• grass,  Plants,  quotes

    Life is like that

    Letting there be room for not knowing is the most important thing of all. When there’s a big disappointment, we don’t know if that’s the end of the story. It may just be the beginning of a great adventure. Life is like that. We don’t know anything. We call something bad; we call it good. But really we just don’t know.

    Pema Chödrön, When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times
    Cenchrus longisetus from the CSU Flower Trial Gardens

    Cenchrus longisetus, previously known as Pennisetum villosum, is a species of flowering plant in the family Poaceae, known by the common name feathertop grass or just feathertop. It is native to northeastern Africa and parts of the Arabian Peninsula, and it is grown elsewhere as an ornamental plant. It can sometimes be found growing wild where it has escaped cultivation. This is a perennial grass growing in rhizomatous clumps, producing erect stems up to about 75 centimeters tall. The inflorescence is a panicle of clustered spikelets surrounded by a cloudlike mass of plumose white bristles up to 5 centimeters long. In temperate climates it is hardy in mild or coastal areas, where temperatures do not fall much below freezing. Alternatively it is often grown as an annual. (Source Wikipedia) It reminds me of ocean waves when the wind is blowing but so silent.

    On Thursday I had my Covid and RSV vaccinations. I was feeling pretty good until early evening then went to bed about 7pm exhausted. I slept for about twelve hours, but it was not very good sleep. About mid morning on Friday, I took a two hour nap. I felt run down and tired all day Friday and even some body ache. I again went to bed early around 7pm last night. I slept really well and feel pretty good today. Life is like that. Hoping you have a great weekend and enjoy the coming week that looks to be cooler temperatures. Enjoy!

  • flowers,  Plants

    Petunias

    It has been a cooler day with clear skies and sunshine. Tonight’s low will be down around 50 degrees. After coffee time I deposited a check at the bank, did my grocery shopping, bought a new jacket and stopped by the CSU Flower Garden. There were several artists at the gardens and a perfect day for it. The jacket is a wind and water resistant shell that I will use it for bicycling. I liked the color and it was cheap. I hope you are having a good day!!

  • nature,  Plants,  quotes

    Significant Gifts

    “The most significant gifts are the ones most easily overlooked. Small, everyday blessings: woods, health, music, laughter, memories, books, family, friends, second chances, warm fireplaces, and all the footprints scattered throughout our days.”

    Sue Monk Kidd

    … even salsify.

  • leaves

    Perseverance

    As I waited outside the coffee shop the other morning I noticed this small plant making its way up through the cracks in the sidewalk. When we pay attention we can watch nature as it perseveres to grow against what seems like great odds. I found this definition of perseverance: it is the continued effort to achieve something despite difficulties, failures, or opposition.  I believe this plant is living that definition and is a great teacher if we pay attention. It is another hot day here as well in the east coast. Stay cool!!

  • flowers,  Plants,  quotes

    … life could be otherwise

    Columbines from my sisters back yard – 2015

    “If we think we are our thoughts and feelings, we go through life simply reacting to what is going on around us, with little awareness that we are even doing this or that life could be otherwise.”

    Martin Laird

    Hope you are staying cool!!

  • bicycle rides,  bicycling,  leaves,  Plants,  quotes,  Spring Creek Trail

    Today Was the Day

    Dogwood leaves along Spring Creek

    No one will protect what they don’t care about;
    and no one will care about what they have never experienced.

    David Attenborough

    When I rode to the coffee shop this morning it was 67 degrees and 91% humidity with a 30% chance of rain. There was a short moment of confusion as I felt like I woke up in Ohio or maybe North Carolina or Florida. Sure was not a normal Colorado morning. On my way home I took this image at one of the bridges that crosses over Spring Creek. I’ve wanted to stop here before and get a few images of the dogwood plants and those lovely leaves in this area, but never have. Well, today was the day. In these later years of my life I now enjoy making time to stop and experience, and not just take a photo, of what I normally just glance at. Everything is green along the creek which has plenty of shade and the constant flowing small creek. It is a much different scene than our open prairies where the sun has been bearing down on them for 3 weeks now. We need rain. I hope you are enjoying the day!!

  • leaves,  Plants

    The sleeping elf

    Sunlit oak leaves, fireflies dancing in the forest while a tiny elf sleeps
    Sunlit oak leaves and dancing fireflies in the forest while a tiny elf sleeps

    It’s a hot day, reaching 100 degrees at about 2:00 pm. I did however enjoy my ride to and from the coffee shop this morning. Always a great way to start my day. I took an image last Thursday morning of the sun bursting through oak leaves just outside the coffee shop. I like the original image but for the fun of it I asked Jetpack to enhance it and was amazed how it changed it. It removed the street and house from the background and created a fantasy forest, added dancing fireflies, something I did not expect! I then asked it to add the sleeping elf. I really like the way it turned out and maybe because it adds a cooling feel on this hot day. I must also admit this AI editing feels very strange to me. Again I hope everyone is staying cool.

  • flowers,  Plants,  quotes

    Morning Glory

    “Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”

    A.A. Milne

    Field bindweed (Morning glory) is a twining weed which spreads by seed and by new plants arising from a perennial root system reaching ten feet or more in depth. The slender stems may reach six feet in length, running along the ground or climbing fences, crop plants, ornamentals, or other convenient supports. Years ago I needed to dig fence post holes and found roots 3 feet deep. Yet, I agree with Winnie-the-Pooh, they can be beautiful and photogenic.

  • bicycle rides,  flowers,  landscape,  Plants,  Spring Creek Trail,  sunrises

    On my way to the coffee shop…

    … I needed to stop and get on one knee again to get a photo of these asters (blanket flowers) along Spring Creek Trail. I did not ride the past couple days because of the rain and drizzle, so I really enjoyed this morning’s ride. And, in case you’re curious, I was able to get back up without help and there were no popping sounds!!

  • flowers,  Plants

    Moment of “Wow”

    I had this moment of “Wow” on my way home from the coffee shop this morning. There is a section along Spring Creek Trail where several of these blanket-flowers (asters) are gathered alongside the trail. I decided today was the day to stop. I knelt on one knee and worked on a composition I liked. It is moments like that I realize I am learning that I am a mystic when I am kneeling before a blanket-flower, or any creation of nature, with my camera in hand, checking my composition and histogram and then realize I am holding my breath. It’s at that point I pause, take a deep breath and say a simple prayer of “Wow.” Isn’t that what a mystics does?