• Art,  natural areas,  quotes,  Sculpture

    Gifts Given

    November 16, 2021

    When gifts are given to me through my camera, I accept them graciously.

    Minor White

    At Reservoir Ridge Natural Area they have a picnic table that I sometimes sit at and eat something I’ve brought and/or journal. Just behind the picnic table is a sculpture called “Ghost Kitchen.” As I sat there I noticed the sculpture, the animals within it and it’s strange name. It then dawned on me to stand behind the sculpture and try to get a starburst through the bird’s eye. So, I graciously accepted the gift given. And, the sandwich was good.

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  • animals,  natural areas,  poems,  poetry,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area,  writing/reading

    Your True Self

    October 9, 2021
    A deer at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    “It’s not possible to save the world by trying to save it. You need to find what is genuinely yours to offer the world before you can make it a better place. Discovering your unique gift to bring to your community is your greatest opportunity and challenge. The offering of that gift — your true self — is the most you can do to love and serve the world. And it is all the world needs.”

    Thomas Berry
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  • landscape,  natural areas,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    Opportunity

    August 23, 2021

    Joe had a post last week where he talks about accepting the gift of images rather than taking them or capturing them. I believe that’s true and evident in my photography. And then this morning I was reflecting on how I call myself a photographer as if it’s something I became through self will, practice, training, study, vision. While all of those are needed, maybe I need to see it as another gift where “I’m being given the opportunity to be a photographer.” 😍

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  • coffee life,  fountain pens,  journal,  lifestyles,  poems,  poetic journal,  poetry,  writing/reading

    Today’s Gifts

    June 4, 2021
    Morning journaling time

    I start my day with quiet time
    before planning the tasks ahead
    and now a mocha at a favorite shop.

    Always have my camera, my journal,
    my fountain pens and now-a-days
    the needed reading glasses.

    I write to start the day slowly
    not rushing blindly forward or the
    day cannot be lived to its fullest.

    I write to find words that help
    lead me one step at a time for
    words that become today’s gifts.

    ms
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  • Avian,  Canada Goose,  haiku,  landscape,  sunrises,  writing/reading

    words rising

    December 3, 2020

    inhale deep breaths
    journal and pen in hand
    words rising within

    ms

    It was 17 degrees at 7:33 am when I took this image. I was bundled up while the geese, well, they seemed to be singing a song of joy while drifting in frigid water or sleeping on thin ice. Pure insanity to us humans! After taking this image, I headed to Pineridge Natural area to bask in the sun’s bright warmth and journal. Picked up a mocha on the way so it took me about 25 minutes to arrive at the natural area parking lot. It had already warmed up to 18 degrees. Not toasty yet but an increase nonetheless. Some will think I’m insane for starting my day this way but both the geese and I say to heck with them. I enjoy these gifts of silence, the clear blue skies and the warm sun shining on me. To make it complete, when I got home I enjoyed a rather dry day old donut. 😁Do I know how to live or what?

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  • gratitude,  haiku,  leaves,  Plants,  seasons,  snow,  winter scenes,  writing/reading

    Unspoken Words

    October 29, 2020
    Patterns of frosty leaves this morning on my walk

    grateful for the gifts
    rising from within the soul
    unspoken words

    ms

    Reflecting this morning on the gift of words that appear on pages when I journal. This led me to reflect on the words I read from the blogs I follow, the words that rise within you. When you share what you’re feeling, your experiences, what you see, and the joys and struggles of your daily lives, I see them as a gift of unspoken words now heard. So, thank you!

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