• coffee life,  fountain pens,  journal,  quotes

    A Beginning

    June 14, 2024

    “A beginning is ultimately an invitation to open towards the gifts and growth that are stored up for us. To refuse to begin can be an act of great self-neglect.”

    John O’Donohue

    I’m beginning this morning as usual. It began with quiet time of meditation and prayer. I’m now at Mugs for my Old Town Mocha latte made by Adrianna. I will meet a friend for breakfast later. No self-neglect this morning. We had a very active thunder and lightning storm last night, about 10 o’clock with very little rain. It is overcast this morning and we could see some heavy rain this afternoon. Hoping you have a wonderful Friday.

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  • clouds,  horizons,  landscape,  nature,  poems

    Refreshed

    June 1, 2024

    There is a place where the town ends,
    and the fields begin.
    It’s not marked but the feet know it,
    also the heart that is longing for refreshment
    and, equally, for repose.

    Mary Oliver, Boundaries from her book Red Bird

    I enjoy my little excursions to what Mary calls in her poem a place where town ends. I am also aware I frequent them more often. I’m seldom conscious of when I cross that unmarked line and things change. But, I do feel it in my body as it gradually relaxes. I believe nature is lovingly offering me (and all of us) a place of rest and tranquility within her embrace. What I see, hear, smell, and feel are enhanced. I gently find myself feeling a part of nature. Even refreshed!

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  • clouds,  poems

    A Cloud

    May 31, 2024

    I wandered lonely as a cloud
    That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
    When all at once I saw a crowd,
    A host, of golden daffodils;
    Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
    Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

    Continuous as the stars that shine
    And twinkle on the milky way,
    They stretched in never-ending line
    Along the margin of a bay:
    Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
    Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

    The waves beside them danced; but they
    Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
    A poet could not but be gay,
    In such a jocund company:
    I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
    What wealth the show to me had brought:

    For oft, when on my couch I lie
    In vacant or in pensive mood,
    They flash upon that inward eye
    Which is the bliss of solitude;
    And then my heart with pleasure fills,
    And dances with the daffodils.

    William Wordsworth (1802)
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  • coffee life,  journal,  quotes

    Little Bird Bakery

    May 30, 2024

    The courage to be is the courage to accept oneself, in spite of being unacceptable.

    Paul Tillich

    I met a friend on Sunday morning at a place called Little Bird Bakery. They recently relocated from the square in Old Town. Their new location is much bigger and more inviting. The same wonderful French baked goods, though! We found a table on the second floor looking out over College Avenue with the morning sun coming in the window. Their French pastries are delicious but pricey. Which will prevent me from going very often.

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  • Avian,  meadowlark,  poems,  poetry,  silence

    After the Last Note

    May 24, 2024

    I leave the chaos to enter the sanctuary of nature,
    aware this spiritual life is about our experiences.

    I listen as the meadowlark sings from their heart,
    the wind carrying their notes to all who will listen.

    I learn, after the last note fades into the past,
    to stay present, just as the meadowlark,
    listening to the gift of silence.

    mws

    I saw two extraordinary events yesterday afternoon at Pineridge Natural Area. While scanning the area with my binoculars I watched a large raptor, which I believe was a Golden Eagle, flying straight at me with a prairie dog in their talons. Golden Eagles are common in the area but this was my first sighting of one. Later, while journaling on the bench about the eagle there was an increase of chatter among the magpies just below me. I looked up from writing and see a bobcat. This was the first one I’ve seen in this area even though there are several in the area. I took no photos, just memories that remain in the present! Enjoy your weekend!

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  • Avian,  poems

    Listen With Their Hearts

    May 11, 2024

    the meadowlark sings his song
    from it’s perch atop an old fence post

    what seems to be just a melody to some
    is a beautiful song of love and hope

    a gift carried by the wind to those
    who will listen with their hearts

    mws
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