• coffee life,  journal,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  sunrises,  writing/reading

    A nap is on the schedule

    July 27, 2021

    Arrived a half hour before sunrise. No clouds to be seen but instead a dirty brown haze from the forest fires sits on the horizon. As I watch the bright orange globe break the horizon I realize we’ve not seen the high mountains in the west for several days now as they are shrouded in the haze. Hoping we will see them soon.

    My mind was active last night so it was a short night of sleep. I blame it on a caffeine and sugar intake about 2:00 pm and a mind that chased almost every thought with some commentary. A nap is on the schedule for today. 😁

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  • coffee life,  coffee shops,  sunrises

    Today is a New Day

    July 20, 2021

    They are predicting poor air quality over the next few days as the smoke from the west coast fires are carried into our area. The eastern horizon has this brown haze to it and therefore the sun has an orange glow to it, so surreal. Today is a new day. A gift, even though we may not see it that way. May we live it to the best of our abilities.

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  • fog,  landscape,  Plants,  trees

    Silent Waves of Fog

    July 15, 2021

    low lying clouds
    sea of suspended water
    silent waves of fog

    ms

    Had a short night of sleep but slept sound for most of it and feel rested. Headed out early and discovered a bit of fog on the eastern plains. A world of clouds and haze until the sun burns it off. Very humid and cool morning with 96% humidity and 57 degrees. It is fascinating to watch fog as it changes and moves like a wave ever so silently and quickly. Fog does not hang around for too long. It is a cloud at the earth’s surface. A wave moving over bales of hay.

    A touch of pink in this image as the sun is about to rise behind the low clouds in the east. We are seeing fields of both the ripening wheat and three foot tall stalks of corn. Farmers are irrigating the fields of corn so lots of surface moisture to generate the fog. Where I’m standing is a ditch full of gurgling water, almost like having my own little stream. Have a great day!

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  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  sunrises

    Pre-dawn Sky

    July 14, 2021

    I arrived at 5:06 am. It was still dark. Warm enough not to need a jacket. It seemed much quieter than usual. I sat in the silence with my journal on my lap and camera sitting next to me. A mule deer pasted in front me and not sure she was aware of my presence. If she was I was not a threat to her. A cottontail came up and sat down in front of me, eyes riveted to mine in the silence. Soon the sky began to turn a soft pink. These moments are a gift then quickly gone. So, we must be present to each of them. I pressed the shutter button three times then went back to my journaling. Will meet with a friend in about an hour for good conversation.

    Testing has shown I have mold in my condo and will now need to deal with having that fixed before having the new vinyl flooring put in. It was scheduled for Aug 2nd. Hope there is no delay in that.

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  • landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  sunrises

    Hazy Morning

    July 12, 2021

    No clouds this morning but plenty of haze from the smog and smoke drifting from the west coast. Unable to smell them but sure can see their effects. Interesting how the camera sensor does not record the red/orange sun in the sky the same as the reflection in Dixon Reservoir. Hope you had a good weekend and a great week ahead.

    Started reading the book Nomadland by Jessica Bruder and finding it interesting. At times it’s sad, at times disturbing, at other times informative and other times funny.

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  • grass,  gratitude,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  Plants,  sunrises

    No One Got Hurt

    July 8, 2021

    This is today’s sunrise at Pineridge Natural Area. It looks to be a hot day, reaching 100 degrees. Had a couple of hiccups yesterday so sorry if this post sounds a bit whinny. Promise, it won’t take long.

    I dropped off my car at 6:30 to have the oil changed. I then walked to a coffee shop to meet a friend. I was already at the coffee shop, one I seldom patronize, when he called to let me know he was at ER after falling and dislocating his shoulder. He’s going to be okay.

    Since I was already at the coffee shop I ordered an iced chai, falsely believing that would make things better. Well it was probably the worst chai latte I’ve ever had. Dumped it all. I noticed a feeling of frustration within because plans were not going as planned. 😁

    It was now about 11:00 am. I walked back to the repair shop, buying a sandwich from the local Starbucks on the way. It was horrible. What’s wrong with my tastebuds? ☹️

    When I arrived at the repair shop I discovered there was a mixup. When I dropped off the car I placed the keys in the wrong place. They were not able to work on the car until I let them know where the keys were. Thus we were about 4 hours behind my scheduled plans. Then the Uber driver delivering my air filter got lost which delayed things. I did not get my car until 5:00 pm. Partly my error and partly theirs. However, everyone kept their kool. 😳

    Next, I was to meet a friend about 6:45 pm. All went well with that plan. Felt gratitude and we even chuckled about each others day!

    I realized before going to bed that after my morning prayer and meditation time, I did not start my day at one of my natural areas. I made sure to remedy that this morning. 😍 Anyway, all is okay as no one got hurt yesterday. Have a great day!

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