• clouds,  landscape,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes,  sunrises

    My Idea of Happiness

    A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people to whom it is easy to do good, and who are not accustomed to have it done to them; then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one’s neighbor — such is my idea of happiness.”

    Leo Tolstoy

    This was the morning’s quiet and peaceful sunrise at Pineridge Natural Area about 7 am. Since then clouds have moved in and we have had a slow steady drizzle since about 9 am. Afterwards I made my way to Mugs for coffee and a wonderful conversation with Dan. I will always accept these kinds of rainy days as they refresh everything, make a leftover bowl of chili soup taste even better and a day to journal and read. Such is my idea of happiness. I hope you enjoy your weekend!

  • leaves,  nature,  Plants,  quotes

    The Simple Things

    The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them.

    Paulo Coelho

    It is a cool fall morning with a light mist descending on everything. Needless to say I did not ride my bicycle this morning. As I returned from the coffee shop I noticed the fallen leaves sparkling and shining up at me. So I took my camera for a walk, accepting the simple and extraordinary gifts of nature. These moments are important in my life because they help keep my feet firmly on the ground, even when it’s wet, and life simple. Today is also a great day to enjoy a crockpot of chili soup now simmering.

  • horizons,  landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  sunrises

    Mystery of This Universe

    Sunrise at 6:26 am this morning

    Just as darkness brings rest and release, so the dawn brings awakening and renewal. In our mediocrity and distraction, we forget that we are privileged to live in a wondrous universe. Each day, the dawn unveils the mystery of this universe. Dawn is the ultimate surprise; it awakens us to the immense “thereness” of nature. The wonderful subtle color of the universe arises to clothe everything.

    John O’Donohue, from Anam Cara

    After prayer and meditation, I drove up to Pineridge Natural Area for sunrise. I found a new and more comfortable rock to sit on and set up my tripod. I loved the scent of the wet grass and sagebrush that surrounded me. I then enjoyed my second period of prayer and meditation this morning. Have a wonderful day!!

  • landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  sunrises

    My need for silence

    What you need, what we all need is silence. Stop the noise in your mind in order for the wondrous sounds of life to be heard. Then you can begin to live your life authentically and deeply.

    Thich Nhat Hanh

    I drove up to Pineridge Natural Area for a few photos and spend time in nature. I came home with a lovely photograph of Venus, Jupiter, and the Moon, all in alignment. The eastern horizon was a beautiful red, pink, and orange. Several bats were having a feast on insects as they circled above me. I drove home feeling renewed then had my meditation and morning readings before bicycling to coffee. I am now in a much better place to authentically live my life. We are noticing a lot more new faces at Mugs as students return to campus and the almost 6,000 freshmen class invades us. I hope you have a wonderful day!

  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  poems,  reflections,  sunrises

    The quiet of early morning…

    the quiet of early morning … the perfect end to the night,

    a splash of pink nestled in the clouds
    along the eastern horizon,

    while the same delicate clouds
    are mirrored in the calm waters,

    mallards feed along the water’s edge
    making their little sounds of joy,

    a great blue heron stands motionless
    eyes fixed below the surface,

    a red tail hawk flies overhead
    with its morning prey locked in talons,

    the quiet of early morning … the perfect start to the day.

    mws

    Our air quality this morning is much better than the past two days. So I made a trip to catch the sunrise, the colors, and the clouds at Pineridge Natural Area. We are expecting it to be in the high 90s today. Have a wonderful Thursday!

  • flowers,  Plants,  quotes

    A Discovered Life

    When we make a place for silence, we make room for ourselves. By making room for silence, we resist the forces of the world which tell us to live an advertised life of surface appearances, instead of a discovered life — a life lived in contact with our senses, our feelings, our deepest thoughts and values.

    Gunilla Norris
  • landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  sunrises

    Most mornings…

    Predawn light from the parking lot at Pineridge Natural Area – June of 2021

    Most mornings I’m up to see the sun, and that rising of the light moves me very much, and I’m used to thinking and feeling in words, so it sort of just happens. I think one thing is that prayer has become more useful, interesting, fruitful, and … almost involuntary in my life. And when I talk about prayer, I mean really … what Rumi says in that wonderful line, “there are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.”

    Mary Oliver

    This scene is the predawn light at Pineridge Natural Area from four years ago. It is not the same scene this morning as we have overcast skies and a steady mist. Everything is soaked and we may see 2-3 more days of this. I like this quote by Mary Oliver as it resonates with my life experience of prayer. The wrote prayer of my childhood has been “let go” which in turn has allowed prayer to become what it is in my life. And, like her it has become involuntary in my life. I find prayer of gratitude rising within me throughout my day. And when I am present to a morning sunrise it is almost always a prayer of gratitude. Hope you have a wonderful Sunday!

  • bicycling,  clouds,  landscape,  quotes,  sunrises

    Growing through life’s challenges…

    Predawn light over campus on my bicycle ride to coffee

    You have countless opportunities to grow through life’s challenges—in other words, to become an ever more fully, deeply human human being. This is the meaning of the Yiddish word mensch. Someone whose humanity shines through the darkness of this world. Someone who believes in the fundamental goodness of life and embodies it. Not despite challenging experiences, but as the result of having practiced facing them with courage and kindness.

    Mirabai Starr, Ordinary Mysticism