Horizons

Harmony

I walked on sandy paths cushioned with needles.
The breeze rippled the water.
Sunlight sparkled through the trees.

Grit

It's the leftover bits that get me.
For days after, they show up
bouncing and falling
from creases and folds and pockets.
Just when I think I cleaned the last of it,
another round shows up,
teasing me with memories
of sitting on soft driftwood,
sharing silences of soul friends,
watching the horizon hue shift to pastel,
collecting bits into my fingers
to rub grit against the brown surface
clearing the residue of pollen
plus ten year old waterproofing
that smelled like vinegar
and left a film of snot
on the worn leather
of my second hand shoes.

Peace.

Dreamy dreaming

Water & Rock: The Shaping

The Shaping:
Catch
Tumble
Slide...
Release
Catch
Tumble
Slide...
Release

Sunset Truth

Water and Sky

Breathe deep. 

Connect to earth, water and sky.

Savor the peace.

To the Lake!

Someone's back and heading to the lake!  These images are from the archives.  Even after all the travel on the other side of the globe, this shore of Lake Superior is one of my favorite places in the world.  Happy heart.

Night light

The fireflies and stars are sprinkling bits of light tonight, which reminded me of a much cooler night this spring when northern lights danced over Lake Superior.  Bundled up in layers, I meandered along the beach, listening to gentle waves tease the shore, calm water echoing the shimmering light above.

(Click on the image to see a larger version.)

Venture to the deep

Lake Superior:
Tapered rocks angle out,
not seen before, tempting
a venture to the deep blue.

The lake level is low this spring, changing the visible rockscape of this favorite shore.  My feet did get wet.  Click on the photo to see it a bit larger.

More from the shore

Here's one more snap from last week on the Lake Superior shore - one of the last photos I took. Things cool off so quickly once the sun disappears, so I snapped a few more and then dashed back to the car to start the warming-up process. I love exploring the patterns of ice and snow on the rocks.

Icy, steamy... Duluth

No matter the season, Duluth and the Lake Superior shore are favorite places to visit. This photo brings it all together: the icy rocks, the steam rising off the water, the lift bridge and smokestacks, and the sunset glow. Happy sigh.

And, this came after some studio time with my good friend, Photographer Travis Melin (I love his work - visit him at www.travismelinimages.com) and a tour up the shore to the Waterfront Gallery for a lovely visit with John and Val. Follow the signs for the "business district" in Two Harbors to find your way to the Waterfront, which hosts some excellent photography. So, yes, many happy sighs...

Cold, cold, cold... but sunny!

I love sunshine and blue sky, especially after days of gray. So despite the cold and lack of proper cold-day attire, I went out, for bits at a time, scanning the landscape, turning my back to the wind every so often, breathing the cold air, pausing for moments, and longer moments, to click the shutter through the stiff, heavy leather mitts, and, oh yes, to revel in the glory of this gift of a day on the shore of Lake Superior.

Soul restorative

Soul restorative:

walk the shore…

sit with the rocks,

deliberate,

contemplate…

breathe.

Be.

This photograph is part of the One Special Place - Lake Superior Exhibit at the Waterfront Gallery. The exhibit is up through November 5th. Find directions to the gallery here and more info in a previous post.

standing stone

shaped by water and wind

uprooted and shifted

man's precarious expression

to ironic disintegration

is yet a return to source

If your mind isn't clouded...

"If your mind isn't clouded by unnecessary things,

This is the best season of your life." ~ Wu-Men

Whenever I move, which I tend to do two times each year, I am reminded of the importance of letting go of extraneous items... Some things I find reluctant to let go of because I have attachment to them - they are familiar components of life, perhaps reminding me of someone or some event. However, willingly relinquishing these physical items opens up space and allows me to move about more freely. And, now what about circling thoughts, patterns and expectations? Can I allow these to leave... and live freely, through and through? I say, let them be taken by the wind, washed away by the waves, dissipated by awareness and conscious living.

3, 2, 1...

Comradery, yet solitude, among these fishermen on the south shore of Lake Superior.

This same theme I found in the running event I participated in this weekend. The energy and excitement of the group of participants huddling together at the start line amid the cold, snowy, blustery conditions, then aiming for the finish line. But as individuals we each had our own journey, personal trials and triumphs, as we ran the distance. For me, the experience was a thorough present moment awareness, moving on a path lit by sun shining through the trees and colored leaves and sparkling snow crystals, a celebration of living!

Spirit Rocks

Water moves.

Some rocks are polished.

Some break.

Jagged edges eventually soften.

Form, hard, solid, seemingly set, changes.

Transformation

Transformation is inevitable.