• architecture,  Barn,  John O'Donohue,  landscape,  quotes,  sunsets

    The Heart of Wonder

    August 6, 2020
    Setting sun at the Arapaho Bend Natural Area. I took this image back in 2013. Since then this old barn/shed has been taken down. I’m glad I have this image so I can remember it’s presence.

    For Presence

    Awaken to the mystery of being here
    and enter the quiet immensity of your own presence.

    Have joy and peace in the temple of your senses.

    Receive encouragement when new frontiers beckon.

    Respond to the call of your gift and the courage to
    follow its path.

    Let the flame of anger free you of all falsity.

    May warmth of heart keep your presence aflame.

    May anxiety never linger about you.

    May your outer dignity mirror an inner dignity of
    soul.

    Take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek
    no attention.

    Be consoled in the secret symmetry of your soul.

    May you experience each day as a sacred gift woven
    around the heart of wonder.

    John O’Donohue from To Bless the Space Between Us
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  • clouds,  landscape,  mountains,  quotes,  reflections

    Just Being There

    July 26, 2020

    Clouds over the mountains at Rigden Reservoir

    “In the moments away from the crowd we perceive the subtler gifts—light, air, quiet—and discover we are more content than we thought.” Anne Scottlin

    I could see the dark clouds sitting over the Colorado Front Range so I decided to spend yesterday evening at Arapaho Bend Natural Area and realized I hadn’t been there for a while. There was also a desire to experience those clouds within a natural area rather than my condo. Nature can and does offer surprises when we least expect it so I go there. I did not find an any spectacular images when I returned home but what I really needed was the time there. I walked along the edge of Rigden Reservoir finding a rather uncomfortable rock to sit on and watch nature work it’s healing touch, whether I think I need it or not. Being next to the lapping waters edge drowned out the noises of the crowds. A stillness settled in. I found the rock was really not that uncomfortable, allowing me to enjoy the subtle gift of just being there.

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  • clouds,  Humor,  landscape,  natural areas,  Plants,  poems,  poetic journal,  poetry,  sunrises,  trees,  writing/reading

    Couldn’t Sleep

    May 24, 2020
    Predawn clouds with the morning sun.

    Awoke way too early then struggled to get back to sleep, seem to have more of those nights over the past few years.

    So, I crawled out of bed at 4:00 am, had my quiet time, made a french press then headed to the Arapaho Bend Natural Area; may need a nap later.

    At 5:45 am most people are still wrapped in blankets so it was quiet except for the birds, they always rise early; always in a seemingly good mood.

    The weather people predicted a cloudy day, then rain later, so I took the chance for a sprinkling of clouds in the east; I was awake anyway.

    I like the solitude of my life, living alone, plenty of quiet, yearning to live near a natural area, always one of my daydreams; it could come true.

    Then I’d rise early each morning to greet the sunrise while listening to the free concert and tire you with too many sunrise images; See!

    ms
    Sunrise at Arapaho Bend Natural Area
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  • grass,  John O'Donohue,  landscape,  natural areas,  prairie,  quotes,  trees,  writing/reading

    Longing to Wander

    May 2, 2020
    Nature trail at Arapaho Bend Nature Area

    “The wanderer is one who gives priority to the duties of longing over belonging. No abode is fixed. No one place is allowed finally to corner or claim the wanderer. A new horizon always calls. The wanderer is committed to the adventure of seeing new places and discovering new things.”

    John O’Donohue

    I just read the above quote from O’Donohue’s book Eternal Echoes two days ago. It so rings true for me. Yes, call me a romantic but as I approach my 70th birthday in a couple months, I still have those inner urges, the desires of the wanderer. I’ve been in my condo for 20 years now, it is my abode, it is a sanctuary for quiet, a place to meditate, read and write, a place to rest my head and keeps me warm and dry, and it is a physical place. The wanderer does not have that abode but journeys toward those new undiscovered horizons. I believe those new horizons are a sanctuary, a place of quiet for us to discover. We can just be, wherever we are, even wandering. So, today I’m dreaming or longing of wandering.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  Mary Oliver,  natural areas,  poems,  trees

    Among the Trees

    April 29, 2020
    From a walk at the Arapaho Bend Nature Area

    when I am among the trees,
    especially the willows and the honey locust,
    equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
    they give off such hints of gladness.
    I would almost say that they save me, and daily.

    I am so distant from the hope of myself,
    in which I have goodness, and discernment,
    and never hurry through the world
    but walk slowly, and bow often.

    Around me the trees stir in their leaves
    and call out, “Stay awhile.”
    The light flows from their branches.

    And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,
    “and you too have come
    into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
    with light, and to shine.”

    Mary Oliver, When I Am Among the Trees
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  • landscape,  natural areas,  Plants,  trees

    A Good Starting Point

    May 28, 2019

    This is the starting point to the trail at Arapaho Bend Natural Area. I find this view to be an inviting place to start. I spent some time out there late Saturday afternoon for some renewal and to touch base with nature.

    The second image is along the trail on the west side of the natural area. I’ve been coming out here for over 15 years and watched things change. A year ago they changed the dirt/gravel path to concrete. It is nice in funky weather but it does take away from the feel of the natural area. The engineering mind of man wants to improve or enhance this area. In doing so we alter the natural area to a man controlled environment. Almost wish the old path was still there.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  sunrises

    Pre-dawn Colors

    March 26, 2019
    Sunrise ar Arapaho Bend Natural Area
    “Take a break to listen to the song of the wind, talk to the whispering trees, feel the love of flowers, dance with the dancing leaves, and enjoy the tranquility and serenity of nature.” Debasish Mridha
    This a pre-dawn shot of the Arapaho Bend Natural Area where nature gifted us with a palette of pastel colors before the sun rises. Hope you have a tranquil and serene day!
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