• quotes

    In harmony with the Tao…

    July 27, 2023

    In harmony with the Tao,
    the sky is clear and spacious,
    the earth is solid and full,
    all creatures flourish together,
    content with the way they are,
    endlessly repeating themselves,
    endlessly renewed.

    when man interferes with the Tao
    the sky becomes filthy,
    the earth becomes depleted,
    the equilibrium crumbles,
    creatures become extinct.

    Lao Tzu

    And to think the Old Sage Laozi or Lao Tzu (Old Master) wrote this around 400 B.C. This translation is from Tao Te Ching: A New English Version by Stephen Mitchell. I believe this to be a juba skipper who was hanging around my ponds, so I shot photographed it. But, I don’t believe I interfered with the Tao.

    Read More
  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  poems,  poetry,  quotes,  sunrises

    Intense Sky

    February 12, 2023
    Predawn sky over Dixon Reservoir this morning

    May all I say and all I think
    be in harmony with thee,
    God within me,
    God beyond me,
    maker of the trees.

    Chinook prayer, Pacific Northwest Coast

    Almost 9:45 am. It has been a busy morning already. Made a drive to Pineridge Natural Area to greet the morning sunrise. The predawn sky was an intense red, not sure my sensor would pickup the true color. Shortly after shooting this image the clouds did take on a beautiful shade of pink and orange colors. Interestingly I preferred this image. Later, people at the coffee shop were talking about the morning’s intense sunrise. Reminded me the gift of sunrises are not just for my pleasure but for all of creation.

    Will meet with friends at noon and then later in the evening with other friends but it will not be to watch the game. My interest in such events has passed on to other interests. Tomorrow morning will be my procedure (Left Heart Cath) then will meet with surgeons on Wednesday.

    A smile comes across my face as I imagine what a peaceful world it would be if everyone prayed the simple prayer above as a way to start each day. And each day we changed the word trees to something different, naming anything of creation. Anyway, may you have a wonderful day and may all we say and all we think be in harmony.

    Read More
  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  sunrises

    A Unified Whole

    April 23, 2021
    This morning’s sunrise

    “We must also take active steps to live in harmony with the rest of creation. This means that we cannot adopt attitudes or beliefs that place us above the natural world. We cannot see ourselves as having dominion over the land, the water, or the animals. We can’t even see ourselves as being stewards of the Earth. We are only keepers of a way of life that is in harmony with the Earth. Every day, we must act in ways that acknowledge that we are part of one living system, a unified whole.”

    Sherri Mitchell

    In case you do not know Sherri Mitchell is an Indigenous Rights attorney and the executive director of the Land Peace Foundation, an organization dedicated to the protection of Indigenous land and water rights and the Indigenous way of life. Mitchell has been actively involved with Indigenous rights in the U.S., Canada and abroad for more than 25 years. I had not heard of her before until I read this quote.

    This image is an envisioned scene I’ve had for a couple of weeks. This morning nature pulled together the elements so I could have this scene. I tried something similar back on April 19th but clouds did not allow it to happen. Happy Friday!

    Read More