• clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  silence,  sunrises

    Silence of Early Mornings

    March 6, 2025

    “The body is a great reservoir of wisdom. Something as simple as bodily stillness and breathing make a contribution of untold value to discovering the unfathomable silence deep within us.”

    Martin Laird

    A light rain fell during the night leaving the air soaked in moisture. I found it very invigorating to me when I stepped out the door and ventured into the new day. I witnessed the gift of sunrise at Pineridge Natural Area. As I looked east the foothills behind me had a dusting of light snow while low hanging clouds blanketed their peaks. But the warm colors of the rising sun and the golden glow on the rabbitbrush was where my photographer’s eye focused. I love the silence, the stillness of early mornings. Spring is quickly coming and change is inevitable. Hoping you have a wonderful day!

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  • landscape,  meadow,  natural areas,  nature,  poems,  poetry,  sunrises

    Only the meadow remains…

    March 4, 2025
    This morning’s sunrise at Pineridge Natural Area

    In the early morning hours
    I sit in silence with the meadow and
    allow her to embrace me.

    I share the dawn of this new day
    while listening to the owl’s cry
    echo through the meadow.

    This shared intimacy with the meadow
    has a way of giving birth to new life
    in the ground of my being.
    … I am, therefore, never the same!

    And, I hear in this sacred place
    an unspoken invitation to return again
    each time bringing an awareness that
    each short visit is but a passing moment.

    So, whenever and while I still can
    I will sit with the meadow
    until only the meadow remains.1This was inspired from a poem written by Li Po (Zazen on Ching-t’ing Mountain) in the book Poetry of Presence: An Anthology of Mindfulness Poems.

    mws
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  • quotes

    I like the morning hours

    February 24, 2025
    Sunrise over Lee Lake

    Watching the morning break, I realize again that darkness doesn’t kill the light—it defines it.

    Richard Wagamese

    I have been a morning person all of my life. Both my parents were also early risers. Working rotating shifts while in the service was not easy for me. I have had only one job where I worked four ten hour evening shifts so that I didn’t have to commute five days a week. Now in my later years of life my Circadian rhythm is still in cycle with sunrise and sunset. I am not a night person. I like the morning hours.

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  • landscape,  quotes,  sunrises

    The Secrets of Tomorrow

    February 14, 2025

    “And remember, also,” added the Princess of Sweet Rhyme, “that many places you would like to see are just off the map and many things you want to know are just out of sight or a little beyond your reach. But someday you’ll reach them all, for what you learn today, for no reason at all, will help you discover all the wonderful secrets of tomorrow.”

    Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth

    Happy Valentines Day! 💝

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

    Loving Energy

    February 11, 2025
    January sunrise in 2006 – Arapaho Bend Natural Area

    The elders say that Creator is perfect loving energy. Within the realm of perfect love there is no judgment. If there is no judgment then there can be no failure. In turn, if failure does not exist, there is no unworthiness. We are all one energy. We are worthy and we always were. We never have to qualify. And ceremony was born to allow us to remember that.

    Richard Wagamese

    It is bitter cold here in Colorado, down in the single digits. I won’t complain because other parts of the country are colder. My hands and feet are cold, which seems to be the normal these days. I was supposed to meet my classmates for our monthly luncheon but cancelled that idea. I think I’d rather make a peanut butter and jelly (apricot) sandwich, place it in a paper bag then reminisce of the old days in the cafeteria where we would trade sandwiches. Remember? That will be my ceremony for today. Stay warm and safe!!

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  • clouds,  landscape,  quotes,  silence,  sunrises

    Listening Carefully

    February 10, 2025
    Predawn at Pineridge Natural Area – April 2021

    Have you ever heard the wonderful silence just before the dawn? Or the quiet and calm just as a storm ends? Or perhaps you know the silence when you haven’t the answer to a question you’ve been asked, or the hush of a country road at night, or the expectant pause of a room full of people when someone is just about to speak, or, most beautiful of all, the moment after the door closes and you’re alone in the whole house? Each one is different, you know, and all very beautiful if you listen carefully.

    Norton Juster
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