My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and the mystery of it all.
An organism that is too greedy and takes too much without giving anything in return destroys what it needs for life.
Peter Wohlleben, The Hidden Life of Trees
When I read this quote from Wohlleben I instantly thought of the organism as mankind. I doubt if this bee will take more nectar than is necessary. Which then lead to the question, “What would we learn if we were to read and study this book of nature?” It has been a warm sunny day. Spent some time in the park today and listened to the music made by wind and trees. I hope you had a good day!!
I had this moment of “Wow” on my way home from the coffee shop this morning. There is a section along Spring Creek Trail where several of these blanket-flowers (asters) are gathered alongside the trail. I decided today was the day to stop. I knelt on one knee and worked on a composition I liked. It is moments like that I realize I am learning that I am a mystic when I am kneeling before a blanket-flower, or any creation of nature, with my camera in hand, checking my composition and histogram and then realize I am holding my breath. It’s at that point I pause, take a deep breath and say a simple prayer of “Wow.” Isn’t that what a mystics does?
once a snowflake fell on my brow and i loved it so much and i kissed it and it was happy and called its cousins and brothers and a web of snow engulfed me then i reached to love them all and i squeezed them and they became a spring rain and i stood perfectly still and was a flower
Winter Poem by Nikki Giovanni
We have clear blue skies and sunshine this morning. I awoke at about 4:46 am and said ugh, I don’t wanna get up! And, I didn’t. Slept in till 5:45 am. I loved this simple poem and wanted to share it with you. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!!
It was a cool and humid morning when I left for the coffee shop. And, when I returned home the wind began blowing and a mist is now falling. It looks like the foothills are already starting to receive snow and I understand the mountains are already receiving snow. We are about 50% below our average snowfall in the mountains so this is a welcomed gift. The only thing on my calendar today is a noon zoom meeting. I have eggs boiling now to make tuna salad today. It is simple to make and I enjoy it especially on toasted sourdough bread. May we live this day in peace and serenity. May we be a shining light in somebody’s life today. Our world needs it!!
The best I can come with in identifying this plant is a allium ampeloprasum. It is a member of the onion genus Allium. It is commonly known as wild leek or broadleaf wild leek. Its native range includes southern Europe, southwestern Asia and North Africa, but it has been cultivated and naturalized in many other countries. Allium ampeloprasum has been differentiated into five cultivated vegetables: leek, elephant garlic, pearl onion, kurrat, and Persian leek. I took this image in 2008 at Inniswood Gardens.
POD (Pen of the day): Blue Marbled Pelikan M205 with Pelikan Edelstein Topaz ink.
This image is of a Xerochrysum bracteatum, commonly known as the golden everlasting or strawflower
Bees are known to be good pollinators and they have the distinction of having a spelling contest named after them. However, not many people are aware that wasps are also pollinators but they do not have a spelling contest named after them. Wasps look much like bees, but are generally not covered with fuzzy hairs. As a result, they are much less efficient in pollinating flowers, because pollen is less likely to stick to their bodies and to be moved from flower to flower. Wasps are omnivores and eat other insects, invertebrates, and nectar. Wasps prey on other insects to give to their larvae. Adult wasps only eat sugars, though. Wasps get hydration and sugar from drinking the nectar from flowers or fruits. As they drink the nectar from flowers, they passively transfer pollen between flowers. The parasitic forms of wasps lay their eggs on or in other insects or invertebrates, and they become the hosts. Enough about pollinators. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
The real epidemic in our culture is not just physical heart disease; it’s what I call emotional and spiritual heart disease; the sense of loneliness, isolation and alienation that is so prevalent in our culture because of the breakdown of the social networks that used to give us a sense of connection and community.
Dean Ornish, March 1996
I find it interesting that Ornish wrote the above quote over 20 years ago in the forward to a book titled Kitchen Table Wisdom, which is a wonderful book I’m presently reading. And, this epidemic he talks about has continued to grow. His quote has caused me to reflect on how my friend Jeff and I seem to be creating a community and a place for connection at the coffee shop without intentionally doing it. He and I sit in the small alcove that has four chairs and a small table. Without intending to, we have created an inviting, and I believe safe, environment for people. More and more people now walk by and say good morning while on their way to work, school or grabbing coffee while walking their dog. I’m happy to say some have begun to sit down and join us, which has created wonderful friendships. And when people see this it invites even more people to connect and a community forms. The circle grows. It’s letting me know people want a sense of connection and community and will step into it when given the chance and feel safe enough.
So I can’t save the world— can’t save even myself, can’t wrap my arms around every frightened child, can’t foster peace among nations, can’t bring love to all who feel unlovable. So I practice opening my heart right here in this room and being gentle with my insufficiency. I practice walking down the street heart first. And if it is insufficient to share love, I will practice loving anyway. I want to converse about truth, about trust. I want to invite compassion into every interaction. One willing heart can’t stop a war. One willing heart can’t feed all the hungry. And sometimes, daunted by a task too big, I tell myself what’s the use of trying? But today, the invitation is clear: to be ridiculously courageous in love. To open the heart like a lilac in May, knowing freeze is possible and opening anyway. To take love seriously. To give love wildly. To race up to the world as if I were a puppy, adoring and unjaded, stumbling on my own exuberance. To feel the shock of indifference, of anger, of cruelty, of fear, and stay open. To love as if it matters, as if the world depends on it.
Because from The Unfolding by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer
If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in.
Rachel Carson
I hope you are having an enjoyable Saturday morning. After my quiet time, I enjoyed a bowl of yogurt and granola then met Eric for coffee and conversation. It is a great way to start any day. This dahlia is from my return excursion yesterday evening at the CSU Flower Trial Gardens. Nature is such a creative artist. There is so much mystery, awe, and wonder to experience when we look closely as the child we are.
