My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and the mystery of it all.
then… turning the corner I caught
mws
a glimpse of the northeast sky
with its soft pink delicate clouds
I had to stop, couldn’t refuse the gift
then… opening my journal, I began listening
with my own prayer; of writing, of being present
and then the meadowlark began to sing or pray
I had to listen, couldn’t refuse the gift
then… off to meet Eric for coffee
a full day of gifts; the gift of sunrise,
the gift of his life, the gift of my life,
and the gift of the new day
Early mornings in nature have a positive effect on me. I always return home feeling more of my true self, refreshed, and nurtured by her touch. I want to believe that these times with nature change me in so many ways. It is in the silence and the beauty of nature that help me be aware of my breathing, my physical senses and how much a part of this world I really am. And, these feeble attempts to express in my own words always seems to fall short. Probably the only way to know what I experience is for you to experience it.
nature’s gift
mws
painted on a canvas sky
the morning’s clouds
I found a place to settle along the ridge, just below the road and above Dixon Reservoir. I lowered my tripod to be just at eye level and sat there among the bluestem grass, rabbitbrush and sage brush. My low perspective was much like that of the cottontails or coyotes. I was surrounded by silence and the spicy, bitter yet inspiring fragrance of the sage. And, Oh, those clouds! I took in slow deep breaths and soaked in the gift of being alive. Within me a prayer stirs and a desire that all the world would experience and partake of these moments nature offers. I could have sat there all day but…the day calls.
I took this image about 8 minutes earlier. This is the predawn sky and the first one is sunrise. Meet Mark for breakfast at 9:00 am then have the staples removed from my head. Rain predicted for later this afternoon. Have a super Awesome day!
rising early I journey to this sacred place
mws
where darkness and silence will soon depart
and night surrenders to the light of day
gray clouds have settled atop the foothills
a holy mist anoints me as I watch in awe
the unique waves moving from shore to shore
The most fundamental aggression to ourselves, the most fundamental harm we can do to ourselves, is to remain ignorant by not having the courage and the respect to look at ourselves honestly and gently.
Pema Chödrön
wrapped in my blanket in the predawn darkness
ms
I read and meditate on words which
become seeds for my soul and mind
the new day offers a dusting of snow outside my window
so after my quiet time I bundle in warm clothing and
grab my backpack to venture to the coffee shop
am greeted by early-to-rise baristas as I enter the door,
they make my favorite, an Old Town mocha, extra hot,
perfect on this bleak and wet day
notice beads of water forming their own worlds
on the patio chairs warning me to sit inside
on this wintery sunday morning
“What will it take for us to change so that other species like the greater sage grouse, the grizzly, the wolf, and the wolverine can live and thrive in peace? What will it take for us to honor what they need, instead of what we want?”
Terry Tempest Williams, Erosion
accept the gift of each new day,
ms
letting go of hatred and fears,
intrusive thoughts and entitlement
that separate and divide
then maybe we would….
awaken to the beauty of creation
recalling mother earth loves,
embraces, nurtures all of us
……why can’t we also?
If you haven’t notice I spend many of my early mornings at Pineridge Natural Area which implies I post a lot of images from this area. I took this image in mid June. I am sure the kayaker is enjoying their morning on Dixon Reservoir. The color is interesting to me. I took several images and they all have this almost dirty gold look. We have no fires burning, thank goodness, so I’m assuming it is a smog/haze mix.
I’ve come to believe if our seeing does not expand then we stunt our growth mentally and spiritually. Photography has helped me see the beauty in the world of nature’s landscapes with the eyes of a photographer. While self-reflection along with prayer and meditation have helped me see the beauty of our inner landscape with the eye of my heart. I also believe in the statement we never see more than we are willing to see. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!