• campus,  clouds,  landscape,  quotes,  sunrises

    Wherever you are…

    The scene from Saturday morning’s bicycle ride across campus as I headed for Mugs

    Wherever you are can be a sacred place if you are there in a relaxed and serene way, following your breathing and keeping your concentration on whatever you’re doing.

    Thich Nhat Hanh

    The above quote is true for me because I experience many places as sacred. Sitting in my Adirondack chair and journaling, my mornings at coffee shops, times spent in Natural Areas, drives to the open vistas of the eastern prairies, and my bicycle rides are all sacred places and times for me. Because I feel that way it is also my responsibility to treat each of these with respect as a sacred place. I watched a man walking yesterday, without a dog, but picking up after someone else’s dog. He was doing his part in keeping the sidewalks as a sacred place. I see him as a good teacher! Now, may I be a good student and thus be a good teacher!

    It looks to be a wonderful fall day here in Colorado. I am pleased to have friends Earl and Bonnie visiting from North Carolina. I met Earl via our blogs and actually was able to meet with him in Charlotte one evening for dinner over 10 years ago. I had never met Bonnie until yesterday when we met up for lunch. They are pleasant, warm and inviting people. We are going to meet this morning and venture up into the mountains. I will report about our adventures later.

  • fall season,  leaves,  Metro Parks,  Plants,  quotes,  seasons

    Sometimes They’re Even Good!

    Leaves found on a walk at Blendon Woods Metro Park – 2011

    While I often try to anticipate those things that may occur in my little world, there’s always a surprise or two, and sometimes they’re even good!

    Earl Moore

    Wanted to share these words of wisdom from a comment our friend Earl made on one of my posts. He is referring to surprises in life, those wanted and not wanted. I am currently finding surprises in my life that at first seem unwanted but in some ways have turned out to be good. He has reminded me of that. His words also reminded me of the fondness I have for those surprises we can find in our photography. For me they happen most often when I venture out in nature with my camera, open to what my heart can see and accept. While living in Ohio for two and a half years I was able to experience trees and plants I was not familiar with. I loved what I was seeing and experiencing for the first time. As I reflect back it was on these walks when I first began to ask the questions: What surprise is nature going to offer me today? What will I expect and accept? You never know, sometimes they’re even good!