My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and the mystery of it all.
“If we think we are our thoughts and feelings, we go through life simply reacting to what is going on around us, with little awareness that we are even doing this or that life could be otherwise.”
Martin Laird
Hope you are staying cool!!
Back in August of 2015 I house sat for some friends for a week. It was a strawbale house on 20 acres in the eastern plains and a lovely place of solitude. This was one of the sunsets I enjoyed while there. I’ve heard the sunset is the sun’s fiery kiss to the night. Seems appropriate for this late posting. May you sleep well tonight!
I enjoyed a few raindrops on my ride to the coffee shop this morning. It was not even close to being called rain. As I ride onto campus off Center Ave I always see these blanket flowers but I’ve never stopped. But this morning I changed that. Their beauty was blanketed with drops of water from the sprinklers that probably ran during the night or early morning. So I quickly turned around and went back to accept this photo. It is hot today with a minimal chance of rain this afternoon or evening. I hope you are staying cool!!
The practice of observing the living world and taking inspiration for human ways of living from its model is an essential element of Indigenous science. It embraces the reality that there are intelligences other than our own, from whom we might learn.
Robin Wall Kimmerer, The Serviceberry
As I waited outside the coffee shop one morning last week, I spotted this dandelion boldly living its life to the fullest. So I knelt down low pressed my shutter button and thanked it for its presence. Interesting to notice the dandelion knows where and when to rise up and greet the morning sun. I’m thinking that’s pretty smart!! It will be another hot day, so please stay cool.
“Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
A.A. Milne
Field bindweed (Morning glory) is a twining weed which spreads by seed and by new plants arising from a perennial root system reaching ten feet or more in depth. The slender stems may reach six feet in length, running along the ground or climbing fences, crop plants, ornamentals, or other convenient supports. Years ago I needed to dig fence post holes and found roots 3 feet deep. Yet, I agree with Winnie-the-Pooh, they can be beautiful and photogenic.
… I needed to stop and get on one knee again to get a photo of these asters (blanket flowers) along Spring Creek Trail. I did not ride the past couple days because of the rain and drizzle, so I really enjoyed this morning’s ride. And, in case you’re curious, I was able to get back up without help and there were no popping sounds!!
“In knowing who you are and writing from it, you will help the world by giving it understanding.”
Natalie Goldberg
An organism that is too greedy and takes too much without giving anything in return destroys what it needs for life.
Peter Wohlleben, The Hidden Life of Trees
When I read this quote from Wohlleben I instantly thought of the organism as mankind. I doubt if this bee will take more nectar than is necessary. Which then lead to the question, “What would we learn if we were to read and study this book of nature?” It has been a warm sunny day. Spent some time in the park today and listened to the music made by wind and trees. I hope you had a good day!!
I had this moment of “Wow” on my way home from the coffee shop this morning. There is a section along Spring Creek Trail where several of these blanket-flowers (asters) are gathered alongside the trail. I decided today was the day to stop. I knelt on one knee and worked on a composition I liked. It is moments like that I realize I am learning that I am a mystic when I am kneeling before a blanket-flower, or any creation of nature, with my camera in hand, checking my composition and histogram and then realize I am holding my breath. It’s at that point I pause, take a deep breath and say a simple prayer of “Wow.” Isn’t that what a mystics does?
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
Anne Frank