• clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  sunrises

    Mornings are a Gift

    August 22, 2025

    The sage would remind us of the following:
    None should rule who hold themselves above the people.
    Only by living, working, suffering alongside them can one truly be a leader.

    Tao Te Ching (78) By Lao Tzu by: Julian von Bargen, John Braun, Jr., David Warkentin

    One of the blessings of growing older for me has been the discovery that mornings are a gift. Since I’m not the party animal of yesteryears, going to bed early and getting up early are the norm. There is something that comes alive in me when I experience the quiet and stillness of this time of the day. I feel more alive than I did when chasing things that I expected to help me be alive. I am aware of the need to participate within the world, to experience it, and receive it as a gift.

    It’s interesting to note how clouds are always shifting, changing shapes and colors. It is almost unperceivable to the human eye. Yet, a 28 second exposure lets us know of their gradual changing. Observing that is a gift to me. I am heading out to meet friends who are in town and catch up. Have a wonderful weekend!

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  • landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  sunrises

    My need for silence

    August 19, 2025

    What you need, what we all need is silence. Stop the noise in your mind in order for the wondrous sounds of life to be heard. Then you can begin to live your life authentically and deeply.

    Thich Nhat Hanh

    I drove up to Pineridge Natural Area for a few photos and spend time in nature. I came home with a lovely photograph of Venus, Jupiter, and the Moon, all in alignment. The eastern horizon was a beautiful red, pink, and orange. Several bats were having a feast on insects as they circled above me. I drove home feeling renewed then had my meditation and morning readings before bicycling to coffee. I am now in a much better place to authentically live my life. We are noticing a lot more new faces at Mugs as students return to campus and the almost 6,000 freshmen class invades us. I hope you have a wonderful day!

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  • landscape,  quotes,  reflections,  sunsets

    Like the waters of this pond…

    August 17, 2025

    When we surround ourselves with people who are committed to understanding and loving, we’re nourished by their presence and our own seeds of understanding and love are watered. When we surround ourselves with people who gossip, complain, and are constantly critical, we absorb their toxins.

    from Silence by Thich Nhat Hanh

    It is hard to imagine we are halfway through the month of August. For sure time moves much faster on this downhill side of life. I have had a quiet day, surrounded by the presence of nature. It has been calm like the waters of this pond. I hope you experienced a similar calm, also!!

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  • clouds,  landscape,  quotes,  reflections,  sunsets

    Sunset

    August 16, 2025

    Only through responsible choice can you choose consciously to cultivate and nourish the needs of your soul, to challenge and release the wants of your personality. This is the choice of clarity and wisdom, the choice of conscious transformation. It is the choice of the higher-frequency energy currents of love, forgiveness and compassion. It is the choice to follow the voice of your higher self, your soul. It is the decision to open yourself to the guidance and assistance of Love. It is the path that leads consciously to authentic power.

    Gary Zukav
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  • landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  sunrises

    Love and Compassion

    August 15, 2025

    Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries.
    Without them humanity cannot survive.

    Dalai Lama

    This morning I stood surrounded by the scent of sagebrush, listened to the happy songs of robins and meadowlarks, and felt fully alive in the cool morning breeze. For me this is a sacred time of the day, a time of quiet and prayer where words are not spoken. Is there any better way to greet the rising sun and the gift of another day? How can I not smile? And as I headed back to the car I reached down and rubbed sagebrush onto my fingers, taking its fragrance with me along with all the gifts shared with me this morning. It’s these moments that remind me of my humanity, my love and compassion in this wounded and troubled world.

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  • landscape,  natural areas,  sunrises

    Venus and Jupiter

    August 13, 2025
    Predawn light at Pineridge Natural Area

    Since I was awake early, I decided to get up and jump into my day. Well, not exactly jump but you know what I mean. I drove up to Pineridge Natural Area to experience the awe and wonder of the predawn light and silence found in nature. I was the only car in the parking lot and no traffic hum in the distance. I had the place to myself. Venus and Jupiter were the two bright stars in the eastern predawn sky. I took this image at about 5:20:12 am with a 30 second exposure. Sunrise was another 45 minutes later.

    Back home, I had my quiet time, made a smoothie, and enjoyed my readings. I mounted the red steed and rode to coffee, taking a loop to Spring Creek park on the way home. A nice 11.5 mile round trip. My schedule today is rather quiet except for having a late lunch with Duane. So I will do some reading and writing today. The backordered brake cable for my e-bike has come in so I am scheduled to take it in next Wednesday. They will need to keep it overnight as they have to run the cable through the frame of the bike. I hope you have a wonderful day and enjoy your day’s adventure.

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  • clouds,  horizons,  landscape,  mountains,  quotes

    One Kind Word…

    August 10, 2025

    We cannot control the way people interpret our ideas or thoughts, but we can control the words and tones we choose to convey them. Peace is built on understanding, and wars are built on misunderstandings. Never underestimate the power of a single word, and never recklessly throw around words. One wrong word, or misinterpreted word, can change the meaning of an entire sentence and start a war. And one right word, or one kind word, can grant you the heavens and open doors.

    Suzy Kassem

    Late afternoon scene along Weld County Rd 90.
    I hope you are having a wonderful weekend and you have put out at least one kind word today!

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  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  poems,  reflections,  sunrises

    The quiet of early morning…

    August 7, 2025

    the quiet of early morning … the perfect end to the night,

    a splash of pink nestled in the clouds
    along the eastern horizon,

    while the same delicate clouds
    are mirrored in the calm waters,

    mallards feed along the water’s edge
    making their little sounds of joy,

    a great blue heron stands motionless
    eyes fixed below the surface,

    a red tail hawk flies overhead
    with its morning prey locked in talons,

    the quiet of early morning … the perfect start to the day.

    mws

    Our air quality this morning is much better than the past two days. So I made a trip to catch the sunrise, the colors, and the clouds at Pineridge Natural Area. We are expecting it to be in the high 90s today. Have a wonderful Thursday!

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  • landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area,  sunsets

    Breathe in the smoke

    August 6, 2025

    When we know ourselves to be connected to all others,
    acting compassionately is simply the natural thing to do.

    Rachel Naomi Remen

    Yesterday evening I headed to Reservoir Ridge Natural Area to journal, watch the eerie look to the sky, Maybe find a photo and breathe in the smoke. All tasks were accomplished. And the air quality this morning was very poor due to the smoke and fossil fuel pollutants, red zone in fact. Warnings were out for those with breathing issues. The warnings have come down some but still warning us that it is unhealthy for sensitive groups. If my memory serves me, we did not experience this type of air quality when I was younger.

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