Sitting on this rock, watching the sunrise with awe and wonder. The grass around me is wet from the mornings dew and also from the rain we had yesterday. The temperature is perfect. There is almost no wind. I take sips of my chai latte, listening to a meadowlark perched atop the fence singing its morning praise. The sun rises behind the clouds, offering hints of pink and letting me know the new day is here. I’m grateful for this moment, this place, this experience, this life, all the green that surrounds me, the clouds, the new day, even the cold hard rock I’m sitting on. This is one of my favorite times of the day… one of my favorite places…
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- clouds, haiku, horizons, landscape, natural areas, Pineridge Natural Area, reflections, sunrises, writing/reading
A New Dawn
scattered clouds gather
ms
over the eastern horizon
the gift of a new dawnMeadowlarks and robins were already singing when I arrived at Pineridge Natural Area this morning. I suspect they knew, just as I knew in my heart, the gift of this new day that was about to burst upon us. As I awaited in the dark, I had time to journal about what I was feeling and seeing. Again those words of awe and wonder came to mind. And then the sun burst forth to begin its journey from horizon to horizon. I pressed the shutter button on my camera hoping to capture some of what I was experiencing to share with you. I offered thanks. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
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Everything is a gift
Living in a consumer society, as a consumer, means I am bombarded daily with the idea I do not have enough. And, that’s simply not true! The Rule of St. Benedict counsels contentment, that what we have is enough. But, along with being content is the idea of gratitude. I have the practice within my journals of writing a gratitude list on a regular basis. Along with that practice I also include a simple pray of thanks throughout my day as I look for the gifts offered. When I look back over those lists I see less and less material goods and more of the intangible things in life and includes so many of the simple things. So this morning I was grateful for time at Pineridge Natural Area and this predawn scene. It was a good start to this day and reminds me that everything is a gift! Sorry it’s a bit blurry but I shot it handheld at 1/20 sec in the wind and at 20 degrees. Grateful for my old gloves! Happy Sunday!
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What Life Should I Live?
What does it mean, say the words, that the earth is so beautiful? And what shall I do with it? What is the gift that I should bring to the world? What is the life I should live?
Mary OliverSomeone has planted Irises along the parking area at Pineridge Natural Area. I want to thank the beautiful soul(s) for planting them and the gift they brought to the world! Now I’m offering this image of them covered with raindrops from a nice refreshing rain. We had a nice lovely rain yesterday and can expect the same today.
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Light of a New Day
dark blue pre-dawn sky
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fades to the light of a new day
a meadowlark singsIt was 32 degrees and clear skies when I left the condo this morning. I sometimes wish I could completely eliminate the hand of man in my landscape images but it’s almost impossible. However, I believe these towers added something to this image. A meadowlarks song then brightened my spirit, and added even more to this cold morning. Yes, the gift of a new day!
Had to laugh at myself, though, because I placed my coffee mug on roof of the car when I put my tripod away and then drove off. I went about a quarter of a mile before I remembered it. Still sitting there. Have a wonderful Friday! 😂
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the many gifts of nature…
sitting on a bench at the natural area
ms
I look out across the open meadow
a light wind blows from the south
softly whispering through golden grass
taking simple breaths I remain present
far from those places thoughts beckon
a blue jay chatters from a pine branch
joined by a chorus of barking prairie dogs
I’m listening…
but all goes silent with my unexpected sneeze
an engulfing quiet settles upon the meadow
silence is broken with a chickadees two-note song
inviting the prairie dogs and blue jays back
a squawking magpie joins in and so the
concert continues much to my pleasure
within this simple experience I am
offered one of the many gifts of nature
I’m listening… -
New Day
golden grass at sunrise
ms
meadowlarks sing of new day
early morning giftThis image was taken this past Sunday morning and is probably my favorite from the 139 images I brought home. Hope you enjoy it also. Have a great day.