Is Anyone Missing a Shoe?
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2021 05-04, 4939 – IS ANYONE MISSING A SHOE? - You never know what you might discover when walking the trails on the Mountain, including dog toys such as tennis balls, stuffed toys, bones from the butchers, or even shoes. The views and birds and animals are also different each time as well as your own inspirations.
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2021 05-03, 4938 - MAPLE FLOWERS – The maples are in full bloom. The leaves will appear as the seeds for future trees drop to the ground. The flowers may not be as brilliant as the fruit trees, but they help brighten the lives that take the time to notice.
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Maple Flowers
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Ready for a Flag
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2021 05-02, 4937 - READY FOR A FLAG – The old pine tree growing on top of the mountain just above the Lupine Field has lost most of its limbs to the weather over the years. When I stand under it, I can imagine it as a flag pole waiting for a flag. In the meantime it stands tall as it watches over the landscape.
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2021 05-01, 4936 – HONORING THE JACKSONS – In the early 1800s, the Daniel Jackson family settled the land on the back side of our mountain, and we pass by the family graveyard on the way to the cabin. To honor the family we are slowing restoring the site that has fallen into disrepair over the years.
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Honoring the Jacksons
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Bird Watching
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2021 04-30, 4935 - BIRD WATCHING – I love to watch the birds come and go to our feeders all year long, and in the spring I like to see what variety is raising their young in the bird houses in the Lupine Field. Recently I sat on the Memory Bench and watched a pair of swallows and a bluebird each staking out their spot.
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2021 04-29, 4934 - BUDDED – All our pruning on the apple trees a month ago seems to be encouraging growth so far. All of them are budded and the next step will be to see if they blossom. Spring is a wonderful time to encourage our own growth as the ideas of the winter are now budded and ready to blossom.
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Budded
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Finding Peace with the Daffodils
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2021 04-28, 4933 - FINDING PEACE WITH THE DAFFODILS – Last fall we planted about a hundred daffodil bulbs in various places, including a healthy amount in the Peace Garden with the hope of early color in the spring. The color is here now and the beautiful flowers help create a peaceful spot to reflect and regroup.
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2021 04-27, 4932 - SPRING IS PROGRESSING SLOWLY – Maybe I’m a little impatient that spring has not arrived as fast as I would like. The land is still wet and the leaves have not opened fully. Still, there is a lot of beauty to take in every day as our lives move forward at the right pace.
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Spring Is Progressing Slowly
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The Woods Can Be a Scary Place
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2021 04-26, 4931 - THE WOODS CAN BE A SCARY PLACE – The woods can be a scary place to people who fear encounters with wild animals or getting lost or the unknown. If we run from fear, we may never understand what we are afraid of. If we study it, we may find there is nothing to fear.
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2021 04-25, 4930 - FILLING IN THE BLANK SPOTS – Last year we built a stone wall around the remnants of a flower garden and planted a few bulbs that recently produced flowers. Our goal now is to begin to fill in the blank spots with other flowers. We do the same in life.
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Filling in the Blank Spots
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Treasure Hunting
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2021 04-24, 4929 - TREASURE HUNTING – I have been interested in treasure hunting since I was a kid and my father told me that he had buried a chest on the mountain when he was young, across from where he lived. I never did find it, but ever since, I look for items and people that I consider treasures, like an old ice chest.
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2021 04-23, 4928 - TWISTS AND TURNS – Looking out the window by my desk, I see the little brook twisting and turning down the mountain. I see a large oak tree with limbs all twisted as it has been shaped by Nature into an intricate design. I think of life with all its twists and turns.
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Twists and Turns
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Pollen Season
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2021 04-22, 4927 - POLLEN SEASON – Pollen season is taking place. My nose knows it, and before long the ponds will have a green film on their surfaces, and the air will be saturated with dust from pines and junipers and many other trees. In time, this season will move on to the next season of life.
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2021 04-21, 4926 - SALVAGING THE DAFFODILS AFTER THE SNOW STORM – It seems every year, just after the daffodils bloom, a spring snow storm knocks them down. This year my wife salvaged the blossoms and created a beautiful bouquet that we can admire. There are a lot of things in life we can salvage.
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Salvaging the Daffodils
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Good for the Lungs and Good for the Soul
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2021 04-20, 4925 - GOOD FOR THE LUNGS & GOOD FOR THE SOUL – There is nothing like a walk along the shore of the ocean with a fresh wind bringing the salty smell of the sea, cleansing our lungs and our soul, taking us back in time to memories we may not have known in our conscious minds.
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021 04-19, 4924 - CLOSE TRIM – It is the time of year when people usually begin to spruce up their landscapes. We trimmed the apple trees, on Marginal Way walk, I found a very close Forsythia trim, and my son-in-law, like many others, just got a close overdue covid trim.
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Not the Lilac Blossoms I Expected
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2021 04-18, 4923 - NOT THE LILAC BLOSSOMS I EXPECTED – I stopped to check on a lilac bush in the middle of a recent snow storm. I had been watching the buds grow, anticipating the fragrant blossoms in May. What I saw were tiny snow balls in place of the flowers. Not what I expected, but still, a beautiful sight.
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2021 04-17, 4922 - APRIL IS STILL FOOLING AROUND – Just when the daffodils and forsythias are coming into full bloom, April plays the fool again, pelting the landscape with a fresh coat of snow. I know and am grateful for the moisture which is really needed, but the plants may not recover. It’s just life.
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April Is Still Fooling Around
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The Lupines Are Growing
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2021 04-16, 4921 - THE LUPINES ARE GROWING – It seems as though every day now, there is something new and exciting to report as spring continues its march towards summer. Recently I checked on the Lupine Field and saw tiny lupine plants growing. In a month or so, we will celebrate their blooms.
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2021 04-15, 4920 - THE FORSYTHIA ARE GLOWING – Spring is now in its golden glow period with the forsythia joining the daffodils to brighten the landscape. Although that show only lasts a couple of weeks, you have an inner glow that shines even brighter and lasts all year long.
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The Forsythia Are Glowing
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Nestled in the Leaves
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2021 04-14, 4919 - NESTLED IN THE LEAVES – Before the trees develop new leaves, the old ones lying on the ground captured my attention and on a walk recently there, nestled in the leaves, was a tiny heart. I smiled, felt loved, and took a photo to share. I am always grateful for hearts.
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2021 04-13, 4918 - MAYFLOWERS – Now that the daffodils have opened, I am happy to discover mayflowers in bloom. There is something very special about their delicate smell that causes me to pause and take a deep breath from a bouquet of them my wife places by the kitchen window. We all need to pause for a moment.
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Mayflowers
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Worth the Wait
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2021 04-12, 4917 – WORTH THE WAIT – Finally, I was greeted by a large cheery yellow bouquet of daffodils. It seems as if I have been waiting for weeks, and now I know spring is really happening. It is a wonderful feeling this year, far different from last year. I am discovering life again.
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2021 04-11, 4916 - SPECIAL DELIVERY – We have a mailbox outside the Cabin, set there a few years ago as a joke because there is no mail service on the old road. The other day, the flag on the box was up, and inside were two hearts, carefully placed, one made out of birch bark. We enjoy sharing our love for the land with others.
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Special Delivery
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A Special Visitor
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2021 04-10, 4915 - A SPECIAL VISITOR – For two days in a row we have had a very special feathered visitor eating birdseed on a feeder and on the ground among the sprouting day lilies. It is a male cardinal, a rarity for us. We consider it to be a special sign from Nature and our angels that we are on the right path.
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2021 04-09, 4914 - SKY MOODS – This time of year, before the leaves block my window view of the sunsets and sunrises, I attempt to be aware of the moods of the sky, from peaceful to bright colors, to sunsets with dark and light contrasting colors. No moment is the same, we often miss them.
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Sky Moods
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Impatiently Waiting
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2021 04-08, 4913 - IMPATIENTLY WAITING – As a child I impatiently waited for special days, and I still find that a part of me impatiently waits for the daffodils to bloom and the leaves to open, as I impatiently waiting for the pandemic to lessen its grip on our lives. Soon!!!
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2021 04-07, 4912 - WAYS TO BRIGHTEN UP THE SPRING – We are still in the brown period of spring, before the daffodils bloom and the leaves on the trees pop out. It is a time to appreciate the indoor colors like lilies and potted mums. It is also a great time to let your inner light brighten the world.
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Brighten Up the Spring
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A Perfect End to a Mellow Day
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2021 04-06, 4911 - A PERFECT END TO A MELLOW DAY – The other day, I took a few minutes at the end of a mellow day to gaze at the outline of the mountains in the setting sun across the valley. Taking time to be grateful is good for the soul.
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2021 04-05, 4910 - PUSSY WILLOWS – The other day I spent a little time with some of my favorite spring treats, pussy willows. Their fuzzy blooms almost cause me to try and pat them like a kitten, but instead, I focused on their details. Often we miss the little details in life that are so important.
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Pussy Willows
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Easter Lilies
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2021 04-04, 4909 - EASTER LILIES – Today I celebrate Easter as well as the resurrection of spring. We have an Easter lily blooming on a table on the balcony of the great room. It is like bringing Nature inside while observing it through a picture window. Sometimes we look to the outside to see our insides.
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2021 04-03, 4908 - A DIFFERENT WAY TO LOOK AT THE WORLD – Recently my daughter gave me a glass ball used by photographers to capture a different image of their subject. Through the ball the image appears round and upside down. Each person sees the world differently; that may help my view change.
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A Tiny Heart in the Lupine Field
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2021 04-02, 4907 - A TINY HEART IN THE LUPINE FIELD – Now that most of the snow has melted on the Lupine Field, we cleaned the rest of the bird houses, and as I was inspecting the land, I came upon a section that was just ledge; in the middle, was a tiny heart. Nature blessed the land.
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2021 04-01, 4906 - THE COLOR OF PURPLE – Over the years I have learned that the color purple has special meaning to a lot of people. Some consider it a healing color and others think of it as spiritual. When the purple crocus bloomed, I was reminded it represented the healing energy that Nature gives us.
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The Color of Purple
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The First Flowers of Spring
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2021 03-31, 4905 - THE FIRST FLOWERS OF SPRING – I was recently greeted by a tiny splash of sunshine from the yellow crocus flowers that survived the winter to bloom another year. I so look forward to the first flowers of spring and know that other varieties will provide inspiration all summer long.
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2021 03-30, 4904 - CLUES FROM THE PAST – From time to time, when we explore the Reflection Center land, we discover clues from the past. Recently I discovered a large pine tree growing around two strands of barb wire. There was a pasture here in the early 1800s. Our souls also give us clues of our past.
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Clues from the Past
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Springing Up
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2021 03-29, 4903 - SPRINGING UP – The signs of spring are everywhere, and the daffodils are peeking up through the ground. It won’t be long before the landscape will be colored by their yellow blooms. This year I find that spring has a very special meaning of hope.
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2021 03-28, 4902 - THE RUSH OF SPRING – The little brook outside my window is filled to the brim with water from the melting snow as it rushes on to the rivers and lakes and finally the ocean, Covid winter.
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The Rush of Spring
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When You Focus on Hearts...
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2021 03-27, 4901 - WHEN YOU FOCUS ON HEARTS, IT’S AMAZING WHERE YOU FIND THEM – I am always on the lookout for hearts, whether in Nature or anywhere else. When I saw a heart- shaped mud puddle I smiled and knew that it was a sign from beyond.
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2021 03-26, PODCAST #4900 BOUNDARY MARKERS – We have a lot of property lines on the land that are marked in various ways from paint on trees to iron pipes at corners to stone piles. People also have personal boundary markers that others do not always recognize.
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Wallowing in the Snow
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2021 03-25, 4899 - WALLOWING IN THE SNOW – The warm sun has really softened up the snow, and I found myself wallowing in it as we hiked in to the Cabin. I slipped and went flat, getting my backside soaking wet. I dried out my pants in the sun and was grateful for the warmth.
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2021 03-24, 4898 - THE MELT IS ON – It is mud season: that time of year when the frost is coming out of the ground creating a lot of mud. It is also the signal that the growing season is just about here with warmer days and the time to bring our winter dreams to reality.
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The Melt Is On
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The Reward of the Hike
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2021 03-23, 4897 - THE REWARD OF THE HIKE – Every time I take a hike in Nature there is usually a reward waiting along the way: a bench with a view, a pleasant smell, or recently, sitting in the sun for a few moments.
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2021 03-22, 4896 - A GOLDEN SUNSET – On the first day of spring we drove an hour to get our second Covid vaccination shot. Then that afternoon we went on a walk in the fresh spring air. As the sun was setting, the horizon turned golden. It was a golden day with great promise of a golden future.
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A Golden Sunset
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Time to Clean House
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2021 03-21, 4895 - TIME TO CLEAN HOUSE – It is time to clean the birdhouses out before the next groups of renters arrive for the late spring and early summer. Usually there is a lot of drama with the bluebirds fighting with the swallows for occupancy. People are also cleaning house in many ways.
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2021 03-20, 4894 - READY FOR NEW GROWTH – The birch trees are growing new bark and as it is formed, the old bark begins to split and the wind helps unwind it from the tree. People are also having the chance to shed their old paradigms and embrace their new growth during this time of change.
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Ready for New Growth
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In Between
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2021 03-19, 4893 - IN BETWEEN – The little brook flowing by my window caught my attention recently with the beautiful frozen edges and flowing water in the center. It was another example of our being in between the seasons. By mid-day the ice melted and I knew we were experiencing the hope of spring.
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2021 03-18, 4892 - WALKING ON THE CRUST – It is a rare occasion when the snow has compacted and then refrozen, making it possible to walk on the crust a couple of feet above the ground. It is a chance to view the world a little differently. Every day has something special.
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Walking on the Crust
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Nature Celebrates with Green
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2021 03-17, 4891 - NATURE CELEBRATES WITH GREEN – Nature is celebrating St. Patty’s Day with a display of green moss on the stumps and green evergreen trees. In fact, Nature provides a reason to celebrate every day all year long.
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2021 03-16, 4890 - SAPSICLES – During this season of unpredictable weather, where one day it is spring and the next day is winter, the flow of sap in the maple trees sometimes flows easily or it might freeze at the spigot to create a sapsicle. If I were younger, I would choose one to taste. It is almost spring!
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Sapsicles
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Disappearing Snow Pack
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2021 03-15, 4889 - THE DISAPPEARING SNOW PACK – With the warmer weather of March, we have been watching the snow cover begin to disappear. It starts with a small patch of bare ground, usually under large trees or in spots where the sun is the brightest. It is a sign that life is beginning again.
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2021 03-14, 4888 - NATURE DESIGNS A CANOE – Early in the winter a heavy wet snow storm caused a large pine limb to break. Now as the snow is beginning to melt, the limb looks like a canoe. It is a gift for my mind, allowing it to sail away for great adventures.
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Nature Designs a Canoe
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A Peaceful Peace Garden
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2021 03-13, 4887 - A PEACEFUL PEACE GARDEN – Even in the winter, when the benches are covered with snow and the little pond is frozen over, there is something very peaceful about the Peace Garden. It waits patiently for the spring and the visitors that will be coming to ring the bell for peace.
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2021 03-12, 4886 - A PINK SUNSET – I am not sure if it is my perception or if the sunsets and sunrises lately have been more brilliant. A pink sunset can help create a peaceful night and manifest the next day filled with positive adventures
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A Pink Sunset
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A Winter Visit to the Grace Trail
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2021 03-11, 4885 - A WINTER VISIT TO THE GRACE TRAIL – Even though we have had a snowy winter, it is a joy to see how many people visit the land, including the Grace Trail at the Center. There they can leave behind a note with their worries on it.
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2021 03-10, 4884 - THE CRUNCH OF WALKING ON LEAVES IN WINTER – Now that the beech and oak leaves have just about all fallen as the trees get ready for new growth, the snowshoe path crunches under my feet. I feel like a kid as I swish along wondering how far the sound travels. Spring!!!!
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The Crunch of Walking on Leaves in Winter
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An Unplowed Road
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2021 03-09, 4883 - AN UNPLOWED ROAD – Once the snow cover on the road to the cabin has become deep enough to make driving it impossible, we resort to hiking or snowshoeing to go for our winter walks. Actually, what seems like an obstacle is really an opportunity to explore different ways to get to our destination.
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2021 03-08, 4882 - A MARCH AFTERNOON – March is one of my favorite times of year. The sun is getting stronger every day, helping late winter outside activities to be even more enjoyable. Even though the cold may not be done yet, there is now an excitement in the air for the coming spring.
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A March Afternoon
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An Old Bird's Nest in Winter
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2021 03-07, 4881 - AN OLD BIRD’S NEST IN WINTER - I recently discovered an old bird’s nest beside a trail I walk all year and had probably passed by when the bird was raising its young. In life we may discover something about others that we didn’t know when seeing them from a different perspective.
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2021 03-06, 4880 - FACES IN THE BARK – Every so often I will find a tree that seems to have many faces etched into its bark. I took a picture of one recently, realizing that not everyone will see what I saw. Each one of us sees life differently and sometimes it takes Nature to point that out to us.
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Faces in the Bark
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Brave Little Cedar
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2021 03-05, 4879 - BRAVE LITTLE CEDAR – Several years ago, friends gave us several small cedar trees that they we thinning from their property. At least four of them are still surviving, including one that keeps getting knocked down by snow each year. It is an example for people.
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2021 03-04, 4878 - SHADOW WAVE – The bright sun cast a shadow onto the white snow creating the image of an ocean wave. The shadow almost appeared to be blue, and I found the scene to be unique. It was a moment in time.
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Shadow Wave
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No Mail Today
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2021 03-03, 4877 - NO MAIL TODAY – The mail box we put near the Cabin as a joke several years ago, is almost covered with snow. Of course there is no mail delivery there, but there is still a way to send and receive messages from one’s belief system. People often forget it, but the line is always open.
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2021 03-02, 4876 - ANOTHER SPRING RITUAL HAS BEGUN – Our maple trees have now been tapped, a ritual I look forward to every March. It is the signal that life is flowing through the trees and energizing the plants still under the ice and snow. This year, it is a special spring filled with hope.
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Another Spring Ritual Has Begun
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The Roar of Spring
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2021 03-01, 4875 - THE ROAR OF SPRING – Today, the first day of March and meteorological spring, I can hear the wind lion roaring across the valley. It is the season, especially this year, of great promise for the season ahead filled with warmer weather and a return to a more normal life.
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2021 02-28, 4874 - HINTS OF SPRING – As we move from February to March the hints of spring are making their presence known. Even though winter will still have a voice for the next month or so, spring continues to make progress. The warmer temperatures are beginning to melt the surface of the old Class VI road.
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Hints of Spring
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Back Lighting
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2021 02-27, 4873 - BACK LIGHTING – Usually we like to see the world by looking at it from a light source that shines on the subject of our attention, but sometimes when the light is shining from behind the subject, we see it differently. This was true as I gazed at tree branches with brilliant sunset behind them.
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2021 02-26, 4872 - ANOTHER DAY TO PLAY – One of my favorite times of the year is late February, early March. It is a time when the snow is still here and the sun is warmer, making it comfortable to go outside and play in the snow, no matter what age you are.
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Another Day to Play
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The Pleasures of Nature
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2021 02-25, 4871 - THE PLEASURES OF NATURE – Whether I’m out in Nature or just thinking about it, it is a source of pleasure to me. Each time I look out the window or go for a hike, there is always something different to experience, no matter what the season.
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2021 02-24, 4870 - THE YING AND THE YANG – There are two hemlock trees on the ledge trail that when seen from a certain angle seem to be in perfect balance. I call them the Ying and the Yang trees and am reminded every time I pass them by how Nature provides the perfect balance for the mind and the soul.
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The Ying and the Yang
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The View That Never Gets Old
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2021 02-23, 4869 - THE VIEW THAT NEVER GETS OLD – For over fifty years I have been mesmerized by the view we have of the mountains from our house and now from the top of the mountain behind us. It is a magical view that lets my mind soar. All have a view somewhere that never gets old.
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2021 02-22, 4868 - THE PERFECT WINTER AFTERNOON – It was one of those midwinter afternoons that we had been waiting for - to go on a snowshoe hike with friends. The view from the Lupine Field was breathtaking, and after an hour and a have we returned with our hearts and souls refreshed.
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The Perfect Winter Afternoon
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Looking for Hearts
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2021 02-21, 4867 - LOOKING FOR HEARTS – I am on the constant look out for heart-shaped forms. They remind me of heart-based love and gratitude, and every time I see one, it brings that positive feeling back to me. It is good to have something that reminds us of something positive.
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2021 02-20, 4866 - THE BEECHES ARE BEGINNING TO SHED THEIR LEAVES – I have begun noticing that low spots in the snow are filling up with beech leaves that have clung to the trees all winter. It is another hint that spring is around the corner and a new growing season is ready to begin.
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The Beeches Are Beginning to Shed Their Leaves
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A Favorite Winter Pastime
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2021 02-19, 4865 - A FAVORITE WINTER PASTIME – One of my favorite winter pastimes is watching the birds that come to the feeders right outside our windows. On cold and stormy days when we choose to stay inside, they bring a flurry of life for us to appreciate as we wait for spring.
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2021 02-18, 4864 - PACKING DOWN THE TRAIL – One of the pleasures of sharing the land at the Center is that when we go for a snowshoe hike, the trail is usually already packed down by previous hikers, making it much easier for us to enjoy outdoor adventure. When we share, we receive much in return.
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Packing Down the Trail
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Predicting the Weather
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2021 02-17, 4863 - PREDICTING THE WEATHER – One of my favorite pastimes is paying attention to weather reports. Even with computer age technology, getting it absolutely right is still a challenge. Life is full of predictions, and the only way to know if they are right is to live through them.
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2021 02-16, 4862 - OPEN WATER – I was surprised to see water flowing in the mostly frozen snow-covered brook. It reminded me of how positive energy and actions often seemed to flow unnoticed until they bubble to the surface of life. Keep the energy flowing.
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Open Water
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A Full Parking Lot
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2021 02-15, 4861 - A FULL PARKING LOT – Even though the Center has been closed since last March, the grounds remain open to those that wish to find a little peace and reflection in Nature. This winter, with a good snow cover, the parking lot has been full of vehicles belonging to back country skiers. I love it.
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2021 02-14, 4860 - A DAY TO SHOW LOVE FROM YOUR HEART – Valentine’s Day is associated with love from the heart. It is a day to send your heart-based love out into the Cosmos where it will multiply and flow back to earth and all that live here.
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A Day to Show Love From Your Heart
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Afternoon Shadows
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2021 02-13, 4859 - AFTERNOON SHADOWS – As the sun gets higher in the sky progressing towards spring, it casts dramatic shadows in the mid-late afternoons on the snow-covered landscape. We cast energy shadows, both positive and negative, wherever we go across the landscape of life. It is our choice.
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2021 02-12, 4858 - WINTER COLOR – Winter colors are less colorful than the colors of summer. It is not only true in Nature but even in the clothes we wear. In winter I look for the things that might normally be passed by, like red branches on the maples that will eventually explode into red blossoms.
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Winter Color
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The Heart of Winter
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2021 02-11, 4857 - THE HEART OF WINTER – We are now in the heart of winter with a good snow cover on the land allowing the Hypnosis Glade to provide beautiful back country skiing for those that climb the mountain. Each day brings something special to be grateful for all year round.
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2021 02-10, 4856 - SNOW BAGEL – The old mill wheel resting on the stone wall in front of our big window looks to me like a big frosted bagel. It is interesting how we are reminded of other things when observing Nature. It keeps the mind active and sometimes the stomach hungry.
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Snow Bagel
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Red Skies in the Morning
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2021 02-09, 4855 - RED SKIES IN THE MORNING – Red skies in the morning can indicate bad weather ahead, which was the case recently when we got over a foot of snow. Forecasters attempt to predict the weather. In life we set positive intentions to help us create a positive forecast.
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2021 02-08, 4854 - AFTERNOON REFLECTION – As the afternoon sun sank low on the horizon, its rays reflected off the snow creating a pink glow on the trees out our back window. I grabbed my camera and took a couple of pictures just before the sun moved on. There are many special moments that last only seconds.
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Afternoon Reflection
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Studying a Birch
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2021 02-07, 4853 - STUDYING A BIRCH – I have always enjoyed studying the bark on birch trees. I even dreamed of building a birch bark canoe when I was young. Now I have the opportunity to observe many birch trees of all sizes on the mountain all year long.
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2021 02-06, 4852 - LOOKING BACK AND LOOKING AHEAD – A year ago we were on a cruise in the Caribbean when we were told that we needed to return to port because they had gotten the wrong fuel. Now we are scheduled to return on a cruise a year from now. The future comes day by day.
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Looking Back and Looking Ahead
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Snow Covered Oak Leaves
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2021 02-05, 4851 - SNOW COVERED OAK LEAVES – Besides the snow covered peaks, there are many small artistic creations made by Nature in the winter, including snow covered oak leaves. To me one of the secrets of being in tune with life is to be able to discover magic no matter what time of year.
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2021 02-04, 4850 - SNOW COVERED PEAKS – One of the beautiful aspects of winter is the snow covered peaks we can see across the valley. There is always something a little different, such as the sun shining a spotlight on one or more of them. There is always something to be grateful for if we look.
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Snow Covered Peaks
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Mid-Winter
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2021 02-03, 4849 - MID-WINTER – We are now experiencing mid-winter, complete with a fresh foot or more of snow. We may have a lot more storms coming, but now the sun’s angle in the sky gets higher each day as we expand the length at least two minutes. Patience will help spring arrive at an enjoyable pace.
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2021 02-02, 4848 - GROUNDHOGS DAY – I don’t think the groundhog is going to see its shadow here in the foothills of the White Mountains in the middle of a snow storm. We really don’t know if the next six weeks will be stormy or calm. We will know how it was when we really get to spring.
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Ground Hogs Day
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Walking Out of the Wind
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2021 02-01, 4847 - WALKING OUT OF THE WIND – On cold winter days when the wind is blowing directly through the valley from the higher mountains, we often walk the old road which is located on the other side of the mountain out of the wind’s blast. In life we sometimes can’t make headway or are going too fast.
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2021 01-31, 4846 - DEEP FREEZE – The recent weather has put us in the deep freeze of winter, the coldest yet this year. People have been feeling the same way since the pandemic has frozen our lives. Now, as the days get longer and spring is on the horizon, so is hope that the pandemic will be a memory of the past.
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Deep Freeze
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Cold Sky
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2021 01-30, 4845 - COLD SKY – I could see the cold in the sky that I was also feeling on my face and I knew that this night would be a freezing one. Nature can give us many indications of coming weather if we pay attention. Life is full of signs that we can feel, hear, see, or even smell to help us navigate.
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2021 01-29, 4844 - EXPLORING THE FOREST – We love to explore the forest. Recently I discovered a single small hole in a tree drilled by a woodpecker exploring for food. It may come back in the future to expand its search. We do the same when exploring our soul’s purpose.
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Exploring the Forest
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Snow Covered Hiding Place
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2021 01-28, 4843 - SNOW COVERED HIDING PLACE – The snow covered brush pile makes a hiding place for smaller animals like rabbits to hide when being hunted by larger animals or birds of prey. People need a positive hiding place inside their heart when the world seems to be stalking them.
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2021 01-27, 4842 - SHAPED BY THE ELEMENTS – The snow cover on the land is constantly being shaped and reshaped by the elements. The wind creates drifts, and rain causes melt, and then the cold creates icy surfaces. Life is the same way; we are constantly being shaped and reshaped by the elements.
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Shaped by the Elements
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Frozen in Motion
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2021 01-26, 4841 - FROZEN IN MOTION – The little brook has slowly been freezing, section by section. Now the surface is frozen in motion, something that all of us have been experiencing this past year. Just as under the brook’s ice, we also have a flow moving.
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2021 01-25, 4840 - MAKING ADJUSTMENTS – The snow load on the roof let go and pulled the suet feeder off its hanger. The woodpecker just made the adjustment and ate from the feeder on top of the snow. Life is a constant adjustment and often the adjustment turns out better.
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Making Adjustments
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Mountain in the Sky
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2021 01-24, 4839 - MOUNTAIN IN THE SKY – We stood at the top of the Lupine Field to admire the mountains in the distance, and there was another mountain we had not seen before floating above the rest. It looked very real, but we knew it wasn’t. In life there are things that appear real but may not be.
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