~ summer days living in a haze relentless heat dragging my feet existential threat dripping with sweat an irritating motif longing for relief my mouth agape fantasy landscape cool mountain air a refreshing affair alpine meadows sudden joy arose ~ ~ The dog days of summer continue to drag on. Never before do I remember…
Extinction of species, climate change, extreme weather events, growing poverty, pandemics, ocean acidification, desertification, endless wars, and injustice. What will wake us up to the need for changing how we live with each other and this beautiful planet? I wonder if we will wake up before there is no wilderness, clean air, clean water, or…
Here are more images from a hike at Devil’s Den State Park last summer when we had abundant rain. I humbly follow in the footsteps of men like John Muir who went to the woods to calm their minds and feed their souls. Naturalists, conservationists, and poets have been touting the merits of nature and…
~ excitement and hope fill the air as billowy clouds build and winds gust neighbors gather outside to witness a miracle the prospect of rain a pungent prayer skies darken with immense clouds, and then it begins blessed rains pour from the sky as if from a spigot birds sing, humans rejoice, and trees sigh…
beauty / photography / poetry
~ dragonflies hover ripples of color and light dancing in the air ~ The photos above are from a hike last spring in 2021. Partly due to the weather and my changing habits, I have not been out hiking much this year. I still love and appreciate nature, but find myself less interested in driving…
~ radiant colors petals drenched in liquid love a fleeting beauty ~ ~ We’re in the middle of a relentless heat wave with no rain and temperatures in the upper 90s for the third week in a row. So I’m staying indoors reading, sorting old photos, and watching shows on the computer. I hope you…
~ sunsets, smiles, food, family, and friends live simply, harvest love reap peace and harmony share your joys and sorrows connect with people and nature harvest a lasting contentment know abundant happiness ~ I’ve been thinking more lately about simple living. We’ve been stuck on consumerism ever since corporations started pushing material gain as the…
~ my secret garden when walking through the forest where wonders abound ~ You might notice that I don’t even know the name of most of these plants and trees. I do know some, but it isn’t important to me. I am more interested in observing and appreciating the details of nature. Some people find…
Have you ever connected with the soul of a garden? Does a garden even have a soul? Or how about the plants, flowers, birds, insects, and other creatures who visit? I don’t really have an answer. I know some who would argue for and against. What I do know is a vibrant garden like our…
~ delicate blossoms shimmering in the soft light warm my tender heart ~ I’ve been enjoying the pond life with water, ducks, frogs, birds, sunsets, and my neighbor’s beautiful garden. Thank you Pond Life. #PondLife
I’m back from my trip and learning how to make the best of where I am. For much of my life, I looked to change circumstances to feel better, believing I needed things a certain way in order to be happy. Lately, I spend more time looking for the good in where I am and…
I’m back from my trip east to see family and finally feeling caught up. I worked hard in mom’s house and yard to get things back in shape. She hires people to help with house cleaning and mowing, but the details get neglected. I spent much of my time outdoors; picking up debris, trimming trees,…
~ Today I want to honor our mothers; the earth, our birthmothers, and anyone who has helped nurture and care for us. Planet earth is mother to everyone whether we acknowledge her or not. Most of you know of my love and appreciation for nature and her beautiful diversity of life. Here are some flowers…
~ Like John Muir, I go to the woods to be restored and renewed. Especially in spring, I go to see the cycles of life at play, appreciate earth’s beauty, and marvel at the wonders and miracles of life. ~ wandering and wondering I marvel at the beauty of nature each new discovery is a…
~ Our leader vocalizes with a series of clicks, squeeks, and whistles, signaling it is time to find our meal. The pod moves in synch as we speed off, echolocate, and swarm our target. We herd the fish; circling, splashing, and condensing the mass. Then we dive in to feast. After eating, we float and…
writing to freedom 