• Dewdrops,  leaves,  quotes

    Silent Song of Happiness

    “Every form of insentient existence – plants, stones or utensils – has its individual feelings similar to those of men. When we observe calmly, we discover that all things have their fulfillment.”

    Basho, The Essential Haiku by Robert Hass

    We awoke to a dusting of snow. Since then it has switched between a constant drizzle and snow, sometimes rather large snowflakes. It is actually quite beautiful. It is moisture we desperately need, so bring it on. And, I want to believe every plant, including these leaves outside the coffee shop, is probably excitedly soaking it all up and singing its own silent song of happiness.

  • leaves,  quotes,  sky,  trees

    A Summertime Truth

    “Here is a summertime truth: abundance is a communal act, the joint creation of an incredibly complex ecology in which each part functions on behalf of the whole and, in return, is sustained by the whole. Community not only creates abundance – community is abundance. If we could learn that equation from the world of nature, the human world might be transformed”

    Parker J. Palmer

    I have enjoyed this summer-like day. I sat on my porch and journaled this afternoon. A cool breeze blew and enticed the trees to dance with it. I watched two small robins, who I think were juveniles, chasing one another around the old tree stump. I watched two baby squirrels jumping from branch to branch in their game of tag. These simple games most young ones play. A blackbird sang its song from the far edge of the pond. And the geese continue to practice in their attempt at a song, unsuccessfully I must add. As I look up I see the blue sky with puffs of clouds silently and slowly drifting by. For me it was a cool summertime day with an abundance of community around me. I feel my day has been full. I hope your day was a full.

  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  quotes,  reflections

    You’ll learn things you never knew…

    Beaver Pond at Arapaho Bend Natural Area

    “But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger
    You’ll learn things you never knew, you never knew.”

    Lyrics from Colors of the Wind

    Yesterday I came across a song from Pocahontas called Colors of the Wind. I discovered a flutist playing the song and liked it. So I searched for copies of the music, thinking I’d like to learn to play it. I downloaded a copy of the music which also had the lyrics. I have heard the song before but never seen the movie. I was surprised how the lyrics impacted me. I began to cry because it hits home to the arrogance and contempt of much of the world, and especially in this country. I have continued to be emotional today, partly because the lyrics explain so much of our troubled world but also because there has been a lot of loss in my circle of friends and family lately. I am now inspired to really learn the song on my flute. Even if you’ve heard the song before I suggest you listen to the song. And I hope you had a wonderful day.

  • clouds,  landscape,  quotes

    Nature’s Wildness

    All Nature’s wildness tells the same story. Storms of every sort, torrents, earthquakes, cataclysms, ‘convulsions of nature,’ etc., however mysterious and lawless at first sight they may seem, are only harmonious notes in the song of creation, varied expressions of God’s love.

    John Muir
  • Avian,  quotes

    Teaching me to listen…

    Eastern Kingbird

    I pray to the birds. I pray to the birds because I believe they will carry the messages of my heart upward. I pray to them because I believe in their existence, the way their songs begin and end each day—the invocations and benedictions of Earth. I pray to the birds because they remind me of what I love rather than what I fear. And at the end of my prayers, they teach me how to listen.

    Terry Tempest Williams

    We’ve had a steady mist all morning and they are predicting heavier rain later this afternoon. It is welcomed moisture and much the same for the next four days. Seems my photographer’s eye has been drawn to clouds and birds the past few weeks. The song birds have put on some wonderful concerts that keep me coming back for more. If I could change one thing in Williams quote it would be the phrase “pray to.” I would like it to say “pray with.” And, I do believe their songs are teaching me to listen! Happy Saturday!

  • Avian,  meadowlark,  poems,  poetry,  silence

    After the Last Note

    I leave the chaos to enter the sanctuary of nature,
    aware this spiritual life is about our experiences.

    I listen as the meadowlark sings from their heart,
    the wind carrying their notes to all who will listen.

    I learn, after the last note fades into the past,
    to stay present, just as the meadowlark,
    listening to the gift of silence.

    mws

    I saw two extraordinary events yesterday afternoon at Pineridge Natural Area. While scanning the area with my binoculars I watched a large raptor, which I believe was a Golden Eagle, flying straight at me with a prairie dog in their talons. Golden Eagles are common in the area but this was my first sighting of one. Later, while journaling on the bench about the eagle there was an increase of chatter among the magpies just below me. I looked up from writing and see a bobcat. This was the first one I’ve seen in this area even though there are several in the area. I took no photos, just memories that remain in the present! Enjoy your weekend!

  • quotes

    The Songsters

    “In the spring, when the thickets are green … One of our sweetest, loudest songsters is the [Western] meadowlark; this I could hardly get used to at first, for it looks exactly like the Eastern meadowlark which utters nothing but a harsh disagreeable chatter. But the plains air seems to give it a voice, and it will perch on top of a bush or tree and sing for hours in rich, bubbling tones.”

    Theodore Roosevelt