• clouds,  landscape,  mountains,  natural areas

    I’m good with that…

    April 6, 2021

    This past weekend we set record high temperatures for both Saturday and Sunday. I wore sandals both days and short sleeve shirts. 😁 People were outdoors and some even got sunburned. I spent time Sunday afternoon at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area. I took this image to show you we still have snow in the foothills from the almost two foot snow storm we had three and a half weeks ago. Sunny this morning but expecting it to cool off this afternoon and enjoy refreshing rain showers. And, you can see the grass greening up. I’m good with that.

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  • gratitude,  landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  shadows,  snow

    Dang, it’s cold!

    February 14, 2021

    Most people don’t look…
    the gaze that pierces – few have it –
    what does the gaze pierce?
    The question mark.

    Henri Cartier-Bresson

    It was -8 degrees at 6:30 am. That’s too dang cold. Wearing wool socks, two pair. Made a French press but it was cold before the first sip. And, it’s snowed. It may sound like I’m whining because I am. I also have an attitude! Our countries unrest doesn’t help the attitude. The thought crosses my mind to sell my condo and move south. Whining! So, about 9:30, after it had warmed up to -4 degrees, I headed to the natural area. Needed time in the sanctuary of nature as it’s therapy for this negative thinking I find myself in. I needed to gaze at the world around me rather than the four walls of my condo or the prison of my thinking. Found the parking area empty, fresh snow and shadows as the sun began to break through. I immediately began to feel better!

    A friend sent me a short reading that reminded me of the value of beginning our day with gratitude. I realized that sure wasn’t how I began today. So, I restarted my day with a gratitude list in my journal. Beginning to feel even better but still cold.

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  • bicycles,  landscape,  natural areas,  seasons,  snow,  Transportation,  winter scenes

    All Geared Up

    January 28, 2021

    It was in the mid 30’s when I took this image of the rider at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area this afternoon. As you can tell a little snow and cold does not stop the avid bicyclist in Colorado. They gear up just as you would for skiing or snowmobiling. This guy was on one of those fat tire bikes, with those massive tires for snow. Shortly after taking this image the sun poked its head out, gave me shadows in the snow and made me smile.

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  • landscape,  natural areas,  Plants,  seasons,  snow,  sunsets,  winter scenes

    After the Storm

    January 27, 2021

    Had a good night’s sleep but woke up too late to catch the sunrise so you’ll have to settle for this sunset at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area. We had a dusting of snow on Sunday morning then cleared up by noon. Monday evening a light, gentle, silent snow began and did not stop until this morning. The sun came out mid morning but left us with an inch of snow. The mountains got much more so skiers are probably happy dancing. It was cold this morning at 9 degrees but warmed up to 23 when I took this image at 4:30 pm. I had a nice quiet time as I sat in my car and journaled, the sun bearing down on me and keeping me warm. After writing I took a short walk before the sun set which is when this image was taken. When the sun sets this time of the year it gets cold quickly.

    UCHealth contacted me and I’m scheduled to have my first COVID-19 vaccine this coming Saturday morning and the second one on February 20th. They sent me an email letting me know I could sign up for the vaccine. So I went on line and chose the first opening. I was quite surprised to be notified, figuring I would have to get on some long waiting list.

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

    Chilled

    January 15, 2021

    To live in this world
    you must be able
    to do three things:
    to love what is mortal;
    to hold it
    against your bones knowing
    your own life depends on it;
    and, when the time comes to let it go,
    to let it go.

    Mary Oliver

    Had a short night of sleep, yet feel rested on this beautiful January morning. Almost cloudless sky until the sun rose and a few wisps of clouds arrived. Took my camera on a morning walk at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area after the sun had risen. The short walk was good for me but I picked up a chill by the time I returned to the car. Stopped at the Bean Cycle for a mocha latte on the way home, but still chilled. I have enjoyed the quiet morning. The sound of busyness can be heard as the city stirs awake.

    One friend is having back surgery this morning and a second friend has an appointment with a surgeon this morning for similar surgery, both have herniated discs. I have had back problems for most of my life due to scoliosis. X-rays a few years ago showed a 40 degree curve to my left with a spinal twist, plus arthritis. I do some stretching exercises they showed me which I think has helped. Plus I do not stress the back with heavy lifting and use good techniques in bending and lifting. Someday I may be having the same surgery.

    Looks like cold has a grip on most of the country so stay warm!

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  • clouds,  landscape,  mountains,  snow,  sunsets

    Planted in our shoes…

    January 13, 2021
    sunset and the cloud formation from a week ago

    “I dream of a world where the truth is what shapes people’s politics, rather than politics shaping what people think is true…”

    Neil deGrasse Tyson

    It is Wednesday evening. We have had overcast skies throughout the day, metaphor for the feel of our country’s woundedness. The wind has picked up and will blow into Friday with gusts up to 70 mph. Another metaphor for our troubling times. Sometimes we live in our heads more than in the world and therefore what we think we think we know, just ain’t so. Time for all of us to stay planted in our shoes. It’s the only place we can live.

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