In my everyday life,
I mostly enjoy nature by noticing the sky, and trees
as I go here and there through out the day
Then at home, again,
I notice the beauty of trees and always the sky.
The ocean always and especially amazes me.
First, there’s just so much of it.
And then there are the waves.
just like my own breath
In and out
In an out
so reliably.
breathing the earth.
I’m living a Grateful life,
and it is only by Grace
that I have come this far,
with much, much farther to go.
I say to those who cannot see it,
feel it in their hearts and souls,
‘my heart breaks for you…
I have empathy for your unfulfilled desire.
Your life will be so much richer and full of love
if you look up at the stars one night,
and be utterly astonished.
Your heart will be changed
forever.’
The night sky is so astonishingly beautiful, I so agree!
I wasn’t going to post today, as it is now after midnight.
But after reading your post, Sparrow,
I was so inspired that I had to write about the ocean!
Sending love
♥️
I make a point of getting outside everyday. I try to do deep breathing when I am out there. I am usually looking up, @ the clouds, the moon, the stars & now the 6 planets all aligned. Like others have said I keep an eye on the vegetation around me, trees, a little pond…..just to see what’s happening. Mother Nature is my healing balm. ✨🙏🏻❤️
I admit my connection to the natural world is pretty much window watching. I take a breath of awe in the a.m. when I open the blinds and curtains. I have al the directions but not south. The bird bath does give me joy at their antics. I get the benefits of the sunset. I do take a gander outside in the evening before bed. I am not a walker or bike rider. I do take different routes in my drives and appreciate the gardens and trees. I am very fond of old old tree in the park. I named it Sheldon.
I take a walk daily unless the sidewalks are icy. I feed the birds and squirrels and love to watch them eat and play. When I opened the curtains this morning, my cardinals were present so they have returned from where I don’t know. I hadn’t seen them for a couple of months. I live wihin the city limits on a very busy street that people drive like it was a highway. It is so unnerving. The natural world screams slow down and so do I! I have several indoor plants and some have grown quite large. I look forward to spring when my black-eyed susans will poke out of the ground and my rose bush and peonies will begin to bloom. It’s easier to connect with the natural world if you live in the country but I know I am blessed to have my home in town. We are all part of the natural world and I am blessed with good neighbors.
Every morning, I open my bedroom blinds, and watch the birds on my feeder, take in the sky, and the trees I let the dogs out into the garden, take a deep breath of fresh air, and just pause to enjoy being outside.
Our daily walks are filled with nature at work. There’s always something new to notice—whether it’s the geese honking overhead, a heron perched by the water, a hawk gliding by, or the unexpected sight of an alligator basking in the sunshine. When we walk the wooded trails in the local park, I’ll spot deer, mushrooms, and sometimes a snake, and I always find myself looking up in awe at the trees.
And then there’s the beach. The ocean air is always so refreshing, and I can’t help but watch the little sandpipers darting around, their tiny feet moving faster than my eyes can follow. There’s something so calming about the rhythm of the waves.
One of the most heartwarming things for me is seeing my bed of marigolds start to bloom in the spring. They’re the flowers my 23 yr old son planted when he was just 8 years old, and now, all these years later, they’ve spread into a vibrant patch of color that feels like a living memory.
These little moments of nature and growth bring me so much joy and peace.
As the day closes, I like to watch the sunset. I look at the moon and quietly acknowledge that the same moon is shining down on my children who live so far away. The last thing I do at night, is let my dogs out for their nighttime potty break. It ‘s then that I look up and drink in the vastness of the night sky.
Antonia, it sounds beautiful where you live! Thank you for sharing about your 15 year old marigold patch– such a lovely image of connecting it to the growth of your son who planted it. And I also love the image of looking at the same moon that is shining down on your children who live so far away. ♥️
Every day (weather permitting) I go on a morning walk to the small lake near my house. I let my mind wander and observe and appreciate my surroundings. I appreciate the early morning stillness, and take photos of whatever I come across that catches my eye – an interesting plant, tree, or flower, birds at the lake…. I don’t often share these with anyone. For me, it’s more about capturing the image, of silent observation, a way of documenting to myself that connection with the natural world.
At the very least, I look out the window.
This mornings crescent moon was low in the sky while I waited for the bird to appear on the top branch of the olive tree to catch the first rays of sun.
Today is my riding day and I will be immersed in nature. The geology, the flora and fauna, the natural history, so it will be quite easy today and I will feel filled up for a few days.
Here in California, I am already looking for the first buds on some plants and trees. The grass on the hills is bright green and a very different look than the usual brown. And living in the wine country, I’m alway looking at the vines. They’re dormant this time of year and the vineyards resemble graveyards with their rows and rows of trellises.
But the bright yellow mustard that is grown as a complimentary crop, is just starting to bloom and put on a dazzling display.
One of my jobs is driving people around on wine tours, and it’s depressing and sad how few people actually look out the windy and marvel at this beautiful place. One morning, I was driving a group from a very early pick up, and we entered the Sonoma Valley at sunrise. The sky was putting on an incredible show of color and there were hot air balloons rising up. It was fantastic. Like a painting. And they were all stuck lookin at their phones.
I sometimes feel like a simpleton for being so easily amused.
Charlie, thank you for this. I have been able to spend a bit of time in CA wine country and your description takes me right back there. As for your clients, well, you can lead horses to water but you can’t make them drink, right? Safe travels, Charlie.
Charlie, I would love to be a passenger in your chauffeur driven car! There is nothing better than looking out the window & witnessing God’s handiwork. I would be oohing & ahhing, exclaiming & acting like a little kid. To see Sonoma Valley, a “slice of heaven”, it doesn’t get much better than that.
Some people just have too much money!
I miss California so much….just reading the description of your surroundings… One year for my birthday my partner took me to Napa for one of those hot air balloon rides at sunrise. It was so beautiful….
Stop. Look. Go.
Be Present.
I also enjoy changing my desktop wallpaper monthly to a beautiful image – nature, animals, etc. Right now it’s a beautiful white arctic fox.
GO BIRDS! 💚🦅
I live in a city, but am lucky to be surrounded by trees, creeks, and lately, snow. I connect with whatever is outside on a particular day (walking the dog is a good opportunity). How is the consistency of the snow? How is it changing over time; what is ice doing? What bird is in the tree? How are the plants doing covered in snow; how do some stay green? So it’s a curiosity, I think, even if often I see the same things. Every day offers a little bit of change.
I crack open the blinds to look outside when I get out of bed every morning. Once the dogs are fed, I like to step out onto the porch when I let them out and feel the air, breathe it in. I thought it felt nice earlier and was surprised when I looked at the temperature and it was only 27 degrees. We walk every day with the dogs, and I love looking at the trees, mushrooms, and any deer hiding in the wooded area between the tennis courts and trail from our neighborhood to the big park. I saw lots of deer living in the country at our old house and of course while we were in the mountains, but I always feel a bit more amazed seeing them here in the suburbs. I love watching birds and butterflies and have always been a big sky gazer no matter what time of day it is, but the sunrises and sunsets always offer some amazing color. I can get really caught up in it.
The sun is shining bright into my home this morning. Hope you all have a wonderful day.
The ‘world’, this elaborate complexity of societal arrangements we navigate from moment to moment, the networks of personalities and characters, of institutions and cultures making their special codes and ways of behaving even more confusing, has never been a place I felt comfortable. As a child there were enough provocations for seeking escape for any young person, and luckily I was always able to easily find refuge in what we now commonly refer to as the ‘natural world.’ Also known as the real world.
I grew up on the seashore. And so there were my familiar rocks, coves, eddies and trees along the stretch of beach outside our place. I began to feel familiar enough to ‘know’ each of my fellow critters, the multitude of gulls, the minnow, the hermit crabs and snails, the egrets and herons. I would often, early in the morning, get out in the rowboat and venture to group of rocks off shore that at low tide became a veritable island.
All of this is to say that from forever I have had a permeable energetic bubble or skin which surrounds me. I can easily recognize the aliveness of places and what we would consider inanimate objects…they, to me, having a presence ever as satisfying and rewarding as any of the fellow humans I had dealings with. The ‘how-ness’ of it is pretty basic. I use my powers of observation, not simply the senses but also my heart. The places surrounding me, the trees, iguanas, ducks and Osprey, they are waiting for me to simply become aware, and they reveal.
My family, the adults, would always refer to my ‘imagination.’ Alluding to the ‘make believe world’ I would go to. Something always felt like they were the ones in make believe.
So now, everything is alive to me. I suppose it is one of the reasons why I have work out in the natural places surrounding this megapolis on the edges of the continent.
Part of my life, like breathing. It has always been so. Waking and looking out the window. Seeing the rainbows that my window prism is making on my walls. Going out into the cold crisp morning now, and walking on our frozen lake.
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In my everyday life,
I mostly enjoy nature by noticing the sky, and trees
as I go here and there through out the day
Then at home, again,
I notice the beauty of trees and always the sky.
The ocean always and especially amazes me.
First, there’s just so much of it.
And then there are the waves.
just like my own breath
In and out
In an out
so reliably.
breathing the earth.
Nature is such an amazing gift.
Just bring it back to the breath. In and out. In and out.
I have been a nature lover and outdoor person my whole life. Love the 4 seasons in the north east!
I’m living a Grateful life,
and it is only by Grace
that I have come this far,
with much, much farther to go.
I say to those who cannot see it,
feel it in their hearts and souls,
‘my heart breaks for you…
I have empathy for your unfulfilled desire.
Your life will be so much richer and full of love
if you look up at the stars one night,
and be utterly astonished.
Your heart will be changed
forever.’
Thank you,
dear Mary . . .
I can tell you love the ocean
as much as I. ♥
There is nothing like it! ♥️
The night sky is so astonishingly beautiful, I so agree!
I wasn’t going to post today, as it is now after midnight.
But after reading your post, Sparrow,
I was so inspired that I had to write about the ocean!
Sending love
♥️
I make a point of getting outside everyday. I try to do deep breathing when I am out there. I am usually looking up, @ the clouds, the moon, the stars & now the 6 planets all aligned. Like others have said I keep an eye on the vegetation around me, trees, a little pond…..just to see what’s happening. Mother Nature is my healing balm. ✨🙏🏻❤️
I admit my connection to the natural world is pretty much window watching. I take a breath of awe in the a.m. when I open the blinds and curtains. I have al the directions but not south. The bird bath does give me joy at their antics. I get the benefits of the sunset. I do take a gander outside in the evening before bed. I am not a walker or bike rider. I do take different routes in my drives and appreciate the gardens and trees. I am very fond of old old tree in the park. I named it Sheldon.
I would love to have a good view of the sunset, Yram.
I also enjoy nature through my windows a lot!
I take a walk daily unless the sidewalks are icy. I feed the birds and squirrels and love to watch them eat and play. When I opened the curtains this morning, my cardinals were present so they have returned from where I don’t know. I hadn’t seen them for a couple of months. I live wihin the city limits on a very busy street that people drive like it was a highway. It is so unnerving. The natural world screams slow down and so do I! I have several indoor plants and some have grown quite large. I look forward to spring when my black-eyed susans will poke out of the ground and my rose bush and peonies will begin to bloom. It’s easier to connect with the natural world if you live in the country but I know I am blessed to have my home in town. We are all part of the natural world and I am blessed with good neighbors.
Carol, thank you for this little window into your day to day.
Every morning, I open my bedroom blinds, and watch the birds on my feeder, take in the sky, and the trees I let the dogs out into the garden, take a deep breath of fresh air, and just pause to enjoy being outside.
Our daily walks are filled with nature at work. There’s always something new to notice—whether it’s the geese honking overhead, a heron perched by the water, a hawk gliding by, or the unexpected sight of an alligator basking in the sunshine. When we walk the wooded trails in the local park, I’ll spot deer, mushrooms, and sometimes a snake, and I always find myself looking up in awe at the trees.
And then there’s the beach. The ocean air is always so refreshing, and I can’t help but watch the little sandpipers darting around, their tiny feet moving faster than my eyes can follow. There’s something so calming about the rhythm of the waves.
One of the most heartwarming things for me is seeing my bed of marigolds start to bloom in the spring. They’re the flowers my 23 yr old son planted when he was just 8 years old, and now, all these years later, they’ve spread into a vibrant patch of color that feels like a living memory.
These little moments of nature and growth bring me so much joy and peace.
As the day closes, I like to watch the sunset. I look at the moon and quietly acknowledge that the same moon is shining down on my children who live so far away. The last thing I do at night, is let my dogs out for their nighttime potty break. It ‘s then that I look up and drink in the vastness of the night sky.
Antonia, it sounds beautiful where you live! Thank you for sharing about your 15 year old marigold patch– such a lovely image of connecting it to the growth of your son who planted it. And I also love the image of looking at the same moon that is shining down on your children who live so far away. ♥️
Every day (weather permitting) I go on a morning walk to the small lake near my house. I let my mind wander and observe and appreciate my surroundings. I appreciate the early morning stillness, and take photos of whatever I come across that catches my eye – an interesting plant, tree, or flower, birds at the lake…. I don’t often share these with anyone. For me, it’s more about capturing the image, of silent observation, a way of documenting to myself that connection with the natural world.
At the very least, I look out the window.
This mornings crescent moon was low in the sky while I waited for the bird to appear on the top branch of the olive tree to catch the first rays of sun.
Today is my riding day and I will be immersed in nature. The geology, the flora and fauna, the natural history, so it will be quite easy today and I will feel filled up for a few days.
Here in California, I am already looking for the first buds on some plants and trees. The grass on the hills is bright green and a very different look than the usual brown. And living in the wine country, I’m alway looking at the vines. They’re dormant this time of year and the vineyards resemble graveyards with their rows and rows of trellises.
But the bright yellow mustard that is grown as a complimentary crop, is just starting to bloom and put on a dazzling display.
One of my jobs is driving people around on wine tours, and it’s depressing and sad how few people actually look out the windy and marvel at this beautiful place. One morning, I was driving a group from a very early pick up, and we entered the Sonoma Valley at sunrise. The sky was putting on an incredible show of color and there were hot air balloons rising up. It was fantastic. Like a painting. And they were all stuck lookin at their phones.
I sometimes feel like a simpleton for being so easily amused.
Sounds beautiful
Charlie, thank you for this. I have been able to spend a bit of time in CA wine country and your description takes me right back there. As for your clients, well, you can lead horses to water but you can’t make them drink, right? Safe travels, Charlie.
Nothing like catching sight of hot air ballons Charlie.
Charlie, I would love to be a passenger in your chauffeur driven car! There is nothing better than looking out the window & witnessing God’s handiwork. I would be oohing & ahhing, exclaiming & acting like a little kid. To see Sonoma Valley, a “slice of heaven”, it doesn’t get much better than that.
Some people just have too much money!
Why would they even book a tour. Dugh!
I miss California so much….just reading the description of your surroundings… One year for my birthday my partner took me to Napa for one of those hot air balloon rides at sunrise. It was so beautiful….
With YOU Charlie – simpleton!
Stop. Look. Go.
Be Present.
I also enjoy changing my desktop wallpaper monthly to a beautiful image – nature, animals, etc. Right now it’s a beautiful white arctic fox.
GO BIRDS! 💚🦅
The BIRDS certainly did Michele.
who hoo!!! Superbowl 59 baby
I love doing this as well- I use the bing wallpaper app so every morning I have a new desktop image of something, somewhere in the natural world.
I live in a city, but am lucky to be surrounded by trees, creeks, and lately, snow. I connect with whatever is outside on a particular day (walking the dog is a good opportunity). How is the consistency of the snow? How is it changing over time; what is ice doing? What bird is in the tree? How are the plants doing covered in snow; how do some stay green? So it’s a curiosity, I think, even if often I see the same things. Every day offers a little bit of change.
I crack open the blinds to look outside when I get out of bed every morning. Once the dogs are fed, I like to step out onto the porch when I let them out and feel the air, breathe it in. I thought it felt nice earlier and was surprised when I looked at the temperature and it was only 27 degrees. We walk every day with the dogs, and I love looking at the trees, mushrooms, and any deer hiding in the wooded area between the tennis courts and trail from our neighborhood to the big park. I saw lots of deer living in the country at our old house and of course while we were in the mountains, but I always feel a bit more amazed seeing them here in the suburbs. I love watching birds and butterflies and have always been a big sky gazer no matter what time of day it is, but the sunrises and sunsets always offer some amazing color. I can get really caught up in it.
The sun is shining bright into my home this morning. Hope you all have a wonderful day.
The ‘world’, this elaborate complexity of societal arrangements we navigate from moment to moment, the networks of personalities and characters, of institutions and cultures making their special codes and ways of behaving even more confusing, has never been a place I felt comfortable. As a child there were enough provocations for seeking escape for any young person, and luckily I was always able to easily find refuge in what we now commonly refer to as the ‘natural world.’ Also known as the real world.
I grew up on the seashore. And so there were my familiar rocks, coves, eddies and trees along the stretch of beach outside our place. I began to feel familiar enough to ‘know’ each of my fellow critters, the multitude of gulls, the minnow, the hermit crabs and snails, the egrets and herons. I would often, early in the morning, get out in the rowboat and venture to group of rocks off shore that at low tide became a veritable island.
All of this is to say that from forever I have had a permeable energetic bubble or skin which surrounds me. I can easily recognize the aliveness of places and what we would consider inanimate objects…they, to me, having a presence ever as satisfying and rewarding as any of the fellow humans I had dealings with. The ‘how-ness’ of it is pretty basic. I use my powers of observation, not simply the senses but also my heart. The places surrounding me, the trees, iguanas, ducks and Osprey, they are waiting for me to simply become aware, and they reveal.
My family, the adults, would always refer to my ‘imagination.’ Alluding to the ‘make believe world’ I would go to. Something always felt like they were the ones in make believe.
So now, everything is alive to me. I suppose it is one of the reasons why I have work out in the natural places surrounding this megapolis on the edges of the continent.
“They are waiting for me to simply become aware, and they reveal” – exactly Howie. Thank you.
I connect with the natural world by going on my daily family morning walk.
Part of my life, like breathing. It has always been so. Waking and looking out the window. Seeing the rainbows that my window prism is making on my walls. Going out into the cold crisp morning now, and walking on our frozen lake.
You walk on a frozen lake?
Wow!
This Florida girl is impressed!
I have a rather large hanging crystal hanging by my bedroom window that makes rainbows on my walls and ceiling too 🙂 🌈
Me too. 🙂