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2019 06-23, 4258 – THE FIRST LILY OF SUMMER – Finally, after a long winter and spring, the first lily, a bright yellow one, has bloomed. I know that this is the beginning of a succession of different colors lasting into September. I am grateful to have the opportunity to watch the show.
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The First Lily of Summer
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A Special Discovery
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2019 06-22, 4257 – A SPECIAL DISCOVERY – As I approached an old pine stump at the edge of the Lupine Field, I discovered a small room someone had created to honor the fairies that I knew lived there. Anyone with a special childlike appreciation for nature has the opportunity to be aware of them.
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2019 06-21, 4256 – THE VIEW FROM THE PATH – I paused along the new path I had recently cut at the edge of the Lupine Field to enjoy the beautiful flowers from a different angle. Nature is a great place to pause and get a different view of life situations that we encounter along our soul’s path.
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The View from the Path
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Path Around the Field
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2019 06-20, 4255 – PATH AROUND THE FIELD - I hauled the field mower up the mountain and slowly cut a path around the Lupine Field so hikers could see the beautiful flowers from a different angle. It is good to see life from more than one angle so we can experience the whole picture.
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2019 06-19, 4254 - THE GALLERY IS OPEN – This is the eighth year that the Lupine gallery has been open. It started with a dozen blooming plants that have now spread across the entire field. You can have a gallery of a single plant or an entire field by growing it or visiting one.
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The Gallery Is Open
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2019 06-18, 4253 - GIANT ROOT ARCH – A year and a half ago, winter winds and freezing snow caused several giant pine trees to topple over. One uprooted tree created a giant arch as its trunk was torn out of the ground. It provides hikers a moment of wonder creating a brief escape.
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2019 06-17, 4252 - A HEART IN THE WALL – A rock that I spotted in the stone wall looked as if it had recently been unearthed. It did not have the weathered gray of other stones close to it. I wondered if Nature put it there to remind me of the unconditional love that flows from the Cosmos.
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A Heart in the Wall
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A Visit to the Lupine Field
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2019 06-16, 4251 - A VISIT TO THE LUPINE FIELD – I hiked to the Lupine Field between rain drops to check on this year’s display and was not disappointed. The flowers, although not yet fully open, created a peaceful scene as I watched the swallows swoop through the air. Nature is truly medicinal.
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2019 06-15, 4250 - HUNGRY EYES – The hungry bear eyed the suet, but the ladders I had placed fell over when it tried to climb on them and scaring him off. We have wild berries on the mountain that will provide nourishment for the wildlife, giving both them and us the space needed to co-exist.
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Hungry Eyes
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Flowers in the Orchard
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2019 06-14, 4249 - THE FLOWERS IN THE ORCHARD – There is a patch of wild asters that bloom every year in the same place in the orchard. They greet me as I pass by and I smile back at them. They serve to remind me that there are many flower patches in life just waiting to share their positive energy.
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2019 06-13, 4248 - ONLY A LITTLE BIT LONGER – Sometimes time passes slowly and sometimes time is but a fleeting moment. It is only a little bit longer for the lupine to be in full bloom and then only a fleeting moment of time to experience their beauty. When we take the time for a moment, we preserve it.
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Only a Little Bit Longer
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Little Pond
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2019 06-12, 4247 - LITTLE POND – In late spring the melting snow and rain causes water to run off the mountain and creates a little pond just off the road to the orchard. With the cutting of trees and moving of soil and rocks, I believe the little pond is a reality all year. Thoughts are a form of reality.
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2019 06-11, 4246 - A SHORT PAUSE TO REFLECT THE BEAUTY OF NATURE – Two friends paused during their hike to rest on the bench overlooking the Lupine Field. One was a frequent visitor and one was there for the first time. There are many places to pause and take in the beauty of life.
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A Short Pause
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Nature's Secret Gardens
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2019 06-10, 4245 - NATURE’S SECRET GARDENS – On the top of the ledges nestled into the side of the mountain is a beautiful secret garden of red columbines. Only a few people will discover them. Nature has a lot of secret gardens waiting to be discovered when we take the time to notice.
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2019 06-09, 4244 - PORTRAIT OF AN IRIS – I love to take picture portraits of flowers, and the iris is one of my favorites. It is a way for me to get up close and connect with what I am photographing. When we begin to look closing at people, we can discover how unique each human is.
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Portrait of an Iris
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Pink Treasures
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2019 06-08, 4243 - PINK TREASURES – I am always filled with joy and gratitude when I discover the pink treasures of the mountain again for the first time. The lady slippers are holding court in a corner of the orchard among the ferns. Life has many treasures with many different colors to discover again.
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2019 06-07, 4242 - KEEPING AN EYE ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD – On a recent walk through the orchard we noticed a small head peeking out at us from the opening in a bird house. It was, I think, a barn swallow, nesting and keeping a watchful eye as we passed by. It was a good feeling to know she was there.
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Keeping An Eye On The Neighborhood
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White Birches & Apple Blossoms
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2019 06-06, 4241 - WHITE BIRCHES AND APPLE BLOSSOMS – I am always searching for the perfect picture in Nature, and when I saw the apple blossoms through the white birches, I looked for the perfect angle. Life is like a 3D picture that we can frame and step into to experience.
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2019 06-05, 4240 - FILLING THE AIR – The air is filled with the sweet smells of lilacs, lilies of the valleys, and apple blossoms. Of course, this is also the time when allergies are in full bloom. If you experience smells and can remember them, you can fill your mind with fresh starts anytime.
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Filling the Air
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Time for the Rhode Again
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2019 06-04, 4239 - TIME FOR THE RHODE AGAIN – It is a busy time of year, and I am reminded of the Willie Nelson song “On the Road Again”. The rhode in the title of this podcast is about the rhododendrons that are now in bloom. They provide an opportunity to pause and appreciate.
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2019 06-03, 4238 - WATER COLOR – When we think of water color, we often have paintings in mind. In this case, Nature has provided a natural arrangement of water plants; flowers combine with the water in the frog pond as a “painting” for my spirit. It is a reason to pause and be grateful.
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Water Color
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Untangling Tangles
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2019 06-02, 4237 - UNTANGLING TANGLES – I learned many years ago when learning to use a bait cast fishing rod that the line could get tangled easily. It took patience to untangle it. Patience was the key when clearing a tangle partly blocking the trail. Patience can also help us untangle mind tangles.
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2019 06-01, 4236 - BEAUTY IN THE BUD – Most of us look for fully open flowers to brighten our day, but I have become aware that before the flower opens, there is beauty in the buds. The same is true in the potentials of people. We can help encourage natural talents to open to beautiful flowers.
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Beauty in the Bud
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Taking Their Own Sweet Time
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2019 05-31, 4235 - TAKING THEIR OWN SWEET TIME – The lilacs and other flowers are taking their own sweet time in sharing their beautiful blossoms this year. The late spring has put nature’s show behind schedule. The again, nature has her own schedule, and I am discovering beautiful buds.
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2019 05-30, 4234 - NATURE THROUGH THE EYES OF AN ARTIST – I am fortunate to have a variety of views of Nature created by many different artists in different mediums. I realize I do not see as others do, so it helps me when I study different views of life.
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Nature Through the Eyes of an Artist
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Wild Cherries
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2019 05-29, 4233 - WILD CHERRIES – The wild cherries are in bloom, providing nourishment for the insects that enjoy the sweet nectar. Later on the birds will benefit from the fruit. I am given the gift of spiritual nourishment all through the seasons of the wild cherries.
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2019 05-28, 4232 - PRIMROSES – May is the month that the small primroses shine their bright small blooms in the garden. Soon taller showy plants will hide these smaller beauties. Small positive actions in life have the potential of being transplanted to others, just as we move the primroses around.
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Primroses
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Lest We Forget
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2019 05-27, 4231 - LEST WE FORGET – Usually Memorial Day is filled with the sweet smells of lilacs, but as nature is behind schedule this year, it is the Forget-Me-Nots that remind me to remember and give thanks for all the veterans who have served our country to protect and guarantee our freedom.
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2019 05-26, 4230 - INDICATIONS OF A GOOD YEAR – The blueberry blossoms indicate that there is going to be a good yield of the tasty fruit this year. I know that some may worry about the future weather or if there are enough bees to pollinate the blossoms, but I choose to see the positive side of potential.
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Indications of a Good Year
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Little Flower, Big Power
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2019 05-25, 4229 - LITTLE FLOWER, BIG POWER – The blue violets are in bloom. They could be easily overlooked by bigger showy plants, but these small blooms are a welcome sight to me and remind me of people who shy away from the limelight and are often overlooked for their wonderful hearts and abilities.
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2019 05-24, 4228 - THE SOFT COLORS OF SPRING – The soft colors of spring have finally emerged across the valley. The new growth symbolizes the opportunity for us to create and grow fresh new ideas for positive changes, beginning with renewed energy.
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The Soft Colors of Spring
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Pausing by the Lake
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2019 05-23, 4227 - PAUSING BY THE LAKE – I paused by the lake to admire the flowering tree with the water in the background and to capture the image with my camera. It was a brief moment to take in the beauty of Nature and to rejuvenate my mind.
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2019 05-22, 4226 - LIVING THROUGH YOUR HEART – Heart signs in nature remind me to pause for a moment and breathe unconditional love into my heart. The key to maintaining this Cosmic love is to be mindful of its existence. The more you are mindful, the more your heart will feel positive energy.
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Living Through Your Heart
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What Do You See In The Mirror?
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2019 05-21, 4225 - WHAT DO YOU SEE WHEN YOU LOOK IN THE MIRROR? – When I look in the mirror, I do not see myself as I look to others. I only see myself as I really am when I see a photo with me in it. I prefer to feel and see myself in my twenties.
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2019 05-20, 4224 - CORNER STONE – In back of the Center at the top of the foundation is a block of granite with a marble set into its surface. It represents a corner stone of belief that the building and the land is a place where people can focus on the principles of positive mindfulness.
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Corner Stone
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It's a Matter of Choice
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2019 05-19, 4223 - IT’S A MATTER OF CHOICE – I had a choice of two different benches set back to back facing different views of the ocean, depending on the location of the sun or the direction of the wind. We have many choices in life if we take the time to listen to our hearts.
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2019 05-18, 4222 - ADDING SOME COLOR AROUND THE MEMORY BENCH – Last fall we planted some daffodil bulbs near the memory bench beside the Lupine Field to add some color in the spring. It is good to add color to life, whether it’s plants, color on walls, or a simple smile or kind words for others to enjoy.
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Adding Some Color
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Search for Proof
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2019 05-17, 4221 - SEARCH FOR PROOF – I love to search for proof regarding the mysteries of life. One of those is why do plants appear again each year. I found the proof that the lupines are still alive on the mountainside when I found the plants. I knew they were there, but it was nice to see them again.
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2019 05-16, 4220 - THE LOOKOUT – I paused a few moments to watch and photo a seagull as it stood on a rock looking out at the sea. I wondered what was in its mind as I took in its beautiful features. Then I moved on to the next moment in my mind with appreciation for this experience.
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The Lookout
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Cool Weather Seems to Help the Flowers Last
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2019 05-15, 4219 - COOL WEATHER SEEMS TO HELP THE FLOWERS LAST LONGER – The cool weather this spring has helped prolong the life of the daffodils. I have enjoyed their bright blooms for a couple of weeks. Another benefit is less chance of wildfires. There can be a balance between Nature and life.
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2019 05-14, 4218 - HIDDEN MESSAGE – I often wonder if there is a hidden message in the marks on the stone head that found me on the mountain several years ago. Psychic friends have sketched the images in their minds from the past. Whether or not there is something hidden, it engages my mind.
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Hidden Message
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Meditating by the Sea
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2019 05-13, 4217 - MEDITATING BY THE SEA – We sat on a bench by the sea, taking in the vast beauty in front of us. My mind and my heart felt an ancient connection to distant journeys in my soul. As we continued our walk the feelings lasted, and I felt rejuvenated.
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2019 05-12, 4216 - THE EVOLUTION OF SPRING CONTINUES – Spring continues to evolve at a slow pace, two steps forward and one step back. The maple trees will soon drop their seeds ensuring future generations as allergy season causes stuffy noses. Still, there is new beauty to discover every day.
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The Evolution of Spring Continues
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Temporary Island
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2019 05-11, 4215 - TEMPORARY ISLAND – I watched the island of sand disappear as the tide came in. I thought of how we often see situations in life that we think will be long lasting but turn out to be only temporary. We need to be aware of the seas of life so that we don’t become stranded.
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2019 05-10, 4214 - PREENING – I watched three ducks preening on a rock at the ocean. I felt joy and relaxing peace as I realized I was preening my mind as the ducks groomed their feathers. I smoothed out negative and racing thoughts as I prepared to continue my day.
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Preening
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2019 05-09, 4213 - DANCING AROUND THE MAYFLOWERS – Just a few feet from the Memory Bench at the corner of the Lupine Field, we discovered the first mayflowers of the season. My heart did a little dance of gratitude as I enjoyed this special moment in Nature.
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2019 05-08, 4212 - SPRINGING TO LIFE – The mountainside, even though it is behind schedule, is finally soaring to life. There are tiny lupines in the field and red maple blossoms helping to change the color of the landscape. Ideas are also springing into actions as goals for the upcoming seasons.
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A Splash of Yellow
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2019 05-07, 4211 - A SPLASH OF YELLOW – As we transition into the greens of late spring, the bright spots at the moment are the splashes of yellow that dot the landscape in the form of forsythia. In life there are always splashes of color to be found, no matter what the season.
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2019 05-06, 4210 - HOUSING BOOM – There is a housing boom taking place on the mountain. There homes have been constructed by our son for the bird population that has discovered the safe environment we promote. I look forward to observing the increased activity of the new families settling in.
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Housing Boom
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2019 05-05, 4209 - THERE IS STILL BEAUTY IN THE PUSSY WILLOWS – Even though the furry blooms of the pussy willows have disappeared, the mature remnants have a unique beauty as they sway in the breeze. Life at all stages has beauty.
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2019 05-03, 4208 - WOODPECKER HEAVEN – There is an old dead tree riddled with holes I call Woodpecker Heaven. It has nourished many birds over the past few years. Walking the land, I always feel gratitude for the old dead trees that still play a role in Nature.
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Woodpecker Heaven
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Heartbreak Hill
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2019 05-03, 4207 - HEARTBREAK HILL – We have an old skidder road on the mountain that was our first trail and is very steep; one has to stop to rest every few feet when climbing it. We don’t use it any more as we have alternative ways that are much easier. We can make choices in life as to how we choose our path.
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2019 05-02, 4206 - A GIFT FROM THE TURKEYS – On a recent walk-a-bout I saw a turkey feather on the ground, and I knew that it was a gift left there for passersby to appreciate. It is a safe place for people, wild animals and birds to visit a positive environment.
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A Gift from the Turkeys
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A Lot to Look Forward to In May
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2019 05-01, 4205 – A LOT TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN MAY – Usually May begins with green leaves and flowers bursting into bloom. Not this year; there is a lot to look forward to as the month progresses. In dull spots in life there is always the opportunity to anticipate positive change.
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2019 04-30, 4204 - THE FIRST BOUQUET OF SPRING – I have been waiting for a month or more for the daffodils to bloom. I consider their yellow blossoms to be the first bouquets of spring. Perhaps they will linger for a while as the season progress. Each day I will be grateful.
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The First Bouquet of Spring
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Sunset Study
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2019 04-29, 4203 - SUNSET STUDY – I love to study sunsets, sunrises, as well as clouds in the sky. I am grateful that I have so many opportunities to attend nature’s artistic exhibits. Studying Nature is really about studying all life itself, including the human side.
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2019 04-28, 4202 - THE RETURN OF A SPECIAL BIRD – A flash of bright blue in a bird feeder caught my eye and I saw a special bird, the male Indigo Bunting, for the first time this spring. It visits for a short time before moving into the woods for the summer. I appreciate the beauty that nature provides.
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The Return of a Special Bird
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Old Tom
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2019 04-27, 4201 - OLD TOM – The old tom turkey was puffed up about as much as he could as he displayed for the hens in his flock while fending off other males. I am reminded how humans like to puff up with knowledge or abilities. It is important to remember that we may not be the source, just a part of it.
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2019 04-26, 4200 - HAWK EYES – I studied the red-tailed hawk through the lens of my camera as it perched on a branch searching for prey, its eyes piercing the landscape. I thought of how I search the landscape looking for something in Nature that teaches me about life.
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Hawk Eyes
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Survivors
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2019 04-25, 4199 - SURVIVORS – Finally, the crocus have found their way to the ground’s surface and are blooming once more, showing their will to survive over adverse conditions. They remind me of the human spirit that many have to survive in the harsh conditions of life. I am inspired.
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2019 04-24, 4198 - STANDOFF – We have had quite a show by the turkeys this spring. The males have been sparring with others to attract the females. I watched two puffed up in a standoff and thought of how we often have standoffs in our minds, but we can compromise with ourselves.
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Standoff
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Outlined by a Red Sky
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2019 04-23, 4197 - OUTLINED BY A RED SKY – My eyes were drawn to the brilliant sunset as I relaxed in my chair by the window. I rushed to capture the image with my camera, and returning to the spot outside as the sun dropped behind the big mountain, my heart felt joy in the moment.
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2019 04-22, 4196 - ANOTHER SIGN OF SPRING – Signs of spring are all around us, some welcome and some not so welcome. When I saw a ground hog munching on the new growth in the lawn I was not overjoyed. I knew it would also eat the flowering plants before they bloom. Yet, I am even grateful for this sign.
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Another Sign of Spring
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White Lily
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2019 04-21, 4195 - WHITE LILY – A white lily is is a symbol of religious celebrations as well as the symbol of spring. For me it is the beginning of the opportunity to observe Nature’s beautiful flower creations that will continue unto the fall. It is another way to feel grateful.
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2019 04-20, 4194 - FULL MOON REFLECTIONS – The full moon, filled with energy, reflected over the open water casting out a stream of light. It reminded me of how people that let positive light shine through them can change the world.
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Full Moon Reflections
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Out to Play
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2019 04-19, 4193 - OUT TO PLAY – I had been watching for them. Then, like magic, they appeared, playing in the light breeze. I wanted to pet them as they danced in the sun. The long-awaited pussy willows have made their presence known.
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2019 04-18, 4192 - THE ROAR OF SPRING – I heard the roar loud and clear when I woke in the morning. I smiled as I listened to the sound of water rushing down the mountainside in the little brook near the house. Spring arrived and the celebration of gratitude in my heart has begun.
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The Roar of Spring
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Pushing Through
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2019 04-17, 4191 - PUSHING THROUGH – Finally, the plants are beginning to push through the soil in their search for light. It is a time for renewed belief in the positive, not only for the season to come but for the opportunity for the world to grow unconditional love.
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2019 04-16, 4190 - FADING GLOW – By the time I was able to take a picture of the beautiful sunset, the glow had faded, but the scene was still beautiful and peaceful. We often overlook the less brilliant aspects of life, but they are still beautiful and often supported by a peaceful inner glow.
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Fading Glow
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Lost Bucket
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2019 04-15, 4189 - LOST BUCKET – At the end of tapping season the tappers retrieved their sap buckets but overlooked one that had pulled out of the tree. My wife discovered it and we will return it to the owner. I think of all the thoughts that we lose in our minds and those we find again.
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2019 04-14, 4188 - LINED UP – In a recent photo I took on the Maine coast I noticed that the dock and the bridge appeared to be lined up, but things were not as they appeared. The bridge completed the journey across the river and the dock went only half way. Sometimes life is not as it appears.
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Lined Up
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Timber Harvest
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2019 04-13, 4187 - TIMBER HARVEST – A large section of land across the valley caught my eye. It had experienced a timber harvest recently, accented by the recent snowfalls. I thought back to a couple of hundred years ago when most of the land had been cleared. I harvest ideas from the land daily.
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2019 04-12, 4186 - WHAT I THOUGHT IT WAS WASN’T – Many times when I observe Nature, I think I am seeing something that, when I look through a telephoto lens, I find out it wasn’t what I thought it was. In life we often find out that what we think is, isn’t. It is always good to get a second view.
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What I Thought It Was Wasn't
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Time for Winter to Let Go
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2019 04-11, 4185 - IT IS TIME FOR THE JAWS OF WINTER TO LET GO – The jaws of winter have had us in its icy grip even though we are part way through April. It seems like a setback, but I choose to be optimistic that the weather will soon change. Then again, I choose to be optimistic about life.
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2019 04-10, 4184 - ON THE PROWL – The game camera captured a red fox on the prowl, searching for a meal. I feel like I am on the prowl when I walk the land in search of discovering something special in Nature that also applies to aspects of my life. There is always something new to discover.
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On the Prowl
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Doing the Spring Dance
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2019 04-09, 4183 - DOING THE SPRING DANCE – The weather in April reminds me of what it was to learn to dance many years ago when we moved two steps forward and then one step back, repeating the process up and down the dance floor. One can use a sense of humor when doing the dance of spring!
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2019 04-08, 4182 - NATURE CLOSES ITS ICE SCULPTURE GALLERY FOR THE SEASON – It has been a great winter for Nature’s ice sculptures throughout the season. Now it is getting ready for a new spring exhibit, and I can’t wait to discover the beauty that will unfold.
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Nature Closes Its Ice Sculpture Gallery
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Changes Come Slowly
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2019 04-07, 4181 - CHANGES SOMETIMES COME SLOWLY – We revisited the Lupine Field a week and a half after the first time this spring and noted that everything looked about the same, Winter was still there. Change in life often seems to be very slow and yet it is happening when you stay the course.
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2019 04-06, 4180 - A COUNTRY ROAD IN SPRINGTIME – I remember the romantic words of John Denver’s “Country Road”, but this time of year the county road on the back side of the mountain is a muddy road! It is like the road of life we travel. It is good to watch out for and not get mired in the muddy spots.
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Country Road in Springtime
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Vieing for the Flock
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2019 04-05, 4179 - VIEING FOR THE FLOCK – Usually there is one dominant male turkey that guards his flock of females during mating season, but recently I observed two males strutting their stuff behind the females. My thoughts turned to humans that vie for attention, as well as those that shun the spotlight.
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2019 04-04, 4178 - WHO TOOK THE SELFIE? – When we opened the pictures from one of our game cameras, we found a very interesting selfie. I’m not even sure what kind of animal it is. It appears to have rounded ears and is not overly large - just another mystery that Nature provides for us to investigate.
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Who Took the Selfie
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Spring Sunsets
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2019 04-03, 4177 - SPRING SUNSETS – There is something about the brilliance of spring sunsets. The energy in the sky is electrifying and inspiring. The promise of warm summer evenings is now on the horizon of my mind. Nature has so many ways of inspiring us.
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2019 04-02, 4176 - WHERE IS THE WATER LINE? – I took several photos of this bridge in the morning sunlight and one of them just stood out. It is hard to see where the water line is because the reflection makes it look really tall. We don’t always see the realities in life.
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Where Is the Water Line?
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Sounds from the Log Pile
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2019 04-01, 4175 - SOUNDS COMING FROM THE LOG PILE – On a recent hike we paused by the gate to check on a game camera when I noticed a pile of snow that seemed to be pushed out from under the old log pile. We heard the chatter of bear cubs inside. Gratefully, we moved quietly on.
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2019 03-31, 4174 - WHERE DID THE BENCH GO? – Recently when we visited the top of the mountain, my wife thought the bench was missing. Eventually we found the right spot and dug into the snow; it was there out of sight. It pays to look.
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Where Did the Bench Go?
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Floating Free
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2019 03-30, 4173 - FLOATING FREE – I watched the tiny iceberg floating with the current, having broken free in the warm spring air. It was on a short adventure until it returned to being one with the water. It is a wonderful time of year for our ideas to break free from dreams to realities.
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2019 03-29, 4172 - SPRING HOUSE CLEANING – We walked on top of the frozen snow to clean the bluebird houses in the Lupine Field. All four had nests built last year. Now the birds have a fresh start for this year. It was also a wonderful opportunity to clean and clear our minds at the same time.
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Spring House Cleaning
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Winter Still Hangs On
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2019 03-28, 4171 - WINTER STILL HANGS ON IN THE MOUNTAINS – After what seems like months I walked on the frozen snow to the top of the mountain and gazed across the valley where winter still hangs on. The cold breeze on my face warmed my heart as I welcome many more hikes as the snow melts.
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2019 03-27, 4170 - BLENDING OF THE SEASONS – The gray morning on the coast of Maine appeared magical as the seasons blended together with a light snow falling against the backdrop of red spring buds on the shrubs on shore. Life is a constant blend of seasons as we mature, and discover the magic.
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Blending of the Seasons
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Illusions
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2019 03-26, 4169 - ILLUSIONS – A large rock at the edge of a parking lot caught my eye. From where I stood it look like a rough carving of a turtle. My wife agreed. From a different angle I realized that it was not what I thought I had seen. Life has more than one view.
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2019 03-25, 4168 - SCREEN SAVERS CAN MAKE GREAT STRESS RELIEVERS – Every time we take a trip, whether close to home or far away, I take a lot of photos to help me remember the experiences I we have. My wife creates slide shows as screen savers that help bring back these positive experiences.
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Screen Savers
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Creating a Mind App
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2019 03-24, 4167 - CREATING A MIND APP – In today’s world of downloadable apps on most every subject imaginable, including meditation apps, we often forget that we can create apps for our mind to experience whenever we feel the need. All it takes is the feeling of gratitude felt in our hearts.
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2019 03-23, 4166 - COMING INTO FOCUS - Now that spring has arrived, I can turn my attention to all the changes that will shortly be coming into focus, such as the buds on the trees, the rising waters in the rivers, and the receding snow. Now is the time to focus on the goals I have set for warmer weather.
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Coming Into Focus
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Somewhere Underneath
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2019 03-22, 4165 - SOMEWHERE UNDERNEATH THE CROCUS WAIT - Somewhere underneath the massive pile of snow there are crocus waiting to bloom. They are already later than I have seen in the past. It just goes to show that each year, as well as each day, in our lives is a little different.
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2019 03-21, 4164 - THE WINDS OF MARCH – The winds of March are blowing through the valley, signaling changes taking place. The snow is somewhat reluctantly beginning to disappear, and the hints of warmer days ahead are becoming a reality. It is a time to embrace positive changes in many aspects of our lives.
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The Winds of March
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Spring Forward
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2019 03-20, 4163 - SPRING FORWARD – Finally, we have reached springtime. Now it is time to focus on the promises the season brings; time to set goals for the weeks or months ahead; time to rediscover life again every day.
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2019 03-19, 4162 - EVER WONDER WHAT’S IN THE CLOUDS – Have you ever wondered what is hidden in clouds besides moisture? Some people think they are a cover for alien space ships while others think it may be a safe place to travel in their minds. It is a mystery to me, just one of many.
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Ever Wonder What's In The Clouds
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Planning Ahead
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2019 03-18, 4161 - PLANNING AHEAD - I watched the process of tree tapping from my window and realized they were planning ahead by drilling the holes close to the snow pack so that over the next few weeks as the snow melts, they will be able to comfortably empty the sap. Planning ahead can make life easier.
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2019 03-17, 4160 - THE UGLY BEAUTY OF SPRING – Parts of spring are not beautiful at all and in fact are quite ugly, such as the brown snow and trash on the side of the roads. Life has two sides to it, and when we realize we are on the ugly side, we can consider changing it.
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The Ugly Beauty of Spring
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The Path to Sweetness
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2019 03-16, 4159 - THE PATH TO SWEETNESS - I can see the path to sweetness out my window where the gatherers of the maple sap walk with their snowshoes. I know that soon there will be fresh syrup to enjoy. There is always something sweet in life to sample if we are willing to taste it.
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2019 03-15, 4158 - MARCH MADNESS – When I think of March Madness, it is often about the college basketball tournaments, both men and women. Then there is the other form of March Madness here in the mountains when spring and winter collide, making the weather unpredictable, like life.
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March Madness
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Drip Drip Drip
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2019 03-14, 4157 - DRIP DRIP DRIP – The snow is melting off the roof one drop at a time. Soon, there will be so many drops that they form a small stream of water that eventually becomes a river that merges with the ocean. Just as the spring melt progresses, so do goals happen, one step at a time.
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2019 03-13, 4156 - A PERFECT MORNING – My intention each morning is to awaken with the feeling of gratitude. My expectations are for miracles to take place as I am guided through the day, and when I saw the beautiful sunrise and alpine glow on the mountains, I knew I was being guided through the day.
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A Perfect Morning
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A Welcome Sight
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2019 03-12, 4155 - A WELCOME SIGHT – Finally, the ritual of maple tapping has begun. It is a welcome sight after the long winter. Soon there will be sweet treats to sample. Every day contains some kind of welcome sight when we are mindful to discovering it.
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2019 03-11, 4154 - ANOTHER DAY ANOTHER STORM – It seems as if this winter has been a constant succession of storms, but now that March has embraced daylight savings and the sun is getting warmer, I think of the storms now as a memory of the past. Time helps put distance on memories.
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Another Day, Another Storm
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Still Hanging Around
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2019 03-10, 4153 - STILL HANGING AROUND – The winter snow is still hanging around as we approach spring. The split rail fence at the Center is almost all covered. I am reminded of things in our lives that still hang around after it is time for them to go. We don’t have to wait for Nature to make changes.
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2019 03-09, 4152 - NARROWING PASSAGEWAYS – The normally wide paths and roadways of summer have become narrow with the snows of winter. We do not have the options of walking that we will have when the snow melts. Life can sometime feel like options are nonexistent until we open to possibilities.
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Narrowing Passageways
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Peaceful Cove
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2019 03-08, 4151 - PEACEFUL COVE – Less than a month ago we parked our vehicle in the same spot. The wind was howling, and my wife didn’t even get out of the car as the high tide’s waves crashed on the shore. This time during low tide we experienced a calm, peaceful scene. The memory of this peace stayed with us.
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2019 03-07, 4150 - WINTER LOW TIDE – We took a recent short trip to the ocean just to connect. We arrived at low tide with calm waters and a beautiful winter scene of snow-covered rocks on the shore. I was reminded that being aware of the moment can bring about beautiful, inspirational discoveries.
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Winter Low Tide
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You Are A Light
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2019 03-06, 4149 - YOU ARE A LIGHT – You find positive things to say even when you may not feel that way. You find people and animals feel safe around you. You have learned to feel heartfelt gratitude and you live in a world filled with miracles. Your light is helping change the world.
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2019 03-05, 4148 - ALMOST COVERING UP THE SUN – The snow cover is so deep that it is almost covering up the sun. The sun I’m referring to is a trellis my wife can see out her office window. In the summer it has a wild rose growing up it. Now it becomes the hope of spring as the melting snow disappears.
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Almost Covering the Sun
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Not Many Visitors
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2019 03-04, 4147 - NOT MANY VISITORS – There have not been a lot of visitors lately to the trails on the mountainside at the Center. The snow has almost filled up the parking lots, and yet few hardy souls find their way to the woods. I am looking forward to when we can hike again.
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2019 03-03, 4146 - PLENTY OF SNOW – This has been a banner year for snow and there isn’t much room for more. Still, that is what Nature has blessed us with this winter and despite its inconvenience, the snow provides a vast beautiful white landscape to remember when the temperature is in the 90s.
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Plenty of Snow
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High Banks
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2019 03-02, 4145 - HIGH BANKS – The snow banks on the old road are about as high as I have seen them. That is also true on all the roads and driveways throughout the valley. One needs to be extra vigilant as they navigate their way about. It is always good to be vigilant whenever navigating through life.
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2019 03-01, 4144 - METEOROLOGICAL SPRING – March 1st is the beginning of Meteorological Spring. Even if it is still three weeks before Astrological Spring arrives, my mind has already turned the page and there is a spring of optimism in my steps and my mind.
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Meteorological Spring
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2019 02-28, 4143 - LITTLE FACES – I love to find little faces in the bark of trees. It appears there is always one or more that means something to me. I realize each person may see differently than I and may or may not find the faces that I find. Each person is on their own path of life.
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2019 02-27, 4142 - FEBRUARY WINDS – The winds of February howled across the valley causing many to have a sleepless night filled with thoughts of crashing trees and loss of power. It is a time to let ourselves find a safe harbor where love and gratitude create heart warmth.
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February Winds
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Golden Ice Nuggets
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2019 02-26, 4141 - GOLDEN ICE NUGGETS – The melting water coming off the roof was a golden color, tainted by remaining fall leaves. The water refroze into droplets of ice nuggets that reflected the afternoon sun. Riches come in many ways.
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2019 02-25, 4140 - FLOWING WATER – I love to watch flowing water, especially when it gets close to spring. It is an indication of things to come. As a child, we used to build inner-tube rafts and travel the vast ocean in the little hollow across the road. Flowing water also brings out the kid in me.
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Flowing Water
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2019 02-24, 4139 - FIFTY YEARS OF WINTERS – In the winter of 1969 we had one snowstorm that measured four feet. Once the roof had been cleared, I could walk up it onto the roof. This year we have a lot of snow, and I am grateful we are still here to enjoy it.
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2019 02-23, 4138 - ROSY GLOW – I enjoy sitting in my comfortable chair in the morning, sipping coffee from my favorite mug, and watching the rosy alpine glow on the mountains across the valley. It is that time of year when all comes together with perfect timing; a great way to start a magical day.
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Rosy Glow
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