• nature,  Plants,  quotes

    Nothing Exists Alone

    July 15, 2025

    It seems I have seen more mushrooms over the past couple years. Out of curiosity I searched out why. Mushrooms are essentially the fruiting bodies of fungi, and these fungi decompose organic matter in the soil. This organic matter can include things like decaying tree roots, buried wood, thatch (a layer of dead grass), leaves, grass clippings, or even animal waste. The fungi break down these materials, and the mushrooms are the visible sign of their activity. They thrive in damp, humid conditions, prefer shade and low light. They are located in two locations in my front yard that meet these qualifications, offering me some photo opportunities. In this photo are the mushrooms, grass, a cottonwood seed, decaying leaves and below all of that is another world all together. Fascinating, that nothing in nature exists alone. Expecting mid 90s today but rain showers tomorrow.

    In nature nothing exists alone.

    Rachel Carson
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  • natural areas,  nature,  Poudre River,  quotes

    Along the Poudre River

    July 11, 2025

    “It is not the man who has too little that is poor,
    but the one who hankers after more.”

    Lucius Annaeus Seneca

    It is a quiet mid-morning here, although we are expecting rain this afternoon. The wind and trees have been playing a song that soothes my soul and I’m loving it. I had an enjoyable ride to and from coffee this morning. It was rather quiet at the coffee shop so I was able to journal. This image is from a couple days ago when I spent time at Arapaho Bend Natural area walking along the Poudre River.

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  • clouds,  horizons,  landscape,  nature,  quotes

    In Awe of Creation

    June 29, 2025
    Photo-bombed by starlings

    To sit in awe of creation, to listen to, observe, appreciate things greater than yourself, to understand the volition of the natural world, is to be contented and nourished with things as they are, not as they should be, not as we want them to be. This is a happiness without need of more. Global capitalism is insatiable by design. The natural world is not.

    Christopher Ketcham
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  • nature,  Plants,  quotes,  trees

    “the little joys”

    June 28, 2025

    This is our modern curse: A century of conspicuous consumption has trained us to be dutiful citizens of the Republic of Not Enough, swearing allegiance to the marketable myth of scarcity, hoarding toilet paper for the apocalypse. Along the way, we have unlearned how to live wide-eyed with wonder at what Hermann Hesse called “the little joys” — those unpurchasable, unstorable emblems of aliveness that abound the moment we look up from our ledger of lack.

    Maria Popova
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  • clouds,  horizons,  landscape,  nature,  quotes

    Refrains of Nature

    June 26, 2025
    Panorama of four images

    Those who dwell, as scientists or laymen, among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life. Whatever the vexations and concerns of their personal lives, their thoughts can find paths that lead to inner contentment and to renewed excitement in living. Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, the folded bud ready for spring. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature–the reassurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.

    Rachel Carson in THE SENSE OF WONDER
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  • Avian,  nature,  quotes

    …calling me by my name

    June 7, 2025

    In indigenous ways of knowing, all beings are recognized as non-human persons, and all have their own names. It is a sign of respect to call a being by its name, and a sign of disrespect to ignore it. Words and names are the ways we humans build relationship, not only with each other, but also with plants.

    Robin Wall Kimmerer, Gathering Moss

    If words and names are the ways we humans build relationships then calling one another derogatory names on social media, or the playground, does not build relationships. If anything it builds more walls. I will go as far as saying it’s immature, even frustrating. When I listen to a meadowlark sing from its heart my spirit hears it as an invitation. And just maybe it’s calling me by my name. No walls there!

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  • clouds,  natural areas,  nature,  quotes,  reflections

    Unfolding

    May 17, 2025

    The book of nature is a fine and large piece of tapestry rolled up, which we are not able to see all at once, but must be content to wait for the discovery of its beauty, and symmetry, little by little, as it gradually comes to be more and more unfolded.

    Robert Boyle

    It is a cool and overcast morning here in Colorado. Almost no wind as can be seen in the calm waters at Riverbend Ponds. The leaves are unfolding, and the trees no longer looking barren, as we move into summer weather. May you have a wonderful weekend.

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  • landscape,  meadow,  natural areas,  nature,  poems,  poetry,  sunrises

    Only the meadow remains…

    March 4, 2025
    This morning’s sunrise at Pineridge Natural Area

    In the early morning hours
    I sit in silence with the meadow and
    allow her to embrace me.

    I share the dawn of this new day
    while listening to the owl’s cry
    echo through the meadow.

    This shared intimacy with the meadow
    has a way of giving birth to new life
    in the ground of my being.
    … I am, therefore, never the same!

    And, I hear in this sacred place
    an unspoken invitation to return again
    each time bringing an awareness that
    each short visit is but a passing moment.

    So, whenever and while I still can
    I will sit with the meadow
    until only the meadow remains.This was inspired from a poem written by Li Po (Zazen on Ching-t’ing Mountain) in the book Poetry of Presence: An Anthology of Mindfulness Poems.

    mws
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  • landscape,  natural areas,  nature,  quotes,  snow

    It’s dang cold…

    February 13, 2025

    It was -8 degrees at 5 am. I told my barista this morning that anyone who’s out in this weather has got to be nuts, crazy, wack-o, insane, stupid, and definitely not to be trusted. They agreed but were glad to see at least one crazy irregular show up, even if it was me! It looks like everyone in the nation is just as cold! I’m enjoying my Old Town mocha. Stay warm.

    “When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love …”

    Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
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