• Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  reflections,  sunrises

    Flyover at Predawn

    I awoke early again. A trip to the bathroom, prayer and meditation time, a bowl of cereal, made a chai latte then headed for Arapaho Bend Natural Area. Yes, as some of you know I do have my routines. I am also blessed to have all these natural areas close to me. Arapaho Bend is about the farthest away at 8.5 miles. Takes about 16 minutes to drive there. This morning I discovered this slightly different perspective so you may see more images from this location. As I stood there soaking it all in a flock of about 21 geese flew over me from the west (I counted them). So, I waited until they were in the viewfinder before taking several images. Interesting how they noisily honked to let me know they were coming in over me. To me they add to the scene. Expecting another warm day here in Colorado. Hoping you have a great day!

  • landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  sunrises

    A Feeling of Joy

    In the dim predawn light I watched bats darting about, snatching mosquitos out of the air. Amazing to watch their agility and quickness. I made my way to a favorite rock, set up my camera and tripod then sat down on the rock. This rock sits low to the ground so I’m almost in a squatting position. I settle into being a part of this natural area and not just its observer. Beauty surrounds me: the bluestem grass rising above my head, blue-gray colored sage, yellow prairie sunflowers, yucca plants, yellow blossoms of the cactus, rabbitbrush and the white blossoms of milkweed. The air is cool, refreshing. A couple goldfinches blast past me as a silent yellow blur. Mosquitoes annoyingly buzz around me but they do not bite. A pack of coyotes begin howling to the south of me as they coordinate their hunting efforts. I watch a solitary Canada Goose lead the way in front of two paddle boarders, all three making waves across the reservoir’s surface. The sun breaks out above the clouds that sit along the eastern horizon. The arrival of the sun seems to excite a meadowlark and they begin to joyfully sing. I rub one of the stems of the sage brush between my fingers so I can take its spiritual fragrance with me. The spirit of this place stirs a song and prayer within me, it’s called morning prayer, it’s my lauds. Grateful I came to this intimate meeting in this sanctuary. I feel the same joy as the meadowlark. I will meet Brett later for coffee and conversation. Have a great day!

  • haiku,  Humor,  journal,  journaling,  musings,  writing/reading

    Morning Musings

    blue pen, blue ink
    words fill pages of journal
    morning musings

    mws

    Welp! Yesterday was Friday the 14th with a touch of Friday the 13th in it. Let me explain. The coffee shop I wanted to go to was not open when I arrived at 7:00 am so I went down the street to one that was open. When I arrived at the second coffee shop I noticed I’d forgotten my Fitbit/watch. No problem. When I got home I noticed I’d left my phone at the coffee shop. No problem. Later in the afternoon I stopped to look at one of the new e-bikes, that’s in my price range. Bending down to look at the belt drive I bumped my head on their rack. Hurt like hell! I cursed profusely! Began bleeding so I went to the ER to have it looked at and because I’m new to this blood thinner stuff. Now we have a problem. I had to have staples put in my noggin and a tetanus shot. Will have the staples removed in 5 days. I then stopped and got a DQ blizzard on the way home for any pain I may have. Seemed like a good idea at the time. I then stayed on my porch the rest of the day and kept all sharp objects at a distance. I took a shower this morning, gently washed my hair and then gently combed my hair. Will need to watch that for the next few days. Put on a crockpot of vegetable soup and will enjoy that later today. Hope you enjoy your day!

  • People/Portraits,  Portraits,  quotes

    I was wondering

    Jamie

    I’ve read where every photograph is intended to express everything about the subject whether that’s nature, street or portraits. Not sure I am able to do that with portraits, yet. This is an image of a flight attendant I worked with back in 2009. Today I was wondering where she is in life, who she is today. I wonder what sort of portrait I’d see of her today.

    The most difficult thing for me is a portrait. It’s a question mark you put on somebody. Trying to say, “Who is it? What does it amount to? What is the significance of that face?” The difference between a portrait and a snapshot is that in the portrait, the person has agreed to be photographed.

    Henri Cartier-Bresson
  • Family

    Congratulations Daryian!!!!

    Daryian and I

    I was excited and proud when I heard that my oldest grandson, Daryian, was now a manager of his own PF Changs restaurant in Denver. However, I am going to confess that I also stepped into my fears and imagination as a grandpa. My first fear was for his safety in the big city. Next came the fear the store would fail, or they’d work him too long and hard, causing burnout, or having to handle difficult employees, or having a demanding manager above him. Then my imagination went the other way where the restaurant would be successful. He’d then permanently move to Denver, getting caught up in the success, venture into alcohol, drugs, and loose women. I wouldn’t be there to protect and guide him in any of this, as if I could. After a few deep breaths and some quiet time with prayer, meditation and my journaling, I was able to laugh at myself. What I learned from this is that as a grandparent it’s difficult to allow grandchildren the experiences and all the lessons they need in life to become healthy adults. We have no capacity to control another’s life or to interfere in their lives. I do wish him all the success he deserves. I couldn’t be a prouder grandpa! Congratulations Daryian!!!!

  • horizons,  landscape,  mountains,  Plants,  poems,  poetry,  sunsets,  trees

    I like that…

    I, who live by words, am wordless when
    I try my words in prayer. All language turns
    To silence. Prayer will take my words and then
    Reveal their emptiness. The stilled voice learns
    To hold its peace, to listen with the heart
    To silence that is joy, is adoration.
    The self is shattered, all words torn apart
    In this strange patterned time of contemplation
    That, in time, breaks time, breaks words, breaks me,
    And then, in silence, leaves me healed and mended.
    I leave, returned to language, for I see
    Through words, even when all words are ended.

    I, who live by words, am wordless when
    I turn me to the Word to pray. Amen.

    Madeleine L’Engle, “Words”

    Those prayers of my youth for help have evolved over time to become more about gratitude, listening and staying present. I like that. Prayer has become much more than the words I say and more about the words I hear, yet are unheard. I like that. I can also say the same thing with my journaling, blogging and my photography. Each is becoming what it is meant to be. I like that. My friend shared this poem with me. I found it to resonate with me so I wanted to share it with you. This is last night’s sunset along Overland Trail. Directly behind me is a pond with a wonderful chorus of croaking frogs. I like that. Moments like this have become prayer to me, no need for my words. Well, maybe “Thanks.”