• landscape,  quotes,  storm clouds

    A perfect day…

    May 1, 2025

    I spent some time on a walk around the Environmental Learning Center yesterday. The sky was putting on quite the display of clouds as predicted rain began moving into the area. I had not been there since January and a lot had changed. The Poudre Trail bicycle path now runs alongside the center then heads east all the way to Greeley. I was also surprised to see how much dead and fallen trees there were inside the center. I loved the solitude! The rain did come, a nice gentle moisture rich rain. Even had some thunder with it. This morning is bright with clear skies and sunshine. Perfect day to ride to coffee.

    By my intimacy with nature I find myself withdrawn from man. My interest in the sun and the moon, in the morning and the evening, compels me to solitude.

    Henry David Thoreau
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  • landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes,  sunrises

    seeing miracles…

    April 27, 2025

    “The more you turn inward, the more available the sacred becomes. When you sit in silence and turn your gaze toward the holy mystery you once called God, the mystery follows you back out into the world. When you walk with purposeful focus on breath and birdsong, your breathing and the twitter of the chickadee reveal themselves as miracles…”

    Mirabai Starr
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  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  reflections

    Reflections at Riverbend

    April 26, 2025

    Awoke to overcast skies, 100% humidity that you could cut with a butterknife and an overall gloomy feel. I also felt tired and didn’t want to get out of my warm bed. But, after crawling out from under my covers, making a trip to the bathroom, making my bed, I enjoyed my meditation time. As with most Saturday mornings I drove to Windsor to meet Eric for coffee and conversation. Makes my Saturdays special! I stopped at Riverbend Ponds on the way back to capture some of the overcast skies and the reflections.

    Speaking of reflections, I was reflecting on my drive how much of our society wants to spend today the money from next week’s paycheck. That’s how I thought even 50 years ago. I always assumed that paycheck would be there but there was no guarantee then or now. I sure think differently today. I’ve discovered life is much simpler when I can live in the present and that includes spending only the money I presently have or don’t have. Back then I also believed that if money was short in my budget that my solution was to make more money rather than reduce my expenses. I sure think differently today. Have a wonderful weekend.

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  • clouds,  horizons,  landscape,  quotes

    Early morning sunrise…

    April 21, 2025

    I do not think the measure of a civilization is how tall its buildings of concrete are, but rather how well its people have learned to relate to their environment and fellow man.

    Sun Bear, Chippewa

    I feel there is a lot of truth in the above quote. It seems our society still has not learned how to relate to the environment or our fellow man. May you have a wonderful week!

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  • clouds,  landscape,  snow

    Living Life

    April 19, 2025

    After two days of overcast skies, cold, rain and snow, the skies are clearing. And, the weather app predicts we are going to see warmer weather this coming week. A morning drive out to Reservoir Ridge Natural Area after coffee lifted my spirits. Loved seeing a touch of blue sky peeking out from behind clouds and listening to meadowlarks singing from the meadow. It was a moment to experience real life, cold and all, and grateful to be alive. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

    What is saving my life now is the conviction that there is no spiritual treasure to be found apart from the bodily experiences of human life on earth. My life depends on engaging the most ordinary physical activities with the most exquisite attention I can give them. My life depends on ignoring all touted distinctions between the secular and the sacred, the physical and the spiritual, the body and the soul. What is saving my life now is becoming more fully human, trusting that there is no way to God apart from real life in the real world.

     Barbara Brown Taylor
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  • landscape,  mountains,  quotes,  sunsets

    Enjoying this season of my life…

    April 16, 2025

    If your mind isn’t clouded by unnecessary things,
    this is the best season of your life.

    Wu-Men, translated from Chinese by Stephen Mitchell

    The list of unnecessary things my mind can grab onto seems almost infinite. My imagination, dreams, and creativity are gifts when I work to make them reality. However, learning to let go of those that are unnecessary allows me to more fully enjoy this season of my life.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  sunrises

    The miracle is…

    April 14, 2025

    I sit quietly on a rock looking out over the meadow and Dixon Reservoir.
    I feel gratitude for this morning sanctuary, this sacred and holy place.

    With my journal and pen in hand, I try to express what I am seeing and experiencing.
    My sense of hearing is alert to the chatter of the magpies and the songs of robins and meadowlarks.
    I feel the gentle but cool breeze that reminds me it’s still early spring.
    I’m noticing the color green beginning to dominate in the trees and grasses of the meadow.
    I watch the ever changing and beautiful clouds along the eastern horizon
    as they add a feeling of mystery to this moment.

    Within me is a knowing that what I’m experiencing is an expression of the Divine
    and the miracle is that we are here at all.1This was inspired by the quote “The miracle is that we are here at all” by Richard Wagamese, Embers: One Ojibway’s Meditations

    mws
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