My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and the mystery of it all.
The thing that lies at the foundation of positive change, the way I see it, is service to a fellow human being.
Lech Walesa
We had 24 hours of wind on Monday which has presented us with barren trees and our yards and porches now covered in leaves. Yes, we are now in a season of change in so many ways. May the changes now taking place in this country be positive change for the world. This morning I put on a crockpot of pulled bbq chicken. Smells wonderful! Should be ready about 12:30 if you’re in the neihborhood.
The miracle is that we are here at all. Life itself is our greatest wonder. To simply BE is all inspiring. I believe this.
Richard Wagamese
It has been overcast, windy, and cold all day. And for me I can’t seem to warm up. I made it to the coffee shop then had a zoom meeting before meeting Duane for lunch today. So, I’ve been busy. I took this image of the grove of trees yesterday and thought I’d post it since I’ve not pressed the shutter button yet today. This morning Daisy presented my mocha latte with a perfect shaped heart. 🩵 Her latte heart reaffirmed my belief that life is a miracle! However, I am realistic enough to know that is not true for everyone in this world. So I vote with the desire to make the world a better place to live in, that love replaces hate and violence, that our political system return to its original goal of serving the people (and not just the wealthy), and that there be a change of heart in the people of this country and world. This is also my prayer!! I hope you are having a good Monday!!
“The trees act not as individuals, but somehow as a collective. Exactly how they do this, we don’t yet know. But what we see is the power of unity. What happens to one happens to us all. We can starve together or feast together.”
Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants
When I left the coffee shop this morning I was fascinated with the fallen leaves along Howes Street. I may have looked a bit strange walking among them looking for colors, patterns, and shapes, camera in hand snapping an image here and there. Also, stooping once in a while to get a closer look. I look at all those leaves that are individually unique, yet in unity they make for a colorful fall collage. And as a special touch nature adds a few drops of moisture from the night’s frost. We are a few degrees cooler than yesterday but still blessed with blue skies and sunshine this afternoon. Another beautiful fall day to enjoy. I hope you are also!
“There are only two kinds of people in the world. Those who are alive and those who are afraid.”
Rachel Naomi Remen
Interesting how two maple trees about 50 feet apart can have such different fall colors. The maple tree in the building next to me has red leaves but almost all of them are fringed in brown. I assume due to the drought conditions. While the tree next to my mailbox has rich red colored leaves and almost no brown fringe. I will never understand nature but then that’s the mystery of nature. May I just be alive to her mystery. It is a beautiful day here in Colorado, blue sky and sunshine. However, colder weather is expected over the next few days. Enjoy your weekend!
It has been an amazing Indian Summer day here. After my ride to the coffee shop I have been enjoying the weather outside. White clouds drift by against the blue sky. Two squirrels chase one another around the ash tree. A breeze comes lightly through making its lovely music and beckoning the leaves to let go and freely dance to the ground. I believe these to be ash leaves on display of their yellow and bronze colors. Yes, a lovely day here in Colorado. I hope all is well with you. May wisdom, love and compassion be a part of your day.
As Thoreau so well knew, and so painstakingly tried to show us, what a man most needs is not a knowledge of how to get more, but a knowledge of the most he can do without, and of how to get along without it.
Wendell Berry
I am learning that and how to simplify! I just don’t need all the stuff I have.
A grove of aspen trees at the Drala Mountain Center
I got home at 2pm yesterday from the Mary Oliver retreat. It was a beautiful place to be this time of the year. The participants were beautiful people too. The quiet was just what I needed. The poetry was just what I needed. The food was just what I needed. It was all just what I needed. Even the good samaritan. I say that because my car broke down on my way up there about 7-9 miles from Drala Mountain Center. Some good Samaritan picked up Susan and I and took us to the center. On Saturday morning, I called and had a tow truck tow it into Dellenbach Subaru in Fort Collins. They will look at it today or tomorrow. It did not deter from the retreat. So my only transportation for the next few days is my red steed. Heck, maybe I’ll live the rest of my life without a car!
Letting there be room for not knowing is the most important thing of all. When there’s a big disappointment, we don’t know if that’s the end of the story. It may just be the beginning of a great adventure. Life is like that. We don’t know anything. We call something bad; we call it good. But really we just don’t know.
Pema Chödrön, When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times
Cenchrus longisetus from the CSU Flower Trial Gardens
Cenchrus longisetus, previously known as Pennisetum villosum, is a species of flowering plant in the family Poaceae, known by the common name feathertop grass or just feathertop. It is native to northeastern Africa and parts of the Arabian Peninsula, and it is grown elsewhere as an ornamental plant. It can sometimes be found growing wild where it has escaped cultivation. This is a perennial grass growing in rhizomatous clumps, producing erect stems up to about 75 centimeters tall. The inflorescence is a panicle of clustered spikelets surrounded by a cloudlike mass of plumose white bristles up to 5 centimeters long. In temperate climates it is hardy in mild or coastal areas, where temperatures do not fall much below freezing. Alternatively it is often grown as an annual. (Source Wikipedia) It reminds me of ocean waves when the wind is blowing but so silent.
On Thursday I had my Covid and RSV vaccinations. I was feeling pretty good until early evening then went to bed about 7pm exhausted. I slept for about twelve hours, but it was not very good sleep. About mid morning on Friday, I took a two hour nap. I felt run down and tired all day Friday and even some body ache. I again went to bed early around 7pm last night. I slept really well and feel pretty good today. Life is like that. Hoping you have a great weekend and enjoy the coming week that looks to be cooler temperatures. Enjoy!
It has been a cooler day with clear skies and sunshine. Tonight’s low will be down around 50 degrees. After coffee time I deposited a check at the bank, did my grocery shopping, bought a new jacket and stopped by the CSU Flower Garden. There were several artists at the gardens and a perfect day for it. The jacket is a wind and water resistant shell that I will use it for bicycling. I liked the color and it was cheap. I hope you are having a good day!!
