• landscape,  quotes,  storm clouds

    It is everywhere

    April 4, 2025
    Storm clouds over Watson Lake

    “Peace will come to the hearts of men when they realize their oneness with the universe. It is everywhere.”

    Black Elk

    This morning we had intermittent rain and snow showers and much colder temperatures than I wanted. Last Thursday I had an echocardiogram done. About 10 am today I had a CT Scan and will know the results next week. And, I am having a TEE (Transesophageal Echocardiogram) procedure next Thursday. These tests are to check out how the aortic valve is functioning after two years. Notice how I talked about the weather in one sentence then the next four talking about my old guy medical issues. 😂 Enjoy your weekend! And it is snowing now!

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  • horizons,  landscape,  mountains,  quotes,  silence

    Solitude

    April 2, 2025
    An afternoon along Weld County Road 90

    Solitude is a state of hospitality, a welcoming of all that needs attention. Solitude offers a ground that is embracing and inclusive. Everything can be made welcome in the broad arms of solitude, even fear. For as long as humans have sought counsel with the sacred, much of it has happened in a space set apart from others. Here, in silence and nourishing aloneness, we can become receptive to the influence of soul…

    Francis Weller

    Even more so since Covid I intentionally seek out times and places for solitude. I also am now prone to shun away from large crowds, being more comfortable with one on one situations for coffee or lunch. I am more welcoming to those broad arms and hospitality of solitude.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  quotes,  sunsets,  trees

    Sitting Quietly

    March 29, 2025

    All of humanity’s difficulties stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.

    Blaise Pascal

    This is a snapshot of Mike watching the sunset at Turquoise Lake, Colorado, while on our motorcycle camping trip in 2006. It was one of those moments to just sit quietly and soak it all in.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  poetry,  quotes,  trees

    Storm Clouds

    March 28, 2025
    Storm clouds May 2021

    Breathe in, breathe out,
    breathe until you feel your bigness,
    until the sun rises in your veins.
    Breathe until you stop needing
    anything to be different.

    Julia Fehrenbacher

    I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  reflections,  sunsets

    It is within each of us…

    March 19, 2025
    Sunset at Running Deer Natural Area

    The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize at the center of the universe dwells the Great Spirit, and that its center is really everywhere, it is within each of us.

    Black Elk
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  • bicycling,  clouds,  landscape,  quotes,  sunrises

    Growing through life’s challenges…

    March 18, 2025
    Predawn light over campus on my bicycle ride to coffee

    You have countless opportunities to grow through life’s challenges—in other words, to become an ever more fully, deeply human human being. This is the meaning of the Yiddish word mensch. Someone whose humanity shines through the darkness of this world. Someone who believes in the fundamental goodness of life and embodies it. Not despite challenging experiences, but as the result of having practiced facing them with courage and kindness.

    Mirabai Starr, Ordinary Mysticism
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  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  reflections

    The scent of the rain

    March 14, 2025

    As I stepped out the door this morning I was greeted with a chorus of robins announcing the new day. Now a gentle rain falls, spreading it’s refreshing scent into the lives of all of creation. In these moments I feel alive, renewed, as I enter into the mystery of this new day. This day began with quiet prayer and meditation time, an Old Town Mocha made by Adriana, then coffee and conversation with Jeff. My intent for the day is to live with some peace and calm, separate from the chaos and drama that society seems addicted to. I know of no better teacher and friend to experience this serenity with than staying close to nature. Did I mention I love the scent of the rain?

    Reflections in Big Bass Pond

    I took a stroll around Big Bass Pond at Arapaho Bend Natural Area yesterday afternoon to enjoy the silence and solitude of that sacred place. Behind me were a couple of nesting eagles. I want to believe their shrill calls are shouts of happiness for the egg or two sitting in their nest. May you have a wonderful Friday!

    How we think ripples out to how we behave.

    Robin Wall Kimmerer
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