• landscape,  Plants,  quotes,  reflections,  sunrises,  trees

    Predawn Twilight

    November 16, 2022
    Predawn light at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal in 2011

    “The most beautiful thing in the world is, of course, the world itself.”

    Wallace Stevens

    Sun has just set. Weather app says snow will begin after midnight and into tomorrow with 2-6 inches. Road conditions will not be good for commuters tomorrow morning or evening. This image was taken 11 eleven years ago at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. I enjoyed going to this area for morning quiet time and photographs. Because of the reflection on those calm waters I was gifted with two views of this beautiful world that particular morning.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  Mary Oliver,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes,  sunrises

    A little rougher made…

    November 15, 2022
    This morning’s predawn sky over Dixon Reservoir

    “Sometimes I think, were I just a little rougher made, I would go altogether to the woods—to my work entirely, and solitude, a few friends, books, my dogs, all things peaceful, ready for meditation and industry—if for no other reason than to escape the heart-jamming damages and discouragements of the worlds mean spirits. But, no use. Even the most solitudinous of us is communal by habit, and indeed by commitment to the bravest of our dreams, which is to make a moral world. The whirlwind of human behavior is not to be set aside.”

    Mary Oliver

    When I feel the heart-jamming damages and discouragements of the worlds mean spirits, I too wish to run to the woods, or in my case the natural areas. I would also include my journals, fountain pens, camera and chocolate to her list. Yet, I’m aware of my need to not set aside but live within the whirlwind of human behavior. Who knows, I could be someone else’s whirlwind. However, there are those times when I need to go the woods and connect with nature just so I can return and face the whirlwind of human behavior. Maybe I also need to be a little rougher made. Hope you had a good day.

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  • architecture,  doors,  quotes

    Choosing Doors

    November 14, 2022

    “In the universe, there are things that are known, and things that are unknown, and in between, there are doors.”

    William Blake

    The sun has melted the morning frost. There is still a thin layer of ice on the pond. And we never got above 40 degrees today. Gray skies now dominate so it both looks and feels cold.

    In reference to Blake’s quote, I believe that each day does offer us doors to open or close. Today I both closed and opened doors. Due to exposure yesterday to Covid I changed my travel plans to spend an early Thanksgiving this week with my dad, my two sisters and brother-in-law and instead will celebrate his 94th birthday with him in January. There is no need to put my dad in any danger at his age. I feel a sadness. I want to be with my family.

    I understand we cannot totally isolate ourselves from covid or any other virus or anyone who is indifferent to another’s safety. Nor can we protect others from any danger. I’m aware people are gathering again in large groups as if things are okay or they will be okay. I’ve heard there is now a cruise ship in Australia with almost 800 cases of COVID detected. And, I have moved back into the coffee shop routine. Aware that I am taking a risk for exposure, or worse yet, exposing someone. Yes, we have doors to choose, to open or close. I’m rethinking my stance on all this and may open fewer coffee shop doors and close a few. Just thinking out loud.

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  • fall season,  Plants,  quotes,  seasons,  trees

    Imagination

    November 13, 2022

    “The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way. Some see nature all ridicule and deformity… and some scarce see nature at all. But to the eyes of the man of imagination, nature is imagination itself.”

    William Blake

    The only constant is change and this morning was a prime example. It’s all worked out and been a good day. Have new chair for my bedroom that sits looking out my bay window and will use it for my quiet times, reading and journaling. Fits my buttocks! 😂 The above photo was taken on campus this past week. Love my tree friends! Now that the leaves are mostly gone we can see where the squirrels nests are. On my walk I smiled as leaves danced along side me in the wind. I am not taking my laptop to Phoenix this week so you will have a reprieve from my blog posts for four days. Have a great week.

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  • fall season,  leaves,  Plants,  quotes,  seasons,  Thomas Berry

    Awe and Reverence

    November 12, 2022
    Light, shadows, shapes, patterns, colors of leaves

    There is an awe and reverence due to the stars in the heavens, the sun, and all heavenly bodies; to the seas and the continents; to all living forms of trees and flowers; to the myriad expressions of life in the sea; to the animals of the forests and the birds of the air.

    To wantonly destroy a living species is to silence forever a divine voice. 

    Thomas Berry

    The man made worlds of our homes, work cubicles, television, and phones, cannot fulfill that awe and reverence. Our separation has caused us to see nature apart from us. We no longer hear the divine voice in nature and therefore can and do commit violence against it. All of creation is the divine voice! How many of us stop and just listen to the voice of falling leaves. It was another cold morning in Colorado, 9 degrees at 6:45 am. Sun has set and it will be in the single digits again tonight. Hope you enjoy your day tomorrow!

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  • Black and White,  coffee life,  coffee shops,  shadows,  Uncategorized

    Gifted Baristas

    November 11, 2022

    I’ve been noticing the shadows on the wall next to my chair at the coffee shop and knew there was an image there somewhere. Well, one was found this morning. But, what I envisioned required a tripod or for someone to take the photo for me. So, I asked Nate, one of my baristas if he would take a photo for me. I have very gifted baristas! They not only make my mocha but take photos. Thanks, Nate!

    It was cold this morning, 11 degrees at 6:44 am and right now we are all the way up to 37 degrees. I found out I may have been exposed to COVID this past Sunday so I was able to get a test done this morning. It will take about 24 hours so I’m isolating for the day. Sure hope it is negative because my sister and I are planning on heading to Phoenix next Wednesday for a three day visit with my dad, sister and brother-in-law. This will be our early Thanksgiving.

    As I’ve said before, I am a firm believer in nonviolence. We have repeatedly proven violence is not a solution for peace but a seed for more hatred. I served in the military from 1968-1972 at the age of 18. My belief at the time was that if needed I’d kill another human for this country. So, grateful I didn’t have to. I see it so differently now. I hope and pray we can let go of hatred, seek out our similarities, embrace our differences, and see one another as sisters and brothers. May we welcome the gift of peace that is ours. Yet, after saying all that, I respect and am grateful for those who offered the ultimate sacrifice for this country in war and especially for those who died in wars that were unnecessary. Thank you!

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  • moon,  Rumi,  shadows,  street photography

    A perfect day for reading

    November 10, 2022
    Full moon at the bus stop on my way to the coffee shop

    “Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”

    Rumi

    It’s been cold, windy and gusty today. The sun has peaked in and out of a cloudy blue/gray sky. And, when the sun does break through everything lights up, glowing brilliantly. I found it to be a perfect day for reading. I’ve gained enough wisdom to know I’m unable to change the world or the people in it but I’m only able to change how I interact with the world and the people in it, which is far more important. It also follows that when I change, the world is changed in some small way.

    Those who are dealing with the power of Nicole please be safe.

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