Eurasian Collared-dove. January 1, 2022
Smart and not-so-smart
warms herself on heated rim
then poops in water
Dove both smart and dumb original line too mean & judgmental
Friday Haiku
photography
Wordless Wednesday: reflections
Uncompahgre National Forest. July 29, 2019
Twofer Tuesday: House Finch edition
These finches (look closely, there are two) offer a good representation for my current emotional and mental state.
January 1, 2022
Sometimes my feelings are bright, cheery, and upbeat–as they were yesterday while walking in the sunshine with Emma Jean-Jean–and other times my emotions feel more drab and less hopeful, as this morning when tears overwhelmed me during my first yoga session in a while.
The good news is that nature always provides. During that same yoga session, feeders outside the window were visited by a flock of twenty or so wee Bushtits, reminding me of the power of community. Bushtits stick together, chipping and twittering as they forage in a tree and move on to another.
We’re not alone in this difficult reality and I’m grateful for my communities, including this one here.
Friday Haiku
January 7, 2022
Beetle kill pine boards
camper van layout options
if those walls could talk
Color me nostalgic
Here’s a little color for anyone who needs it right now. These photos were taken on July 15, 2021, on the Oh Be Joyful Trail outside Crested Butte, Colorado. I don’t have the energy to research the first two species (so if anyone knows, educate me :)).
This last is Fireweed which I first grew to love while living in Alaska.
Another hiker was crouched next to a patch of them along the trail that day, photographing the blooms with the biggest smile on her face. “This is my favorite flower of all,” she said.
Joyful, indeed.
Wordless Wednesday
Northern Flicker and falling snow. January 1, 2022
Just because
When everything feels cruel and horrific, I lean on natural beauty. This photo isn’t especially special, but gazing upon these coneflowers that bloomed in my garden brings me a moment of inner peace.
July 16, 2020
Maybe it can do the same for you.
Some good stuff
I met my goal to hoop-dance for 24 hours in 2021! While hooping for approximately an hour each day ended up being a bit much, the experience was mostly joyful. My official stats are 1,446 minutes: 24 hours and six minutes of dancing in the spin. One entire day of this exceedingly difficult year was devoted to an activity I love.
Post-challenge victory photo. December 31, 2021
And if that’s not enough of a WIN for this last day of the year, right before my final hooping session, we took a walk during the first substantial snowstorm of the year for this part of Colorado (which comes the day after two wildfires in nearby Boulder County as a result of extreme drought and hurricane-level winds).
Emma in her sweater, straining to identify an intriguing odor.
At this moment, I’m focusing on the good stuff. The array of birds visiting the yard as I hoop-danced this morning (Black-capped Chickadee, Bushtits, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Dark-eyed Junco, Black-billed Magpies, American Crow, Woodhouse’s Scrub Jay) and the glorious feel of snowflakes on my face as we walked three miles around the neighborhood.
Happy New Year! Wishing you much joy. ✨
Wordless Wednesday: three grackles
John Martin Reservoir State Park. April 28, 2021
Castle in the clouds
There are no rules of architecture for a castle in the clouds. ~ Gilbert K. Chesterton
December 10, 2021
Magpie Monday: shadow dancing
Right after I cleaned and refilled the bird bath, an assortment of magpies utilized the facilities. Not sure if this is the same bird in each photo, but I enjoyed watching their appreciation for the water.
December 19, 2021
It’s always a good day when Black-billed Magpies pay a visit.
Friday Haiku
Cooper’s Hawk, May 10, 2020.
One-eyed steely gaze
probes the corners of my soul
guess who’s first to blink
Vote MOO no matter who
I vote for this lovely cow to be in charge. Look at those eyes, her calm demeanor as she chews the dry grass, the stylish-yet relatable hair. Ladies and gentlemen, we have our candidate!
December 7, 2021
Remember, vote MOO no matter who.
Wordless Wednesday
Cows and Flatirons. December 7, 2021
Twofer Tuesday
I can imagine no more comfortable frame of mind for the conduct of life than a humorous resignation. ~ W. Somerset Maugham
October 9, 2021
As documented earlier, Marcel and Loki “cooperated” with Zippy for a very good cause in that photo session and no felines were injured in the making of this photo.
Each of us, magnificent
Today’s reminder for anyone who needs it: show up as yourself. You are magnificent, warts and all! (Or, in this pelican’s case, bumps that form on the bill during breeding season.)
Barr Lake State Park. April 8, 2021
Remember, when you show up as your magnificent, authentic self, you’ll find your squadron.
Shout-out to all who’ve engaged and connected with me in real life and an online capacity: thank you! ❤️
Wordless Wednesday
Flatirons Vista Trail. December 7, 2021
#Caturday message from our sponsor
Tracy is taking this day to do whatever in the hell she wants. Sit in a patch of sunshine. Read a book. Rub my head or that of my brother Loki. Pet that frequently over-amped dog she calls Emma Jean-Jean. Have a snack or nap. Take another leisurely bootless walk. Create or not create. The decisions belong to Tracy.
October 9, 2021
I trust this isn’t a problem for any of you, right?
All right, I’m late for my own nap so I’ll wish you a good day. Be well.
Friday Haiku
September 24, 2021
Reflexes too slow
twittering bushtit flew off
silence in its wake
Thankful Thursday
Today I am grateful for much, including:
- My first walking boot-free day in which I walked about 1.5 miles in the neighborhood.
- An overdue appointment with my behavioral optometrist who’s been taking care of my eyes for a looong time and who, as always, knew exactly what needed to be done to get me back on track.
- Arriving home after my appointment to find Zippy putting lights in the yard.
Our somewhat haphazard display with bonus feature: Loki in the window. Dec 2, 2021
- Afterward, a nice visit with our neighbors and the beautiful and quite-large Rainbow Dash who put her paws on my shoulders to say Hello . . . without knocking me over!
Wordless Wednesday: wishful thinking edition
Out my window. March 14, 2021
Few clever enough
If men had wings and bore black feathers, few of them would be clever enough to be crows. ~ Henry Ward Beecher
Photo by Zippy. November 22, 2021
Unfortunately, that also goes for many women. I don’t see crows mucking up things and then gaslighting everyone into thinking stuff’s just dandy. That’s purely the province of rich and powerful men/women.
Still shining her light
Today is the selection meeting for the Writing Roosters Scholarship for the Michelle Begley Mentor Program. Michelle was a dear friend and critique partner who created an amazing mentor program for the Rocky Mountain kidlit community. When she tragically died in a car accident, our critique group established a scholarship fund in her name. Each year, we get together (zoom again…sigh), along with Michelle’s mother and two sisters, to discuss applications and select a mentee to receive the $500 scholarship.
This year, we have ten applicants! I’m still writing notes for our meeting that begins in less than an hour, but wanted to document this event.
July 3, 2021
The sunflower is nearly as beautiful as Michelle whose light still shines on through her legacy to our writing community.
Friday Haiku
September 9, 2021
Left ear injured but
lived to eat another day
sweet sweet victory
Wordless Wednesday
Clear Creek. January 12, 2021
Tracy Abell 