• clouds,  haiku,  horizons,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  poems,  poetry,  sunrises,  writing/reading

    the twilight hours

    July 7, 2023

    a predawn pink sky
    silence just before sunrise
    these twilight hours

    mws

    My morning began with quiet time of prayer and meditation followed by a drive to Pineridge Natural Area. I enjoy being a part of these divine hours. Seeing the predawn pink colors along the eastern horizon brought on a smile and a bit of giddiness. And, the coolness of the light breeze was invigorating to all my physical senses. Meadowlarks and Robins contributed their morning song enhancing the moment and this sacred place. I found myself smiling again. Taking a deep breath I felt within the gratitude to be alive and the experience of these twilight hours. Hope you had a good Friday!

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  • clouds,  landscape,  Mary Oliver,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  poems,  quotes,  storm clouds

    Soaking it in…

    June 30, 2023

    Sometimes I need
    only to stand
    wherever I am
    to be blessed.

    Mary Oliver

    On my way home from the coffee shop I noticed the white clouds drifting amid the darker storm clouds. I felt they were worth the effort for a drive up to Pineridge Natural Area and experience nature’s art. I stood there, soaking it all in. It’s been a quiet morning. May be the calm before the thunderstorms which are forecasted for later this afternoon. As I stood there I knew in my heart that if I was to make a gratitude list on a daily basis it would be easy to put clouds on that list. Happy Friday!! Next up is July. (I know I’ve posted this poem before but it’s good enough to post again, much like cloud photos.)

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  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  storm clouds

    A New Soul

    June 23, 2023
    Watching storm clouds in the northwest from Riverbend Ponds

    We go to prayer to be transfigured ourselves, to come to see the world as God sees the world, to practice the presence of God, to put on a heart of justice, of love, and of compassion for others. We go to become new of soul.

    Joan Chittister

    Several years ago when life was lifey my ex-wife and I went back to church. We joined this small home group where we met for seven weeks and went through some workbook. I shared in the first meeting that I had not prayed for over 20 years. One elderly woman asked if I had ever said, Oh God! In her mind’s eye that was a prayer. Thus I began to question my understanding of prayer. I’ve been searching ever since.

    My concept of prayer when this happened was from my youth. I’ve since become aware of the need to uncover, discover and discard some of the teaching of my youth that no longer serve their purpose. And, that includes many areas of my life besides prayer. Prayer is such a personal journey for each of us and no two are the same. Seems the searching has altered my soul that I am unable to explain or comprehend.

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  • clouds,  horizons,  landscape,  natural areas,  nature,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes,  reflections,  sunrises

    Book of Nature

    June 22, 2023

    Into God’s Book of Nature I step in the murky hour just before the dawn, before the rising sun stages its rehearsal, bleeds pink into the edge of night. It’s where you might find me … at twilight, the in-between hour when day dissolves into darkness, when on a summer’s eve I surrender to the rising surround sound of crickets and keep watch till the starkeepers trot out the stars. 

    Barbara Mahany
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