buds swell in sunshine
mws
new leaves burst into life
against a blue sky
Against a Blue Sky
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… the work of being human
Waiting area outside the Lory Student Center Theater “Really all we have to offer the world is the gift of our individuality. We can never be just like any other person. Our journey through life is an extremely personal contribution to the work of being human.”
Jane ReichholdIn my experience when anyone tries to force their opinions and their rules as the norm for everyone, they are no longer being a gift. We see this evidenced in our attempts to use war as a way to create unity rather than embracing individuality. There is enough historical evidence to prove war is not a gift and has never brought unity! So maybe our task in life is to encourage and nurture those around us who need to offer their personal contribution of being human. Who knows, maybe their contribution will enrich everyone’s lives. I find it sad that so many world leaders arrogantly deny others the opportunity to be the individual gift they are, this work of being human. And, it is a gift!
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Welcoming words
Brown Marbled Pelikan M200 with Pelikan Edelstein Smoky Quartz ink. when words are welcomed
as ink flows on blank pages
journals take on life
mws -
Life’s Own Dream
“There is a great difference between defending life and befriending it. Defending life is often about holding on to whatever you have at all cost. Befriending life may be about strengthening and supporting life’s movement toward its own wholeness. It may require us to take great risks to let go, over and over again, until we finally surrender to life’s own dream of itself.”
Rachel Naomi Remen -
How we see life…
I made a drive out to Reservoir Ridge Natural Area this afternoon to journal while looking for the possibility of a photo of the setting sun. It was quiet out there even though it has been a beautiful day. I saw two pairs of dogs walking their owners and that was it. It has also been a day for seeing raptures. As I left my condo for coffee shop this morning there were two bald eagles soaring above me and sending out their shrill and high pitched calls. Their size, beautiful flights and calls always stop me in my tracks. I saw two more again about mid day on the other side of my pond. Then this afternoon I watched a falcon hunting while at Reservoir Ridge.
“Helping, fixing, and serving represent three different ways of seeing life.
Rachel Naomi Remen
When you help, you see life as weak.
When you fix, you see life as broken.
When you serve, you see life as whole.
Fixing and helping may be the work of the ego,
and service the work of the soul.”I would like to remove the words “may be” in Remen’s quote and replace them so that line reads, “Fixing and helping is the work of the ego.” For those of you in North Carolina, North Berwick and Sterling Heights stay warm and safe this weekend.
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Silhouettes
We have had clear skies most of the day with sunshine but on the cold side. Sure looks like most of the nation is on the cold side and it’s going to get worse in many places. Single digits for lows at night calls for two blankets. My day has been quiet. I was able to drive my car for the first time in three weeks so I went to the coffee shop then the grocery store. All went well and nobody got hurt. Actually it was a good experience to see what life would be like if I did not have a car, which I’ve wondered about. I am still being cautious in what I do and discovered today that I may have overdone the walking as I am a bit sore. This sunset image of two hawks silhouetted in the trees was taken in December of 2020 along Weld County Road 15, one of my favorite locations for sunsets. The image is simple, nothing fancy, but the location is a place of quiet and solitude. And, I believe Mr. James is spot on. Stay warm!!!!
If you can change your mind, you can change your life.
William James -
An Update
A steaming cup of coffee this morning “In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.”
Bill GatesUpdate: My dad had a restless night as breathing becomes more difficult even with oxygen and he is sleeping a lot. Both common aspects of the end stages of congestive heart failure. My sister says he is still sharp and witty and sharing those funny moments with her. What a gift to share! He has plenty of visitors as he is loved by many at his assisted living facility.
In reference to the above quote I’m not sure it pertains to retirees. For some retirees the coffee life is our real job. I hope you have a wonderful Sunday!
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The Gift of Life
The gift of life, the secret of life, is that it must be developed from the inside out, from what we bring to it from within ourselves, not from what we collect or consume as we go through it, not even from what we experience in the course of it.
Joan Chittister -
The point is…
I see that the life of this place is always emerging beyond expectation or prediction or typicality, that it is unique, given to the world minute by minute, only once, never to be repeated. And this is when I see that this life is a miracle, absolutely worth having, absolutely worth saving. We are alive within mystery, by miracle.
Wendell BerryCactus are adapted at living in very dry environments and because of this show many adaptations to conserve water. The cactus spines prevent cactus from losing water by reducing air flow around the cactus which can help reduce evaporation. The trapped air around the cactus can also create a buffer zone with slightly more moist air. In areas of fog cactus spines can also help collect dew, which will drop onto the dirt near the cactus and be absorbed by the roots. Cactus spines help preserve water by providing a bit of shade. Since a given cactus can easily have thousands of spines, the little bits of shade adds up. One of the most obvious benefits of cactus spines is that they keep predators away. Lots of desert herbivores love chomping on cactus just to get at the water stored inside so the spines can reduce this. The point is they help the plant survive in its harsh environment. And, the point of this post is… life is a miracle and worth saving!
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… and peanut butter
Winds have been gusting up to 25-30 mph since early this morning and we may see that continue into mid-afternoon. Because of the winds I wisely chose not to ride the bicycle to coffee and conversation. After returning home I made a piece of sourdough toast with a generous spreading of chunky peanut butter. I then sat in my bedroom chair with the warm sunshine spreading across my journal to write. But before I could get started writing the light and shadows on the pages urged me to put the pen down, set up the camera and tripod and use this image as a starting place for today’s post. As I post this I realize it reflects the life I live today full of prayer and meditation, coffee life, photography, journaling, blogging, and peanut butter. And if the wind wasn’t blowing, bicycling.
