• clouds,  horizons,  landscape,  mountains,  sunsets

    Those Were Good Days

    June 3, 2024

    I attended a friend’s retirement party this past week. On my way home I noticed the late afternoon clouds allowing the sun’s rays to stretch out over the water. Without much thought I pulled into the parking lot so I could take a photo. Wonderful memories of my youth ran through my mind. I lived about nine blocks south of this spot. So, I would ride my bicycle to this lake and fish for Crappie along this south bank. This side of the lake was lined with large rocks and cottonwood trees, whose roots reached into the water, providing a wonderful habitat for the fish.

    Late afternoon light over Lake Loveland

    Lake Loveland was created in 1893 out of a swampy depression known as Hays Lake. In early years, the primary purpose of the lake was irrigation for farming, but the majority of the lake is now owned by the City of Greeley who uses it for a domestic water source. The lake is fed by ditch waters diverted from the Big Thompson river. When full, Lake Loveland fills a basin of 475 acres with a deep-water depth mark of 39.45 feet. After loading the images onto my computer I felt a bit regretful not staying longer, letting more memories rise in my mind and soul. Those were good days.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  quotes

    With Love, Admiration and Respect

    March 8, 2024

    It may be important to great thinkers to examine the world, to explain and despise it. But I think it is only important to love the world, not to despise it, not for us to hate each other, but to be able to regard the world and ourselves and all beings with love, admiration and respect.

    Hermann Hesse, Siddhartha

    I have several favorite places where I go to spend an afternoon with nature. In these sacred places I watch silent clouds move across the sky, casting shadows on the farmer’s open field. I watch the clouds reshape themselves with the wind and I hear the blackbirds share their whistles and “chack” calls with me. I wonder, are they glad I’ve come to visit? I give thanks, take a few photos and accept the blessings nature offers with love, admiration and respect.

    I took this image a couple weeks ago in Weld County. Today it looks different as we had snowfall during the night, overcast skies all day and it is cold. Hope you had a good end to your week.

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  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  quotes

    Engagement with the future…

    November 14, 2023

    “We are created out of love and are made to energize the world in love… Aging can be either a life of nostalgia or whole hearted engagement with the future.”

    Ilia Delio

    I leave today for Phoenix to have an early Thanksgiving with my dad, two sisters and brother-in-law. I may not be active here as I’m only taking my tablet and phone. Hold the fort down while I’m away.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  Mary Oliver,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  poems

    Paying Attention

    October 13, 2021

    I don’t know exactly what a prayer is.
    I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
    into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
    how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
    which is what I have been doing all day.
    Tell me, what else should I have done?

    Mary Oliver

    I spent an hour at one of the natural areas this afternoon. The sun felt good as I sat on the bench and looked out over the meadow, being idle and blessed. The trees along the edges of the reservoir are taking on the colors of fall, while some already stand naked of leaves. A fall wind blows in my face from the northeast. I watch clouds casting their shadows over the meadow and I could hear the prairie dogs bark as people walked along the trails. I was practicing how to pay attention.

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  • natural areas,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    Topsy-turvy

    August 31, 2021

    My time in Phoenix with my mother and then the 8 hour drive to Texas and back, was far more sedentary than I realized. I did not get in the steps like I needed so need to get back into a routine again. I’m sure more walking will increase also with the coming of cooler fall temperatures.

    After a burst of lightning in Colorado over the past 48 hours aircraft from Colorado Fire Prevention and Control have spotted 37 small fires. We only have a couple that are of concern but the smoke is having a negative impact on our air quality. We will be dry and warm today with moisture arriving on Wednesday.

    I received word yesterday afternoon that my dad and brother-in-law have tested positive for COVID-19. Both are tired and have little energy. My sister Marcee tested negative and my sister Sheree will test today. I’m scheduled for testing Thursday morning. Life is topsy-turvy right now. 😍

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  • clouds,  John O'Donohue,  landscape,  quotes,  rants,  sunsets,  trees,  writing/reading

    Artists of Our Days

    August 10, 2020

    Each of us is an artist of our days; the greater the integrity and awareness, the more original and creative our time will become.

    John O’Donohue

    Thought I would share a few reasons I enjoy spending more time in nature, whether that’s dreaming of living in an RV or taking a short drive to one of the natural areas near me. Some of these I’ve written about before so I apologize if I’m repeating myself.

    Connection: My experiences in nature have always brought a deeper feeling of connection with nature. Connection with nature is a pleasurable experience for me. Sometimes I wonder if we are drawn closer to nature as we age, with some unconscious knowing we are nearing our time of returning to the earth. Finding a greater separation from the busyness of the city brings a deeper connection with nature. The connection includes not just observing through sound, smell, touch and sight but I also talk to creation. I used to see that as weird but seems so natural to me at this stage of life.

    Solitude: Solitude is a vital part of my spiritual life. As an introvert the solitude helps recharge my batteries. I like my condo and consider it a place of solitude, a sanctuary, but there are those times I must move away from the comforts it brings and the external noises around me.

    Silence: I find a deeper silence by driving to some place in the country where there is less man-made noise, allowing for the sounds of nature to dominate and heal. Once I passed the 60 year mark I needed fewer days listening to traffic, lawn mowers, leaf blowers, refrigerator, furnace, and trash trucks.

    Journaling: Journaling is also a part of my spiritual life and a daily exercise. What few times I’ve missed journaling was due to hospital vacations or where words could not be heard from within. I also find the writing on this blog to be fun and enjoyable. I was a horrible English student as a youth and disliked reading and writing. Now both reading and writing make up a majority of day. Never thought I would enjoy reading poetry but find I do, even venturing into attempts at writing in a poetic form.

    Photography: Photography is a real interest or goal for time in nature. I have loved nature photography since I was a teenager with my first twin lens reflex camera. Over time, photography has help develop what some call the eye of the heart, so that I see nature from a new place. A much larger world for me to experience.

    Discovery: There is a world to discover beyond the small world many of us spend most of our time living in. For many years I chose my world that consisted of a cubicle with a paycheck. There are new horizons of discovery and adventure yet to be seen and fully experienced. Time in nature helps me stay alive as a fulltime student.

    And, what are yours, if you care to share?

    May we be the artists of our days! 😎❤️

     

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