at the first sense

A brilliantly clear and bright morning to start the New Year. This was the coldest morning of winter for us so far. Not much compared to other parts of the world, but noticeable for the creatures and humans who are in the out of doors today. I loved the attitude of this sweet bird….its song attracted me to the bare branch where it was perched. The rose hips in the background are a fine reminder of the year past. And then, I saw the slight bulges on this enormous rose bush waiting to leaf out at the first sense of Spring. A fitting sighting for the first day of the year. Happy New Year to you and I hope that you are warm wherever you are.

light of existence

The shortest day/longest night in the Northern Hemisphere is a time for rebirth and hope. A time of introspection, not darkness. Each day for the next six months we will have a bit more light.

I just spent a wonderful week with two loving, brilliant and generous members of my family on the storm-tossed beach and in the forests of far-northern California. This was a year of loss and change for all of us. But, out of this time with them, I realized the real result was gaining more of the light of existence.

Deep in the woods on the edge of a true wilderness, my nephew shared a special stream and surrounding grove that was a refuge for him during times of near overpowering grieving and loss these past months. We stood together in silence. The grove had the power of a holy place. As we walked across the bridge, we saw that someone had written on the railing: "Rest in Peace Ashley” with a date indicating a loss this year of a young person: a sacred place for others.

The photo is looking across the Siskiyou Wilderness.

when the sun refuses

We are in a period of abundant and much appreciated rain. Each day is mostly gray as the storms or little squalls move east from the Pacific. Everyone seems to be thrilled with the possible break in our unprecedented drought. The weather predictors are telling us that there are many cloud covered days ahead and much more rain. But, there are moments when the sun refuses to be hidden. 

one step at a time

The challenges in life sometimes seem repetitive. New opportunities for learning ─ and lessons not learned, or partly learned ─ are there to be “climbed” again and again. Watching this wonderful little bumble bee make his way up the steps made me so aware of my joy when something new presents itself. It is really only one step at a time, regardless of the time in life.

a turn in time

Autumn: watching the trees turn and the falling leaves accumulate in windfall; winter plants beginning to bloom in our Mediterranean climate; thousands of birds migrate overhead in the Pacific Flyway as they go south….the changing seasons, a turn in time. Today, I saw a wonderful sign of spring….seed pods that were brilliant orange flowers just weeks ago. Seeds that will generate in the winter rains and produce another kind of beauty when the days are long again.

A good model and impetus for looking seriously at what works, what is no longer relevant or applicable, and what can be modified in the contemplative shorter days of winter. Some days are less fulfilling now ─ a clear indication that plans and processes need revision.

Change direction: fairly easy to say and so very difficult to do….at least at this stage of my life. 

making a statement

Our neighborhood has been transformed in so many ways….Google Buses delivering techies to and from work in Silicon Valley, new restaurants opening like mushrooms after a rain, clothing shops that are so high-end that looking at prices is heart stopping. But, in the midst of it all, a former appliance repair shop has opened as a flower shop. Really basic and just sort of cleaned out the former junk. But, the new proprietor was busily painting this marvelous depiction of flowers on the street yesterday during our summer street festival, which is called City Streets. For one day, all traffic is removed and the street is open to bikes and kids and dogs and all manner of street performers. This fine new addition to our local business certainly made a statement. Brava!

each moment a new perspective

October brings the hint of winter, the joy of autumn and still gives reminders of summer. Summer so often in San Francisco brings fog and each moment in fog seems to have a new perspective. On relentlessly sunny days I don’t seem to have the varied experiences that a cloudy one can bring. For me, the layers of awareness, of mood, of hopes and dreams are needed, as is a more one-dimensional sunny outlook. The changing seasons, the changes in life and the hope of the future all seem to align in autumn. Preparation for winter? Consolidation of the summer growth? 

This photo is of autumn fog, not summer. Seems to be more dense and a bit darker.