• Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  Avian,  natural areas,  quotes

    Wishing Happiness for Others

    All the joy the world contains
    Has come through wishing happiness for others.
    All the misery the world contains
    Has come through wanting pleasure for oneself.

    The Way of the Bodhisattva

    I drove through Arapaho Bend Natural Area on my way back from my coffee and conversation with Eric. I saw three Golden Eagles but they were out of my lens range. A couple minutes later I watched and listened to this meadowlark sing. I want to believe the meadowlarks song is offering joy by wishing happiness for others. Now sitting outside enjoying the cool wind and lovely clouds! Enjoy your Saturday!

  • clouds,  landscape,  quotes,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    Learning to Become Human

    Morning walk at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    All nature is waiting for us to become conscious because there’s a particular quality of consciousness that only humans can provide. Nature needs that consciousness; cries out for it. And the process of deciphering Nature’s need, then discovering how to respond to it, is what’s called learning to become human.

    Peter Kingsley

    After quiet time I moved on to my morning mocha made by Hannah at Starry Night. It was an unusual 68 degrees so I began to question why I was sitting inside. Then the busyness and noise of the shop nudged me to drive to Reservoir Ridge Natural Area and get in some journaling and a walk. It was a wise choice! The clouds were amazing. The meadowlarks sang from their hearts and were accompanied by a group of crickets in the tall grass. These are some of my favorite musicians. Not sure how much nature is conscious of my presence but I know I was conscious of my presence within nature. I’m learning to become more human.

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

    An Artist of Our Days

    Clouds on my walk at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area.

    Each of us is an artist of our days; the greater our integrity and awareness, the more original and creative our time will become.

    John O’Donohue

    It’s taken a few years to see myself as any sort of an artist. That was primarily because I believed in that voice telling me I wasn’t. And yet, I always had those dreams of what could be. So, I can regretful, remorseful for listening to that negative voice or be the artist of my remaining days. I am doing what I can to be the creative I can be. And, I do that one day at a time, learning from each failure. I also believe everyone is an artist of their days! It is through your shares and your blogs that I know some of you are painting, gardening, flying drones, learning new forms of art, traveling and more. Happy Wednesday!

  • landscape,  natural areas,  nature,  quotes,  storm clouds

    Its self and its form are one…

    Ominous clouds and rain at the Trailhead

    The poet wants to drink from the well of origin; to write the poem that has not yet been written. In order to enter this level of originality, the poet must reach beyond the chorus of chattering voices that people the surface of a culture. Furthermore, the poet must reach deeper inward; go deeper than the private hoard of voices down to the root-voice. It is here that individuality has the taste of danger, vitality and vulnerability. Here the creative has the necessity of inevitability; this is the threshold where imagination engages raw, unformed experience. This is the sense you have when you read a true poem. You know it could not be other than it is. Its self and its form are one.

    John O’Donohue

    I felt a bit restless and leaning on the discontent side of things Sunday afternoon. I would say it’s what O’Donohue calls “the private hoard of voices” that sometimes hang out in my head. My solution was some journaling time, a walk at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area and connecting to the poem of nature (I like that phrase). After journaling I decided I better get a walk in before it rained as the wind had picked up and darker clouds slowly moved in. Good timing as It began sprinkling by the time I walked back to the car but it never did rain. I have been fascinated by some wonderful clouds this spring and Sunday was another day for them. I accepted the gift nature offered me and now offer it to you!

  • flowers,  natural areas,  Plants

    Western Goat’s Beard

    Western Goat’s Beard at Pineridge Natural Area

    Western salsify was introduced into North America where it has become widespread, being reported from all the continental United States except for a few in the far south-east, and all provinces of Canada except Newfoundland and the northern territories. Like most salsifies, the western salsify grows as an annual or occasionally biennial forb. The inflorescence opens early in the morning and often closes up by late afternoon. Later the plant forms a seed head resembling that of the dandelions but is distinctly larger. Alternative names include western goat’s beard, wild oysterplant, yellow salsify, yellow goat’s beard, meadow goat’s beard, goat’s beard, goatsbeard, common salsify, or salsify. The basal leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. Native Americans ate the roots, which are best cooked, and are said to taste like oysters. I took this image while at the natural area this morning. Happy Sunday!

  • clouds,  horizons,  landscape,  quotes

    Search for Truth

    In this respect fundamentalism has demonic traits. It destroys the humble honesty of the search for truth, it splits the conscience of its thoughtful adherents, and it makes them fanatical because they are forced to suppress elements of truth of which they are dimly aware.

    Paul Tillich

    I wish the church of my youth had encouraged me to seek my elements of truth rather than telling me what the truth was. Their truth has never been my truth.

    This is a panorama from 8 images stitched together in LIghtroom of falling rain and storm clouds stretching across the city of Fort Collins. Enjoy your Saturday! It’s time for a Dove’s dark chocolate. And, yes, another image of clouds.