March at High Altitude

 I'm an early riser.

Often, I watch the moon set as the sun rises.

Weather permitting, I take a morning walk on the county road near my house.

It's an unpaved road, plowed in winter, and it doesn't get much traffic.

It provides distant views of Bald Mountain.

A couple weeks ago, I started noticing mountain lion tracks.

I'm always alert when outdoors, but the tracks gave me a little surge of adrenalin.

Lions prowl mostly from dusk to dawn, and it would be unusual to encounter one midday.

I'm still seeing tracks but so far no lion!

A large tree just off our property blew part way down this winter and is now supported by a nearby tree.

I check every morning to see if it has finally crashed to the ground.

So far, it's still standing, with the smaller tree holding it upright.

Sometimes, at dawn, the sky offers a brief, breathtaking display.

Remember: there is always One Good Thing!

I hope you're well.

Thank you for visiting.

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Where There's Smoke, There's Fire - Small Stone - 13

Tenmile Range

Our normally bright blue sky is hazed by smoke.

Imperial Peak

In town, I wear a mask so I won't breath too much smoke on the way to the dentist.

My eyes itch and burn from particulates in the air.

along the Blue River

The fires are north and west of us, but prevailing winds are bringing smoke into our county.

I'm very allergic to formaldehyde which is in wood smoke.

Fire is a constant threat in dry western states.

I'm housebound until the smoke clears.

small stone

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Mind and Body - Not Always in Sync

We're having spring-like weather at high altitude.

Temps are just 10 degrees above freezing, but the sun is warm.

I've been walking all week with no gloves.

My jacket is tied around my waist.

Yesterday, I started walking and immediately felt tired.

Reaching the first big hill, I considered turning around. 

I hadn't even gone a mile.

I started making excuses:

exhaustion, slippery surfaces, aches

old, old, old

little tree among big trees

I know from experience that the mind doesn't always cooperate.

The body feels even worse with the mind's complaints.

I decided not to listen to it.

I forged onward.

Slowly....

small tree casting shadow

Today, I had a change of attitude.

I smiled at the blue, blue sky.

The sun warmed my face.

The air felt refreshing.

My mind remained peaceful.

My body responded in kind.

Exercise is important to me.

My body is old but accustomed to movement.

The mind is old, too, and doesn't always act in my best interests.

I'm very lucky.

I have no debilitating illness - no chronic pain.

My aches often disappear with movement.

In a couple months I'll be 77.

I'm grateful for my body's ability to move.

I'm thankful for the natural beauty that beckons to me.

I need to keep moving even when my mind would rather take a break.

I hope you'll keep moving, too, in any way that you're able.

Sometimes mindfulness requires ignoring the mind!

New Day Dawning - Small Stone - 13

Every week or 10 days, we drive for grocery pickup.

It's the only time we leave home.

The change of scenery makes us smile.

Hello morning!

clouds dressed in pink at dawn

quietly welcoming a new day

small stone

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