• clouds,  horizons,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes

    I believe he’s right

    July 31, 2022

    “The plain fact is that the planet does not need more successful people, but it does desperately need more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of every kind. It needs people who live well in their places. It needs people of moral courage willing to join the fight to make the world habitable and humane. And these qualities have little to do with success as we have defined it.”

    David Orr

    At the very core of who I am I believe he’s right. I was talking with a friend who teaches at our local college. Our discussion was along this line. He does want his students to be able to think and reason with ethical and moral values when they finish his class rather than successfully pass the test from memorization.

    Side note: I began having body aches, headache, chills and runny nose Friday morning. Tested at Uchealth in the afternoon. Woke Saturday feeling good but fuzzy thinking. Test results were: not detected. Feeling good today.

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  • Avian,  Meister Eckhart,  quotes

    Words

    July 29, 2022
    An owl perched atop a saguaro cactus in early morning light

    Every creature is a word of God and a book about God. 

    Meister Eckhart

    I journal almost everyday looking for words to take form on blank pages. Sometimes they make sense, other times they don’t and some days they do not appear. Same can be said about this blog. But I continue to sit with pen and paper in anticipation of words about life. I also embrace the words creation offers me when I listen with my ears, eyes and especially my heart. I find Mary Oliver’s poetry, and others, is about their communion with nature. There is a conversation going on. They know it. I read where many indigenous people have conversations with nature for many generations. If we were to go with Eckhart’s idea that every creature is a word of God and a book about God then what an opportunity for us to experience.

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  • leaves,  Plants

    So Refreshing

    July 28, 2022

    Rainfall is an interesting natural phenomenon. Measuring how much rainfall we get is another phenomenon. I visit a website put out by the City of Fort Collins to see what has been measured in rainfall accumulation across the city. The city adds a disclaimer on the accuracy of the measurements but it does give some indication of how much rain we received. It rained yesterday afternoon and then began again early this morning. Plenty of lightning and thunder to go along with it. So, refreshing.

    Ever notice how green is always greener after a rain? And, yes, I’m still asking questions. 😁

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  • clouds,  landscape,  quotes,  sunsets

    Does that make sense?

    July 28, 2022

    “I began to trust the questions themselves to lead me beyond answers to understanding, beyond practice to faith”

    Joan Chittister

    There was a time in my life when I felt lost, confused…looking for answers. I had no desire to get up in the morning and face another day. Thankfully I’ve moved on from that place and time. I’ve discovered the answers are not as important to me anymore, but the questions are. I continue to search out more questions which leads me to some understanding which leads to more questions. I began to trust in just asking the questions. I lost interest in the answers and embraced the understanding needed to ask the next question. Does that make sense?

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  • Children,  People/Portraits,  Portraits

    Inquisitive Minds

    July 27, 2022

    Had the honor of shooting some portraits of 17 month old twins on Monday. I love how the inquisitive mind of this young lady is checking everything out. She was fascinated by the eagle then discovered the water left from an earlier sprinkling of the garden. And, had almost no interest in me.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  quotes,  sunsets

    Sunbeams

    July 26, 2022

    “Our role in life is to bring the light of our own souls to the dim places around us.”

    Joan Chittister

    I have met people who shine outward. It can be seen in their eyes, smile and body language. I have witnessed the robins also shine brightly as they sing from a perch nearby. I have witnessed the sun peeking through clouds bringing sunbeams that brighten our souls. Oh, that I also may bring a light to the dim places around me.

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  • coffee life,  coffee shops,  poetic journal,  writing/reading

    A Good Book

    July 25, 2022

    I don’t promote many books here but this is one that has impressed me; Braided Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Nor is this a book review. I must say I’m impressed with how she brings across her message of our need to connect with all of creation. We have lost that. She reminds us where our place is within creation, that we are part of creation and not superior to all of creation.

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