• clouds,  landscape,  quotes,  sunsets

    The smell of fresh cut hay

    July 12, 2024

    “To love a place is not enough. We must find ways to heal it.”

    Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass:

    It was nothing spectacular but I happened to catch a glimpse of the sun breaking through the clouds just before dropping below the horizon. I had to stop and in fact I need to stop more often because I don’t want to miss anymore of these gifts of nature. As I stepped out of the car I took in the fragrance of summer, that smell of fresh cut hay. I stood there and let it sink into my memory senses. I can still smell it this morning!

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

    Miracles and Insights

    July 11, 2024

    The difference between confusion and ‘don’t know’ is that confusion can only see one way out and that way is blocked, while ‘don’t know’ is open to miracles and insights.

    Joyce Rupp

    The years of my life spent in confusion were often based on the presumption that I knew and if I didn’t know, I could quickly find out or fake it. Today I am willing to admit there are many more things I don’t know than I know, or think I think I know. So much more enjoyable to ask questions and be open to miracles and insights. Know what I mean?

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  • clouds,  landscape,  mountains,  quotes,  sunsets

    Open-mindedness

    July 4, 2024
    Sunset near Ted’s Place along Hwy 287

    Usually when you listen to some statement, you hear it as a kind of echo of yourself. You are actually listening to your own opinion. If it agrees with your opinion, you may accept it, but if it does not, you will reject it or you may not really hear It. That is one danger when you listen to someone.

    Shunryu Suzuki: Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind

    Happy 4th.

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  • clouds,  horizons,  landscape,  quotes

    First we need to look…

    July 2, 2024

    Form is certainty. All nature knows this, and we have no greater adviser. Clouds have forms, porous and shape-shifting, bumptious, fleecy. They are what clouds need to be, to be clouds. See a flock of them come, on the sled of the wind, all kneeling above the blue sea….How can we ever stop looking? How can we ever turn away?

    Mary Oliver, Upstream
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  • clouds,  horizons,  landscape,  mountains

    This Love Thing

    June 26, 2024

    I love landscapes. I love them because of the experience they offer. Experiencing the landscape, letting it touch me is different than looking at any photo, even when it’s my photo. Landscapes are visually and spiritually never the same. That’s true second by second, hour by hour, and day by day. Wind reshapes clouds constantly, the light changes colors, the weather can alter the hues and saturation within a few seconds, and blowing dust causes the light to change.

    And time alters the landscape as aging trees fall, or a flood creates a ravine that was not there last week. What does all this transformation of landscapes mean? What can I learn from watching and participating? I’m sure some get bored with landscapes. I wonder is that because we only glance at a scene rather than sit with them, letting them touch us at a deeper level? I find that when I don’t connect with a scene I can be out of touch with the reality of the world around me. Who knows, maybe the landscape is offering this love thing.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  quotes

    Symptom of Maturity

    June 20, 2024
    Another panorama before the rain

    The awareness of the ambiguity of one’s highest achievements – as well as one’s deepest failures – is a definite symptom of maturity.

    Paul Tillich

    Someone shared the above quote with me the other day that has me grappling with what ambiguity 1Ambiguity: the quality of being open to more than one interpretation; inexactness. really means to me. I’m also aware it may mean something different to others. I find myself saying “I don’t know” much more than when I was younger and smarter. I want to believe I say, “I don’t know” more often because I’m wiser rather than smarter. It also takes away the worry of being right or wrong. Maybe that’s a symptom of maturity.

    Well, the prep has begun as I stopped the eliquis Tuesday night and will start again Sunday morning. I begin the laxative today at noon then start my first cocktails at 6:00 pm. Colonoscopy Friday at 2:00 pm. Fun times at this age!! I know you’re jealous.

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  • clouds,  horizons,  landscape,  quotes

    The Gift of the World

    June 11, 2024

    There is a quiet light that shines in every heart. It draws no attention to itself though it is always secretly there. It is what illuminates our minds to see beauty, our desire to seek possibility and our hearts to love life. Without this subtle quickening our days would be empty and wearisome, and no horizon would ever awaken our longing. Our passion for life is quietly sustained from somewhere in us that is wedded to the energy and excitement of life. This shy inner light is what enables us to recognize and receive our very presence here as blessing. We enter the world as strangers who all at once become heirs to a harvest of memory, spirit and dream that has long preceded us and will now enfold, nourish and sustain us. The gift of the world is our first blessing.

    John O’Donohue, Benedictus: A Book of Blessiings

    I like the idea that there’s a shy light within each of us. Actually makes me smile. I’ve encountered those who have that light shining brightly, and others who are afraid to let it shine and others who are not aware of its presence. I wonder, would the world have fewer strangers if we let that light shine from within? I am so grateful for the gift of this world and the light that shines in every heart! And, hopefully mine!

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