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

    Gifts of the World

    Setting sun at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    “When I close my eyes and wait for my heartbeat to match the drum, I envision people recognizing, for perhaps the first time, dazzling gifts of the world, seeing them with new eyes, just as they teeter on the cusp of undoing. Maybe just in time. Or maybe too late.”

    Robin Wall Kimmerer, from the Epilogue

    I’ve finished Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book called Braiding Sweetgrass. It’s been a while since a book has captivated me, educated me, moved me to tears, laughter and anger but left me with a desire to start rereading as soon as I finished. I found much enlightenment about nature that I was never taught in school or don’t remember or my focus was on the ballgame after school.

    Kimmerer said she wrote the book because, “I wanted readers to understand that Indigenous knowledge and Western science are both powerful ways of knowing, and that by using them together we can imagine a more just and joyful relationship with the Earth.” She explains how Indigenous people know a nature different than we do, most of that gained from reading the book of nature. That has stirred me to want to read more of this book of nature which means spending more time with her. Highly recommend the book.

  • clouds,  John O'Donohue,  landscape,  quotes

    A New Beginning

    When love awakens in your life, in the night of your heart, it is like the dawn breaking within you. Where before there was anonymity, now there is intimacy; where before there was fear, now there is courage; where before in your life there was awkwardness, now there is a rhythm of grace and gracefulness; where before you used to be jagged, now you are elegant and in rhythm with your self. When love awakens in your life, it is like a rebirth, a new beginning.

    John O’Donohue

    I love clouds! Some cloud formations will stop me in my tracks and I gawk at them. It’s a wonder I’ve not had a car accident. I took the above image while heading north out of town. Once I saw them I had to pull over and grab my camera. Did I mention I love clouds?

  • Avian,  quotes

    Spiritual Practice

    Red-winged Blackbird (female)

    The foundation of all spiritual practice is love.
    That you practice this well is my only request.

    the Dalai Lama

    My hope is to practice love, as a spiritual practice, and that it’s not just something I preach. Have a great Memorial Weekend!

  • Candid Portraits,  People/Portraits,  quotes

    Love is…

    Love is what we are born with. Fear is what we learn. The spiritual journey is the unlearning of fear and prejudices and the acceptance of love back in our hearts. Love is the essential reality and our purpose on earth. To be consciously aware of it, to experience love in ourselves and others, is the meaning of life. Meaning does not lie in things. Meaning lies in us.

    Marianne Williamson

    It was just after 7:30 am and the morning light on Adriana’s auburn hair was radiating around her! She was in the spotlight. Love is shining on her and in her. She agreed to let me take a shot while she continued to work on her computer. The subject, the light and the moment, all make this image a meaningful moment. Thank you, Adriana.

  • Plants,  poems,  poetry,  seasons,  snow,  winter scenes

    …something stronger

    My dear,
    In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love.
    In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile.
    In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm.
    I realized, through it all, that…
    In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.
    And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.

    Albert Camus

    I was making a trash-run then going to check my mail when I saw these tracks on the edge of the frozen pond. After tossing the trash and checking the mail I spent about 15 minutes outside taking a few photos so my hands were cold when I got inside.

    I do not know if I’ve ever read this complete poem by Albert Camus until today. I’m familiar with only a portion of it; “In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.” But this whole poem had much to say to me about the chaos in our world today and the ability to push back. I totally agree with him that there is something stronger within all of us. He only lists three, love, smile and calm, to overcome hate, tears and chaos, but there are many more. We can begin with the Prayer of St. Francis. What’s interesting to me is he adds the adjective invincible to each of them. Webster’s defines invincible as: incapable of being conquered, overcome, or subdued. Yes, I believe in that “something stronger– something better” within all of us, is pushing right back.