My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and the mystery of it all.
Blendon Woods Metro Park, Westerville, Ohio – 2011
The Winter Solstice for the Northern Hemisphere in 2025 occured today at approximately 10:03 a.m. EST, marking the shortest day and longest night as the Earth’s tilt is furthest from the Sun. So today we officially begin the winter season and signal the gradual return of longer days. And, we celebrate this day because it is also my youngest granddaughters birthday. Happy birthday Madie! And, we have had overcast skies with a mix of rain and snow making it look and feel like winter here in Colorado.
We received our first measurable snowfall beginning early Wednesday morning and continuing into the early evening. I had from 4-6 inches of wet snow on my car yesterday morning. After coffee and conversation I drove out to Pineridge Natural Area for the above image. It was deep enough I got snow in my boots. This morning we had clear skies, a beautiful full moon and 10 degrees. Roads are ice and dangerous.
My dad’s health deteriorates. The heart and kidneys are failing and he is retaining a lot of fluids. So, he asked to stop taking all medications except the Eliquis and be put into Hospice. They brought in a Hospice doctor to evaluate him for their services and then called in Hospice. I am amazed that he is cognisant enough to think this all through and then make the decision himself. He wants to stay on the Eliquis because it can help prevent strokes. Something I would not have thought of. I will not go down there unless something happens since I just visited two weeks ago. I did talk to him on the phone yesterday. He sounded weak and tired and seemed ready to have Hospice available for him. After watching Hospice help mom he knows what they can do. I will keep you informed as you are part of my family.
After two days of overcast skies, cold, rain and snow, the skies are clearing. And, the weather app predicts we are going to see warmer weather this coming week. A morning drive out to Reservoir Ridge Natural Area after coffee lifted my spirits. Loved seeing a touch of blue sky peeking out from behind clouds and listening to meadowlarks singing from the meadow. It was a moment to experience real life, cold and all, and grateful to be alive. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
What is saving my life now is the conviction that there is no spiritual treasure to be found apart from the bodily experiences of human life on earth. My life depends on engaging the most ordinary physical activities with the most exquisite attention I can give them. My life depends on ignoring all touted distinctions between the secular and the sacred, the physical and the spiritual, the body and the soul. What is saving my life now is becoming more fully human, trusting that there is no way to God apart from real life in the real world.
“Peace will come to the hearts of men when they realize their oneness with the universe. It is everywhere.”
Black Elk
This morning we had intermittent rain and snow showers and much colder temperatures than I wanted. Last Thursday I had an echocardiogram done. About 10 am today I had a CT Scan and will know the results next week. And, I am having a TEE (Transesophageal Echocardiogram) procedure next Thursday. These tests are to check out how the aortic valve is functioning after two years. Notice how I talked about the weather in one sentence then the next four talking about my old guy medical issues. 😂 Enjoy your weekend! And it is snowing now!
a grove of barren trees in a snow covered pasture thrive in open space
mws
After peaking Bingham Hill you drop into this lovely lowland meadow that always gives me some good vibes. Maybe it’s because it’s an open space. There is no invasion of a housing development, warehouse or mall to take the view away. So, yesterday morning I needed to stop and capture the open wintery scene. Enjoy your weekend!!
The contemplative discipline of meditation… doesn’t acquire anything. In that sense, and an important sense, it is not a technique but a surrendering of deeply imbedded resistances that allows the sacred within gradually to reveal itself as a simple, fundamental fact.
Martin Laid
This image was handheld when it was 7 degrees and with a slight breeze out of the northeast. Because of those two factors it is not sharp, probably true of more of my images than I want to admit, but I do like the feel of it. It shouts, “Damn it’s cold!” On the upside we are moving into a few days of warmer weather, reaching into the 60’s.
Now is the season to know That everything you do Is sacred.
Hafiz (translation by Daniel Ladinsky)
This is a ridge along Horsetooth Reservoir after the night’s dusting of snow. And, it was bitter cold. And, I see that it is cold on the east coast and cold up north, also. Please stay warm!
But the silence in the mind is when we live best, within listening distance of the silence we call God… It is a presence, then, whose margins are our margins; that calls us out over our own fathoms.
R. S. Thomas
It seems we have had a winter wonderland to enjoy over the past couple of weeks. The gifts shared by this winter’s season has been in abundance. I have thoroughly enjoy the visual beauty, enough to bear the single digit temperatures and venture out with my camera. This morning, we are at -2 degrees and had a dusting of snow during the night. Stay warm!!
