My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and the mystery of it all.
Did not sleep well as I ate too much yesterday afternoon at the graduation BBQ. Took a morning walk at Pineridge and am off my normal schedule by an hour or so. It is already hot today. Here are some images from my time there. Have a great Sunday!
What a beautiful day here in Colorado. Blue skies and sunshine. I took an early morning walk at one the nature areas. I have nothing on my calendar so now resting before taking a couple naps this afternoon.
Thistles are considered a weed, an invasive plant and for good reasons. They are in competition with crops and interfere with grazing in pastures, where dense growths of spiny vegetation suppress forage plants and repel grazing animals from eating either the thistle plants or neighbouring forage. Some species, although not intensely poisonous, do affect the health of animals that swallow more than small amounts of the material.Thistles provide nectar for butterflies, skippers, goldfinches, hummingbirds, and bumblebees. Pollinators seem to love them. (Wikipedia)
I do find them to be a beautiful plant with a lovely flower. Yet I do not desire to have them in my yard or garden. I have a friend who farms in eastern Colorado and hates them with a passion, even angry at God for creating them, thinking God made a mistake. I think it’s beautiful in its role with nature.
Another early morning at the Pineridge Natural Area with coffee and journal. It is always a great way for me to start my day. My topic of interest in my journaling was my tendency for sloth in several areas of my life. Thought I better post something before I forget how or put it off any longer. May need to post a blog on this and get your feedback. But not now, maybe tomorrow.
After time at the nature area I met my youngest daughter for breakfast, my first time to sit down and eat in a restaurant. They only allowed us to use every other table and we could take our mask off to eat, which was convenient. Now on my porch to write this post while being annoyed by a rather loud leaf blower. Can you tell I’m beginning to hate them! Anyway, have a great weekend.
Today was daylight savings so we lost an hour of sleep. So, how does that save time? I guess the best thing would be to move to a state where there is no time change. Anyway, we have our second day in a row of spring like weather with temperatures in the high 60’s which makes up for the lost hour of sleep. Even sat in my adirondack chair soaking up the sunshine. I can see clouds in the northwest as rain is supposed to arrive this evening. Good medicine physically and spiritually for all of creation. These past two days have made me look forward to Spring. I’m ready.
I awoke to look out my window and see a heavy dew on everything. Yes, the mornings are getting cooler. The present temperature of 50 degrees is letting me know fall is quickly approaching. My weather app tells me we may see night time lows in the 40’s this weekend, the first of the fall season. We call this season Autumn and it marks the transition from summer to winter for the northern hemisphere, traditionally set to begin on September 21. Autumn brings on the chill of winter, skies turn grey, the amount of usable daylight drops rapidly, leaves change colors and begin their journey of decent leaving trees to look naked and bare. My bicycle rides to coffee will become brisk and invigorating, heavier clothing and gloves will be the new normal. Throughout the day the skies are filling with sounds of Canada Geese as they fly by looking for that perfect spot to spend the winter, nature’s version of the snowbird. Time to welcome Autumn, one of my favorite seasons.
After coffee time at Mugs yesterday morning I walked back to campus and met up with my friend Eric. Always good to chat with him as we can have some deep conversations, making our best attempt to express ideas and thoughts with words. On my way over there I passed a median strip on Laurel and Meldrum where they seem to always have some beautiful flowers on display. This is what I saw.
I see this and smile because this bee does not have news, politics, car insurance, college debt to worry about. All it needs to deal with is daily survival in their one year life cycle. The following is from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.
By “there” I’m referring to anywhere near the campus at Colorado State University as (about) 33,413 students have descended on campus in the past 24 hours. Parents are dropping off new freshman at the dorms so the streets are lined with cars and bright orange parking cones. CSU police and students are directing traffic. Simply said, it’s a mess!
We are made, the scriptures of all religions assure us, in the image of God. Nothing can change that original goodness. Whatever mistakes we have made in the past, whatever problems we may have in the present, in every one of us this “uncreated spark in the soul” remains untouched, ever pure, ever perfect. Even if we try with all our might to douse or hide it, it is always ready to set our personality ablaze with light.
Eknath Easwaran