• clouds,  horizons,  landscape,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes,  sunrises

    Gifts to the World

    February 8, 2026
    Sunrise at Pineridge Natural Area – April 2021

    Joan Chittister suggests that “we must be a gift to the world some way, somehow, for someone.” I’m not sure how many people see themselves as a gift to the world. I’m not sure how many see themselves negatively and therefore not worthy to be a gift. I’m not sure how many see themselves narcistically as the gift to the world and therefore unable to see themselves as a gift they could be. As I pondered those questions this morning I wondered what our world would look like if we did accept ourselves as a gift to this world in some way, somehow, for someone. Would we know peace, serenity, love, compassion, tolerance, generosity, and see ourselves as equals, no one better than or less than. I would love to see the world know the gifts we are to the world and one another! Happy Sunday!!

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  • lake,  landscape,  sunrises

    Being in love…

    January 20, 2026
    Predawn colors at Hebgen Lake on a road trip in August 2022

    “The most important aspect of love is not in giving or the receiving: it’s in the being. When I need love from others, or need to give love to others, I’m caught in an unstable situation. Being in love, rather than giving or taking love, is the only thing that provides stability. Being in love means seeing the Beloved all around me.”

    Ram Dass
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  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  landscape,  quotes,  sunrises,  winter scenes

    Our work…

    January 14, 2026

    “Our work, rather, is to help reawaken the sense of the sacred that is already deep in the human soul,
    our primordial relationship with nature, our ancient mother love of the earth.
    We can be part of its rising again.”

    John Philip Newell

    My recovery is moving along, slowly but surely. I am sleeping in later but I am sleeping restless. They have me sleeping with an oxygen concentrator at night which could be the culprit. I also do take naps throughout the day but I will rest when my body lets me know. I am going to venture out to the coffee shop in the morning. Since I can’t drive yet Jeff will pick me up and we will make a frontal attack on Mugs on Laurel. We are not giving them any warnings, either. We have had intermittent clouds and sunshine today and reached 60 degrees. The sun has set and I am enjoying an Earl Gray Tea. I hope you had a good day!

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

    …while it is here

    January 13, 2026

    “Nature reminds us to be present with the moment,
    to pause and take it all in while it is here.”

    Mary Kennedy

    This is a quote from a message my friend Mary sent this morning, wonderfully expressing what she experienced as she stayed present to the sunrise today. I think she did a wonderful job expressing it and for sure it works for her and me! We all need to pause and take it all in while it is here. I slept late and have been every since I returned home from the hospital so I missed the sunrise. But here is one from October of 2022.

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

    A Cold Monday

    December 29, 2025

    Silence is the lost art in a society made of noise.

    Joan Chittister

    We were at 14 degrees this morning at about 5: 45 am. We did warm up to 42 degrees. I am not complaining as I’m aware most of our nation is in a cold spell. It’s been a good day. I made it to Mugs for coffee this morning then had lunch with my friend Duane. I’ve spent the rest of this day at home practicing the art of silence. This sunrise image was taken a year ago at Pineridge Natural Area where I go to experience more silence. I hope you had a wonderful Monday.

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  • landscape,  quotes,  sunrises

    Carrying the Light

    November 29, 2025
    Morning sunrise from 2006

    Darkness cannot be dissipated with more darkness. More darkness will only make darkness thicker. Only light can dissipate darkness. Those of us who carry the light are called to shine the light, to share it so that the world will not sink into total darkness.

    Thich Nhat Hanh

    My weather app said it was 22 degrees this morning. We had a dusting of snow during the night, but nothing measurable. No bicycle ride this morning. Instead I met Eric for coffee in Windsor and will shortly meet Steve at 4:30 pm. It’s a rather simple day. Stay warm and dry!

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

    Thanksgiving’s Predawn Sky

    November 27, 2025

    Finding beauty in a broken world is creating beauty in the world we find.

    Terry Tempest Williams

    It was a very cold morning at 22 degrees. I felt gratitude for the life I am living as I stepped from my car and walked to my favorite rock at Pineridge Natural Area. The rock was just as hard as the last time I sat on it but this morning it was also quite cold. The sky was beginning to turn a light pink then shifted into a darker pink. I accepted the gift of a beautiful predawn sky. It was quiet, still and serene. In the early twilight I could see a group of four hardy runners bouncing along the trail with their headlamps as they circled Dixon Reservoir. I assume they were working up an appetite for turkey dinner later today or maybe a warm cinnamon roll with coffee when they returned home. I agree Terry Tempest Williams quote, there is much beauty to be found in this broken world. I then made my way to Mugs in Old Town for a mocha and blueberry scone. They were having the annual Turkey Trot going on so the streets were blocked off for the race and people were gathering for the race. I decided to head back home before it became a mess. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  clouds,  landscape,  quotes,  reflections,  sunrises

    Overcast and Cold

    November 26, 2025

    Selfishness seldom has to do with reaching for the biggest piece of cake on the plate;
    rather, it is preoccupation with our selves.

    Marcus Borg

    It is overcast and cold here this morning. A brisk 22 degrees when I left for coffee. Needless to say I did not ride the bicycle to coffee. However, it’s up to 30 degrees now. I put on a crockpot of chili soup earlier and will indulge in that later. I sure do like how my house smells when I’m cooking with a crockpot. Today will be a quiet day at home with reading, journaling and some flute practice. I took this sunrise and reflection image at Arapaho Bend Natural Area back in October. Have a wonderful day!

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