My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, spirituality and asking deep questions.
It had been a few weeks since I visited Reservoir Ridge Natural Area and thought last night was a good time to remedy that. I went to journal in the sun before it set. Silence surrounded me except for a lone meadowlark singing every once in awhile. I loved the waxing crescent moon set in the cloudless blue sky. I’m off to meet Eric for coffee and conversation. Enjoy your Saturday!!
From the Book of Time
Mary Oliver
I rose this morning early as usual, and went to my desk.
But it’s spring,
and the thrush is in the woods,
somewhere in the twirled branches, and he is singing…
I am touching a few leaves.
I am noticing the way the yellow butterflies
move together, in a twinkling cloud, over the field.
And I am thinking: maybe just looking and listening
is the real work.
Maybe the world, without us,
is the real poem.
I hope you were able to see the blue moon last night or this morning, one of the brightest and largest moons of 2023. I will try this evening to watch it rise and maybe get a photo. My son called last night and was in complete awe of the size and beauty of the moon. The blue moon won’t happen again until 2037. Praying for those in the path of hurricane Idalia! I am off to meet my friend Mark for the senior breakfast meal at IHOP. Have a great day!
“The presence of those seeking the truth is infinitely to be preferred to the presence of those who think they’ve found it.”
Terry Pratchett
“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”
Rumi
It’s been cold, windy and gusty today. The sun has peaked in and out of a cloudy blue/gray sky. And, when the sun does break through everything lights up, glowing brilliantly. I found it to be a perfect day for reading. I’ve gained enough wisdom to know I’m unable to change the world or the people in it but I’m only able to change how I interact with the world and the people in it, which is far more important. It also follows that when I change, the world is changed in some small way.
Those who are dealing with the power of Nicole please be safe.
Now at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area. Sun has set and the moon sits in the southern sky. Silence. This is why I come here. Full of gratitude for its gifts. Blackbirds and meadowlarks sing good night. Magpies fly above heading for the cottonwood trees along Claymore Lake to roost for the night. Such a lovely ecosystem that man made noise has a difficult time reaching. I am full of love for you and all of creation. Silence…
ms, journal: /30/2022
To pray you open your whole self
Joy Harjo
To sky, to earth, to sun, to moon
To one whole voice that is you
And know there is more
That you can’t see, can’t hear
Can’t know except in moments
Steadily growing, and in languages
That aren’t always sound but other
Circles of motion.
Like eagle that Sunday morning
Over Salt River. Circled in blue sky
In wind, swept our hearts clean
With sacred wings.
We see you, see ourselves and know
That we must take the utmost care
And kindness in all things.
Breathe in, knowing we are made of
All this, and breathe, knowing
We are truly blessed because we
Were born, and die soon within a
True circle of motion,
Like eagle rounding out the morning
Inside us.
We pray that it will be done
In beauty.
In beauty.
If you’re interested you can listen to Joy Harjo recite the Eagle Poem here.
The camera became my companion.
Edward Weston
There are times when I can be calm much like the water of this pond and at other times, well not so much. The challenges of living life can act like a fierce wind that creates internal waves. I’ve discovered tools to return to the calm and one of them is time in the silence of nature with a camera, taking deep breaths.
quiet morning at the reservoir
ms
calm water mirrors predawn sky
as the sun nears the horizon
the meadow begins to come alive
song birds fill the nights silence
crescent moon surrenders to day
dark shadows give way to light
cherish this gift of awe and wonder
I brought out the blue in this image, which makes it look unreal, so we could see the crescent moon better in the upper right corner. Interesting that I didn’t even see the moon when taking the image. 
Have a great Sunday!