For all the great thoughts I have read
Steven Charleston
For all the deep books I have studied
None has brought me nearer to Spirit
Than a walk beneath shimmering leaves.
A Simple Walk
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Love as never before…
Yesterday’s mornings predawn colors over Dixon Reservoir Be still, my soul, and steadfast.
May Oliver, The Gift
Earth and heaven both are still watching
though time is draining from the clock
and your walk, that was confident and quick,
has become slow.
So, be slow if you must, but let
the heart still play its true part.
Love still as once you loved, deeply
and without patience. Let God and the world
know you are grateful.
That the gift has been given.I’m beginning to accept aging as more of a constant companion than someone to avoid. Nor do I live in a fantasy that it will go away. Aging now walks with me every day and walk at that slower pace. Some days I feel the grief of losing that walk that was confident and quick in my life, as Mary says in her poem. Yet, in this season of my life I am grateful for the gift of the life which has been given. What a gift it is to slow down, be present to life, fully experience and enjoy it. So my simple prayer this morning is that I may love as never before. The world needs more love! Why not let a spark begin with me.
I began a crock pot of 15 bean soup this morning. Well there are more than 15 beans in it, which will be ready about 1:00 pm if you wanna come over. May you have a wonderful day, filled with a heart of gratitude!
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This morning’s walk
I took an enjoyable walk at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area this morning. The clouds were drifting along with the wind, always changing, seemingly asking which shape appealed to me the most. A couple of red-tailed hawks effortlessly soared on the invisible wind currents above me. I found myself surrounded by a half dozen meadowlarks sitting atop fence posts or rabbit-brush as if calling for my attention. A noisy magpie seemed to want my attention, also. I felt important. So, I gave them each my attention and began a conversation with them. It caused me to remember the older man who walked the city streets talking to himself when I was younger. I thought he was crazy. Now, I walk nature trails while having conversations with nature and I’m not concerned with what people may think. And, I know longer consider the old man to be crazy. 🤪 In this image you can see the meadow beginning to green up, as are the two pastures on either side of me.
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Another Small Gift
A Barn Swallow I photographed a week ago. What a gift it is to see the beauty in the small things of nature as well as the larger gifts such as a sunrise or sunset or a sky full of clouds. On a walk a couple days ago at Watson Lake I ran into friend I have not seen in a 2-3 years. It was good to spend a few minutes catching up. Another small gift.
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Sacred Finale
Setting sun on my walk at Reservoir Ridge Nature Area sun sets in the west
starburst on the horizon
sacred finalems
It is that time of the year when the air quickly cools down as soon as the sun drops below the horizon. My body noticed the temperature drop so shortly after I took this image I headed back to the car. I now walk one of the natural areas almost every day. I drive to a couple and within walking distance to two near my home. When I drive to Pineridge and Reservoir Ridge I find more quiet from the city noise. So, I prefer to go there. Reservoir Ridge is probably my favorite natural area right now. It has been closed for three days due to muddy trails from the snow we had earlier in the week.
You can still see smoke in the sky from the Cameron Peak fire and the fires from the west coast. The Cameron Peak fire is not out but smoldering under several inches of snow. I can smell the smoke this morning. This mornings update says, “With warm temperatures, low humidity and a sunny day the snow continued to melt rapidly, and the fire activity became more noticeable.” The snow has definitely helped in quieting the fire for the last few days but the danger is not over. Thankfully, we are in a much better situation than the west coast.
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Afternoon Walk
This was taken 4 days ago on my afternoon walk. “Our living is determined not so much by what life brings to us as by the attitude we bring to life; not so much by what happens to us as by the way our mind looks at what happens.” Khalil Gibran
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Time In Prayer
Morning reflection on a glass smooth Dixon Reservoir “It is no surprise that in our loss of connection with Nature, we have forgotten how to pray. We even believe that we do not need to pray.”
John O’DonohueJoan and I met for a walk/talk session at Pineridge Natural Area this morning. We took the shorter route around the reservoir which is not quite 3 miles. They were predicting a beautiful day after yesterday’s overcast skies and rain, so a lot of people were out to enjoy it. After our walk we ate brunch on the patio of a new restaurant called the Chicken Coop, which serves American Mexican breakfast and lunches. We will need to go back and try other things on the menu and definitely include another walk.
Time in nature is time in prayer.
