My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, spirituality and asking deep questions.
I have seen several Bullock’s Orioles around Dixon Reservoir at Pineridge Natural Area over the past week. This morning I walked on the west side of the reservoir along the water’s edge. I gratefully accepted this lovely image and the song that accompanied it. The males are a bright orange and easily seen by this new bird watcher. When I got home and saw this image I began to wonder if they sing their morning song of joy because they like the color they have be given, or they like to sing, or they’re happy or all the above?
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!!!!
sun illuminates floating ice crystals storm has passed
ms
Minus 1 degree this morning and overcast skies at 7:00 am. By 8:30 the clouds gave way to blue sky and sunshine. I drove out to Reservoir Ridge Natural Area to capture the beauty of nature’s wintery scenes. Just before reaching the natural area there is a farm, always with a dozen or so horses. I’ve posted images from this area before. This morning they were being fed fresh hay while two hawks were perched high in the tree tops, also hungry on this cold morning.
I so loved the blue sky this morning and how it contrasted with the white snow.
There were almost no tracks in the parking lot of the natural area which means I can find snow scenes without any signs of mans intrusion. It has been almost too cold for anyone to be out and about in it. Having said that I saw a hard core bicyclist riding his fat tire bike this morning on my way home. I plan on staying inside the rest of the day since we are only going to reach a high of 15.
It was -9 degrees this morning at 6:33 am. I knew it was cold by looking outside but had to check with my weather app. I promised a friend I’d help him get his car to the repair shop so I needed to be out in the weather. It was well worth helping him as we then went to a coffee shop to warm up and a bit of conversation.
Pineridge Natural Area
Our snow storm left about 8-12 inches of snow across the city. Due to the cold it was a light powder so easy to shovel for those who have to. With blue skies and sunshine I headed to the natural areas because I knew nature would still be creating art. Was drawn to these two images of trees cloaked in snow with blue skies. This is true art. I didn’t really notice the cold that much but, then again, it had warmed up to 2 degrees by the time I took them. Hope you have a great day, Stay warm and dry!
The Earth is everywhere. You may be used to thinking of the Earth as only the ground beneath your feet. But the water, the sea, the sky, and everything around us comes from the Earth. Everything outside us and everything inside us comes from the Earth.
Thich Nhat Hanh
Colorado does have some beautiful blue skies. We haven’t seen much of it for the past couple days. Today is one of them. May Thich Nhat Hanh’s words cause us to pause, reflect on the world around us and then let them set deep roots within us to live by. Have a wonderful weekend.
