The snowy owl sleeps
through the day,
resting her wings,
her body, her eyes
She waits until darkness
falls to take flight
What path will she take this night?
The familiar line following trees
along the river and up
into the mountains?
She knows it well
But something stirs her, gently
ruffles her feathers-Calling
her out of the familiar
and into the Valley
Not a sad place, but
a place to grow –
until once again, the sun
rises and she sleeps
Tag: mountains
Mountaintop
Though the incline is great
My steps must remain small-
Looking too far ahead
Will tempt my feet
To move faster
Hindering any chance
Of reaching the summit-
Yes, the mountaintop calls
Its majestic views providing
Inspiration and opportunity
But it is not the place
For putting down roots-
Besides, the powerful effects
Of a higher altitude
Allow only for short visits-
Time enough to gather
Images and lessons
Meant to carry me
Back down into the valley
Where rich soil waits
And love continues to grow
Simply Sunday
Mountain Lessons
Majestic, monumental
Mysterious, picturesque
Even these words feel
Inadequate when describing
The view of the mountain while sitting in the valley-
Both are beautiful
In their own respect
And I would imagine reactions vary
Depending on the one searching-
For me, the valley is peaceful
Colorful meadows, waving
Mountain lakes, reflecting
Three-hundred-sixty-degree views
Even before my eyes move
Upward toward the peaks-
Standing on the pinnacle
Peering downward
Into the valley
I am reverent, respectful, fearful
The magnitude and elevation
Melding into a wave of emotions
I cannot explain-
Only the truth of my smallness
In our beautiful and broken world
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
Casting Cares
Once and for all
Never to be
Thought of again
Is that what it means to cast all my cares?
As I read the words
They make sense
But one turn around
And my worries seem
To find their way back
What if I picture myself
Fishing pole in hand
Standing at the edge
Of a clear mountain lake
Knowing, once I cast
My line out into the water
The only thing left to do is wait
Knowing that the waiting
Can be done with patience
Enjoying surrounding beauty
In excited anticipation
Of what may come
Or wasting sacred moments
Pacing back and forth
As if I have any control
Over how those fish
Swimming below the surface
Will respond or react-
Maybe the secret
Is in the accepting-
He cares about each worry
No matter how big or small
..casting all your anxieties on him because he cares for you. I Peter 5:7
Simply Sunday
One More Time
Mountain breeze drifts by
Meadows and pines gently sway
Whispering my name
I couldn’t resist sharing our trip to Colorado one more time. Grateful for time with family in this beautiful place. ❤️
I lift up my eyes to the mountains. Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2
Closer to Clouds
Not sure which
Took my breath
Away first…
Beauty
Or elevation
A 360 degree
Perspective
No formations
Blocking my view
I could see
Where I was going
And where I’d been
All of it
Storms ahead
Storms behind
Cool breezes
And sunlight
In between
Clarity of lessons
Learned quickly
As well as those
Requiring repetition
Each one
Revealing purpose
In passing landscapes
No wish
To speed ahead
No wish
To slow down
Only the desire to be
Only the desire to live
I love spending time in Colorado. One specific area holds many memories. Family vacations with parents, kids, grandparents, grandchildren, and great-grandparents. Honeymoons and holidays, hiking, and fishing. Feeding the chipmunks. And, of course, beautiful scenery.
Gart and I are traveling to this spot with our three grown kids and daughter-in-law. What a treat! This sentimental mom can’t help looking back and looking forward. But mostly, I’m just enjoying all of us being together.
Pockets and Pebbles
We drove under a canopy of trees. So thick in stretches, we wouldn’t have been able to see the sun even if it had been shining. Winding switchbacks took us to the top of Mt. Mansfield. We marveled at the beautiful views.
Some of us closed our eyes and held on tight at certain turns. Well…one of us did, anyway. But that was not the thing that caused me to gasp. Instantly feeling like a little kid. Any guesses?
Giant rocks!
Boulders with great veins of quartz running through. Some were standing solitary. Others were stacked, forming small caves. Even others with trees growing against their faces. Those might have been my favorite.
Standing in the shadows of these giants, the kid in me wanted to fill my pockets with pebbles. No, I did not. Managed to rustle up some restraint.
Instead, I stood in awe of these majestic formations. Felt the embrace of their cool breeze. Accepted their invitation to climb, stand, and sit. And finally, to walk away feeling confident, steady, and grateful.
Foothills
One glance
Then a second
Wrinkled brow
Curious smile
Where do the mountains end?
Where do the clouds begin?
A closer look
Would perhaps
Provide answers
If answers are
What I seek-
On third glance
I choose to simply wonder
At how this
Humble horizon
Takes over my thoughts
Leaves me dreaming
Of sitting
At the foothills
Longingly
Looking up
Toward the highest peak
Where questions cease
And peace overcomes
With the passing of a gentle mountain breeze
Homesick
The mountain comes into view,
As I drive across the river bridge.
A drive I’d love to take today.
To me, a majestic outline, though
Small in comparison to other mountains
Barely high enough to garner the name
Hiking to its peak as a child was
Like standing on top of the world
Peering out over tops of trees
Roads, cars, and houses below
Appearing as toys in a tiny
Land of make-believe
Was home really as small as it appeared?
Time for exploring always
Ended too quickly-never enough
Time to stand on the edge.
But laughter followed as we
Made our way down the steep trail
Into the green valley below
The world again at eye-level
My head forever in the clouds
Piano Girl 