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

    Gifts to the World

    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!!

  • clouds,  landscape,  mountains,  quotes,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area,  sunsets

    How we see life…

    I made a drive out to Reservoir Ridge Natural Area this afternoon to journal while looking for the possibility of a photo of the setting sun. It was quiet out there even though it has been a beautiful day. I saw two pairs of dogs walking their owners and that was it. It has also been a day for seeing raptures. As I left my condo for coffee shop this morning there were two bald eagles soaring above me and sending out their shrill and high pitched calls. Their size, beautiful flights and calls always stop me in my tracks. I saw two more again about mid day on the other side of my pond. Then this afternoon I watched a falcon hunting while at Reservoir Ridge.

    “Helping, fixing, and serving represent three different ways of seeing life.
    When you help, you see life as weak.
    When you fix, you see life as broken.
    When you serve, you see life as whole.
    Fixing and helping may be the work of the ego,
    and service the work of the soul.”

    Rachel Naomi Remen

    I would like to remove the words “may be” in Remen’s quote and replace them so that line reads, “Fixing and helping is the work of the ego.” For those of you in North Carolina, North Berwick and Sterling Heights stay warm and safe this weekend.

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

    Our work…

    “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!

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

    …while it is here

    “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.

  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  clouds,  horizons,  landscape,  natural areas,  sunsets

    Happy New Year

    My last sunset photo of 2025

    Since I’m no longer a party guy, I celebrated New Year’s Eve by spending time at Arapaho Bend Natural Area to soak into my memory the gift of the sunset. I was back home and in bed by 8pm, reading. My post today is an image of that sunset along with a wish and pray that the coming year be a wonderful adventure, full of awe and wonder, filled with lessons learned, moments of creativity, more time in nature, quality time with family, good health, and the discovery of your true and authentic self. I am grateful for the gift you are. Happy New Year and hope you enjoyed your day!

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

    A Cold Monday

    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.

  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  sunsets

    Prophets

    Sunset at Cathy Fromme Prairie Natural Area – 2016

    I was writing a quick message to a friend this morning and using my phone to record the message. I told them that I had offered a blessing this morning for those who are peacemakers and present day “prophets.” But, I felt a sadness when I looked down and saw that my phone had translated “prophets” into profits. Seems we are now living in a world where we ignore or not even listen to “prophets” but we do not hesitate to follow the “profits”, even blindly. It looks to be cool all over the nation, so stay warm, cozy, and have a good day. And, as a prophetic warning from me, don’t go near any malls to avoid all the pushing, shoving and chaotic traffic!! Instead, drink a glass of eggnog at home and eat a minimum of two frosted sugar cookies!!