• clouds,  landscape,  Mary Oliver,  natural areas,  poems,  quotes,  sunrises

    Starting Tomorrow

    April 20, 2022
    Sunrise at Topminnow Natural Area

    I worried a lot. Will the garden grow, will the rivers
    flow in the right direction, will the earth turn
    as it was taught, and if not how shall
    I correct it?

    Was I right, was I wrong, will I be forgiven,
    can I do better?

    Will I ever be able to sing, even the sparrows
    can do it and I am, well,
    hopeless.

    Is my eyesight fading or am I just imagining it,
    am I going to get rheumatism,
    lockjaw, dementia?

    Finally I saw that worrying had come to nothing.
    And gave it up. And took my old body
    and went out into the morning,
    and sang.

    Mary Oliver, Devotions

    I’ve worried a lot, too. I worry much less at my age because I also finally saw that it never really helped. I’m also a hopeless singer, with most of my practice done in the shower, solo. But, Mary Oliver’s poem has inspired me to stop worrying whether I’m as good a singer as a sparrow and just sing. So, starting tomorrow morning… 😁

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  • Plants,  poems,  poetry,  seasons,  snow,  winter scenes

    …something stronger

    March 12, 2022

    My dear,
    In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love.
    In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile.
    In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm.
    I realized, through it all, that…
    In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.
    And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.

    Albert Camus

    I was making a trash-run then going to check my mail when I saw these tracks on the edge of the frozen pond. After tossing the trash and checking the mail I spent about 15 minutes outside taking a few photos so my hands were cold when I got inside.

    I do not know if I’ve ever read this complete poem by Albert Camus until today. I’m familiar with only a portion of it; “In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.” But this whole poem had much to say to me about the chaos in our world today and the ability to push back. I totally agree with him that there is something stronger within all of us. He only lists three, love, smile and calm, to overcome hate, tears and chaos, but there are many more. We can begin with the Prayer of St. Francis. What’s interesting to me is he adds the adjective invincible to each of them. Webster’s defines invincible as: incapable of being conquered, overcome, or subdued. Yes, I believe in that “something stronger– something better” within all of us, is pushing right back.

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

    Ever Changing Light

    February 20, 2022

    While the city slept I made a trip to Pineridge Natural Area hoping for colors on the eastern sunrise. I was not disappointed.

    Quite often I see a lady walking her two dogs at this natural area. Not sure if she lives nearby or not but they are regulars. This morning both dogs wore these reflective dog harnesses or some sort of battery operated harnesses. The dogs always get a good workout with her as she does set them on a pretty good pace. Looks like her and the dogs stay fit.

    Just before sunrise a man arrived and stood next to me using his phone to take images while both of us oohed and awed the gift we were witnessing. We shared in small chit-chat then each headed for coffee after the sun had risen.

    This second image was taken 26 minutes after the first image at roughly the same point. Gives an idea of the ever changing light and how nature continuously creates something new. And, I want to believe it’s just for our enjoyment. We are expecting a warm day today before snow and cold return tomorrow.

    on the horizon
    the sun offers a new day
    ever changing light

    ms
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  • fog,  landscape,  Plants,  poems,  poetry,  trees,  writing/reading

    Gift of Forgiveness…

    January 20, 2022

    in the silence of a foggy morning
    I listen to my heart as it cries for
    the brokenness of our world and
    offer a prayer as tears flow from my soul

    may we awake to the nurturing embrace of love
    may we awake to the healing touch of compassion
    may we awake to the needs of the oppressed
    may we awake to the gift of forgiveness

    ms

    It is a cold morning here in Colorado. A heavy ice storm yesterday morning followed by a light snow all day and cold temperatures has made it poor traveling. I received a notification yesterday that the city of Fort Collins was on an accident alert and the bus system was on a delayed and shortened schedule. Expecting some sunshine this afternoon and will clean off the snow and 1/10th of an inch of ice from my car. I have not been outside my condo for over 48 hours. Feels strange.

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