My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and the mystery of it all.
In silence,we discover ourselves, our actual presence
Gunilla Norris
to the life in us and around us. When we are present,
deeply attentive, we cannot be busy controlling.
Instead we become beholders – giving ourselves up
to the mystery of things. We become more willing
to let things be. And as a consequence
we can also let ourselves be.
“Nature reminds us to be present with the moment,
Mary Kennedy
to pause and take it all in while it is here.”
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.
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.
We received our first measurable snowfall beginning early Wednesday morning and continuing into the early evening. I had from 4-6 inches of wet snow on my car yesterday morning. After coffee and conversation I drove out to Pineridge Natural Area for the above image. It was deep enough I got snow in my boots. This morning we had clear skies, a beautiful full moon and 10 degrees. Roads are ice and dangerous.
My dad’s health deteriorates. The heart and kidneys are failing and he is retaining a lot of fluids. So, he asked to stop taking all medications except the Eliquis and be put into Hospice. They brought in a Hospice doctor to evaluate him for their services and then called in Hospice. I am amazed that he is cognisant enough to think this all through and then make the decision himself. He wants to stay on the Eliquis because it can help prevent strokes. Something I would not have thought of. I will not go down there unless something happens since I just visited two weeks ago. I did talk to him on the phone yesterday. He sounded weak and tired and seemed ready to have Hospice available for him. After watching Hospice help mom he knows what they can do. I will keep you informed as you are part of my family.
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!
Took this at Pineridge Natural Area this morning. It’s blurry as I forgot to turn off the IBIS while using the tripod. As I headed home I became aware that I was rushing while taking this mornings images. I had nothing urgent on my calendar until later in the day but I was acting like I did. Therefore I was not as present to the moment or what I was doing. I was physically in a natural sanctuary but mentally I was in another place. After a few deep breaths I settled down and the day has gone smoothly. It has been overcast today but the temperature is in the low 60s. For the fun of it here is something from 10 years ago today. I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!!
I have learned that the point of life’s walk is not where or how far I move my feet but how I am moved in my heart. If I walk far but am angry toward others as I journey, I walk nowhere. If I conquer mountains but hold grudges against others as I climb, I conquer nothing. If I see much but regard others as enemies, I see no one.
Anasazi Foundation, The Seven Paths: Changing One’s Way of Walking in the World
Yesterday we had blue skies, sunshine and mid 70 temperatures. Today we have overcast skies and mid 50 temperatures. And tomorrow back to the mid 70s. Whatever the day is like I hope you get a chance to get out and walk. May you have an Awesome week.
So I rose early on this first day of November to watch the darkness of night give way to today’s sunrise. I felt the cold air that blankets the meadow and took several deep breaths of that cold air into my lungs. I savour this moment not as an observer but as a participant. Nature’s beauty awakens something within me as I witness the new day bringing the hope of blessings to come. And I find myself falling in love with the sky, the quiet, the stillness, creation and the gift of it all. May you have a wonderful November!!
I am alarmed when it happens that I have walked a mile into the woods bodily, without getting there in spirit… The thought of some work will run in my head, and I am not where my body is — I am out of my senses. In my walks I would fain return to my senses…
Henry David Thoreau in WALKING
There is a voice deep within me that I need to listen to more often and I am not talking about the never ending chatter of my mind. That voice nudged me to get out of the house and out of my head to enjoy this beautiful day with some quality time in nature. So, after lunch I made a visit to Pineridge Natural Area taking my journal, camera and one of my flutes. As I pulled into the parking lot I was greeted by a group of Magpies lined up on the parking lot fence letting me know they were glad to see me. Turning off the car I looked out across the almost empty reservoir and watched gulls floating over the water in search of food. There was not a cloud to be seen, just a blank blue canvas waiting for a cloud. I began to settle into the present moment slowly letting go of distracting thoughts. I noticed the green of the meadow fading and the brown, yellow and gold of fall replacing it. I walked to a familiar, and comfortable enough, boulder that works as a chair and sat down. I allowed my body to relax and soak in the sun’s warmth. I opened my journal and began writing down a few thoughts on those blank pages rather than keeping them in my head. I then picked up my flute and began to practice. The blowing wind wanted to also play the flute so I didn’t practice that long but laid the flute across my lap, took in deep breaths and stayed present. While Thoreau went to the woods, I went to the meadow. I’m glad I listened to that voice and stayed present.
Sometimes we are at one with our fellows in brotherly love and peace.
Brenda P
Sometimes in the unity of traffic, profanity and ire.
I was down to one Dove’s chocolate yesterday morning so I made a run to the grocery store. I drove east on Prospect where construction had traffic down to one lane in two locations in that one mile stretch. Crazy drivers were speeding and trying to cut in front of other people. Angrily I began to call them names, which did not make me feel any better nor could they hear me. Once I got to the grocery store, I could not make the self checkout thingy work for me. The anger I was still holding on to when I walked into the store now included frustration. After finally getting checked out I took Drake westbound home to avoid the construction on Prospect. But…. they had construction on Drake down to one lane near Shields. Now I’m angry, frustrated and spewing profanity all over the dashboard of my car and totally away of my behavior. I turned north on Shields only to discover they had traffic down to one lane near Prospect due to construction. So in that four mile square trip to the grocery store I had one lane traffic in four places due to construction. And the construction was really nothing more than a cable company burying cable. Oh, the measures we go to for chocolate! Gladly, no one got hurt and I got my chocolate fix.
I put myself in timeout when I got home (20 minutes of meditation time) and calmed down. I reflected on my childish reactions to my first world problems and how insignificant they are compared to other world problems. I laughed at my silliness and went to a place of gratitude for the life I live, began to be excessively gentle with myself and aware of the growth that I still need in moving away from my self-centeredness. Thanks for listening. I hope you’re having a wonderful day!
Oh, and the quote is from a text message with my friend Brenda after she heard about my experience and rather childish behavior. I think it fits perfectly with my story.