• haiku,  Plants,  trees,  writing/reading

    Offer of Peace

    March 16, 2022

    white down feather
    clings to the branch
    an offer of peace

    ms

    While sitting outside a couple days ago to journal, I notice this down goose feather clinging to a branch. Three days later it still clings tightly to the branch even as the wind blew. I wondered why it seemed to still be attached and what the feather could symbolize. As I watched it flutter in the wind I felt there was something I could write about this scene in a post. So, I took this image. Then later after a quick search I found that finding a feather can symbolize angels are watching over you or finding a white feather can be a symbol of peace. So, I pray today for white feathers of peace to descend over all of the world. The world needs it!

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  • landscape,  Plants,  quotes,  seasons,  snow,  trees,  winter scenes

    Condition of Being Human

    March 9, 2022
    CSU Oval this morning

    “Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into the places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion, and anguish. Compassion challenges us to cry out with those in misery, to mourn with those who are lonely, to weep with those in tears. Compassion requires us to be weak with the weak, vulnerable with the vulnerable, and powerless with the powerless. Compassion means full immersion in the condition of being human.”

    Henri J.M. Nouwen

    It’s snowing again this morning. If you look closely you’ll see a bicyclist pedaling across campus to their class. Weather app says it’s 14 degrees with 17 mph winds and feels like -2 degrees. With these weather conditions maybe we could say the bicyclist is super human.

    Anyway, I thought the quote represents something the political and social powers of the world need to understand more about, actually experience themselves. Stay warm!!!!

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  • grass,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  Plants,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area,  snow,  trees

    Mornings Snowfall

    March 7, 2022

    Snow began falling yesterday morning with those big beautiful fluffy snowflakes. The powdery stuff you blow off the car. For some insane reason I decided to hang out in the cold along the foothills between Pineridge Natural Area and Reservoir Ridge Natural Area. First stop was Pineridge Natural Area. Didn’t feel like sitting on the bench but what a view!!

    This is a group of trees just below Pineridge Natural Area. Horsetooth Reservoir and dam are just hidden behind the trees. So often images just do not convey the feeling we are experiencing before us. But, I’ll keep trying.

    This is from the parking lot of Reservoir Ridge Natural Area. I was facing a cold 8 mph wind about this time and the snow began picking up. I also slid through a red light on my way to this area. So glad no one was going through the green light. So, after taking this image I headed to the safety and warmth of home.

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  • landscape,  seasons,  snow,  trees,  winter scenes

    Keeping Peace Alive

    February 26, 2022
    More blue skies

    With our our country’s political strife, the pandemic and world violence it is vital for us to keep our inner peace and sanity. So, I wanted to share a question with you that I came across yesterday. I am going to use it as a seed in my meditations and to journal about over the next few days. How are you keeping peace alive in your heart and mind?

    Here are some of my ways: quiet time, prayer and meditation, time with nature, journaling, reading, photography, poetry, early mornings at coffee shops, healthy conversations with friends, daily walks and more… which is pretty much what I do every day. I must admit I’m concerned what impact our worlds insanity has on everyone especially those immediately impacted. It’s demonstrated to me how far reaching our actions have on others. Therefore, whatever simple actions I can do to keep peace within my heart and mind matters. And, I have no idea how my actions or words or prayers can reach out into the universe and positively affect others. Maybe just taking a “one-breath” meditation throughout the day will clear the mind, keeping peace alive in our hearts and minds and the world.

    We may get above 32 degrees today for the first time in 4 days. As my sister would say, I’m esscited!!!!

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  • Art,  Art/Design,  lifestyles,  Plants,  trees

    The New Look

    February 17, 2022

    Back on December 31 I wrote about changes I was having done on my condo. Thought I would post an image of what it is starting to look like now. I put up four new prints on the north wall of my living room last week. Nothing big, very simple and went with a tree theme since I like trees. You also get a look at the new vinyl plank flooring I had put in.

    In this second image I have turned to my left so you can now see the office, a second bookcase and the bicycle garage. What is new, besides the flooring, is the desk, bookcases and the two chairs. Pretty simple, quick and easy to clean.

    We received about 4 inches of snow here yesterday and into the night. Awoke to a brisk 9 degrees, clear skies and bright sunshine. The Cream of Chicken soup turned out awesome and was perfect for the snowy day. Will enjoy leftovers today.

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