Saying Goodbye

As we drove away from my father's after our week long visit home and with at least 11 hours of driving in front of us I asked, "Who wants to see Slippery Rock Creek one last time?" Outvoted by the gals I realized I still held the steeling wheel in my hands, so a short side trip seemed like a good idea to me at least. The warmer water was throwing off hints of fog under the falls at the bridge, carrying with it all the smells of the forest. For nearly 40 years this has been where I'd go to just be "me." So many manifestations of myself have walked the shore, waded in the pools, and breathed in those fern scented smells. My soul is mottled dark green, gray and brown. It sounds of rolling water, drumming of rocks, echoes with cries of birds and smells of leaf litter, ferns and hemlock.

#mcconnelsmill #slipperyrockcreek #frewmill #campagawam #forest #naturalpennsylvania #wildernessculture#outdoorlife #getoutside #liveoutdoors#getoutstayout #getoutthere #naturelover#lifeoutdoors #optoutside #loveoutdoors #outdoorsy#outdoors #nature_perfection #scenicpa #travelpa#explorepa #theoutbound #ventureout #in2nature#thegreatoutdoors #naturewalk #getoutdoors

Mi hitotsu to/ narite kunpū/ arishi kana

"Bereft of belongings
Yet blessed by the touch of the
Early summer breeze."


~Isao Sato

Early Spring is Here

Northern cardinal

#northerncardinal #cardinal #cardinaliscardinalis #naturalwisconsin #driftlessarea #danecounty #wisconsin #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #madisonwisconsin #madsionwi #midwestisbest #midwestliving #travelwi #wisconsinphotographer #travelwisconsin #earlyspring #birdwatching #bird #birds #birdstagram #birding #birdlover #birdlovers #birdsofinstagram #birdwatcher #birdextreme #birdfreaks #birdphotography

Serendipitous Sandhills

Before leaving to go train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu I had a feeling I'd need to carry my zoom lens that I use for wildlife. I'd just gotten off the phone with Flavia Zortea, and our conversations about life, and what I've been experiencing at the Temple had me feeling like I'm on the right path. One of the subjects we spoke about was how I always go to the Temple to walk around the Stupa to meditate. Over the winter I'd rarely see anyone out and about on the grounds. I mentioned how some of the teachings were a bit over my head. She suggested that eventually I'd meet a "down to earth" monk and it would go from there. It would just work it self out. So, on my way to BJJ, as is my habit I stopped to walk and contemplate things at Deer Park. I'd no sooner parked when I heard these Sandhill Cranes flying overhead. Taking their photo was easy as I'd prepared my camera for the manual shot before leaving the house. The exposure just happened to be set correctly. As I approached the path to the Stupa the head monk of the monastery, Sherab, was standing there. We spoke for a brief moment, and after talking about what I do, namely walk around the Stupa in meditation, he invited me to use the smaller, older temple near the Stupa for my meditations. Serendipity.

Baxter's Hollow (No. 82)

From the DNR Site, "Baxter's Hollow features a scenic gorge cut through Baraboo quartzite by Otter Creek, a fast, clear, nearly undisturbed stream flowing over the large quartzite boulders. Although it supports trout, Otter Creek is better known for its diverse and unique aquatic insect fauna including at least 78 species of caddisfly. Cold air drainage has permitted a white pine dominated forest to persist near the stream. Understory species on the boulder-strewn slopes are large-leaved aster, marginal wood fern, partridgeberry, sweet cicely, witch hazel, and squawroot. Most of the site, though, contains a significant portion of the Big Woods, the largest intact contiguous southern dry-mesic forest in Wisconsin with red and white oak, hickory, and basswood. In spring, the forest floor is blanketed with a wide variety of colorful flowers including spring-beauty, Jacob's-ladder, trillium, hepatica, shooting-star, dog-tooth violet, and marsh marigold. The large expanse of woods provides critical habitat for many rare bird species that require large forested tracts. The combined effects of microclimate and different communities have allowed a wide diversity of species to flourish here: 39 mammals, 92 breeding birds, 13 amphibians, and 18 reptile species. Baxter's Hollow is owned by The Nature Conservancy and was designated a State Natural Area in 1970."

A Night on the Town

My wife & I made plans to go out separately last evening. I wanted to go to a local Chamber of Commerce social event, and she wanted to go with another woman to an art raffle/fundraiser. It turned out they were in the SAME place, the pizzeria at the Grumpy Troll! Even when we try to be apart fate draws us together, which is awesome. I had a few Bloody Maries (olives & pickles included) with little 4oz beer chasers and ate an ENTIRE pizza. This morning my weight was up 6.8 pounds! Oh the sodium... I feel bloated... belch...

Sutras of the Past

As I walked in circles around the Stupa allowing my thoughts to percolate an icy winter wind fluttered the colorful prayer flags draped on lines around it. As memories of my past, both good & bad, rose up in my head the little flags of prayer reached out, caressing my arm just as old friends would when comforting me. Such peace from so simple an act from an in animate object. Have I truly gone so long without feeling such affections that simple, colorful bits of fabric bring me solace or have I become blind to the affections I receive daily from those close to me, making this sensation seem unique? A bit of both perhaps?