• clouds,  landscape,  mountains,  snow,  sunsets

    Planted in our shoes…

    January 13, 2021
    sunset and the cloud formation from a week ago

    “I dream of a world where the truth is what shapes people’s politics, rather than politics shaping what people think is true…”

    Neil deGrasse Tyson

    It is Wednesday evening. We have had overcast skies throughout the day, metaphor for the feel of our country’s woundedness. The wind has picked up and will blow into Friday with gusts up to 70 mph. Another metaphor for our troubling times. Sometimes we live in our heads more than in the world and therefore what we think we think we know, just ain’t so. Time for all of us to stay planted in our shoes. It’s the only place we can live.

    Read More
  • Camera Equipment,  clouds,  Fujifilm X-T3,  Fujifilm XF16-80mm f4.0,  haiku,  landscape,  natural areas,  Photography,  sunrises,  sunsets,  writing/reading

    Remain a Student

    January 4, 2021
    December sunrise at Pineridge Natural Area -2020

    arise in darkness
    greet the morning sun
    be present to silence

    ms

    It is becoming quite evident to me that I get the best colors when I shoot between f5.6 – 13.0 when using this Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f4.0 lens. I think that is pretty typical for most lenes. For some reason it is more noticeable on this lens or it could just be me and my thinking. And, shooting at f11 gives a much different starburst than at f16.0. I must always remain a student! 👍

    Colors from last night’s sunset
    Read More
  • landscape,  natural areas,  Plants,  sunsets,  trees

    Walking off the food coma

    November 27, 2020
    Sunset at Reservoir Ridge

    Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving and overate like I did. I came too from my food coma early this afternoon. After clearing my head and realized how much damage I did yesterday, I knew I needed to walk it off. I drove out to Reservoir Ridge Natural Area for the walk and sunshine. So did half the city. Anyway, I got my walk in and my steps. I cooked two cornish hens for the first time and first time to eat one. Pretty simple actually. I invited my friend Joan over at the last minute and shared one with her. Have a great weekend!

    Read More
  • haiku,  landscape,  sunsets,  writing/reading

    Unbroken Silence

    November 23, 2020

    solitary fence posts
    without the meadowlarks song
    unbroken silence

    ms

    Our first forest fire started back in August and every since then I seldom see or hear the meadowlarks singing when visiting the natural areas. I assume they moved farther east onto the plains due to the smoke and ash. And, now that it’s colder we will see less of them. Spent some time journaling about missing their enchanting song this morning.

    Read More
  • journal,  landscape,  natural areas,  Plants,  sunsets,  trees,  writing/reading

    Winds of Change

    November 8, 2020

    Some of you know I’m living in recovery from alcoholism. If not, you do now. I read a question today that caused me to reflect on my life now that I have a bit of time in recovery. The question was, “What are the important things in my recovery?” Here’s a short list from journaling this morning.

    • living life using the principles of the 12 Steps
    • daily practice of prayer and meditation
    • healing physically, emotionally and spiritually
    • healing of broken relationships and birthing of new relationships
    • experiencing a Higher Power from within
    • able to be more present to life and more often
    • true honesty with others
    • learning to be a better listener, thus a better communicator
    • coming to know my true and authentic self
    • practicing a thorough and authentic daily self-examination
    • seeing with the eyes of my heart
    • uncovering my unhealthy character defects
    • living with and accepting all my emotions
    • the enjoyment of solitude and silence
    • using journaling as letters, prayers, asking deep questions 
    • discovering my value as a human and the value of others
    • uncovering and using the talents and gifts given to me at my conception
    • finding and using my inner observer

    This morning was quite windy. When I stepped outside about 7:00 am, I needed to pause and listen to the wind blowing through the trees. I smiled as the wind blew leaves from branches, enjoying their rustling dance across the ground. I took a deep breath, filled with hope and excitement, because the wind was a metaphor for the winds of change blowing in our world.

    Read More
  • landscape,  mountains,  natural areas,  Plants,  quotes,  sunsets,  trees

    Happy Birthday Marcee

    October 13, 2020
    Sun setting at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    “Love is not just something that
    happens to you… it is a certain
    special way of being alive. Love
    is, in fact, an intensification of
    life, a completeness, a fullness,
    a wholeness of life.” Thomas Merton

    Today is my sister’s birthday! Don’t let her know how I see her as a gift to us because it will go to her head! Have a super Awesome day! I ❤ you, Marcee!

    Read More