Instructions for living life:
Mary Oliver
Pay attention
Be astonished
Tell about it
The Light Was Right
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A Major Crop
Female Yellow-headed Blackbird Poetry is one of the ancient arts, and it began as did all the fine arts, within the original wilderness of the earth.
Mary OliverOne of my first images with the new Fujifilm XF 70-300mm f4.0-5.6 lens and a major crop.
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Reflections
“Sometimes I need
Mary Oliver
only to stand
wherever I am
to be blessed.”This morning I drove out near the Arapaho Bend Natural Area and parked along Horsetooth Road to listen to the meadowlarks and red-winged blackbirds. Watched several red-tailed hawks perched atop old cottonwood trees searching out breakfast menu. I am posting this image because of the tree reflections in the water and the rising morning sun. Almost no wind gave the water a glass like look. Have a wonderful weekend!
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Broken World
it is a serious thing
Mary Oliver
just to be alive
on this fresh morning
in this broken world.Violence never brings peace nor does it solve problems in our world. It’s insanity when we think fixing a broken world or disturbed mind can be accomplished through violence. It’s insanity when some keep trying it again and again. It’s insanity when we encourage such thinking. It’s insanity when we fail to speak up against it. There is another way.
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Bought a New Book
On Meditating, Sort Of
Mary Oliver (From Blue Horses)
Meditation, so I’ve heard, is best accomplished
if you entertain a certain strict posture.
Frankly, I prefer just to lounge under a tree.
So why should I think I could ever be successful?
Some days I fall asleep, or land in that
even better place — half asleep — where the world,
spring, summer, autumn, winter —
flies through my mind in its
hardy ascent and its uncompromising descent.
So I just lie like that, while distance and time
reveal their true attitudes: they never
heard of me, and never will, or ever need to.
Of course I wake up finally
thinking, how wonderful to be who I am,
made out of earth and water,
my own thoughts, my own fingerprints —
all that glorious, temporary stuff. -
Chilled
To live in this world
Mary Oliver
you must be able
to do three things:
to love what is mortal;
to hold it
against your bones knowing
your own life depends on it;
and, when the time comes to let it go,
to let it go.Had a short night of sleep, yet feel rested on this beautiful January morning. Almost cloudless sky until the sun rose and a few wisps of clouds arrived. Took my camera on a morning walk at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area after the sun had risen. The short walk was good for me but I picked up a chill by the time I returned to the car. Stopped at the Bean Cycle for a mocha latte on the way home, but still chilled. I have enjoyed the quiet morning. The sound of busyness can be heard as the city stirs awake.
One friend is having back surgery this morning and a second friend has an appointment with a surgeon this morning for similar surgery, both have herniated discs. I have had back problems for most of my life due to scoliosis. X-rays a few years ago showed a 40 degree curve to my left with a spinal twist, plus arthritis. I do some stretching exercises they showed me which I think has helped. Plus I do not stress the back with heavy lifting and use good techniques in bending and lifting. Someday I may be having the same surgery.
Looks like cold has a grip on most of the country so stay warm!
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Long Morning Shadows
Poetry is one of the ancient arts, and it began as did all the fine arts, within the original wilderness of the earth.
Mary Oliver, A Poetry HandbookI no longer celebrate the in coming New Year by partying and then suffering with a hangover in the morning. I am going way overboard this year and celebrating at home with some shrimp cocktail. Have a safe and enjoyable New Years Eve. If you do dance on the tables, please post a video. We can all use the laugh. 😁
