This morning after going to the exercise class that I love to hate (though it’s good for my body it’s really hard work!) I decided to take
A Walk before the Rain
at nearby West Medicine Lake Park.
The sun was still shining through thin clouds and lots of people were out talking and walking in the park. There was a group of dog walkers who seemed to know one another chatting near the parking lot. And I saw a birder out with his binoculars checking to see if there were any interesting migrating waterfowl.
We chatted for awhile, asking one another if we’d seen anything interesting. He pointed out a pair of ducks too far away to identify. And then he told me that the swans were back on the east side of lake just south of the park I often visit. Later in my walk the dog walking group pointed out two bald eagles in a tree overlooking the parking lot. It’s really lovely to live in a place where people are so open and friendly.
I was surprised to find a lot of migrating coots congregated on the west side of Medicine Lake today. Last week I thought that they might have moved on in their fall migration because I saw none on the east side of Medicine Lake all week. I was wrong. Apparently the west side of the lake is the place to be now.
I’m glad I had time to go for a walk today before the rain came. The weather forecast suggests after the rain ends the temperatures will drop to more normal temps for this time of year. Brrr! I am savoring every fall day that I can, expecting that when winter finally arrives we can probably expect more snow than we had last year. Winter is not my favorite season for many reasons. Still, I find beauty where I can during the cold months. And I find more time to read in winter, something I love doing.
I read the way a person might swim, to save his or her life. I wrote that way too.– Mary Oliver
I found a tiny dandelion in bloom at the park this morning. On November 18 a fresh bloom opened — amazing!
And now as the clouds have moved in and the day looks thoroughly gray and cold I am finding beauty in what I see through my windows. A few birds have been visiting the bird feeders outside my window. And I watch them eat. This consciously choosing to find and see beauty in life every day brings me such joy.
If we consciously fuel our joy, if we put our attention on the world’s beauty, we will have far more strength and stamina to show up to the world’s pain.
— Andrea Gibson
Writing, making photographs, spending time in nature, reading books — how lucky I am in this life that I live.
Are you also choosing to see beauty in life, no matter what? What brings you joy today?
May you walk in beauty.
Sunrise, the pond behind our house one day last week
Coots on Medicine Lake this morning
Two bald eagles high in a tree at the park
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