Water ponds on stone
Raindrop ripples the surface
Vanishes from sight
Raindrop, #16
Mountains and Skies
Wide views or the landscape, skies, and clouds
A new day, #13
I was reading a chapter titled “Live in the Present Moment,” when I was stuck by this quote, “Remember that this moment is not your life, it’s just a moment in your life.” (1) I thought to myself how this would be a good thing to share here in my blog. But as I thought about it more, the realization came that in the act of thinking about this, I went from being in the moment to not being in the moment!
I find this quote a good practice in these difficult times in the world and in my immediate surroundings; To feel gratitude for being present and to ask what I can do to flatten the curve while continuing to be social and offer assistance to my neighbors. I’ve reached out to neighbors and friends to offer friendship and an openness to ask if there is anything they need, responding as the moment requires. It also occured to me that to simply stop doing and to stay home is a compassionate act toward others, especially those that are at a higher risk.
Part of my practice is to be diligent and with intention be considerate of my neighbors. I look forward with curiosity about how the next several weeks will progress and how this event will shape our relationships with each other and this place we call home.
The wild grasses
Painted with a thin spring frost,
The morning light pops!
(1) Ryan Holiday, The Obstacle is the Way (Penguin group, 2014)
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morning, evening, #11
cool quiet morning
flock of birds above full moon
light as a feather
moist patches of green
peeking through winter stubble
welcome this spring rain
Palouse Mountains and Buttes, #9
A geologist once shared with me that the mountains and buttes in the Palouse region are the tips of granite mountains whose valleys were filled 6 to 17 million years ago by the eastern edge of the Columbia Basin flood basalts. Each peak is made up of the same material, but on my walks among them, I find each is unique.
I have walked all of the peeks pictured on this page except for Tomer Butte which I have circled on my bicycle. That route follows Lenville Road to the Genesee to Troy Road, and then returning along the Latah trail. It is a beautiful ride.
I photographed this series in the fall and winter of 2017.
Ancient granite peaks
grassy ruts in wind blown loess
look! a shooting star
Branches waters clouds
Mountain gifts for I to nest
Swallowing the moon
Paradise Ridge – Change, #5
My experience taking this picture and viewing it afterward is one of change. It was not long ago I gave a short talk about change and possibility. I asked the question, “Does Moscow Mountain or Paradise Ridge change?” Then I continued to say, “Most people would say that both Moscow Mountain and Paradise Ridge do not change, but they are changing in this moment, and this moment and ….” Now I realize this assumption was in error and rather, I would perhaps find several answers to the question. Some people might say that they do change, but slowly. Others might say they do change by season, and even others might say they change by day. I didn’t realize until now that the answer given is dependent on the momentary perspective of the person being asked.
If the answer comes from an individual’s perspective, then what is change? What is really changing outside of what is perceived? It was recently pointed out to me that the mountains changing creates the soil were we build our homes and where we plant our gardens. When I read this I realized it could not be the mountains alone, but instead the cooperation of more than one thing. It is the interdependent interaction of mountains being mountains and waters being waters and mountains and waters being mountains and waters that brings this gift to us.
This is a fresh new look for me that I will ponder in my day to day actions. How can I participate without ownership in the sharing of gifts that each moment has to offer?
Falling winter rain
rises up mountain flowing,
sleeping blossoms lie