• fall season,  leaves,  Plants,  seasons

    A walk with my camera

    October 16, 2022

    Dew is the result of water changing from a vapor to a liquid. Dew forms as temperatures drop and objects cool down. If the object becomes cool enough, the air around the object will also cool. Colder air is less able to hold water vapor than warm air. This forces water vapor in the air around cooling objects to condense. When condensation happens, small water droplets form—dew.

    The colors in town have been vibrant this year or I’m more alive to them than previously. The sun was warm and bright yesterday morning making things look vibrant. So, I took my camera and the 35mm f2.0 for a walk. Only makes sense to photograph all this beauty.

    Wisdom for today: I need to walk away from food rather than around food.

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  • Annie Dillard,  leaves,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  Plants,  quotes,  sunrises,  Uncategorized

    … try to be there.

    September 30, 2022

    “The answer must be, I think, that beauty and grace are performed whether or not we will or sense them. The least we can do is try to be there.”

    Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek

    The winds began to pickup on Thursday afternoon. I stood on my porch watched them blowing with the wind. We may see isolated storms over the next two days, so many trees will probably be barren by Monday. We really had no bright colors on the trees this year, almost every leaf turned brown then began their descent, the final stages of their lives as leaves. I learned to make it a routine to grab my camera and walk around my condo and along the edge of the ponds just to be there. Never know what simple beauty I will discover

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  • John O'Donohue,  leaves,  Plants,  quotes

    Nature of the Soul

    September 26, 2022

    Love is the nature of the soul.

    John O’Donohue

    Yesterday was my oldest granddaughter, Abbie, and Patton’s wedding. It was absolutely beautiful in so many aspects. They are in their mid twenties and seem very much in love and not just in the fantasy of their minds. They seemed so comfortable, relaxed and excited. A good time was had by all except for those of us who overate. 😂 May they grow in their marriage! I love you two! ❤️ I will be looking forward to seeing the wedding photos.

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  • leaves,  Plants,  quotes,  shadows

    The simplest…

    September 24, 2022

    The simplest spiritual discipline is some degree of solitude and silence. To be with our own thoughts and feelings is probably the most courageous act most of us will ever do.

    Richard Rohr

    Coffee at Mugs earlier this morning then had a wonderful phone call with a friend. Hopefully a quiet Saturday from here on as there is little on my to-do list. Tomorrow morning my youngest granddaughter, Abbie, gets married. We will be formally welcoming our newest member, Patton, to the family. Blessings to them both!!

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  • landscape,  National Parks,  quotes,  river,  Smoky Mountains National Park

    The Earth is a Gift

    August 12, 2022
    Fall colors on Roaring Fork River in October of 2003

    “Our elders say that ceremony is the way we can remember to remember. In the dance of the giveaway, remember that the earth is a gift that we must pass on, just as it came to us. When we forget, the dances we’ll need will be for mourning. For the passing of polar bears, the silence of cranes, for the death of rivers and the memory of snow.”

    Robin Wall Kimmerer

    This quote reminded me of my visit to the Roaring Fork River back in 2003. I went up there with a fellow photographer to share expenses and have my first visit to the Smoky Mountains. It was also my first year with my first digital camera, a Nikon D100. I was very impressed with the beauty of this area. Someday I would like to make a return visit.

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  • leaves,  Plants,  quotes

    Endless Chatter

    August 10, 2022

    “What deadens us most to God’s presence within us, I think, is the inner dialogue that we are continuously engaged in with ourselves, the endless chatter of human thought. I suspect that there is nothing more crucial to true spiritual comfort . . . than being able from time to time to stop that chatter . . . ”

    Frederick Buechner

    While waiting for a friend at the park I wandered around a tree and took a dozen photos of assorted leaves. I realized how accurate Paulo Coelho is when he states, “In a forest of a hundred thousand trees, no two leaves are alike. And no two journeys along the same path are alike.” In the past I may have wandered around in my head waiting for my friend rather than noticing the leaves. I find it enjoyable at this stage in my life to have tools to let go of the chatter, allowing me to stay more present to the world around me. And when that happens I’m more engaged in spiritual comfort.

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  • leaves,  Plants

    So Refreshing

    July 28, 2022

    Rainfall is an interesting natural phenomenon. Measuring how much rainfall we get is another phenomenon. I visit a website put out by the City of Fort Collins to see what has been measured in rainfall accumulation across the city. The city adds a disclaimer on the accuracy of the measurements but it does give some indication of how much rain we received. It rained yesterday afternoon and then began again early this morning. Plenty of lightning and thunder to go along with it. So, refreshing.

    Ever notice how green is always greener after a rain? And, yes, I’m still asking questions. 😁

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  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  storm clouds

    The Beauty

    December 22, 2021
    Riverbend Ponds about 3 weeks ago

    All that we are looking for in life—all the happiness, contentment, and peace of mind—is right here in the present moment. Our very own awareness is itself fundamentally pure and good. The only problem is that we get so caught up in the ups and downs of life that we don’t take the time to pause and notice what we already have.

    Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche

    One of the first things I do when I awake is pray three simple little prayers, if you even want to call them prayers. It sets the tone for my day. Then throughout the day I find times to pause and notice the world around me, the clouds, the changing colors, the beauty of it all! Maybe that pause and awareness is as much a prayer as anything.

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