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I wrote about this same topic last Saturday, celebrating my daily walks. Yesterday was a grey day, full of snow in the morning and bitter cold. Luckily the sun did appear and my daughter and granddaughters came to spend the afternoon, just hanging out and visiting. It was a sunny day after all.
This morning, still cold but I was determined to get out and continue my walks exploring the various parks within my neighborhood. There are many and this time, a short drive brought me to Crescent Park, a bigger park with a hill built in that I hadn't walked up yet. I make it a goal to look for beauty and surprise, and if I take the time to "look long" (see poem by John Moffat here) I do find something to love. This morning, I found, sometimes in my imagination!
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| growth |
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| a gathering |
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| a place to sit |
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| a view, and a tiny bit of the mountains |
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| a bird hiding in the rock |
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| a reminder of autumn |
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| lace |
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| color |
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| thoughts of people on their way |
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| a log home |
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| a loving couple |
This slice helps me think about my OLW, Explore. I am not exploring outside today. It's bitterly cold and we are waiting for the winter storm. I love exploring your photos, though. Which one will inspire me today?
ReplyDeleteThe sun came out this am, and it's now 35. That sun really helps. Sorry you have such cold, and hope you do go 'exploring' soon. Thanks, Margaret, glad you can explore with me!
DeleteI think you did look long. I need to do the same and see what I discover. Not all the photos came through on my computer, but I loved the bird and the loving couple.
ReplyDeleteI always love the pictures you share when you get out, Elsie. Sorry you couldn't get all the pics! That bird is a favorite, so glad you saw it! Thanks!
DeleteGreat pictures, Linda. It is amazing the wonder and beauty we can find around us if we just make a conscious effort to look for it.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree, and I adore looking! Thanks!
DeleteThanks Linda! Thanks for the poem too. I felt like I took the walk with you. xo
ReplyDeleteWouldn't that be nice! I love the poem, used it often with students, too. Thanks!
DeleteSo fun to tag along with you on your walk. I love the place to sit, the bird hiding in the rock, and the loving couple. At first, I thought there was a bird couple in the tree, but when I looked closer trying to see the birds, I saw the two trunks.
ReplyDeleteOh, fun that it was tricky! Of many of the trees, this was most full and when I got closer, I noticed the two trunks. Thanks, Ramona!
DeleteSo many beautiful pictures! Your terrain is so very different from mine on the East Coast...it is exciting to see the difference. I love the log home picture!
ReplyDeleteThis particular park was pretty sparse, actually, trees along the edges but the huge field usually holds lots of football, soccer, etc. And Denver is on the prairie, just at the foot of the Rockies, so unless we get lots of moisture, or water spring & summer, it's dry with lots of grasses. Thanks, Maureen!
DeleteI love your pictures--My favorite is the bird in the rock. I tried to get outside yesterday morning but the cold was brutal and I quickly retreated. We're awaiting a storm here tonight, and though I know I'll regret it come June, I'm hoping for another snow day. Snow days are wonderful for writing!
ReplyDeleteYes, I remember loving those snow days, Molly, no stress driving on the icy/snowy roads! I'll cross my fingers for you! And, I loved finding that 'bird', too! Thanks!
DeleteI love how you found so much beauty amidst what so many think is the dreaded dark, dreary weather. The bird in the rock made me smile and reminded me that beauty lurks everywhere if we look. THanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anita. I'm so glad you enjoyed the beauty. Yes, just need to take time to look!
DeleteWow, you certainly found plenty of beauty, Linda! Love that clear blue sky!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jennifer, that is the sky we see most days!
DeleteBeautiful pictures. As Always! A lovely exploration.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kendra, I enjoy searching for a good capture!
DeleteLinda, your photos and words are inspiring, especially this line: "I make it a goal to look for beauty and surprise, and if I take the time to "look long" I do find something to love." Your imagination brought much to mind. Next week, I am running a workshop on adolescent writing and I am going to introduce the poem you shared with a link to your blog. Thanks for inspiring me.
ReplyDeleteI have used the poem before with my students, Carol, so am honored to hear you'll share. It makes me happy that others might gain new vision from the poem.
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