My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and asking deep questions.
given a new day
ms
accepting the gift offered
feel special again
If you look close you will see an eagle perched atop the tree on the left. A half dozen or more eagles have been hanging around these trees on the east side of town for the past few weeks. A large cement plant has been moved so there is now a large gravel pit partially drained which has allowed for the gift of easier fishing for the eagles. I wonder if this eagle feels special.
in stillness and silence
ms
colors begin to appear
predawn mystery
I sit in the upper parking lot at Pineridge Natural Area for this morning’s sunrise. Below me the city slowly stirs awake. Here, in this natural area, nature has already begun stirring as chattering magpies sit atop cottonwood tree branches. The geese and ducks make small waves across the reservoir. The wind is still. In the cold I listen to the silence and experience a calming that I will carry into my day. This is becoming an integral part of my morning prayer and meditation. A few years ago I couldn’t imagine spending mornings like this. Now, living in the present is how I choose to begin my day. For each new dawn offers the mystery of this day’s events that only we can live and experience in the present moment.
empty parking lot
ms
gate closed due to snow
opening soon
This is sunrise three days ago at Pineridge Natural Area. The area was closed until today due to snow so I pulled along the rode and took this image. It is a different perspective of a common theme I am drawn to. What you see below is is the lower parking area. I normally park in the upper parking lot as I gives me the higher view. I cannot see the horizon when in the lower parking lot. It is now open but the trails will probably take a bit longer to reopen due to mud.
it is a serious thing
Mary Oliver
just to be alive
on this fresh morning
in this broken world.
Violence never brings peace nor does it solve problems in our world. It’s insanity when we think fixing a broken world or disturbed mind can be accomplished through violence. It’s insanity when some keep trying it again and again. It’s insanity when we encourage such thinking. It’s insanity when we fail to speak up against it. There is another way.
“Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement, to get up in the morning and look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted. Everything is phenomenal; everything is incredible; never treat life casually. To be spiritual is to be amazed…”
Abraham J. Heschel
Drove out east near Prospect Ponds then over to the Arapaho Bend Natural Area. Cloud cover over most of the sky as we have a front moving into the area bringing more rain and snow. It’s always nice when a couple of Canada Geese photobomb my image. Adds a little punch, spice to it for me. Have a wonderful weekend!
I saw a weather report last night that showed the impact level of the storm over the last three days. The levels ranged from little/none, limited, elevated, significant, extreme and dig out. We are now in the dig out stage but probably later this afternoon. This is my car this morning at 7:40. I tried to clear some of the snow off but it’s solid because of its moisture content and last night’s temperatures were in the teens. No way will I be able to get out of the parking lot even if I get the car cleaned off.. Watched my neighbor with a lifted up 4-wheel drive pickup truck struggle to get out. Then the young lady with a Subaru Forester like mine needed pushed and dug out. I will let nature clean my car off and the contractors to plow the parking lot. I measured again this morning and I still see 16 inches. But the sun’s out. 
Good morning. Had a short night of sleep with lots of commentary going on in my head. It also could have been from the sugar coated cookie (well more than one) I ate couple of hours before bed. Made a chai latte this morning then headed to Pineridge NA to watch the sunrise. Had this rather chatty magpie join me to watch the sunrise. They were quite comfortable with me even when I stepped closer and moved to the side more so I could put the sunrise behind them. They posed for about a half dozen photos, jabbering almost the whole time. Wondering if I was moving too slow for them. 
Drove home realizing this may be the last bit of sunshine over the next 2-3 days. Weather app said we could see 15-25 inches, or more, of snow from this approaching storm beginning later today and into Saturday. When I hear things like that, I feel the need to put on a crockpot of Mild Yellow Curry Chicken and will have some tikka masala rice with it later this afternoon. Have a wonderful day!