• natural areas,  nature,  Poudre River,  quotes

    Along the Poudre River

    “It is not the man who has too little that is poor,
    but the one who hankers after more.”

    Lucius Annaeus Seneca

    It is a quiet mid-morning here, although we are expecting rain this afternoon. The wind and trees have been playing a song that soothes my soul and I’m loving it. I had an enjoyable ride to and from coffee this morning. It was rather quiet at the coffee shop so I was able to journal. This image is from a couple days ago when I spent time at Arapaho Bend Natural area walking along the Poudre River.

  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  quotes

    Contact With Nature

    The lasting pleasures of contact with the natural world are not reserved for scientists but are available to anyone who will place themselves under the influence of earth, sea, and sky and their amazing life.

    Rachel Carson

    A rainstorm passed through during the night. With my eyes closed I listened to the thunder rumbling in the distance while the rain beat against my bedroom window. I crawled out of bed about a half hour earlier than normal and made my way to Pineridge Natural Area, just to enjoy the pleasures of this Sanctuary. I listened to the birds singing in the stillness. A couple pelicans drifted on the reservoir. The grass at my feet dancing in the light breeze. The sky was magical and the coolness was refreshing. All my senses were fully alive. The sacredness of this place touches my amazing life. May you enjoy the burgers and brats!

  • natural areas,  Plants,  quotes

    Words

    Age is opportunity no less than youth itself.

    Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

    Words. They are an important part of my life. I journal daily and read daily. I venture into my coffee life for those enriching conversations where words are shared with another. I’m learning to listen and allow words to soak in. I’m learning to think through before speaking words because words can cause harm. Whether reading or in conversation I search for them as seeds to transform me in some way. I’ve heard it suggested that we not read for information but or transformation. It is an opportunity I embrace as I age.

  • landscape,  natural areas,  storm clouds

    After the Rain

    Double rainbow over Dixon Reservoir

    I spent some time late this afternoon at the natural area. Meadowlarks were singing their song of happiness, while a couple of robins chimed in. Add to their song the sound of falling rain and the rumble of thunder and I’m a happy camper. It was a light rain shower that moved through and as it moved out east it left this double rainbow for us to enjoy. I hope you had a wonderful Friday the 13th!

  • landscape,  natural areas,  storm clouds

    Deep Sustained Silences

    Storm clouds this afternoon on the eastern plains

    Everything here feels compromised—too many planes—too many cars—too many concessions where commerce is favored over contemplation. What if it is only through the deep sustained silences that precede and follow love that life can be brought forth in all its fullness?

    Terry Tempest Williams
  • clouds,  horizons,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes

    A Part of Nature

    We moved from being a part of nature to being apart from nature.

    David Attenborough

    Most of the trails in the Natural Areas are closed due to wet and muddy conditions from this gentle rain we have been enjoying the past three of days. And, not much more to say about the clouds that this image doesn’t say. Green dominates the eyes, especially when it is wet. I enjoy being a part of nature!

  • 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!

  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  quotes

    Afternoon Prayers

    How good it is to pray to God and meditate in the meadows amidst the grass and the trees. When one goes out to the meadows to pray, every blade of grass, every plant and flower enter into his prayers and help him, putting strength and force into his words.

    Rabbi Nachman of Breslav

    I drove to Reservoir Ridge Natural Area yesterday afternoon to journal but that’s not what happened. Instead I watched and listened. The the air was full of birds and their songs of prayer. And, the grass in the meadow was making music and praying with the wind. I never touched the journal but watched and listened to the concert of songs and whispers of prayers for about 45 minutes. It had to be afternoon prayers.

    And today is my youngest sisters 70th birthday. Happy Birthday, Sheree!