• clouds,  landscape,  mountains,  quotes

    Time at Watson Lake

    May 5, 2024

    “The world is holy. We are holy. All life is holy. Daily prayers are delivered on the lips of breaking waves, the whisperings of grasses, the shimmering of leaves.”

    Terry Tempest Williams

    I spent some time this past week at Watson Lake for some quiet time and journaling. The wind blew, with a cold bite to it. I enjoyed the sound of waves pounding onto the shore. Things are greening up. The ponds, lakes and reservoirs are full, and snow sits atop the mountains in the higher elevations. All is a good sign for us. It was cloudy and cold this morning. Perfect weather to meet a friend for a spicy chai. The sun breaks through clouds and blue sky is our gift now. Hope you had a wonderful day!

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  • landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  sunrises

    Morning Prayer

    April 24, 2024

    “I pray to the birds because they remind me of what I love rather than what I fear. And at the end of my prayers, they teach me how to listen.”

    Terry Tempest Williams

    I listened to it raining during the night so I was surprised to see an almost clear sky this morning. Since I woke early I made my way to Pineridge Natural Area to enjoy the beginning of a new day, bringing my camera just in case. Listening to the choir of meadowlarks and robins this morning lifted my spirits, setting the tone for the day. Listening seems to be a theme for me this morning, so I better listen. I stopped at Starry Night later and enjoyed a mocha latte made by Hannah. I listened as she excitedly shared about the blossoms on the tree outside her bedroom window, even showing me photos. And, I listen as they play In My Life by the Beatles. Hope you have a wonderful day!

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  • prayer,  quotes,  shadows

    The Silence of Prayer

    January 27, 2024
    This mornings shadows in my bedroom

    I am learning to pray again, not in the way I was taught as a child, but in all the ways the desert has taught me to listen.

    Terry Tempest Williams

    Over 20 years ago I was given the suggestion to learn how to pray in my own way, that maybe prayer was much more than I had been taught as a child. That suggestion has become a wonderful gift. So my life of prayer, the how, what and who of my prayer is, has become so experiential, personal and inclusive. It is always evolving, a conversation, yet without words. It has become more about listening to an inner voice and listening to nature. I include my journaling, listening for words, as a form of prayer, as is reading. Might as well include laughter as prayer. So is crying. Watching the sunrise. Taking in a deep breath is prayer. And, if we take the lesson, we will find nature teaches us silence to sit with. I’m learning to be silent in the silence of prayer.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  quotes,  sunrises

    Honor Creation

    August 17, 2022
    Sunrise from Viewpoint Spur at Pineridge Natural Area

    By honoring wilderness, we honor beauty. Beauty is not peripheral, but at the core of what sustains us. Awe and wonder ignite our imagination. We are inspired. We witness the magnificent and miraculous nature of creation. We are humbled. Wilderness becomes soul settling; a homecoming; a reminder of what we have forgotten—that where there is harmony there is wholeness. The world is interconnected and interrelated. Wild nature is not only to be protected, but celebrated.

    Terry Tempest Williams, Erosión

    I celebrated sunrise this past Sunday morning with a slightly different view by walking up Viewpoint Spur. This view adds trees and brush to the foreground. Love the awe and wonder of those pink clouds. A great way to honor creation! And, as she says in her quote, wilderness settles my soul.

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  • landscape,  quotes,  sunrises

    What will it take…

    July 19, 2022
    Early morning at Watson Lake

    “What will it take for us to change so that other species like the greater sage grouse, the grizzly, the wolf, and the wolverine can live and thrive in peace? What will it take for us to honor what they need, instead of what we want?”

    Terry Tempest Williams, Erosion
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  • architecture,  quotes,  shadows,  window

    Self Discovery

    April 18, 2022
    Early morning light through my front-room window

    “A shadow is never created in darkness. It is born of light. We can be blind to it and blinded by it. Our shadow asks us to look at what we don’t want to see”

    Terry Tempest Williams

    There is a dark side of me I that I did not always want to see or admit to knowing about. It’s a side that can be full of hate, anger, jealousy, envy, fear, insecurity, self-centeredness, and the list goes on. I imagine everyone could also add to this list. When I was younger I avoided looking inward, always had a focus on how I wanted you to see me outwardly. I am grateful for this time in my life where I use self-examination along with prayer and meditation as the light to acknowledge and face the shadow side of myself. It is a path of self discovery.

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