’s 23 degrees this morning with clear skies and wind. They are predicting rain and snow this evening in the high country and a slight possibility for the foothills and plains. Hope you use your natural powers!
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Celebrate
People wish to be poets more than they wish to write poetry, and that’s a mistake. One should wish to celebrate more than one wishes to be celebrated.
Lucille CliftonIf we change the word poet and poetry to some other creative field, her words would work for them also. So, I suggest we celebrate whatever creative endeavor we’re drawn too and not fret about any accolades. It could be as a photographer or even a barista.
This is not my normal mocha latte. It is called a Brooklyn Woodrow which is a cuban style espresso. It’s an espresso drink usually made with a strong dark roast then sweetened with sugar to counter the bitterness. Some even whip the sugar in the espresso. The Bean Cycle makes theirs in a 6 oz mug. Therefore the ratio between a single shot of espresso to milk is much different than in a 12 oz latte, thus making it stronger tasting. They then sweeten it with a dash of brown sugar. My taste buds like it. So, I’m gonna celebrate this anonymous creative barista who created this!
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Yes, another one…
Well, I broke down and bought myself a teal colored Pilot Custom 74. It is my sisters favorite fountain pen, well one of them. We’ll call it an early Christmas gift. It is very similar to the two Pilot Custom Heritage 72 I own. I enjoy writing with them so I assumed I would this one also. I’m finding them similar in size and I believe they have the same rhodium-plated 14k gold nib which is very smooth to write with. When I have a fine camera in my hand I see the world differently through a viewfinder and take more images. The same can be said of a fine fountain pen. It helps me to see the world differently and write words describing what I see and feel. Since I carry both a camera and a fountain pen with me every day, you are for-warned that more images of this fountain pen will be forthcoming. 😊
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A Poem and A Photograph
Every day
Mindful by Mary Oliver
I see or hear
something
that more or less
kills me
with delight,
that leaves me
like a needle
in the haystack
of light.
It was what I was born for —
to look, to listen,
to lose myself
inside this soft world —
to instruct myself
over and over
in joy,
and acclamation.
Nor am I talking
about the exceptional,
the fearful, the dreadful,
the very extravagant —
but of the ordinary,
the common, the very drab,
the daily presentations.
Oh, good scholar,
I say to myself,
how can you help
but grow wise
with such teachings
as these —
the untrimmable light
of the world,
the ocean’s shine,
the prayers that are made
out of grass? -
Had to be one ….
“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo.
J.R.R. Tolkien
“So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”Took this image last Thursday evening on Larimer County Rd. 19. Needed to get out of the condo so I decided to spend my time given to me by being open for a sunset image. I just knew there had to be one…
