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Monte Stevens Blog

My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and the mystery of it all.

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  • landscape,  mountains,  natural areas,  seasons,  winter scenes

    Silence

    December 23, 2021

    Silence gives answers…

    Rumi

    Silence provides answers whether I’m looking within during a time of prayer/meditation or the silence encountered during a conversation with a quiet winter snowfall.

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    Monte Stevens's avatar Monte Stevens 4 Comments
  • quotes,  shadows,  silence

    Shadows on the patio

    December 1, 2021

    We must become so alone, so utterly alone, that we withdraw into our innermost self. It is a way of bitter suffering. But then our solitude is overcome, we are no longer alone, for we find that our innermost self is the spirit, that it is God, the indivisible. And suddenly we find ourselves in the midst of the world, yet undisturbed by its multiplicity, for our innermost soul we know ourselves to be one with all being.

    Hermann Hesse
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    Monte Stevens's avatar Monte Stevens 6 Comments
  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  poems,  poetry,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area,  writing/reading

    the many gifts of nature…

    October 2, 2021

    sitting on a bench at the natural area
    I look out across the open meadow

    a light wind blows from the south
    softly whispering through golden grass

    taking simple breaths I remain present
    far from those places thoughts beckon

    a blue jay chatters from a pine branch
    joined by a chorus of barking prairie dogs

    I’m listening…

    but all goes silent with my unexpected sneeze
    an engulfing quiet settles upon the meadow

    silence is broken with a chickadees two-note song
    inviting the prairie dogs and blue jays back

    a squawking magpie joins in and so the
    concert continues much to my pleasure

    within this simple experience I am
    offered one of the many gifts of nature

    I’m listening…

    ms
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    Monte Stevens's avatar Monte Stevens 2 Comments
  • Black and White,  lifestyles,  quotes,  silence

    Truth

    September 17, 2021

    In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in a clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness. Our life is a long and arduous quest after Truth.

    Gandhi
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    Monte Stevens's avatar Monte Stevens 2 Comments
  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  poems,  silence,  sunrises,  writing/reading

    Listen to the Wind

    June 2, 2021

    Listen to the wind
    it talks
    Listen to the silence
    it speaks
    Listen to your heart
    it knows.

    Native American Saying

    I’m learning to enjoy the silence of nature as I take time each day to listen in nature.

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    Monte Stevens's avatar Monte Stevens No Comments
  • haiku,  landscape,  mountains,  natural areas,  seasons,  silence,  snow,  winter scenes,  writing/reading

    Embracing Silence

    April 14, 2021
    The morning’s view at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    fresh blanket of snow
    covers cold open meadow
    demanding silence

    ms

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    Monte Stevens's avatar Monte Stevens 2 Comments
  • clouds,  gratitude,  haiku,  landscape,  natural areas,  silence,  sunrises,  tanka,  writing/reading

    Predawn Sky

    April 13, 2021

    early predawn sky
    morning bird songs are silent
    quiet fills the air

    listen to the inner voice
    heart now filled with gratitude

    ms
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    Monte Stevens's avatar Monte Stevens 2 Comments
  • clouds,  haiku,  landscape,  natural areas,  silence,  sunrises,  writing/reading

    Predawn Mystery

    March 25, 2021

    in stillness and silence
    colors begin to appear
    predawn mystery

    ms

    I sit in the upper parking lot at Pineridge Natural Area for this morning’s sunrise. Below me the city slowly stirs awake. Here, in this natural area, nature has already begun stirring as chattering magpies sit atop cottonwood tree branches. The geese and ducks make small waves across the reservoir. The wind is still. In the cold I listen to the silence and experience a calming that I will carry into my day. This is becoming an integral part of my morning prayer and meditation. A few years ago I couldn’t imagine spending mornings like this. Now, living in the present is how I choose to begin my day. For each new dawn offers the mystery of this day’s events that only we can live and experience in the present moment.

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    Monte Stevens's avatar Monte Stevens 4 Comments
  • fountain pens,  haiku,  journal,  writing/reading

    listening for words

    February 26, 2021

    wind howls outside
    serene and calm within
    listening for words

    ms

    Blue skies, sunshine, cold and windy. Pretty much sums up the day so far. It’s a grab a book, make a homemade chai latte, wrap myself in a warm blanket in my recliner and possibly take a nap kinda day.

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    Monte Stevens's avatar Monte Stevens 2 Comments
  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  sunrises,  tanka,  writing/reading

    Greeting the New Day

    February 1, 2021

    sky of cotton clouds
    sun peaking over the horizon
    the silent sunrise
    a prayer for this new month
    the dawning of world peace

    ms

    Have a great week and a great February.

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    Monte Stevens's avatar Monte Stevens 1 Comment
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