spring

River’s edge, #25

jpallen City Life, Nature Life , 6 Comments

I am waking up after a morning nap. Cradled in my arms is my grandson, Rudy. I am holding him for the first time. The doctor gave the okay for close family visits with restrictions. I am freshly showered, in clean clothes and wearing a mask. Now Rudy wants Mom so I get up and begin work fixing a dishwasher. I go to the hardware store to purchase a part. I enter wearing a mask and receive help from a maskless sales clerk. Finishing my purchase I go to the hotel to shower again and put on clean clothes. Clean, I return to see my grandson with my mask in place. Idaho begins stage one reopening today. The traffic and crowds are proof, but on my travels home I see only one person wearing a protective mask. I wonder how stage one will finish and how stages two, three, and four will play out. I am grateful to experience the joy of visiting my grandson and would like to visit again, even if I need to shower and wear a mask. This reminds me, the mask is to protect others, not myself.

Mountain spring snowmelt
The river’s edge erodes, where
Bulbous Bluegrass sway


Magnolias, #23

jpallen City Life, Nature Life , 3 Comments
Image-Fragrance rings at dawn

While jogging on a sidewalk a young person approached me. As we got closer to each other the person stepped far to the side. I immediately recoiled before switching to a relaxed feeling of gratitude. The person nodded and I nodded in respect for each other’s safety, practicing social distancing.

There was a lot of data to intake about social distancing this week. Both in the world and decisions that need made about my job. I wondered what side of the fence I should be on. Stay at home or go out and keep the economy going? Both sides say the other lives in fear. I wonder if both sides fear the same thing? I ask myself, what is the best way to be while respecting the lives of all involved?

A hair in the tea
Showing and hiding itself
Tea cup in my hands

On my second visit to the arboretum in Moscow in two weeks, I find myself there on a cloudy day. Both times I started off my walk with the thought asking, “Why couldn’t it be sunny?” Maybe this is the photographer in me thinking there is always something that could be better. Or, maybe it is my capacity to want to be somewhere other than where I am. Today I was able to let that go and take in a few good photographs.

Fragrance sings at dawn
Birds among the tree blossoms
The clouds settle in

Willow Tree, #19

jpallen Nature Life , 4 Comments

This week I’ve been asking myself, what is the best way to prepare for something?

For example at work I prepared to work remotely from home. Our team prepared for the “problems” we will face to make our transition easier and took steps to resolve them. No one could think of anythings else; we were good to go. However, in reality, the self preparedness did not foresee most of the challenges that arose. Some of the preparedness helped, but most of the problems that came up were ones that were not realized ahead of time. They were unpredictable. Each team member’s problems were unique. They ended up working through their “problems” on their own. The result benefited the team.

My thoughts are about the effort and time I put into preparing for something that may or may not happen. These thoughts remove me from the moment at hand. As a result, I lose the truth of the moment and the ability to be present. I prepare to feel safe only to feel unsafe because I’ve set myself up for a perceived outcome, trying to predict the unpredictable.

Anxiously walking
In the park the old willow
quietly waiting

Windy days, #15

jpallen Nature Life , 0 Comment

The trail is dry and hard. I might think it is late summer if it were not for the cold gusts of a spring wind that makes me stumble off the trail finding something a dog left behind. Another gust of wind arrives and I stumble, almost stepping on small spring flowers. I arrive at a bench and sit, tighten the zipper of my coat, and place a hand in each pocket.

Cold Spring wind blowing
Tall grasses bend and shiver
Deep roots hold steady

Morning Winter Sun, #8

jpallen City Life, Nature Life , 1 Comment

First image in the light in dark investigation:

Image - Moon Sun Fading

Winter air frozen
sleeping berries sun fading
morning moon rises

Last image of the light in dark investigation:

Image - Morning moon sun fading

Snow-Mountain blankets
blossoms awaken moon fades
morning winter sun

As spring approaches morning walks have given way to light from dark. This is the opposite of when I started this investigation last fall when the morning gave way to dark from light. I invite you to view the gallery of images of the journey between here:

Click here to view the Light in Dark gallery

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