Oh do you have time
Mary Oliver, “Invitation,”
to linger
for just a little while
out of your busy
and very important day
for the goldfinches
that have gathered
in a field of thistles
for a musical battle,
to see who can sing
the highest note,
or the lowest,
or the most expressive of mirth,
or the most tender?
Their strong, blunt beaks
drink the air
as they strive
melodiously
not for your sake
and not for mine
and not for the sake of winning
but for sheer delight and gratitude –
believe us, they say,
it is a serious thing
just to be alive
on this fresh morning
in the broken world.
I beg of you,
do not walk by
without pausing
to attend to this
rather ridiculous performance.
It could mean something.
It could mean everything.
It could be what Rilke meant, when he wrote:
You must change your life.
- gratitude, landscape, Mary Oliver, natural areas, Pineridge Natural Area, poems, sunrises, writing/reading
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Morning at the Reservoir
quiet morning at the reservoir
ms
calm water mirrors predawn sky
as the sun nears the horizon
the meadow begins to come alive
song birds fill the nights silence
crescent moon surrenders to day
dark shadows give way to light
cherish this gift of awe and wonderI brought out the blue in this image, which makes it look unreal, so we could see the crescent moon better in the upper right corner. Interesting that I didn’t even see the moon when taking the image.
Have a great Sunday!
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Listen to the Wind
Listen to the wind
Native American Saying
it talks
Listen to the silence
it speaks
Listen to your heart
it knows.I’m learning to enjoy the silence of nature as I take time each day to listen in nature.
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The Days Gift
receive the days gift
ms
placing trust in mystery
morning sunriseToday my parents celebrate their 72nd Wedding Anniversary. They have for the past 72 years placed trust in the mystery of each new sunrise., sometimes haltingly but never walking away. Congratulations mom and dad! I love you!
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I Like to Smile
cool breeze from the south
ms
sky filled with cotton ball clouds
wise kingbird singsThis time of year the sun rises early and I seem to follow suit. Made my chai latte and was out the door at roughly 5:06 am. The sky was filled with altocumulus clouds when I arrived at Pineridge Natural Area, where it seems nature had randomly thrown up cotton balls, bringing on a smile. I’m okay with that cuz I like to smile. Sat on the bench with my camera, binoculars, journal, my chai, a vitally needed coat and listened to all the birds singing.
In case you’re wondering, altocumulus clouds are a middle-altitude cloud genus that belongs mainly to the stratocumuliform physical category characterized by globular masses or rolls in layers or patches, the individual elements being larger and darker than those of cirrocumulus and smaller than those of stratocumulus. (Wikipedia) I think calling them cotton balls is easier and more understandable.
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Great to be Alive
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After Sunrise
after sunrise
ms
dropped by a coffee shop
morning mochaMy parents made the decision to sell their house in Phoenix and move into an assisted living facility. So, my sisters, my brother-in-law and I will help them clear out a 1600 sq ft home and move into a 650 sq ft, 1 bedroom, 1 bath apartment. This is something they have talked about for a while and been a concern with my sisters, my brother-in-law and I for awhile. My parents finally asked my sister, Marcee, if she would check on everything, the facility and the money. She did a wonderful job of presenting them the options of staying in their house or living in an assisted living facility, then letting them make the decision themselves. It seems we all agree it’s a good decision. I fly out tomorrow for Phoenix. Not sure how long I will be gone so my posts may be sporadic or nothing at all. Enjoy your weekend! Oh, and Happy May Day!
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Favorite Moments
courage to persist
ms
listening for our answer
robins morning songWatching the first light of this new day, the moon setting in the west while the sun brightens the eastern sky. A gentle wind blows, prompting the meadow grasses to dance. A pelican bobs on the waves of the reservoir. Robins sing their morning song for me. A hawk effortlessly soars on the wind currents high above the reservoir. These are calming moments for my soul to begin the day. We have a chance for rain today, much needed moisture.