• clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes

    Another Blue Sky

    February 1, 2024

    Before we get the incoming stormy weather this weekend I spent a quiet afternoon yesterday at one of the natural areas. Seemed several people had similar ideas. The trails were busy with walkers, joggers and bicyclists. I also noticed a few dogs out walking their owners.

    Another blue sky with a few clouds sprinkled in was just what I needed.

    Let me always be who I am, and then some.

    Mary Oliver

    I sat on a favorite bench to journal and noticed that even though it was busy there was a quiet around me. I would guess 85% of the Dixon Reservoir is still frozen, therefore no waterfowl. The warm sun and quiet stirred my desire to see spring and the return of our song birds. We are extremely dry so I hope this incoming snow brings the much needed moisture. We could also use a nice wet spring. Shot this image with that old Fujifilm XT-10 and XF18-55mm lens. Happy Thursday!!!

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  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  sunrises

    …the ones I can

    January 31, 2024
    Sunrise at Pineridge Natural Area

    As I took this image last week I wondered how many sunrises I’ve had over the decades of my life. Mathematically that number is over 27,000 opportunities. I say opportunities because I’ve missed more of these gifts than I’ve witnessed. Maybe I would have seen more if I could lay in my bed, under warm covers, and look out over this view but… The truth is there is no need to think about how many I missed or how many I have left. Because I would rather wake before dawn and make my way to some sanctuary to greet each new day whenever I can rather than count them. The numbers are irrelevant. The remaining days of this one life I have are a gift and within those remaining days are more sunrises. I’ll catch the ones I can.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    The Spiritual Path

    January 29, 2024
    A spiritual path at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    There are no shortcuts on the spiritual path, although many have tried to find one. Learning the lessons the spirit teaches takes time, patience, and perseverance. It requires a sense of discipline. It takes a level of self-awareness that can be difficult, because it requires that we are honest with ourselves. We have to look deeper. We have to study. We have to live a rule of life that never takes love for granted. It is not easy, but it is joyful. The sacred journey may take us up some very steep hills and demand we keep going on even when we are tired, but it shows us the wonder of life along the way and the purpose of life when the day is done.

    Steven Charleston, Ladder to the Light
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  • clouds,  landscape,  quotes,  sunrises

    Dawn is the ultimate surprise…

    January 24, 2024

    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
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  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    Receiving Photographs

    January 23, 2024
    Clouds over Claymore Lake

    The diffused light late in the afternoon seems to play magic with clouds. I’m drawn to their beauty. So I drove out to Reservoir Ridge Natural Area late yesterday afternoon to watch nature play with the clouds and listen to the quiet. The air was still. I stood motionless, watching it all take shape. The quiet descended. It was a time for contemplation and for allowing myself to be touched at some deep level – a time for receiving photographs. I headed home knowing there would soon be a mysterious transformation into the darkness of night. And, it would happen without me.

    We have a beautiful day with clear skies and sunshine. May see temperatures into the upper 40s.

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  • landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes,  sunrises

    Another Quote on Growth

    January 22, 2024
    This mornings cold predawn sunrise at Pineridge Natural Area

    The people who help us grow toward true self offer unconditional love, neither judging us to be deficient nor trying to force us to change but accepting us exactly as we are. And yet this unconditional love does not lead us to rest on our laurels. Instead, it surrounds us with a charged force field that makes us want to grow from the inside out — a force field that is safe enough to take the risks and endure the failures that growth requires.

    Parker J. Palmer

    All these challenges, obstacles, and bumps that we encounter in life provide opportunities to learn, grow and alter directions in our life. What a gift it is to have people in our lives who accept us where we are and help us grow. My belief in this unconditional love is the hope and inspiration I grasp to continue on rather than wanting to run away. It is also my desire to love unconditionally. Hoping you all have a wonderful day and week!

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  • landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes,  sunrises

    Dare to be Ourselves

    January 11, 2024

    “We have to dare to be ourselves, however frightening or strange that self may prove to be.”

    May Sarton

    Same place, different day, different canvas, different colors and clouds than yesterday. Makes me smile when I think about the constant of change and variety of scenes within nature. As I stepped out of the car this morning at Pineridge Natural Area, I noticed two young women wrapped in blankets getting ready to sit on the bench and watch the sunrise. One of them said good morning Monte. Surprised, I asked how they knew me. They said I met them last winter up here and they still had my card. When they saw me get out of the car they figured it was me. So, I find it interesting that within many of us is a desire to be known by others. While at the same time we can be known by people and never be aware of it. Which leads me to ask myself this morning why I need to worry about it. Seems Mary Sarton is correct, we just need to dare to be ourselves and let life be what it is.

    Cold weather is heading this way so it will be frigid the next four days. For sure two blankets sleeping weather. Excited to meet with my oldest daughter, Christine, for lunch today. Stay warm and be yourself!

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