The Thinker - Small Stone - 12

 

I watch Angelo from my kitchen window

sitting amid the Forget-Me-Nots

always serious, always thinking

staying mindful

small stone

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Stay Present - Small Stone - 9

 

the future is unknown

the path reveals itself

one step at a time

stay present

small stone

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Sunset - Small Stone - 8

the magic show of twilight

darkness overtaking light

day into night

At 10,000' above sea level there is little artificial light.

Sun, moon, and stars guide the natural world.

The sky heralds beginnings and endings.

I'm reminded that darkness is necessary to appreciate light. 

small stone

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Is There a Silver Lining - Small Stone - 6

clouds with silver linings

 I've had a series of upsets over the past couple days. It started on July 4th when a tourist across the street allowed a dog to run loose through the neighborhood. The dog loved whizzing through our gardens and playing in our water feature. I finally went onto the front deck and spoke to the man watching the dog on its path of destruction. I asked him politely to please put the dog on a leash. I told him the dog was destroying the flower beds, and I didn't want it on my property. I mentioned that Breckenridge has a leash law. The man obviously had no control over the dog because calling him only led to frustration. Finally, he swore (either at me or the dog) and walked toward his rental. The dog finally followed. 

About 15 minutes later a woman came outside, again with the dog running wild. I went onto the deck and asked politely if she would leash the dog because it was destroying my flower beds. NO she would NOT! She felt the dog had a right to run. I mentioned that Breckenridge has a leash law. She cared not at all. After she called me a "dickwad" and some other choice words, I came inside and called the rental complaint hotline. I had to call them 3 times that day, July 4th, because the dog continued to run. On the morning of July 5th, the dog tried to attack my neighbor who was out early walking her dog (on leash). The neighbor yelled for the woman to control her dog, but the woman obviously had no control. Luckily, my neighbor carries pepper spray and used it to drive the dog off. 

My neighbor called the hot line when she got home, and she also contacted me. I called the hotline for the 4th time and was assured that (finally) an officer would be dispatched. By the time the police woman arrived, the people with the dog had left the rental to go home. The officer talked to the people still in the house explaining the leash law. She got the number of the dog owners and was going to also call them. Basically, my neighbor plus Bob and I were just happy to be rid of the threat and the fiasco of these entitled dog owners.

So! Later today I'll do my Loving Kindness Prayer. As usual, I'll think of ways I hope to improve myself and ask for guidance. I'll insert the names of family and friends to whom I want to send lovingkindness. And lastly, I'll include the dog and its owners, asking for lovingkindness to guide them on future encounters (hopefully not with me...). 

I try to look for good - for the silver lining.

On some occasions, it's harder than others to find it.

I looked "dickwad" up in the dictionary.

It's a noun meaning a contemptible person; a fool.

I had a feeling it wasn't complimentary!

Sorry this is such a long small stone!

small stone

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Pansies Make Me Cry - Small Stone - 5

pansies raise their sweet faces toward sunset's glow

thinking of my mother who loved pansies

passing from this life on a July evening

her pansies still blooming

I remember her in the comforting twilight

as tears fall

small stone

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Play for Me - Small Stone - 3

 on a cloudy day after rain

strumming on the deck

singing for his supper

songs of love and loss

small stone

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Let Your Spirit Bloom

 

Spring is an elusive season at high altitude.

do bees have knees?

I've planted some deck boxes with pansies which tolerate cold.

Other more delicate annuals must wait a bit longer.

We live just above 10,000' (3,000m).

Days in June remain pleasantly cool, and nights are still chilly.

Hiking in the early morning, especially when gaining elevation, requires a jacket.

I'm alert while climbing through the forest, but so far in June haven't encountered a bear or moose.

Pausing at this skeletal tree, I send positive and healing thoughts to family and friends.

I entreat myself to extend kindness, stay calm, show tolerance. 

I believe that we all put powerful signals into the Universe.

May mine be free of anger and judgement.

Globeflowers

Wildflowers are blooming in boggy areas of the forest.

Marsh Marigolds

Globeflowers and Marsh Marigolds raise their fresh faces toward the sun.

Globeflowers

light shining through delicate petals

They are both fragile and tenacious.

(Perhaps like you....)

There is a pervading quiet on winding trails through old growth forest.

Rustling of small forest creatures and songs of birds accompany me.

The burbling of Lehman Creek permeates the silence.

I'm thankful for wilderness that heals the spirit.

Hiking through springtime wild places is my one good thing today.

Thank you for spending time with me.

I hope you've enjoyed your visit.

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Mind and Body - Not Always in Sync

We're having spring-like weather at high altitude.

Temps are just 10 degrees above freezing, but the sun is warm.

I've been walking all week with no gloves.

My jacket is tied around my waist.

Yesterday, I started walking and immediately felt tired.

Reaching the first big hill, I considered turning around. 

I hadn't even gone a mile.

I started making excuses:

exhaustion, slippery surfaces, aches

old, old, old

little tree among big trees

I know from experience that the mind doesn't always cooperate.

The body feels even worse with the mind's complaints.

I decided not to listen to it.

I forged onward.

Slowly....

small tree casting shadow

Today, I had a change of attitude.

I smiled at the blue, blue sky.

The sun warmed my face.

The air felt refreshing.

My mind remained peaceful.

My body responded in kind.

Exercise is important to me.

My body is old but accustomed to movement.

The mind is old, too, and doesn't always act in my best interests.

I'm very lucky.

I have no debilitating illness - no chronic pain.

My aches often disappear with movement.

In a couple months I'll be 77.

I'm grateful for my body's ability to move.

I'm thankful for the natural beauty that beckons to me.

I need to keep moving even when my mind would rather take a break.

I hope you'll keep moving, too, in any way that you're able.

Sometimes mindfulness requires ignoring the mind!

Celebrate - Small Stone - 31

we don't need a special reason to celebrate

wake and be thankful

for a new day

find one good thing - pass it on

celebrate life

this is January's final stone

thank you to all who have visited the blog

I've enjoyed your e-mails

small stone

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Unforgettable Moments - Small Stone - 30

snow hangs like gauze in the air

a silvery glow lighting the forest

as sunbeams filter through it

an ordinary moment becomes unforgettable

watch carefully for these moments or they slip away unnoticed

small stone

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Tracks - Small Stone - 15

 

snowshoe hare tracks - the hare's fur turns white in winter - a great camouflage against the snow

morning light on snow

tracks leading into the forest

heading home

small stone

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New Day Dawning - Small Stone - 13

Every week or 10 days, we drive for grocery pickup.

It's the only time we leave home.

The change of scenery makes us smile.

Hello morning!

clouds dressed in pink at dawn

quietly welcoming a new day

small stone

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Rave Reviews - Small Stone - 12

my banana cake flopped - too dense and dry

but I served a piece a day to the gray jays

with rave reviews

  remember - it all depends who the critics are

small stone

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The Wrinklies - Small Stone - 5

Bob calls us "the Wrinklies".

From youth until encroaching old age, I used potions and lotions. This spring, during the start of the virus, I turned 76. We began a long isolation that continues to this day. Going into public is infrequent. Masks are now my fashion statement. I have several favorites, some made by friends. When outside, I wear sunglasses and a hat pulled low over my brow. I am literally incognito. In the morning, I slap on some moisturizer and call it good. No anti-aging formula, no lipstick, no concealer, wrinkles (when I'm maskless) on full display. Perhaps I've become a poster woman for Wabi-Sabi. Where has my former vanity gone? 

I wonder if it will ever return?

texture - tree bark on snow - my skin is not quite this wrinkly

small stone
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Clearing in the Forest - Small Stone - 4

There is a clearing in the dense forest near my house. In winter, pristine snow showcases towering evergreens backdropped by sky. In summer, the clearing becomes a meadow filled with wildflowers and alpine grasses. In every season, I give thanks for its ever-changing beauty.

at the edge of a clearing

in the midst of forest

an ancient evergreen

regal in bearing

standing tall

awaits

us

small stone

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Winter's Forest - Small Stone - 3

in winter's forest

seedlings, stumps, and elders gather

wind combing dried needles onto the snow

small stone

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Making Tracks - Small Stone - 2

Write your story on the clean canvas of a new year.

small stone

using negative space - iPhone 11Pro

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Goodbye and Hello - Small Stone

I started this blog in 2011 to participate in an international Small Stone writing challenge. A Small Stone is a brief, mindful observation that may take the form of poetry or journaling. Some of the blog friends I made through the years of writing Stones still use the practice to encourage daily introspection and creativity. And so for the month of January, I begin writing stones to welcome 2021. 

As is my practice, I often use a photo along with the stone.

2020

Often, in the hour before dawn, I sat quietly to meditate and to think.

Routine and habits offered safety and comfort to start the day.

Moonlight and firelight cast glows - one cold, one warm.

Fragrant steam from black tea caressed my face.

Yesterday, I said farewell to to the aging year.

2020 demanded change and adaptation. 

I didn't (and won't) malign it.

It taught me so much.

goodbye

2021

This predawn morning, I greeted the baby new year with no expectations.

I was no more or no less than I was yesterday (except another day older).

Soft darkness, flickering flames, fragrant tea were the same.

I made no specific resolutions/promises for the coming year.

I sat quietly.

I meditated.

I thought -

perhaps I thought of you....

hello

May 2021 offer a new beginning leading to personal growth.

May 2021 bring many good things.

 Barb

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Winter Solstice - the Joy of Light

We ski into the forest at dawn to welcome Winter Solstice.

Weak light shines dimly between trees.

The sun rises higher as we climb.

I'm mesmerized as light permeates and transforms darkness.

This day, this hour, this moment receive my full attention...

lighting darkness...

infusing joy.

may lightness of being guide me:

penetrate darkness

cast out shadows

and

create stillness

in my soul

Winter Solstice

December 21, 2020

Daybreak

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photos iPhone 11pro

Stay Safe and Well

All is quiet here at the edge of the forest - 

very peaceful.

Some days, the morning sun spreads golden rays through the trees.

My amaryllis glows with light.

Other days, clouds and snow obscure the sun.

A white beauty surrounds us.

Animals visit.

Waldo smiles.

We continue to isolate at home.

We escape into the forest for exercise.

We count our blessings.

Wherever you are in the world, stay safe and well.

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