• clouds,  landscape,  mountains,  quotes,  sunsets

    We are not bad peanuts!

    I belong to no religión. My religion is love. Every heart is my temple.

    Rumi

    At this point in my life I do not believe anyone is a bad person at the center of who they are. Although that could be true of peanut M&Ms, I don’t believe it’s true of humanity. Some will disagree. There are many who believe the lie that we are born bad and then live a life based on that belief, never coming to the full potential and the gift we are to the world.

    God who created man out of love also calls him to love–the fundamental and innate vocation of every human being. For man is created in the image and likeness of God who is himself love. 

    Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1604

    I’ve read where we are created out of love to be love and that statement resonates at the center of who I am and continues to resonate. Maybe it’s the optimist in me, the romantic in me or my hope for humanity. But, I also believe in it because it gives me hope that all people can be transformed and become who they were really created to be; loving, compassionate, kind. This world needs love, lots of it, and it is our task to be that love. We are not bad peanuts coated in chocolate!

  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  rants,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area,  sunrises,  sunsets

    Predawn Light and Blue Hour

    Predawn at Pineridge Natural Area

    The clouds looked inviting early this morning so I made my way to Pineridge in hopes of some colors in those clouds. But the colors I was hoping for did not materialize which happens when I set my expectations too high. Anyway it was wonderful to be there. I did return with cold hands and toes which always seems to make my mocha latte, made by Nate this morning, even better.

    Blue Hour at Claymore Lake

    I found myself in a funk while writing yesterday afternoon. So, with the sun still shining and about an hour left before sunset, I headed to Reservoir Ridge Natural Area to sit with all of creation and, also, to watch the sunset. I found what I needed. I am aware that when I leave I always need to carry home with me what I find there.

    Some time after the sun has set, we enter the period of twilight called the nautical stage where everything around seems to turn blue. They call it blue hour because the sunlight’s blue wavelengths dominate due to the Chappuis absorption caused by ozone (you can check it out). I love this blue color and one of the many reason I gravitate to the twilight hours.

    On a sad note, today is the 81st anniversary for the bombing of Pearl Harbor. It is a day to remember the lives lost on that day (both sides, military and civilian), the families of those who lost loved ones, and the millions of lives needlessly lost over the next four years of war. President Roosevelt in his speech the following day called it a day which will live in infamy. My prayer is that day of infamy be a time for the world to wake up to the fact that we have never found peace through war.

  • clouds,  gratitude,  lake,  landscape,  reflections,  sunsets,  writing/reading

    Four years ago today

    Sunset over Rigden Reservoir

    … I had my heart surgery, where they replaced my aortic valve. So, I thought I’d share my gratitude list with you today as it follows the theme of my last posting: 

      • Thankful for a healthy heart and it’s as full as it is 
      • Thankful for time with family and friends
      • Thankful for the opportunity to enjoy the things that have become such a gift in my life such as time with nature, photography, blogging, conversations with family and friends
      • Thankful for my prayer and meditation times
      • Thankful for my journals, fountain pens and the words I uncover with them
      • Thankful I can experience and enjoy each new sunrise and sunset
      • Thankful for another day to venture into a coffee shop to visit my favorite baristas
      • Thankful for the chance to read poetry, which I’d never done before
      • Thankful for the chance to try my hand at poetry, haiku
      • Thankful for the chance to create more of my photo books to share my photography and my words
      • Thankful for my home and the remodeling this past year
      • Thankful for blueberries in my Irish Oats 😂
      • Thankful for DQ Blizzards 😂
      • Thankful for my camera upgrade 2 years ago and a lust for the next upgrade 😂
      • Thankful that what I have is enough and in all honesty do not need anything more than what is already in my life
      • Thankful that there are still those who embrace love, compassion, serenity, joy, hope, peace and …. ❤️
    • landscape,  mountains,  natural areas,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area,  sunsets

      Second Post

      This is my second post for today. I spent some time at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area late this afternoon, primarily for journaling. It was quiet so it added to my journaling. A couple people were out walking off dinner and dessert, even a runner. I hung around long enough to watch and enjoy the sun set, grab a photo and head home. Without the sun I feel the cold more. Hope you had a great day!

    • landscape,  natural areas,  Plants,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area,  sunsets,  trees

      Busy Day

      It was a busy day yesterday. Started laundry about 7:00 am, made a quick trip to the grocery store then arrived at a coffee shop by 8:15 am. Had a zoom meeting at noon followed by a 2 1/2 hour lunch with my friend Duane. Finished off the day with a walk a Reservoir Ridge Natural Area for this image. I then curled up with a book and headed for bed.

    • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area,  sunsets

      A Touch of Pink

      Waxing Crescent moon and pink clouds at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

      It was a cool fall day yesterday. Sunshine, blue skies and scattered clouds in the morning then a few sprinkles later in the day. I did not sleep well on Friday night. Woke up around 12:30 feeling nauseous. The visit to my cardiologist this past Tuesday showed my blood pressure is now in stage 2, so he wants me to go on blood pressure meds. He wants me off the meloxicam because one of its side effects is increased blood pressure. So I stopped one medication and started another. Who knows what that is doing with my system. I took my walk to the east side of Reservoir Ridge Natural Area last night and arrived in time to see some pink in the clouds and waxing crescent moon. Have a great Sunday!