Two walks

A bleak day… but as always, some beauty to be found. From this morning’s walk at the state park on Flathead Lake:

Below are from an afternoon walk at “home”. I believe Karl would title the first: “My mama dresses me funny”.

It is deer (gun) season. And although the land we walk is private and posted “No Hunting”, it is adjacent to 40 acres of state land which is huntable. I choose to be cautious. My personal vanity prohibits showing my own “hunter orange outfit”…I have a “one size fits all” vest made to go over winter jackets. It has been alternately rainy/snowy so I’ve been wearing raingear over fleece. With the gigantic orange vest I look like the great pumpkin in a cowboy hat. I have a felt, waterproof cowboy hat that has ear flaps that fold down for real cold. The thing keeps water off my face AND neck – my ears warm when it is very cold. I’ve had it a number of years so it has a somewhat odd shape at this point… However, vanity aside, I am warm and dry and both Karl and I are visible – which is the point.

to see what we could see

We had to get a bit more creative with our walk location yesterday. The neighbors on our “scenic” route were briefly in residence. It is deer season so I prefer to avoid the adjacent state land. We could have gone to the state park but the sky had cleared between forecast storm fronts and I thought it might be a good day to get what might be the last look at fall color on a sunny day. We went over the hill (my road) which drops down to Echo Lake, a small lake that is beautiful, although a bit crowded and noisy during the summer. This day, though, it was quiet and peaceful. When we arrived there was not even a breeze ruffling the water…

We took the “long way” home and passed by a favorite view of the Swan River…

and the Swan Range with a bit of powdery snow on some of the peaks…

It was an idyllic hour break – I had reached a good point to stop working, the sun was out and we went. Shortly after we returned, things clouded over and the afternoon was gray. All afternoon as I worked I kept thinking how glad I was that we went when we did.

Another bonus last evening – the sky cleared again and the waxing moon lit the old garden area enough for Karl and I to play a bit of soccer by the “light of the silvery moon” …and when we were done, it stayed around long enough for me to take its picture.

A Prayer

Let nothing disturb you, nothing distress you.

While all things fade away, God is unchanging

Be patient, for with God in your heart, nothing is lacking

God is enough.

These words attributed to St. Teresa’s prayer by the Jesuits, “Pray as you Go” MP3 devotion of 9/24/2008.

I use this prayer like a meditative chant when I feel anxious or fearful. Tonight, from my quiet home, with rain falling gently outside, Karl and Bob breathing softly near me, I lift it up for all who need peace.

A Prayer.

Experimenting

This morning started foggy, changed to sunny, although a bit hazy and I went to town and bought a new camera… Woohoo!!! – But by the time the battery was charged, the weather had started to move in – gray overcast skies… not the best day to play but I did manage to have some fun.

Fun, fun, fun!