• gratitude,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  poems,  poetic journal,  poetry,  sunrises,  writing/reading

    Morning Sanctuaries

    My day begins in the sanctuary of my home.
    with the quiet of prayer and meditation.

    Then I make my way to the sanctuary
    of a local natural area.

    My feathered sisters and brothers greet me as the goldfinches,
    house finches, chickadees, meadowlarks, magpies,
    robins, swallows all sing songs of joy this morning.

    I watch their amazing aerial antics as they snatch insects in midair
    or playfully chase one another from branch to branch.

    My eyes catch that patient fisherman, the Great Blue Heron,
    who silently wades in the shallow waters of Dixon Reservoir.

    A pair of mallards cruise the waters of the reservoir
    sending their delicate wavelets to shore.

    A noisey crow pesters a red-tail hawk, both adrift in the baby blue sky.

    Two bashful cottontails step from their hiding place
    to nibble on blades of grass.

    My soul now filled with nature’s delights
    and the mind cleared of intrusive thoughts,
    I make my way to one of my coffee shop sanctuaries.

    Two young squirrels pause their wrestling
    to keep a watchful eye on me as I enter this sanctuary
    then scamper up a tree.

    Now sitting in a favorite chair enjoying my mocha latte,
    crafted with love by Emma.

    I now put pen to paper in my journal
    taking note of the ordinary gifts
    given in my morning sanctuaries.

    ms
  • clouds,  flowers,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  Plants,  sunrises

    Eye of the Heart

    The sun’s morning starburst and prairie coneflowers

    I’ve come to believe if our seeing does not expand then we stunt our growth mentally and spiritually. Photography has helped me see the beauty in the world of nature’s landscapes with the eyes of a photographer. While self-reflection along with prayer and meditation have helped me see the beauty of our inner landscape with the eye of my heart. I also believe in the statement we never see more than we are willing to see. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

  • Avian

    Watch and Listen

    I have a favorite place to park along Weld County Road 15 that is the entrance to a farmers field. They have no gate but I pull up, turn my car off and watch and listen. I find several meadowlarks and red-winged blackbirds in this area. The other night I was blessed with several robins who wanted to flaunt and sing for me.

  • landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes,  sunrises

    Happily Singing

    “In my experience, if you are not radically grateful every day, resentment always takes over.”

    Richard Rohr

    As the sun rose above the clouds on the eastern horizon and the world around me became more visible, I could see how abundantly filled the air was with flying insects because they were backlit in the light. No wonder the birds were so happily singing. I was again in awe and wonder at the mystery before me! I have a grateful heart!