Small Stone - 26 - The Whole Picture

 looking outward expands my viewpoint and calms my worries

sky, clouds, mountains, trees, meadow, fence

all are important in the final composition

remember: we are all part of the whole

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Small Stone - 25 - Celebrate

sometimes the sky is enough reason to celebrate

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Small Stone - 24 - Chiffonade

I had to slice my fresh basil into ribbons for a pasta casserole.
The word "chiffonade" came into my mind.
Have I ever used the word previously?

I don't think so!

I tried it out in silent mode as I sliced - "chiffonade, chiffonade, chiffonade..."

Nicely done, I thought - now I'm a French chef!

At dinner, if Bob says, "Wow! This is delicious! Did you do something different?"

I'll smile and say, 

 

"Chiffonade."

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Small Stone - 23 - Intricate

The Cornhusk Lily is blooming.

Some years it doesn't flower and only puts out leaves.

But, this year  - a bonanza!

They grow in a meadow surrounded by purple Monkshood and golden Asters.

From a distance they remind me of candelabras - they seem to glow from within.

Nature's intricacy is on display.

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Small Stone - 22 - Traditions

 

I stood in the driveway in my flannel pj's to take this photo

Our son visited this weekend. For the 14th year, he rode his bike long milage for two days to raise money for Children's Hospital. In the early years, I would accompany his wife and little children driving from from place to place along the route to cheer for him. Nowadays, Bob and I feed him a big breakfast and send him on his way. We rise before dawn and chat with him until we almost make him late. In the evenings, we have a nice dinner and continue our conversation. 

These moments with family sustain us.
They become part of family lore.
It feels good to be needed. 

To give is to receive.

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Small Stone - 21 - Who Are You?

 I'm uneasy in crowds. I don't like noise or hubbub. I prefer to blend rather than become the main attraction. My voice is quiet. I'm a good listener. I try to stay away from negativity. My point of view may not be your point of view. There are many opinions and perhaps more than one right answer. I accept our differences. I try not to judge. I search for common ground.

I would be the dusky penstemon or maybe the lupine - never the poppy, though I like its pizzazz.

Who are you?

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Small Stone - 20 - Bounty

 We can't grow tomatoes or basil outside at high altitude. Our nights remain too cool. I resort to an indoor basil plant and store-bought heirloom tomatoes. I diligently water the basil plant 2 times a day. We love a salad of sliced tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette. Even though not from my garden, it tastes like summer's bounty.

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Small Stone - 19 - Refreshed

After a night of rain, pansies lift their sweet faces to the sun.

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Small Stone - 18 - Rain

 A soft, hours-long rain quenched the meadows and forests.

It washed dust and pollen from blooms. 

The ground drank precious moisture. 

Water fell as a gift from the sky.

I love a rainy interlude. I like watching the rain approach over the high peaks. The moisture unfurls like a veil from the clouds. There were several lightning strikes on top of Imperial Peak. Happily, the storm became more gentle as it reached our house. We heard only soft pattering against the windows.

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Small Stone - 17 - Calm

I took an early-morning walk beside Lake Dillon.

Paddle boarders slowly drifted in the distance.

A cool breeze rippled the water.

Clouds blanketed the sky.

Calm reigned.

I hope you have moments of calm today.

May peace and love abide with you.

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Small Stone - 16 - Books

Do you like to read?

As early as I can remember, books and stories were important to me. Reading is one of my greatest joys. I anticipate the time after dinner when Bob and I read until bedtime. I can no longer read bound or paperback books because of my formaldehyde allergy. (Both paper and ink contain formaldehyde.) Thankfully, my Kindle comes to the rescue.

Walking near the lake in Frisco, I came upon this tiny library.There were no books inside, so maybe the neighbors and passersby are avid readers. If there is a fantastic book you've read lately, send me an e-mail with the title. I'm always looking for my next good read.

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Small Stone - 15 - Blooming

After months of white comes the gift of color.

Along forest trails and in meadows wildflowers are blooming.

For everything there is a season.

Awe is encouraged.

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Small Stone - 14 - Details

 Nature abounds with intricacy.

white paintbrush

It requires attention and close focus.

No need to hurry - pay attention to details.

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Small Stone - 13 - Meow

When our granddaughter was little, this was her favorite wildflower.

She's 21 now. 

Whenever I see Pussytoes along the trail, I think of her.

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Small Stone - 12 - Celebration of Marriage

Our Grandson, Ben, married Paula, his high school sweetheart, July 11, 2024.

They said their vows and celebrated their marriage atop Echo Mountain.

It was a very special day of joy and love for our family.

Many blessings to them.

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Small Stone - 11 - Obstacles

Sometimes the path is easy to follow.

blown-down pines obstruct the trail

Sometimes there are obstacles.

Usually, there's a way over, under, or around.

I tell myself to keep going no matter what's in the way.

It's the same with life. Find a way to move forward.

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Small Stone - 10 - Summer Hike

Yesterday, we took a hike. We looped a trail that I often ran when I was in my 60's. In those "younger" days, I would wake at dawn, leave alone, and cover 5 miles before breakfast.

We hiked for 3 1/2 hours. I'm slow mainly because I must watch my footing. I depend on Bob to warn me if he sees a bear or a moose.  While hiking, the trail directly in front of me is my main focus.

Bald Mountain and a field of Senecio

Of course, I also stop frequently to photograph the landscape.

He's endlessly patient. When he gets ahead, he stops to wait. 

halfway point

On the first half of the hike he would sometimes say, "How are you doing?"  

Coming back, he didn't ask because he figured I had to keep going to get home!

I was happy to see the path leading to our back door.

At 80, I'm pleased with 5 miles even if it does take half the day to hike it.

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Small Stone - 9 - Fields of Lupine

We're entering the purple phase of summer.

The Lupine are blooming!

lupine with Peak 10 in background

Because of spring moisture, there is a haze of purple as I look up the meadow. Their scent is musky-sweet. We get mostly purple, but I've also seen white. The bees and other pollinators love them. 

So do I.

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Small Stone - 8 - What's in a Name

Long ago, I began learning wildflower names. I know the common names, not the scientific names. Some of the flowers have names that suit them perfectly, so they're easy to remember.

Pearly Everlasting grows in matted clumps with the leaves close to the ground.

The "pearls" are easily identifiable by the papery outer husk. The center of the flower will eventually turn a faded white-gold color. These early flowers are on stems only a couple inches off the ground, but they'll continue to grow taller through the summer. However, I've rarely seen them more than 6" tall.

You don't have to be showy to be memorable.

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Small Stone - 7 - Hush

An old growth forest has the hush of reverence.

Light filters from the canopy onto the trail.

Footfalls are muffled.

Senses are enhanced.

Calm is restored.

Talk quietly or not at all.

Listen intently.

Let the forest speak.

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Small Stone - 6 - Follow the Sun

 

The Arnica flower closes tight at night, but at dawn's light opens. Throughout the day it turns to face in the direction of the sun. It's a heliotropic plant that can be used as a directional guide if you lose your way. An essential oil from flower has medicinal properties that are healing for bruises and sprains. Aside from these practical uses, I love its bright face. It greets me daily in a yellow swath outside my dining window. 

When I see it, I know I've found my way home.

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Small Stone - 5 - My Secret Garden

there is a place - I won't tell you where

hidden off a well-traveled trail

small rivulets of snowmelt

glisten beneath vegetation

mud sucks with each step

pass the willow bushes

to find wildflower treasure

delicate elephant head wildflowers

Nature maintains my secret garden.

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Small Stone - 4 - Independance Day

columbine in the meadow behind the house

flowers, clouds, sky

red, white, and blue

celebration

cherish freedom

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Small Stone - 3- Piggies and Pansies

  I witnessed a miracle when I was very small. Mom and I were visiting my uncle's farm where a litter of piglets had just been born. The runt of the litter wasn't breathing. My mother immediately picked it up (it fit in her hand) and began rubbing its body while breathing into its snout. In no time, the tiny pig was wiggling, so she put it alongside the others feeding from the sow. That memory from childhood is still steadfast. What child doesn't want to believe that Mother has special powers?

My mother had a ceramic milk and cream set in the shape of a pig and her piglet. I still have that set. I display the piggies in the summer along with pansies, her favorite flower. Both bring a smile to my face.

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Small Stone - 2- The Scent of Summer

wild roses along the trail

if you see a splash of bright pink breathe deeply
the fragrant scent of wild roses 
means summer has arrived

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Small Stone - 1 - Memories

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 use the practice to encourage daily introspection and creativity. 

For the month of July, I begin once again writing Small Stones. 

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

Forget-me-nots blooming in our yard

Yesterday, we remembered a little girl, a neighbor child, who died as a 5 year old.

Her family visited with us - she would be 18 now - her class just graduated from high school.

Her 2 younger siblings (one born after her death) are beautiful girls, bright and accomplished.

We smiled to learn about the family's travels and adventures.

Later, when we were alone, I cried.

We will never forget that long-ago child even as we celebrate the living children of today.   

Memories both good and bad make up a lifetime.

I'm not sure what the lesson is, but I'm still learning it.

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Summer - Thank Goodness!

It's finally summer at high altitude.

Globe Flowers bloom in boggy areas

I spend as much time as possible outdoors.

Paintbrush

Blooms paint the landscape in vivid colors.

Arnica and a decaying stump make a simple tableau

Temperatures remain pleasantly cool - some snow stays on high peaks all summer.

Senecio

Wildflowers bloom in profusion.

morning light on Ten Mile Creek

Streams and rivers run high from snowmelt.

Lupine offer a sweet, musky scent

Summer is a colorful gift after a long, white winter.

Bob and I remain active and feel well. I don't spend a lot of time sitting. I limit computer time. We share responsibilities for cooking and cleanup. I find cooking to be a necessary but unwelcome chore. Unfortunately, we have to eat - we like food but preparation is tiresome.  After dinner, we like to read until bedtime. I'm thankful for our eyesight since reading is so important to us. Now that I'm 80, I realize that every moment I can enjoy Life is bonus time. 

blue Columbine - Colorado's state flower

My One Good Thing today is the awakening of blooms after a long sleep.

I hope Life gives you many good things.

Thank You for visiting!

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Celebrate!

 It's still winter at high altitude.

Even the donkeys downtown are getting sick of the snow.

However, inside there are blooms.

We've had some celebrations.

Our twin sons turned 56 the end of April.

There was still plenty of snow for their AT skis.

My 80th birthday was May 9th.

The family paid a surprise visit to help me celebrate.

photo taken by Neve's brother, Caden

Our granddaughter, Neve, graduated from high school in May.

Neve in her traditional Korean Hanbok - professional photo

She'll begin a pre-Med degree in the fall. 

While attending graduation in Denver, we enjoyed spring.

photo taken in New Zealand by a friend

Last but not least, our oldest grandchild, Ben, will marry his fiance, Paula, in July.

pond in Frisco, CO, where the snow is mostly melted

There are many good things to celebrate!

I hope good things are happening in your life, too.

Thank you for visiting.

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