You are currently browsing the tag archive for the ‘Mother Nature’ tag.
“A mind at peace, a mind centered and not focused on harming others, is stronger than any physical force in the universe.” Wayne Dyer
It’s pretty tough not to feel at peace and centered in my own strength in a place like this.
I am humbled by the beauty and power of Mother Nature.
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“Well, of course, I’m the wrong person to ask. I like to dial numbers with one hand, and maybe I’m the only one.” Bill Gates (Asked if he would buy an Apple iPhone)
My husband had to take a business trip to California. Since my cel is a Global Phone with two sim cards – one of which is a US cel plan . . . he took it with him and left me with his iPhone 4. I’ve been wanting to get my hands on it!
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“We can only make ourselves the victim.” Gillian Anderson
We spent the day cleaning out, weeding and building new supports for the raspberry patch. We started this patch a few years back, and have kind of neglected it, until this year. We’ve added on to it . . . making it 50 feet long. It’s gonna be one awesome raspberry manufacturing machine this year! There are dangers of working around prickly canes tho – as the photo below shows. Those canes got me pretty good in several places. I was thinking that I could place the blame on those darn raspberries . . . those inanimate objects that grow protective thorns for a reason! Isn’t that what we typically do . . . place the blame for injury or hurt on an external source, instead of taking responsibility for creating the circumstances in the first place?? So easy to do . . . lash out and feel better because “it’s not my fault!” However, I’ve discovered over the years that taking accountability for my own actions is much simpler and easier in the long run . . . I made the choice to attack those raspberry canes without proper protection to prevent injury. Those canes were simply doing what they were engineered to do . . . protect themselves! I subject myself to their abuse, however, because I love what their ultimate offering is . . . delicious and juicy tart little fruits that will appear in the next month or so . . . nothing like fresh berries off the bush, homemade raspberry jam, or fresh frozen berries to enjoy all year long!
110-365
“Behavior is the mirror in which everyone shows their image.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
No matter how I feel about myself, how imperfect I perceive myself to be, I am responsible for my own results in my life. If I’m not happy with what I see when I look in the mirror, I have control over making whatever change is necessary, creating and achieving the results I want. If I’m not happy, I have only to look in the mirror to see the source . . .
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“Gardening requires lots of water – most of it in the form of perspiration.” Lou Erickson
Isn’t that the truth though?? Weeding, raking, tilling, mowing, trimming and pruning, planting and on the cycle goes. Spring brings with it much labor, cleaning up from the winter storms and preparing for the new growth from all the new plantings. And I love this time of year – because of the promise it brings with all the renewal and new growth and freshness. It just feels so great to finally be out in the yard putting things all back in order and preparing for what is yet to come.
107-365
“Be the change you want to see in the world.” Mahatma Ghandi
Love my Cherry trees. We planted two in the front yard just a couple of years ago. I look forward to their blossoms almost as much as I do the Stellata Magnolias! I converted this photo to B&W using Lightroom, did some HDR in Photomatrix, and added some texture in Photoshop.
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This is the original photo – SOOC before any editing.
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Daffodowndilly has come to town,
in a yellow petticoat and a green gown.
~ Traditional Rhyme
We took a trip to the local nursery as we’re preparing the ground for planting. As we wandered through , I spied this display of daffodils. Mine didn’t come up this year. Either the bulbs rotted in the ground because it’s been so wet, or the squirrels got to them. I processed this photo in Photoshop with Topaz Labs Black and White filters.
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“There is hope if people will begin to awaken that spiritual part of themselves, that heartfelt knowledge that we are caretakers on this planet.” Brooke Medicine Eagle
Today is Earth Day. It’s also Day 100 of my 365 Self Portrait Challenge. As it was another very nice day, I spent some time wandering through my property to see how spring was flourishing. Two of the sure signs of Spring are the Skunk Cabbage that grow in the swampy areas down by the creek, and the horsetail that is quite pervasive and tends to take over in areas I don’t particularly want it to! The stink of the Skunk Cabbage goes away as the huge yellow blossoms fade fairly quickly, however the Horsetail is the bane of my existence! As it grows, it sends out a bazzillion spores that then start more and more and more new plants. We are constantly spraying to keep it under control. That battle is just beginning anew for this year . . .
100-365
“Go big or go home. Because it’s true. What do you have to lose?” Eliza Dushku
One of the first opportunities we’ve had to get out in the yard and do some work – today’s priority was washing the cars. Time to detail the X5, and we also were putting the ’92 Toyota Camry on Craig’s list so had to get it cleaned out and sparkly clean. Nice to be out in the fresh air and working up a sweat. So – yes I drive a BMW . . . and I love it! I fell in love with them back in the 80’s when I worked for a Dr who drove one. However, I never thought I would someday own and drive one myself. It’s a great example, I think, of holding a vision of something, staying focused, and hard work. Is it the be-all and end-all of my life?? Absolutely not! But it sure is a nice comfy ride!
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Fragrant o’er all the western groves
The tall magnolia towers unshaded.
– Maria Brooks, written on seeing Pharamond
Yet another picture of the gorgeous Stellata Magnolia, also known at the Stellar Magnolia, or Star Magnolia. We have three huge “bushes” in the yard. Every year I look forward to Spring so that I can experience these beauties to their fullest. The flower petals are already starting to drop, leaving a snow-like carpet on the ground. Soon, all that will remain is a very large green bush with only the memory of the beautiful flowers that heralded “spring is here”!
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Nurture Self 365 