Sunshine
1/19/23
'Sunshine on my Shoulders' by John Denver is one of my favorite songs. It has been since the first time I heard it. His music also made me fall in love with Colorado before I ever laid eyes on it. I figured any place that inspired his music and how it made me feel was somewhere I wanted to be.
Sunshine still remains at the top of my fav list, in large part because I love sunshine. Truly love it. I’m a happy camper when I’m outside in the sun. And for the longest time, Colorado dished up a lot of sunny days. It was said that we got 300 a year and I believe that was true for most of my 24 years here.
I remember a time or two in the summer wishing for a rainy day just so I’d have an excuse to stay inside all day. I never wanted to waste those beautiful days. I don’t believe I took them for granted but I also never thought we’d get less of them. That’s been the case in recent years though - especially in the winter – at least in the Denver Metro area.
Keep in mind that Denver’s elevation is 5280 above sea level. We’re a mile up into the atmosphere. Sunshine, especially in the winter, makes all the difference in the world on how cold it feels. 20 degrees with the sun shining and 20 degrees when it’s overcast is totally different. The sun adds a good 10 degrees to the current temperature. In the summer it can get toasty on hot days and standing in the shade will make it feel 10 degrees cooler.
The sun also used to melt the snow in record time. Two feet of snow? No problem. Two days later everything except the piles from plows had melted. When the sun doesn’t shine, the snow sticks around longer. It seems like even when the sun is out, we don’t get the fast melting that we used to have.
We’ve had snow on the ground since December 22nd. We were finally seeing some patches of grass and then it snowed for 24 hours between Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Depending on where you live, the totals were between 6 and 12 inches. We’re now at four straight weeks of snow on the ground (and counting) and I believe we’ve had about 5 or 6 days of sunshine in that timeframe.
I have been beside myself. It’s been cold and gloomy with a combination of mud, ice and snow for way too long. I’ve been using my sun lamp which helps, but is no substitute for the real thing. I don’t want to hike. Alternating between mud and ice is not a ton of fun to navigate, even with the right gear. The barn and pastures where Scarlett boards have been no picnic either. It’s amazing that horses and people haven’t been wiping out for weeks. We’ve all been tip-toeing around. I’ve been forcing myself to take lunchtime walks.
So why all of this talk on sunshine and the weather? I’m generally inspired by being outside and especially, by being in the sun. I get a lot of my ideas – blogs and otherwise - when I hike. I didn’t write a blog last week. I couldn’t come up with a subject and I was honestly tired of trying. Then I started to question doing the blog and the timing of it. Should I post once a week or every other? Does anyone read my blog or am I just talking to myself? Is this the best way to promote my photography? I finally just said screw it. It’s not like I have thousands of followers who are going to miss me.
I was telling a friend of mine that I really struggle with blog topics sometimes and that I skipped the last one altogether. She said that people really just want you to be real and asked why I didn’t just write that I was struggling.
So now you know why you’ve been reading about sunshine, lack thereof, snow, cold and gloom. It affects the hell out of me. Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD) is real. The sun was out for a while on Saturday afternoon and I just stood in the field with Scarlett with my eyes shut and my face tilted to the sky. I felt like I had won a jackpot. It felt so unbelievably good. Sun! Warmth! It’s been in short supply. And as a result, my inspiration and motivation has been lagging pretty well, too.
#sunshine#sunshineonmyshoulders#johndenver#colorado#snow#ice#gloom#inspiration#struggle#sunlamp#5280#denver#cloudy#sun#sad
Unplug
1/6/23
Where do you go when you need to unplug? What do you do when you’ve had enough and you need to recharge? For me it’s always been heading into the woods. Like the John Muir quote, “Into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” That’s always been the ticket.
Head for a trail, boots in the dirt. Log some miles. Take a break and sit on a rock or sometimes, a fallen log. If I’m lucky, I end up by a lake. Being near water is healing. Soak up the sun, listen to the sounds of nature. Reconnect with my soul. Slow down. Clear my head. Unplug from everyday life. Plug into nature. Feel one with the entire Universe. Yeah, that’s what works for me.
I can arrive at a trailhead stressed and out of sorts and when I leave, I’m happy and peaceful. Centered. Good to go. In addition to the benefits to my psyche and soul, I get the added bonus of fresh air and exercise. And I always have a camera whether it’s my Nikon or my iPhone. It’s rare that I don’t find some kind of photo opp.
So, what happens when I can’t hike? It doesn’t happen often but really cold weather, snow, ice, or strong wind can delay my hikes, sometimes for weeks. I start to get squirrely after a while, even when I’m taking daily walks to the neighborhood park.
Sometimes I have to get creative. I’ll listen to a YouTube video of nature sounds. Hours of nothing but the sound of a stream and birds chirping. Waterfalls. Rain. Forest sounds. Meadows. Ocean waves. There are plenty of options. Most have lovely visuals as well. It’s not the same as being there, but it definitely helps. They’re soothing and restful.
A foot of snow and cold outside? I can turn on a video of ocean waves and imagine myself in a bathing suit with toes in the sand, catching some rays. Feeling the need for the greens of summer? A video of a stream surrounded by a lush forest can make me feel like I’m there.
I also turn to my library of photos. They’re linked to memories. A certain time and place. It’s easy to get transported back to the feeling of where I was when I took the shot. Watching baby ducks swimming around the lake. Getting very still when they climb out of the water and decide to line up and take a nap on the same rock as me. Sunlight streaming through the trees. Spring flowers. Aspens in the wind. A sunrise. I’ll find myself smiling as I relive the experience. Sights, sounds, smells. It’s all right there within reach and starts with the photograph.
Thankfully, it's usually not too long before the weather cooperates and I can get in an actual hike, even if it’s local and fairly short. Into the woods I’ll go to lose my mind and find my soul.
#unplug#losemymind#findmysoul#johnmuir#bootsinthedirt#soakupthesun#youtubenaturevideos#myphotos#reconnect#onewiththeuniverse#photos#photograph#memories#getcreative#trail
Letting Go
12/29/22
As 2022 draws to a close I’ve been assessing where I am and where I want to go. I’ve been thinking about it a lot this year, but it’s really been front and center since the Winter Solstice. What do I want? Where do I want to live? Does my current job serve me? Who do I want in my life? What brings me joy?
A lot of these questions lead me to letting go. I believe that you have to let go of things to allow more into your life. You know, make room for the new. Here are a few things that I’m letting go of so I can fill 2023 up with lots of good stuff.
Old beliefs that no longer serve me. I’m talking about things like, I don’t deserve it, whatever “it” is. I can’t afford that. I need a miracle to find a good man. I can’t do that. I’m too old. I’m lazy. People won’t buy my photographs. I’m sure you can come up with a similar list for yourself. None of those beliefs are doing me any good and in fact, they do the opposite. They keep me stuck. It’s time to get unstuck.
Toxic people. It’s hard to let go of friends, but sometimes it’s necessary. Not everyone is meant to be in your life forever. When interactions with a friend start to make you feel bad about yourself, feel diminished or your feelings are brushed aside and generalized, I think it’s time to move on. People change. Sometimes you grow together and sometimes you grow apart. I want people in my life who appreciate, support and accept me. That’s how I treat my friends and I want the same in return.
The past. I can honor the past and still bless it and let it go. It’s what got me to where I am now. Reliving things and events in my head, most especially things that make me angry, sad or hurt, is not a place to dwell. It’s time to erase those old tapes or toss them.
The way things used to be. This has been a big one for me, especially around my beloved Colorado. So much has changed in the past 10 years and I truly miss the way it used to be: less people, less traffic, lower cost of living, being able to wake up and just go to Rocky Mountain National Park in the summer and fall, lower crime rate, more sunshine. It’s not the same and I’m guessing that can be said for most places. But constantly mourning how it used to be cuts me off from what is here and now. It’s still beautiful and I can still hike and enjoy what’s here.
Trying to figure out how. I’ve read enough about the Law of Attraction and attended enough seminars on it that I could write a book on how it works. You need to let go of how it’s going to happen and focus on what you want. That doesn’t mean you sit around and do absolutely nothing. It also means you don’t have to figure everything out. You need to trust that the ideas, people and resources you need will show up. I know this and have done it successfully many times. However, when it comes to what I’d call ‘big’ things like leaving corporate America and doing what I love, I get so mired in the how that I end up stuck. It’s really time to let that go.
Playing it safe. I used to be more adventurous. I’m not sure what happened but more often than not, I’m not taking risks. It could be getting older; it could be past risks I took that to say they didn’t pan out is an understatement. It could be a little of both. Whatever the reason, I’ll stay right where I am if I don’t take any risks.
Stuff. Personal belongings. Call it what you will but I think it’s time to go through closets again and donate, give away or throw out what I’m not using. Clear out that old energy and open up space, literally and figuratively.
So, there you have it. I’m not making resolutions for the new year but I am letting go of what no longer serves me. I realize a lot of this isn’t a one-and-done scenario. I need to pay attention and let go on a regular basis. Some things I may need to let go of many times in the course of a day. However, it’s time to create new things for myself and my life. That’s not possible if I keep doing what I’ve been doing. In the words of Albert Einstein, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”
I’m ready for different results.
#lettinggo#beliefsthatnolongerserveme#toxicpeople#thepast#thewaythingsusedtobe#letgoofhow#playingitsafe#getridofstuff#einstein#differentresults#lawofattraction
The Holiday Blues
12/22/22
No one is exempt from getting the holiday blues. Even people who love the holidays can get the blues. It’s a hectic time of the year. Baking, decorating, parties, shopping – in addition to the typical demands of life. Add social media and movies where everyone leads an idyllic life and the holidays are perfect, and you can start to feel a little substandard. Like something must seriously be wrong with you because your life isn’t on the same plane of existence as these folks.
Guess what? No one is happy and joyous 100% of the time, no matter how it may look. And the holidays bring up different things for different people. Someone single may be lonely and long for a family to spend time with. On the flip side, someone with a big family may wish for some alone time, even if they love their family. Someone may seem like the life of the party and underneath may be seriously stressed about finances. Everyone’s circumstances are different.
Emotions tend to run high during the holidays. The highs may seem higher and the lows may seem lower. And it’s OK to feel whatever you’re feeling. You’re allowed to be happy. You’re also allowed to be sad. It’s also OK to reach out to a mental health professional for tips on how to cope with the holidays.
There are also things you can do to help yourself. If you’re feeling lonely or isolated, reach out to friends or family for support. You may want to withdraw further, but that will only make things worse. Spend time with people you love and trust.
If you’ve been going non-stop since before Thanksgiving with a never-ending to-do list, then carve out some time for yourself. Take a walk, exercise, read a book, take a bubble bath. Make sure you put self-care on your list. Actually, self-care needs to be on everyone’s list.
What you’re eating and drinking can affect your emotions. There are plenty of sweets and snacks around this time of year. Think healthy foods though. Sure, you can have a cookie. You don’t really need to eat 12 at one sitting though. Make sure your meals support your physical and mental health, i.e., healthy, real food.
The same goes for drinking. Moderation is always a good idea and even more so if you’re feeling blue. Sure, it seems like that additional glass of wine will make you feel better and maybe it will, temporarily. Alcohol of any kind in excess will only make you feel more depressed so limit yourself to one or two drinks.
There are plenty of holiday-themed movies on this time of year. For goodness’ sake if they’re making you feel sad instead of happy, turn them off. The same goes for holiday music. Find something that either makes you feel better – or at the very least – doesn’t make you feel worse. Give yourself permission to listen to Jimmy Buffet instead of Christmas carols.
Cut yourself some slack. Expectations, whether our own or other people’s, can be our worst enemy. Do what you can and let the rest go. Keep things manageable. This holiday season doesn’t have to look like last year or any other year. Appreciate what was and know that things change, people change, we change. You can create new traditions. Appreciate what’s happening now.
More than likely your blues will lift and you’ll have a better outlook as we enter the new year. If that doesn’t, please seek counseling. We all need a little extra help now and then.
#holidayblues#selfcare#moderation#cutyourselfsomeslack#expectations#holidayseason#happy#sad
The Songs of Trees
12/8/22
My photography was born from my love of nature. I’ve been wandering trails in the woods since I was old enough to leave the yard. Where I grew up in WV, landscapes generally included power lines and wild animal viewing was typically a racoon or a fox. The draw for me was being with the trees. It still is.
I love trees - for a lot of reasons. Beauty, shade, the play of sunlight on leaves. And the music, the ever-changing symphony of sounds. Some of my favorite songs are from trees.
The opening line of the 2007 movie August Rush is: “Listen. Can you hear it? The music. I can hear it everywhere. In the wind... in the air... in the light. It's all around us. All you have to do is open yourself up. All you have to do... is listen.”
If I close my eyes, I can pretty much tell you what season it is from the trees. Trees, and more specifically their leaves, have a unique sound in every season. In the spring when leaves are freshly sprouted and new, the sound of the wind blowing through them is almost like a whisper. Come summer when the leaves are mature and supple, the sound is gentle and soft. In autumn, as leaves change color and prepare to fall, the sound is crisp and louder.
As we edge closer to the official start of winter, most of the deciduous trees are bare. The changing of seasons, wind and weather saw to that. Every now and then I’ll encounter one that still has leaves, clinging to the branches. They’re brown and dry, but they’re tenaciously hanging on. Those leaves rattle in the wind. It’s a distinctive sound from leaves that are lifeless.
The song of the wind through bare trees can be almost negligible. On the flip side, a really strong wind can sound like it’s howling, or screaming like a banshee. Some trees sway in the wind. Some of them creak. Some bump into neighboring trees and it sounds like knocking.
In addition to the music of trees in changing seasons, every type of tree has a unique melody in the wind. Pine trees sound different than aspens. Aspens are called quakies because of the way the leaves attach to the branches. It causes them to flutter, even in the slightest breeze. They’re almost always creating music.
And let’s not forget the life in the trees. Birds, squirrels, insects. The sound of a woodpecker chipping away at a tree trunk. Birds singing. Crows cawing. Baby birds chirping in a nest. Squirrels sounding an alarm.
Weather also plays a part. There’s the gentle patter of rain falling on leaves. And the plopping sound of rain rolling off leaves and hitting the ground.
Another of my favorite movie openings is from The Sound of Music. You know the one. Maria is singing, “The hills are alive with the sound of music - with songs they have sung for a thousand years.” So true. And it’s not just trees and birds. It’s babbling brooks, tall grass blowing in the wind, ocean waves, elk bugling, wolves howling.
Spending time in nature is not just a feast for the eyes, it’s also a feast for your ears. There are so many songs. You just need to listen.
#trees#aspens#quakies#augustrush#soundofmusic#seaons#leaves#wind#music#songs#musicoftrees
#songsoftrees#naturessongs#deciduoustrees
Hiking in the Cold? Layer Up!
12/1/22
Cold weather has arrived– at least in Colorado. That doesn’t stop me from hiking – or photographing. It’s what I do. I admit that I don’t hike as often in the winter as I do in the summer, but I still get out there. And nothing ruins spending time outside in winter weather like being cold and wet. The key to staying comfortable and warm is layering. Here are some of the things I’ve learned over the years that work for me.
Choosing a base layer is important. You want something that fits well, is the appropriate fabric weight for your outdoor activity and most importantly wicks moisture. Base layers are usually made of wool, silk or synthetics. I have wool and synthetics in my closet. There are pluses and minuses for each and pricing varies.
Base layer fabric weights are light-, mid- and heavyweight. The purpose of the base layer is to wick moisture - not keep you warm. Yes, it does help with warmth but that’s not the main purpose. You want the base layer to fit like a second skin. If it’s too loose, it won’t wick moisture as well as it should. The weight depends on various factors, from your body temperature to where you’re hiking. If you’re always cold no matter what, you may go with a heavier fabric. Hiking at 10,000 feet elevation is different than hiking at 5,000 or 500 feet.
Note: If you’re looking to only add a layer of warmth then go with thermals instead of a base layer. Keep in mind they’ll keep you warm but won’t wick moisture. Thermals are a good choice you’re attending a football game and won’t be moving. If you’re hiking, go with a base layer.
Next up is the middle layer which is for insulation and warmth. My go-to is a fleece pullover. I have different weights and generally go with one that’s not too heavy. Over that goes my outer layer which is a shell jacket that offers snow/rain and wind protection.
My hiking pants are wind resistant and keep me warm without a base layer if it’s 40° or above. If it’s going to stay colder than that, I add the base layer. Another option are hiking tights which are a popular choice and many are fleece-lined. I’m still a fan of pants, in large part because there are usually more pockets in pants.
I don’t recommend ever hiking in jeans. They freeze easily when they get wet and then become stiff, hampering mobility. If that happens you are essentially wearing a layer of ice on your lower half.
I don’t know about you, but when my feet get cold, I get cold. To make sure my feet stay warm and dry I have Salomon insulated, waterproof hiking boots as well as Altra waterproof trail runners. Which ones I wear depends on where I’m hiking, the weather conditions and how much snow is on the ground. I have both boots and shoes because waterproof shoes don’t do a lot of good if the snow is deep enough to fall inside of them.
I generally wear something on my head to retain body heat. Most of the time it’s a baseball cap with a Smartwool headband to keep my ears warm. The headband does a nice job of keeping the cap on my head, too. I’ll pack a winter hat just in case I need it.
My gloves are lightweight and once I’m moving and warm, they often end up in my pocket. I’d rather have them and not need them then need them and not have them.
I have to admit that even with the layers there are mornings when I’m cussing at the beginning of my hike because it’s early morning and the cold is an unwelcome rush after riding in a toasty car. It takes maybe 15 minutes to get in the groove and start feeling warm. And one of the beauties of wearing layers is that I’ve peeled clothing off going uphill and then put it back on going down.
Something I take along in my pack are Kahtoola Exospikes. They’re designed for hikers and trail runners and offer traction on icy and snow-packed trails. They easily slip on/off the bottom of shoes or boots. They’re lightweight and easy to stow in my pack. If the snow is really deep, I’ll take snowshoes but most of the trails I hike usually don’t require them. These have saved me from landing on my rear more times than I can count. There are a lot of different brands and prior to the Kahtoolas I used YakTrax for years. Exospikes are a nice middle-ground for traction between the base-level YakTax I had and crampons/spikes.
Drinking enough water during the winter is a thing. It’s not a problem in the summer when it’s hot but sometimes I have to make it a point to drink enough when it’s cold. Thirst isn’t as obvious when the temps are low.
A fav in my closet worth mentioning are my Eddie Bauer fleece-lined hiking pants. Usually around this time of the year they go on sale and I got mine for half price. They keep me nice and toasty on days that are 25 degrees or below. If it’s warmer than that I get too hot hiking in them but they are like a warm hug when it’s really cold. The skin on my legs stay warm!
Another staple for me when it’s cold are toe warmers. I don’t use them when I’m hiking because I stay warm by moving. I do however, use them a lot when I’m at the barn visiting Scarlett. They really help, especially if you’re standing in snow for a while. They’re super handy and work for hours.
If you’re interested in building up some cold weather gear, do your homework. There’s plenty of information on the web. If you have an REI or other outdoor outfitters near you, I encourage you to go in and talk to the sales staff. They generally know the products (or should) and can help you determine what to buy for your needs – and help you to stay within your budget.
I definitely didn’t walk into REI and purchase everything at one time. I’ve accumulated my gear over the years. My winter shell is 23 years old! I bought it the year I moved to Colorado. It’s not the latest style but it’s still in good condition and works just fine, thank you very much. I bought the cold weather hiking pants this year. Prior to that I’d been wearing my thin summer pants and a base layer. I stayed warm enough while moving but the skin on my legs was cold to the touch for a good while after I was back inside.
There’s no reason to avoid winter hiking or outdoor activities as long as you have the proper clothing. Don’t wait for summer - get yourself outside!
#hiking#coldweather#layers#REI#Exospikes#YakTrax#EddieBauer#fleecelinedpants#fleece#shelljacket
#toewarmers#Salomon#Altra#trailrunners#hikingboots#Smartwool#warmanddry
There’s an ‘I’ in Holidays
11/25/22
If that title makes you bristle, then this is definitely for you. Focusing on yourself doesn’t mean that you forsake your family, friends and traditions and make the holidays solely about you. It does means that you need to carve out time for self-care in the midst of what can be a crazy season.
But I don’t know your life, your family, your situation. No, I don’t. What I do know is that the holidays are about joy – or they’re supposed to be. If you’re creating joy for everyone in your life and running yourself ragged in the process, stop it. You need to take care of yourself, too. What does that look like during the holidays (or anytime really)? Here are a few ideas.
Set Expectations - for yourself and others. Maybe the date you set to have certain things done is unrealistic this year, for whatever reason. Just because you always decorate on the Friday after Thanksgiving doesn’t mean you have to do it this year. The world will not stop revolving if it’s done a different day. If the self-imposed deadline you set can be moved, move it. It’s your deadline. Give yourself some extra time.
Are you the person who bakes 15 different kinds of cookies every year? If you love it and it’s a source of joy, then continue on and kudos to you. However, if you’re stressing yourself out to accomplish that, you don’t have to do it. Or you can do it differently. Maybe you make six varieties this year. Maybe you recruit your family to help. Perhaps you have a cookie-baking party with some friends so it’s fun instead of a time-consuming chore.
Set Boundaries. You’re allowed to say no. You can’t do it all or be it all, all of the time. You can skip a party to curl up on your couch with a book if that’s what you need. You can show up at a potluck with something you bought vs. made. You can set up half of your usual decorations. You can even set up none at all. I get that the last option isn’t viable for everyone but really, it’s not about the decorations.
Gift-Giving and Budgets. A lot of people are feeling the pinch of inflation and rising costs this year. No one wants you to overspend so that come January, you have a small mountain of debt from the holidays. If you have someone in your life who expects you to spend a small fortune on their gift, maybe it’s time to re-assess that relationship. It’s not supposed to be about the money.
Take Time for You. That can be as simple as taking a short walk every day to get in some exercise and fresh air. It could be setting up a much-needed massage. Have a cup of tea. Take a deep breath. Meditate. Take a bubble bath. Whatever works to give yourself a break and keep your stress level down.
Practice Gratitude. Take time to appreciate what you have instead of focusing on what you don’t. Last week’s blog was about this topic if you’d like more information.
That ‘I’ in holidays is lowercase and in the middle of the word. It doesn’t make it any less important. Just like you are important. You matter. Taking care of yourself matters. You deserve joy. Make sure you create some for yourself this holiday season.
Practicing Gratitude
11/17/22
A number of years ago a friend challenged me to take one photo a day of something I was grateful for. I did that every day for a year. Some days it was easy, other days not so much. The gratitude part wasn’t hard, but finding a photo that captured that feeling could be challenging.
That being said, I’m always grateful for how beautiful it is in Colorado. It’s easy to find beauty here. We have the Rocky Mountains and plenty of wildlife. If you’re walking through suburbia or strolling down a city street, beauty may not be as apparent. At the very least, it’s a different kind of beauty. An enormous, old tree beside a sidewalk on a busy city street. Ivy growing up the side of a home making it look like it belongs in the English countryside. A colorful, eye-catching ad painted on the side of a building. A smokestack painted to look like a pencil - No. 2, eraser and all. A tree that someone had dressed in a crocheted sweater. Even after all of this time I can remember some of the photos that I took.
Taking a gratitude photo every day was life-changing. I was constantly on the lookout for something that spoke to my heart. I admit that sometimes it morphed into appreciation for something, rather than gratitude. Still, it kept me in a mindset of looking for good things.
I’ve recently started a different gratitude practice. Every night before I fall asleep, I come up with 3-5 things that I’m grateful for. I fall asleep with those things on my mind rather than rehashing the day or stressing about something. In the morning before I get out of bed, I express gratitude for 3-5 more things so my day starts on a positive note.
When I say I started this recently, I mean like in the past two weeks. I’m not always consistent. But on days when I forget to do this, I can tell the difference. It’s amazing how something so small can have such a big impact.
Just like the photo a day challenge, it’s a shift - in mindset, feeling and energy. One of my favorite Wayne Dyer quotes is: If you change the way you look at things the things you look at change. It’s true. I can focus on things that stress me out, make me afraid, or make me angry. That will keep me on a downward spiral and more unwanted junk will show up, guaranteed. Like those days when you spill coffee on yourself on the way out the door. Then you get stuck in traffic. Something goes sideways at work first thing, and on it goes all day. Like some bad juju was sent your way. And it kind of has because your energy is sending out those bad juju signals.
If I look at problems from a different perspective, things really do change. Why is this happening becomes what can I learn from this? Woe is me becomes this is an opportunity. It could be something as simple as being grateful for the good things in my life when other things aren’t going well. And there are always good things, even if I have to dig deep to find them sometimes.
One of my favorite nature photographers is Dewitt Jones. He has a website and Facebook and Instagram pages called Celebrate What’s Right (#icelebratewhatsright for Instagram). He also has a wonderful TED talk by the same name. His photography and how he views the world is in one world, beautiful. I love seeing his photos and heartfelt posts. They always brighten up my day. I’ve watched his TED talk numerous times because I need a reminder to change my perspective and look for what’s right in my world.
Practicing gratitude is a surefire way to do both.
#grateful#gratitude#energy#photography#waynedyer#dewittjones#celebratewhatsright#perspective
Lessons from Scarlett
11/1/0/22
I have a red and white Paint mare named Scarlett. I got her nine years ago although I’m pretty sure I came out of the womb asking for a horse. I’ve wanted one for as long as I can remember.
Scarlett is sweet-natured and tries really hard to please. Well, when she’s in heat all bets are off and she’s let’s just say, sassy. If I want to go left, she will go right. It doesn’t last long and she’s extra-sweet afterwards. She can try my patience but she’s a dream come true and I love her dearly. She’s also a great teacher.
Owning a horse is a life-long learning process. Every time I’m with her is a different experience. I can show up with a plan but more than likely, it will get modified or tossed. Case in point, yesterday. The wind picked up just as I got to the barn. Horses do not like wind and frankly, neither do I. Horses go on high alert when it’s windy and I figured that wasn’t going to bode well for our ride.
Scarlett was spooking at every little noise because the wind messes up her senses and anything could potentially kill her without warning. Seriously. As big as they are, horses are at the bottom of the food chain and they don’t forget it. My week had been wicked and I was still stressed. This was not a good combination. I had to calm her down to get her into the barn to get her tacked up. The wind was blowing through the aisle like a banshee and I had to reassure her that entering the wind tunnel was going to be ok.
Next up - she wouldn’t let me put on her boots. She smashed a tendon a while back and the boots wrap around her ankles adding extra support. She wanted nothing to do with them. She kept picking up her feet which curls her hoof under her so I couldn’t wrap the boots and fasten them. Scarlett doesn’t have a mean bone in her body but that doesn’t mean she won’t kick. She never has, but you never know. I was trying to fasten her boots and was hyper-aware of paying attention.
Now I had a horse who was freaked out by the wind and was apparently not in the mood to be saddled up and ridden. Did I mention that I was also fresh out of patience? Somehow, I managed to get the boots on and get her tacked up without incidence. Into the indoor arena we went for our lesson.
My riding lesson was the plan and why I was even riding in this weather. The barn was creaking in the wind and more so when there were gusts. The doors were open to the parking lot and there were people, horses and cars going by intermittently. Scarlett was officially a hot mess. She was prancing around me and I wasn’t sure how I was going to get on her let alone ride.
I’d lead her up to the mounting block and she’d veer off repeatedly. She didn’t want to stand still but by golly, I was going to make her by the sheer force of my will, not to mention the death grip I had on her reins. Luckily Tiffany intervened. She pointed out that 1) Scarlett was dictating which direction she was going in rather than the other way around, and 2) I cannot force my 1000 lb. horse to stand still no matter how hard I try. It has to be her idea. Well, duh. Light bulb. I cannot force - insert anything you can think of here .
She took the reins and let Scarlett move her feet, but Tiffany moved her where she wanted her to go. She told me that Scarlett would eventually get tired of moving and would stop. Low and behold after just a few minutes, that’s exactly what happened. My horse was standing at the mounting block as cool as a cucumber. She could have gotten on her then no problem, but it was my turn to try.
Scarlett is wicked smart and learns quickly. And mares remember everything. She got away with prancing around the mounting block with me and now I had to let her know that wasn’t going to fly. Horses are herd animals and there’s always a leader. If you’re with a horse and you’re not being the leader, they will always step in and run the show. Tiffany showed her up front that she was in charge, but I didn’t and Scarlett was ready to do what she wanted again. I’m wasn’t going to try to force her this time but I was going to lead her in the direction I wanted her to go. It worked perfectly.
Horses are masters at reading energy. They know what you’re feeling, sometimes even when you don’t. Scarlett was anxious over the wind. I was anxious because of my week and because she was anxious. We were feeding off of each other. When Scarlett calmed down, I calmed down. Ideally, I would have calmed down before I got out of my car. Things go way better with horses when you’re Zen. Heck, life goes better when you’re Zen. I have been seriously Zen-challenged recently. Note to self: be more Zen.
I also arrived at the barn with the mindset that I needed my ride and lesson to go smoothly and just be easy. That was part of the plan – wind, anxiety and stress be damned. Why I thought I could force a ½ ton animal with her own mind to get over her fear, ignore what was going on with me and just cooperate, I don’t know.
And honestly, so what if my lesson consisted of working with Scarlett for an hour until she (and I) calmed down. Sometimes riding isn’t about the ride. It’s about you, your horse and the current set of circumstances. It’s about going with the flow and making the best of what you have in the moment.
If that’s not a life lesson, I don’t know what is. Maybe I should change Scarlett’s name to Yoda.
#horse#painthorse#zen#ridinglesson#force#gowiththeflow#lifelesson#energy#mares#leader#leadership
Choice and Messages
11/3/22
I went on a hike this morning because I needed it. I needed to de-stress, connect with the Universe and get help/answers. Maybe you go to a place of worship for this, have a therapist on speed dial or a guru who has never steered you wrong. Maybe you have a spouse and you work things out together. For me, nature is my cathedral and today I needed to walk in the trees.
Did I really want to be on the trail at 7:30am in 35° weather wearing layers? Not even remotely. I really wanted to sit on the couch and drink tea all morning. But I knew the gerbil in my brain would continue to race frantically around a cheerio until I calmed it down. So off I went.
To say that life has thrown a few curve balls my way lately feels like an understatement. I feel more like I’ve been used for target practice and I haven’t been sure what to do to stay calm and upbeat – or at least even-keeled. It’s easy to spiral into a dark hole, especially when you’re spending way too much time in your head trying to figure things out.
After months of stewing over one of the major changes, I finally felt like I had some solid options in place to overcome that. I also went for a lovely hike and rode Scarlett a couple of times last weekend and started out the week feeling more relaxed than I’d been in a while.
Then, first thing on Monday morning I received news of two more big changes. One would have been sufficient. Two at once and three total in as many months was too much.
All of this could be the best thing that’s ever happened – and it could also be the worst. After sitting in the space of worst for all of Monday, I woke up the next morning with the attitude that I needed to look at all of this like it’s all going to work out for the best. Staying in fear and doom doesn’t serve me.
Since then, I’ve waffled back and forth between ‘it’s all good’ and ‘holy crap’ scenarios and I really want to stay in the mindset of everything working out. But it’s been hard. There are plenty of cheerios for that gerbil on that little bike to hop onto in my head. Zoom. Zoom. Monkey mind on overdrive.
So - I hit the trail with the intention of asking Spirit / the Universe / my Guides / Angels to help me. I’ve been floundering and needed sage advice. Below are the messages that I received to the question, “What can I do to help myself through the changes happening in my life?”
Watch your attitude
I can choose in any moment to be in a state of fear and worry or in the mindset of believing everything will work out for my highest good. If I need to choose 100 times a day, so be it. I need to focus on what I want, not what I don’t want.
Listen with your heart not your head
I can let my mind run wild and come up with a million scenarios of what could happen, most of which are not good – or I can stop, drop into my heart, and check in with how I feel. Do I want to choose what stresses me out or do I want to choose what makes me happy? Do I want to think about the past and try to figure out the future – or do I want to enjoy whatever simple pleasure is happening right now?
Gratitude
This is a practice that I go in and out of and need consistency with, especially now. I do know that not only is there always something to be grateful for, the more you practice gratitude, the more you have to be grateful about.
Trust
This covers a lot of ground. I need to trust that everything will work out for the best. I need to trust that life supports me and although I may not be able to see it, whatever is happening is for a reason. I also need to trust myself, something that can often be challenging.
Believe
Basically, a repeat of trust (above) but substitute believe.
Allow
I need to allow things to unfold. Allow people to help. Allow myself to be wherever I am, not to mention feel what I’m feeling. Allow myself to receive.
Release/let go
I need to let go of things that no longer serve me. Old stories and beliefs. Clothes and stuff that I no longer wear/use. I know there’s more and if I trust, believe and allow – those things will be revealed to me.
Be unattached to the outcome
Always a good practice and not always easy to do, I need to be unattached to the outcome. I have no idea where this will lead. I can be prepared but I can’t really control any of it. I need to surrender control, stop worrying and allow the Universe to work it out.
Is any of this new information to me? No, it’s not. But sometimes I need to be reminded of the things I know. It’s easy to stay in the ‘right’ mindset when life is going well. It’s also easy to forget (at least for me) when things are challenging. Kind of like choosing an apple as a snack instead of tortilla chips. I know the apple is what my body really needs but those chips sure taste good, especially when I’m stressed.
Most everything boils down to choices. Which path do I choose? Do I wallow in fear or look for the good? Do I believe in doom and gloom or magic and miracles? Maybe I’ll wallow a bit – sometimes it just feels good. But I don’t want to take up residence there.
#spirit#guides#theuniverse#choices#choose#gratitude#allow#believe#trust#listen#attitude#release#letgo#beunattached#messages
Creativity, Play and Getting Out of the Rut
10/27/22
Everyone is creative in their own way. Most people equate creativity with an art form – painting, sculpture, making jewelry, writing, photography. Maybe because those are the most obvious. People sometimes think that if they can’t do those things, they just aren’t creative. But there’s so much more that falls under the creative umbrella.
Let’s talk about some of the perhaps less obvious forms of creativity. Can you take a handful of ingredients and create a tasty meal without a recipe? Do you wrap gifts like a professional? Do you knit, crochet or sew? Are you a problem-solver, whether at home or at work, or both? Can you put together clothes and accessorize for a total look? Are you able to solve complex math problems? Do you dance or play a musical instrument?
I bet there are things you do that you take for granted and don’t see as creative. Maybe you’re the person who usually makes plans and gathers friends together. Perhaps you’re a people manager who cultivates your team’s skills. Maybe you’re handy with home repairs. The list goes on but I think you get the idea. Not the creativity you have in mind? Read on.
There are a lot of studies that show children are more creative than adults. Imaginations are allowed - and encouraged - to run wild. Everything is new and exciting. They don’t have boundaries that are learned as we age. There is no concept of that can’t be done, that’s a stupid idea or you look funny doing that. Instead, it’s let’s do it, because whatever “it” is, can be done. You’re invincible!
I remember summer days as a kid, lying in the grass watching the clouds float by, picking out the ones that looked like animals, faces, or whatever. I remember riding my bike and watching the play of light and shadows on the pavement from the trees that lined the street. I remember rolling down a hill just because it made me dizzy and resulted in giggling with my friends when we’d try to stand up and walk straight afterwards. Play and fun is your entire to-do list when you’re a child. Imagination rules.
Do you remember how days seemed to stretch on forever, especially in the summer when you weren’t in school? I read somewhere that it seemed that way because as kids you’re always discovering new things. Most everything is something you haven’t done before and time seems to expand. Then as we age, we get in a routine and we do the same things day after day after day. This is commonly known as a rut. We get caught up in making a living and tackling our never-ending to-do list, and we forget how to make a life.
I get it. Adulting is a full-time job. Work, chores, food, laundry, cleaning – the list goes on. Rarely does time for yourself or play make the to-do list. But you have to take the time, even 15-30 minutes a day. Get out of the rut. Do something that you usually don’t do, like drive home a different way. Buy a coloring book for adults. You can go with colored pencils or crayons. The pencils tend to work better with the detail in the adult books, but who doesn’t like the smell of crayons? And you’re allowed to color outside of the lines, although I personally know how challenging that can be. Start a journal. Get your thoughts and feelings onto paper. Use different colored pens. Doodle. Go wild! That journal is yours and yours alone. You’re not out to hit the NY Times bestseller list, just open up and express yourself. Let your creativity flow onto the paper.
Take a class. There are plenty to be found online, at your local recreation center or community college. Depending on where you live, there are probably other options available. In Denver we have the Colorado Free University. The classes aren’t free but they’re inexpensive. I bet Googling adult classes where you live will net you ideas and choices.
I still look at the clouds for faces and animals, although I haven’t laid in the grass in years. I may make it a point to do that next spring. I still watch the play of sunlight and shadows from the trees. I periodically take different routes home. And I do take the time to play, photograph and be creative. It helps to relieve stress and I believe that it keeps me young at heart.
Give creativity and play a whirl. I think you’ll like it.
#creativity#play#getoutoftherut#rut#adulting#photograph#clouds
A Beginners Guide to Forest Bathing & Earthing
10/20/22
Forest bathing. I like the phrase. But what is it exactly? Do you take off all of your clothes and frolic naked in the woods? That doesn’t sound appealing, or in a most places, legal.
The term forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) was coined by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries in the early 80s. It’s a practice to encourage people to immerse themselves in nature. Yes, you leave your clothes on. No, you don’t need to hike, although you can. All you really need is a little piece of the natural world where you can spend some time.
How do you start? Find a place that appeals to you. It could be in a forest or a national, state or a neighborhood park. It could be in your backyard, near a creek or a lake. Turn your phone off, or better yet, leave it behind if you feel comfortable without it.
Then soak in the ambience of place. I mean soak it in. Notice the way the sun feels on your face and skin. Feel the wind dance across your skin. Listen to the birds singing and the leaves rustling in the wind. Notice the play of sunlight on the leaves and the colors that surround you. You may have the greens of summer, autumn hues, the monochrome of winter or the budding shades of spring. Smell the air. The scent of pines heated by the sun, the smell of the soil after a rain or of leaves gathered on the ground in the fall. Feel the bark of a tree or place your hand on the ground. Get all of your senses involved and connect with nature. This is forest bathing.
What it does is help reduce stress and improve your mood. There are plenty of studies and books on the psychological and physiological benefits of spending time in a natural setting. Nature therapy and ecotherapy are also options to explore. Each has their own way of providing the same health benefits. I can vouch for the benefits.
One of my favorite quotes is “into the woods I go to lose my mind and find my soul”. I find this to be true. I’ve been forest bathing since I was old enough to leave my yard and long before it became a “thing”. My go-to when I’m feeling at odds or frazzled is to head for the woods. I usually hike but more often than not there’s a resting place at some point where I can sit and just Be. Sometimes it’s at a lake where I get the added benefit of being near water. Sometimes I simply go off trail and sit on a rock or a fallen log. Because of the places I’ve lived, I’m usually in the trees.
Spending time in the woods grounds me. I leave that chattering monkey mind and stress behind. I find peace and feel connected to the entire Universe. Almost always, if something’s been bothering me, I either have a solution or whatever it is no longer holds the same charge.
In addition to spending time in nature, I recommend walking barefoot outside for 30 minutes on dirt, grass, sand, and even rocks. This is earthing or grounding, which connects you directly to the earth’s natural electric charge. It helps with chronic pain, sleep issues and relieves tension – to name a few of the benefits.
Think about how many people are drawn to the beach for a vacation. What happens when we’re at the beach? We’re barefoot in the sand for long stretches of time. How do we feel after time at the beach? Rejuvenated. Yes, I get that it’s vacation and time away from jobs, chores and reality. However, I think that our bodies know the benefits of toes in the sand even if our heads aren’t making that particular connection to why we’re drawn to the beach.
As an adult I spend far too little time barefoot outside. If you’re like me, it’s likely not always an option. I live in Colorado and spend a good part of the year in layers. Luckily there are plenty of grounding products that you can buy that duplicate the Earth’s electronic charge. Not all products are created equal and if you’re interested, do your due diligence online before you buy. I personally have found that the grounding mats from Clint Ober's EARTHING Products work well.
I’m obviously a proponent of forest bathing and earthing. Why? Because they work. And because I love spending time in nature. It’s also what drew me to photography all those years (decades!) ago. I’m compelled to capture moments in time with my photos.
If you need a little inspiration to get outside and spend time in nature, visit my photo galleries here on my website. Maybe leave with a little inspiration to hang on a wall to remind you to do some forest bathing of your own.
#forestbathing#naturetherapy#earthing#grounding#clintober#photography
What Moves You to Tears – in a Good Way?
10/13/22
I picked up a camera decades ago because I wanted to capture the scenery, and more importantly, the feelings that it evoked. I’m usually in awe of the beauty of the natural world. I feel a deep gratitude for what spending time in nature does for my mind and my soul. I still want to capture that feeling with my photos. And there have been times that I’ve stood somewhere with camera in hand, crying because my heart was so full.
This is one of my favorite times of the year. I spent three of the last four Saturdays at Rocky Mountain National Park experiencing the elk rut. I say experience because it’s not just watching. The bulls bugle and glunk. The cows make barking and mewing sounds. There’s a musky smell that’s distinctly elk whenever they’re near and that lingers in the air if they’ve just passed by. If two bulls fight you can feel the force of them locking horns. It’s truly sensory and something to behold.
I’ve lived in Colorado for 23 years and the only year I missed the rut was after the 2013 flood that took out Highway 36 up to Estes Park. A lot of those years that I spent at Rocky early in the morning, it would be me and a couple of guys with large and really expensive lenses. No one else was around. It was amazing because the elk could just be elk without a bunch of people milling around.
One of my best memories was from one misty, cold morning towards the end of the rut. There were at least six herds scattered around the meadow. It’s a huge meadow – the loop around it is 5.5 miles. The bulls were bugling from different points and the volume varied due to the distance from where I stood.
One would bugle, then another, then another. Loud, not so loud, softer, louder. This symphony of sound gave me chills. Just remembering still gives me chills. This went on for a while and I just stood there and listened. I was so moved that tears were rolling down my face. Then the bugling stopped and the herd that was closest to the rock cropping where I was standing slowly faded off into the trees and the mist. One minute they were there and the next minute they just vanished like they’d never been. I remember standing there in the quiet of the morning wondering if it really happened or if I dreamed it. It was surreal from start to finish.
Does that happen all the time? No. That was definitely a one-time event - but one I will never forget. This past weekend I only saw one small herd of elk and they were too far away to get any good pics, even with a 500mm lens. I did get to hear bugling, which I love, and there were some coyotes in the meadow that were howling. They were too far away to see, but I could hear them. Cool stuff!
Since that one herd was too far away to photograph, after an hour I headed off in the other direction. I’d heard another elk bugling and thought maybe I could catch some photos of him. I hiked up the trail in the direction of the bugling but never caught sight of him.
I had hoped that I would see a lot of elk and maybe even witness a fight or two. I ended up taking photos of some fall foliage and a chipmunk who struck a pose when I walked by. But you know what? I got to enjoy a beautiful day. I did some hiking, took a few photos and sat in the sun. I wasn’t moved to the point of tears but my heart was full nonetheless.
I can honestly say that t's not easy getting up at 4:45 in the morning to drive to the park in time for the sunrise. I’m driving in the dark and I never know exactly what the weather will be. Most likely cold or at least chilly this time of year. I’m wearing layers and am prepared for the weather to change rapidly. But the elk are most active at dawn and dusk. There’s definitely an element of luck to what I’ll see be it elk or other wildlife. But I won’t see any if I’m not there. I won’t experience anything if I’m at home in bed.
I can think of a couple of other times that I was truly overcome by the beauty of this planet. One was when I saw the Painted Wall at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. I’d seen photos of it but nothing prepared me for the real thing. I took one look at the pink, white and black veins running through that wall and started to cry. It’s the tallest cliff in Colorado and the size and the colors are amazing.
Another instance that stands out in my mind is the first time I saw the South Park Valley. Highway 287 out of Denver takes you to that part of the state. For a good while you’re driving along through the mountains and then you round a bend and the South Park Valley is spread out before you. Yep, tears.
Maybe I should add that I’m not a cry-at-the-drop-of-a-hat person, far from it. But put me somewhere beautiful and there’s a chance I may tear up or weep. Most likely I’ll walk away with a full heart and some good photographs. That’s more than enough for me. Feeling so overcome with emotion that I cry is a bonus.
What about you? What grabs ahold of your heart and moves you to tears? If you need a little inspiration to find what that is for you, check out the rest of my site. You’ll find photos of elk, the Painted Wall along and a lot of other beautiful options.
#rockymountainnationalpark#elk#elkrut#movedtotears#photograph#photos#paintedwall#blackcanyonofthegunnison#beauty
Musings
9/22/22 (written 8/22)
I’m sitting at the lake at my favorite go-to hiking destination. It’s early and no one is around but me. This lake isn’t that popular anyway. Not since the fire in 2013 which burned up the surrounding hillsides. It’s not remotely as scenic as a lot of other hiking trails.
Even before the fire there wasn’t – and still isn’t - a lot of foot traffic early in the morning. It’s one of the main reasons I hike early – few to no people. The other reason is wildlife is usually active at this time so there’s more chance for photos opportunities.
So here I am, sitting on my rock, soaking in the quiet. The only sounds are hummingbirds, dragonflies and ducks feeding in the water. Occasionally I hear a grasshopper clacking on its way as it goes from point A to point B. Every now and then the breeze picks up, rustles the leaves and dances across my skin. The sun is out and the sky is that high-country, Colorado blue that I love so such.
As I sit here, I notice, I mean really notice, how many dead trees surround the lake. The path of the fire is still visible 9 years later. It reaches up like fingers from the lake. I see this every time I’m there, and yet I don’t see it.
I’ve been hiking this trail for over 23 years. It’s my ‘place’. It’s where I go to fill up my soul and get centered. I don’t really notice the hundreds of dead trees. I notice the lily pads that fill up all but the deepest part of the lake and how they move in the breeze. I see the backdrop of mountains. I see the ground cover and young aspen saplings that grow among the bones of the long-dead but still standing trees covering the hillside. I watch the hummingbirds, dragonflies and ducks. I am just being, and it feels incredibly good.
My mind isn’t in overdrive for a change, thinking about work, finances, life, and on and on it goes. I am fully in the moment which has been a rarity for me in the last year or so. It used to be easier, pre-COVID. I’d hike here, hang out for about an hour and leave feeling grounded and ready for anything. Today it took almost 2 hours and more than a year of hikes to get to that point. And it feels amazingly good.
Not in my lifetime, but in time, the fire in this area will be a distant memory. The old trees will topple and new trees will grow in their place. It will likely be more aspens than pine, but they will grow and thrive. In the years since the fire, I’ve watched the changes. From the newly charred remains of trees to ground cover to saplings.
What hits me as is how much my life mirrors this scene. I’ve been through my share of fires. I have scars. There have been times when I didn’t know if I’d muster the strength to crawl from the ashes, but I always have. There will be more fires – life has a way of throwing curve balls or just flat out smacking you in the face, often if you haven’t been paying attention to the previous messages in your path.
Change is constant and you can either see the charred remains of the past or beauty and growth. You can see the dead trees or the young saplings. You can focus on what’s right in your life or all of the madness. I know it’s not easy to rise above the swirling mass of crap that we’re constantly bombarded with in this digital age we live in. But it can be done.
I do it by hiking and spending time in nature. I lose track of time when I have a camera in my hand. There are plenty of horrible things that I can focus on in general. There are plenty of horrible things to photograph. But I try to focus on the beauty, especially with my photos. There’s so much of it if we only look.
I’m not just talking about the beauty of nature. I’m fortunate in that I live in a state that abounds with beauty. I get that not everyone has that. But there’s beauty to be found in the flowers or the garden in your yard. Maybe a nearby park offers the beauty of wherever it is that you are. It could be in the faces of your children, your pets, your spouse or loved ones. It’s whatever grounds you in love and keeps your focus on the good stuff.
I challenge you to sit and just listen to the birds sing. Or stop and appreciate the smiles of your loved ones or the companionship of 4-legged family members. Take time out of the hectic pace of life and do something that makes your heart sing. Something that takes you out of your head and puts you in the space of all things feeling right in the world.
#beauty#nature #getgrounded #whatmakesyourheartsing #fire #lifechallenges