• nature,  quotes

    The Cosmic Dance

    September 29, 2024

    When we are alone on a starlit night, when by chance we see the migrating birds in autumn descending on a grove of junipers to rest and eat; when we see children in a moment when they are really children, when we know love in our own hearts; or when, like the Japanese poet, Basho, we hear an old frog land in a quiet pond with a solitary splash – at such times the awakening, the turning inside out of all values, the “newness,” the emptiness and the purity of vision that make themselves evident, all these provide a glimpse of the cosmic dance.

    Thomas Merton

    And today is National Coffee Day.

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  • landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes,  sunrises

    While the city still sleeps…

    July 23, 2023

    The God of creation goes on creating us.

    Joan Chittister

    I awoke early this morning, way too early. Unable to go back to sleep I made a pour over then headed to Pineridge Natural Area. I would spend the next hour and a half in this sacred place while the city still sleeps. A couple of baby cottontails dashed across the road when I pulled into the parking area. After parking the car I could see the silhouette of bats darting in the dim light feasting on insects. A croaking frog belted out from the shallows of the reservoir. The meadowlarks now share their songs of joy. I had maybe an hour before sunrise so I moved to the north end of Dixon Reservoir because nature was gathering a few clouds in the northern sky. After taking a few predawn images I moved to a spot along Dixon Canyon Road and set up my camera looking out over the reservoir where I wanted to watch and photograph the sunrise. As I left this sanctuary an hour later the clouds had filled the sky and the beauty of the new day’s sunrise was more than I expected. This is one of the predawn images and I will post one of the sunrise images later. Next I had a wonderful conversation with Dan and an Old Town mocha latte at Mugs coffee shop. It has been a lovely morning but I do believe there will be a power nap later today. May you have a fabulous day!

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  • Art/Design,  coffee shops,  Sculpture

    A welcoming frog…

    January 9, 2020

    Metal frog that greets you at Cups Coffee

    Made a visit to a coffee shop I’d not been to in quite some time. It’s changed owners and now has a different look and feel. I liked it. I found a couple lounge chairs facing the morning sun so I may go back to soak up some sun on a cold morning. I thought the frog was very welcoming, as was the mocha.

     

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  • Photography

    Frog Pond

    June 11, 2009

    Frog Pond
    Frog Pond

    I take frogs for granted. I say that because I do not pay that much attention to them nor do I study them as little children do. Ever watch a child as they squat to get a closer look, pointing in awe of what is before them.  And, frogs are private creatures being difficult to spot. Have you had times when approaching water and not paying attention, one of them would jump and startle us. That’s when they have our attention! Their croaking and their ribbits is another way to catch our attention. However, they do not have the soothing impact on me as the Meadowlark’s morning song. It paid off when I took my time approaching the frog pond at Inniswood Gardens just in case I may find one of them basking in the sun and this photo opportunity.

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