My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and the mystery of it all.
“My feet were placed on Mother Earth in the midst of others’ so that I might learn to walk together with them in my heart.”
Good Buffalo Eagle, The Seven Paths
The above quote is a good message to this world. It may just be the answer we are all looking for. We have proven so often that violence and hate never allows us to walk together.
A friend of mine fell a few days ago and had to have some surgery. She spent some time in rehab and was finally able to return home yesterday. So, welcome home Ruth and pray you have a quick recovery. 🙏
When you decide to walk the path of the mystic, the mundane shows up as miraculous, the boring becomes fascinating, and your own shortcomings turn out to be your greatest gifts.
I’ve come to realize the only true walk is the re-walk. You cannot know a place without returning. And even then, once isn’t enough.
Craig Mod
It’s a beautiful morning with blue skies and clouds. I took this at Arapaho Bend Natural Area on my way to meet Eric for coffee and conversation around 8:30 am. The yellows and golds are looking good against the blue sky and water. They’ve predicted the wind to blow and it has already begun so we are being showered with dancing leaves, twirling and swirling for the joy of it. I so enjoyed my time this morning that I needed to stop and take a few more images on the way home. Once wasn’t enough. I hope you enjoy your Saturday!
“There is only one way to make others more loving and that is by loving more ourselves.”
Eknath Easwaran
Yesterday I needed some nature-time so I went to Reservoir Ridge Natural Area. I brought both my camera and my flute. With the temperature in the mid-fifties, overcast skies and high humidity it made it a cool walk. Shortly after I began walking I noticed the changes in the colors, the sounds and my mood. Each step west took me further away from the hum of traffic and the more silence that surrounded me. I became aware the meadowlarks had moved on to warmer climates taking their beautiful song with them. A few starlings offered me their high-pitched “chip” but it was not the same. I began to repeat a short prayer/mantra in stride with my steps, a lovely form of walking meditation. My destination was to the “rock” that sits along the trail. This rock is near a pond surrounded by cattails and is a haven for blackbirds and ducks in the spring and summer. I sat on the rock for a few minutes taking in the silence then practiced on my flute in that silence. This nature-time was just what I needed.
For all the great thoughts I have read For all the deep books I have studied None has brought me nearer to Spirit Than a walk beneath shimmering leaves.
Yesterday’s mornings predawn colors over Dixon Reservoir
Be still, my soul, and steadfast. 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.
May Oliver, The Gift
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!
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.
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.
Setting sun on my walk at Reservoir Ridge Nature Area
sun sets in the west starburst on the horizon sacred finale
mws
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.
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.
