“As the years pass, I am coming more and more to understand that it is the common, everyday blessings of our common everyday lives for which we should be particularly grateful. They are the things that fill our lives with comfort and our hearts with gladness — just the pure air to breathe and the strength to breath it; just warmth and shelter and home folks; just plain food that gives us strength; the bright sunshine on a cold day; and the cool breeze when the day is warm.”
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Today is my parents 65th Anniversary. Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!
Been a busy morning, on the go for most of it. I headed out to the Riverbend Ponds because the storm clouds are breath taking today. We have had three consecutive days of thunder storms in the afternoon bringing heavy rains, lightening, flooding and even tornados along the Colorado Front Range. They are predicting two more days of the same thing and these clouds look like the potential exists. With spring runoff beginning and the heavy rains the creeks and rivers are full and in some places out of their banks. This is true of the Poudre River at the Riverbend Ponds. They have part of the bike trail closed off. Even though the storm clouds are natures way of showing its power, I love the clouds. Hope everyone enjoys the 3-day weekend.
It was cold this morning on my short walk at the Arapahoe Bend Nature Area. The slight breeze made the 24 degrees seem colder. Needless to say I kept the walk short and stopped at the coffee shop on the way home. If you look closely you will see a young lady just starting a walk with her dog.
Last week I slept in one morning. It seemed like the covers weighed a ton making it too difficult to get up. After another hour of sleep I found the strength to remove the covers and crawl out of bed. The sun was already up casting that warm morning light through my window. As I watched the sun in my room several questions went through my mind. What did this mornings sunrise looked like? What colors were there? What animals and birds would have watched it with me? What would it be like to see every sunrise or sunset? How many people see twelve or more sunrises or sunsets in a year? What would I be like if I experienced more sunrises and sunsets? Would I have a quieter mind, know more peace? Lots of questions this morning. Maybe I should have gotten up earlier. 🙂
I’ve found an early morning walk at the Arapahoe Bend Nature area is a great way to start my day. It can help reduce worries I have bouncing around in my head. Just as I reached my car I noticed a Bald Eagle perched above the area, watching, looking for breakfast. Sorry, I only had my short zoom with me so 50mm zoom is all you get.
There is something inside of me that smiles when I see scenes in nature like this and not just because we see fewer of these scenes. I think nature is a wonderful teacher and, in my case, I need to be more of a student. I grabbed my binoculars and stood there watching him. I don’t believe this eagle is worried about the economic situation, taxes, Christmas shopping, the project at work, getting the car fixed, term papers, getting old, mistakes, weeds in the garden, painting the house, etc. Something inside tells me worry may not even be part of its nature because worry is related to a potential future event/circumstance. Animals do not worry because they live in the present. Animals do stress but only to a present situation and results in flight of fight. Its present moment in life is survival: food and water. Very different than man.
The city has worked on the Red Fox Meadows Nature area over the past 3-5 years. I just happened to be near the area and noticed the added improvements and turned car around to check it out. They have improved the walking path from the muddy trails to pea size gravel, added some fencing and signs in the restoration areas and a bathroom. I was impressed. I was also impressed with the sun as it rose above the trees to start it’s task of warming up the day. And, this park is only three blocks away. I’ll be back!
