Hurry! Go Outside!

Like magic, pops of color
appear in the trees.
A seemingly sudden
transformation.

Leaves, once dark green,
now shiny apple red,
sunshine yellow,
and burnt orange.

Evergreens stand resilient,
in perfect contrast with
Aspens, Oaks, and Maples.
Appearing unchanged, but
transformed nonetheless.

The evolution seems
sudden, but it is not.
An invisible process
requiring sunshine, rain,
cool breezes, and patience.

One whose resulting beauty
will disappear as quickly
as it arrived. Or at least,
that is how it will seem.

Simply Sunday

The sun’s warmth on my face
Fall’s breeze across my back
before circling my arms

A brief pause on its journey
to nearby trees, where leaves wait,
ready and willing participants
in a breezy afternoon lullaby

A beautiful first day of a new month-
Welcome, November

I sat outside yesterday for some much needed Vitamin D and a little inspiration. 🧡

Lunch Outside

The midday sun
Warms my face
While a cool hint-of-fall breeze
Brushes my hair gently across my eyes-
I don’t mind the combination
Sweet whispers float among the trees
As leaves that have fallen too early
Crawl across the pavement
Before resting in the dirt-
There are sirens in the distance
One after another
I don’t count-
Curious about the mixture of sounds
I wonder what happened?
Is someone hurt?
Are all the sirens headed in the same direction?

Fear begins to grow
Then the sirens suddenly stop-
I sit still, remain silent
As the mid-day sun
Warms my face
While a cool hint-of-fall breeze
Brushes my hair gently across my eyes-
I don’t mind the combination

Simply Sunday

Transformation


It’s not for lack of trying
You soak in every
Drop of rain
Bask in each
Ray of sunlight
Stand tall in your
Strongest strong
Timing and balance
In this current season
Are just a bit off
Not that you hold
Any control where
These particular changes
Are concerned-
One thing is certain
Changes will occur
But even when your
Branches sway, bare
In Winter’s breeze
Your beauty will not fade

Muted Colors


If only I could grasp
A corner of the sky
Between my fingertips
And carefully peel it back
Like removing
The protective covering
From a brand-new mirror
So that the fuzzy images
Suddenly become clear-
If only I could grasp
A corner of the sky
Between my fingertips
And carefully peel it back
Perhaps the colors of Fall
Would no longer appear muted
Their transformation revealing
Deep reds and golden yellows-
I cannot peel back
A corner of the sky
But I can remember
This is only a season
And in certain seasons
Peace for an anxious heart
Quietly lingers within
The softly muted colors

Simply Sunday

Rocks and Trees

A highway lined
With Aspen groves
Their golden leaves
Smiling golden smiles
Covering me with affection
A winding road lined
With massive boulders
In their current state
Of stacked strength
Covering me with shade-
Different, yet each
Conveys the feeling
Of being snuggly wrapped
In my favorite blanket-
Warmth and security
Sometimes come from
The most surprising places

Yellow Ribbon

Perfectly content
Exploring the peaceful valley
From my seat on the rock
I glanced up, noticing
Bright yellow ribbons
Winding their way
Through the mountains
As if a painter had chosen
Just the right brush
And gently dabbed
Contrasting colors
Behind the evergreens
Creating a trail that
Graciously called out –
Don’t stay in the valley
Come to the mountaintop
Follow the yellow ribbon
Until the trees disappear
Then look back
To see how far you’ve traveled

Yesterday, Gart and I traveled the beautiful roads of Rocky Mountain National Park to the Alpine Visitor Center, elevation 11,796 feet. The views were stunning. And seeing the valley we had explored the day before from above was humbling.

Traveling on high, curvy mountain roads is a challenge for me. Just the thought of it puts a knot in my stomach. In recent years, I’ve come to understand the roots of this anxiety. And I’m grateful to have someone beside me who understands, challenges, and encourages me. Oh, and also takes some amazing photos! ❤️

Photo credit Gart Morris 3 & 4

Seeking

There is no denying
It exists in every
Corner of our world
Brokenness
Most days, it lives
In my periphery
On the news
Down the street
Other days
It parks itself right
In the center of my heart-
The same is true of love
Whether noticed
Around the edges
Or in the center
Love holds the ability to grow
From the tiniest bits of joy-
The first chirp of the
Robin’s morning Hello!
The yellow-gold leaves
Of mountain Aspens in the Fall
The evening whisper of the wind
As it says Goodnight! to the pines –
Listening causes me to look
Seeing causes me to smile
Feeling causes me to
Open my window just a crack
So joy can find her way inside-
Do you hear the birds?
Do you see those trees?
Did you feel that breeze?

They may sound like
Unimportant things to ask
But what if those questions
Are the first notes in a
Song of hope for the one
Seeking a hand to hold

A few images from Rocky Mountain National Park today. 💛 Soaking in each little bit.

Simply Sunday

Colors of Fall
Were slow
To appear
On certain trees
Dry conditions
Threatened
To hinder
The beauty
Of the season
But the leaves
Clung tightly
Waiting for
Rain to come
It was a cold rain
That fashioned
These delayed
Bursts of color
Just as others were
Beginning to wane
Yet even the faded
Appeared vibrant
Standing beside
The evergreens
Against the gray
And white backdrop
Painted on recent skies-
Everything in its time
Not competing
But complementing
In my not yet
Ready for Winter
Surroundings

Simply Sunday

Driving at Dusk

Silhouetted trees
Of blackest ink
Unwavering
Against
A radiant orange
Horizon
The Earth
Continuing
On its orbit
No slower
Or faster than
The day before
I am moving, too
Yet, somehow
Frozen
In this one
Instant of time
Unchanging
Giving me pause
Time to marvel
Until the
Moment
Fades away