Every new morning gives fresh hope, for great is the mercy of the new day.
Lailah Gifty Akita
This morning’s ride
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The Wonders of Life
Cumulus clouds at sunrise this morning Stopping is an essential part of the spiritual life. If we cannot stop, we cannot see our True Nature. When we stop, we begin to see clearly, and we can appreciate the wonders of life. We can see that there is no separation between ourselves and the world, and we can marvel at the oneness of all things. To be fully present in the moment, we need to stop letting our mind race ahead to the future or dwell in the past. We need to let go of our distractions, our worries, and our busyness.
Thich Nhat HanhOne thing about bicycling is the tendency to be more present to the now and not as much time in my head. So this cloud scene required me to stop this morning and take in the beauty and wonder of nature. And, I wasn’t late to the coffee shop.
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The Gift of Riding
Edited with Lightroom and Jetpack Image Editor “There is beauty in silence and there is silence in beauty and you can find both in a bicycle!”
Mehmet Murat ildanThe gift of riding. That’s a simple statement but I think it needs to be expanded on. I had been looking at bicycles because I began having issues with my back when I walked more than 5k steps. This August it will be two years since I purchased my e-bike. From that purchase a new world opened for me and the gifts began appearing. So here are some reasons I consider riding my red steed as a gift. It includes good cardio exercise since it does not bother my back. I do not have to deal with the insanity and congestion of traffic. I spend less money on gas, put fewer miles on my car and I pollute less. I am spending more time in the elements of nature. This was a surprise because the riding puts me in nature rather than being enclosed in a car. To enhance the experience of nature I enjoy taking the Spring Creek Trail, even though it’s a longer ride than across campus. In taking that trail I’m experiencing more of the sounds, sights and smells of nature. While riding I am in the midst of the beauty and the silence of nature. For me it is the gift of a spiritual experience and a wonderful way to start my day.
I bought the Trek Verve+ 1 bicycle. I did a lot of research into what I wanted before settling on this bike because I felt it met my needs as a Class 1. It has a small rear hub 250W motor with 40NM of torque. That easily gets me up any hills around here. The battery is rated at 250Wh, is integrated in the downtube, and lets me get about 32 miles on a charge. It has a Shimano 8 speed shifter, which has more gears than I need or use. I handed them my credit card after the return of my first test ride!
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Bacon Toast
Bacon Toast 
Spring Creek this morning I treated myself to something new this morning at Mugs, called Bacon Toast. It is bacon, avocado, sprouts, feta cheese and drizzled with balsamic glaze over sourdough toast. It was well worth my money. My day has been quiet. After my ride to the coffee shop and time with the community I celebrate there, I made sure I ate a couple hot dogs with chips and a piece of peach pie. It wouldn’t be the 4th without the hot dogs! Not the healthiest eating day for me but… I hope you enjoyed your celebration of our 250th anniversary.
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Smoky Sunrise
This was the scene along Spring Creek Trail this morning. The fires west of here in Utah and Colorado are now affecting us. We are seeing ash settling on cars and you can smell it. Sadly I heard this morning at the coffee shop that 3 firefighters have died and 2 have been injured in the 28,000 acre Snyder-Mesa Fire. I am not sure but assume this is the fire where most of the smoke filled air is coming from. In spite of the sad news, may you enjoy your Sunday!
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On my way to the coffee shop…
… I needed to stop and get on one knee again to get a photo of these asters (blanket flowers) along Spring Creek Trail. I did not ride the past couple days because of the rain and drizzle, so I really enjoyed this morning’s ride. And, in case you’re curious, I was able to get back up without help and there were no popping sounds!!
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To be a listener
No writing on the solitary, meditative dimensions of life can say anything that has not already been said better by the wind in the pine trees…or the silence and peace that is “heard” when the rain wanders freely among the hills and forests. But what can the wind say where there is no hearer?
Thomas Merton, THOUGHTS ON SOLITUDESo maybe our task is to be present and listen or what Merton refers to as the hearer.
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Some of us are trying
I fear that future generations will judge us harshly for our failure to place proper value on wildness, diversity, open space, spirit, solitude, and other treasures of the natural world still available to us today. May they at least know that some of us tried.
Guy Tal
Sunrise at Arapaho Bend Natural Area – May 2023 I am grateful this community I live in has placed value on the wildness of nature and have established several Natural Areas that are set aside as treasures. I am thankful no wealthy developer will be able to destroy the beauty of this morning sunrise scene. My prayer today is that everyone, including rich developers, will come to see the beauty and priceless value of this sunrise as a gift for all of us without a monetary value. And, I need to know I was one of those who tried.
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Morning Silence
AI image generated by Gemini Silence is one of the best ways to immediately reduce stress, while increasing your self-awareness and gaining the clarity that will allow you to maintain your focus on your goals, priorities, and what’s important for your life, each and every day.
Hal Elrod -
Predawn Sky
Predawn sky along Peralta Trail from August 2012 Violence is what happens when we don’t know what else to do with our suffering.
Parker J. PalmerMy sister Sheree and I arrived home about 1:15 pm yesterday afternoon. We left Phoenix on Tuesday morning, stayed the night in Raton, New Mexico then finished the trip yesterday. It was a good day of travel. We had a near miss with a deer just outside of Raton, New Mexico yesterday morning and then one driver almost swerved into us somewhere in Denver a few hours later. Seems road construction was/is everywhere! Both of us were tired by the time we got home. My sisters keep different hours than I do, staying up later but on this trip I did also. So I was even more tired. I emptied the car, unpacked everything and then sat for some meditation and quiet. I slept in this morning. In spite of the fatigue, I had a wonderful time with my family.
It’s been a cloudy and cool with a 40% possibility for rain. Because of the possibility for rain I drove to coffee this morning. At the present time the possibility of rain has been about 23 1/2 drops of rain. Well, maybe 25. Guess I need to dance faster. The gray skies offered a day to relax, journal, and read. I have also been going through some of the things belonging to mom and dad that we brought back. I have already discovered some jewels and shed a few tears. All good stuff! I still pray for the end of violence!
