Tag: Nature

  • Drizzly Day Wanderings

    Wild berries captured my attention on today’s woods-wander. Perhaps it was the dampening drizzle, or the fading yellow Devil’s Club with its red fruits, that cast an uncharacteristic, slightly glum mood to my ever wandering musings.  It was a pair of raindrops that fixed my gaze. Precariously clinging to high-bush cranberries . . . they…

  • Creation’s Whispers

    Of all the places I’ve been blessed to meander throughout this untamed, rugged, awesome Last Frontier corner of creation, Hatcher Pass remains among my most special. “You can’t see the forest for the trees.” . . . in today’s chaotic word, life’s ‘forest’ beauty is woefully shrouded by it’s tumultuous ‘trees’ of power, greed, bigotry,…

  • Retired Routine

    Time . . . free and unscheduled from family and career demands . . . is one of retirement’s supreme joys. However, it still requires a modicum of Demanding Responsible Routine (DRR). My ‘challenging’ morning DRR involves a 5-step procedure I’ve thankfully, somehow, managed to quickly master: 1.     Awake to daybreak’s soothing ‘alarms’ of birdsong and…

  • Drizzly Day Wander

    Drizzly days disperse sunny day shadows casting the landscape with a muted, impressionist, Monet haze.   Such was mine on a wilderness wander up Castle Mountain today. Other than an unexpected spill crossing  a swamp  . . . resulting in an ‘invigorating’ mud bath . . . it was an tranquil, color splashed antithesis to…

  • Creation Eye Candy

    Tundra’s fall color peak is an ephemeral event, lasting but a few days. This year we were blessed to catch this incredible kaleidoscopic explosion of colors at Denali National Park. If a picture is worth a thousand words, here’s 7,000. They scarcely begin to define the vibrant hues of crimson and gold carpeting the vast…

  • Denali’s Fall Splendor

    “Thanks for the food Lord, and please let the sun come out.” Such was my short breakfast appeal prayed over Wendy’s sausage egg croissants and free senior coffee . . . senior coffee is a freebie at  Wendy’s for all ole duffers 😊 Ellie and I were headed north to Denali National Park to visit…

  • Beginning and Endings

    Each fall I’ve been privileged to witness one of nature’s incredible wonders . . . anadromous sockeye salmon (reds) returning to relinquish their own life to create new life. After spending 1-2 years in their freshwater birthplace, they journey to the frigid waters of the Bering Sea. It’s believed they navigate by magnetic cues, position…

  • Laughter is the Best Medicine

    Laughter is free, non-prescription, effective medicine. Studies show laughter: 1. Lowers stress levels 2. Boosts the immune system 3. Promotes a positive outlook 4. Improves heart health 5. Stimulates your organs 6. Is an easy, fun workout 7.Burns calories 8. Boosts your mood Twenty-six rainy days last month, and another one to begin September .…

  • How Great Thou Art

    Sunshine, storm and nature joined forces this afternoon to transmute the lyrics of a favorite hymn into a stunning Alaskan visual concert beyond words. I am richly blessed . . . may you be as well. How Great Thou Art O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder, Consider all the worlds Thy Hands…

  • Peace on the Edge

    The sign belies the peaceful stability of silent solitude that was mine watching eagles soar high above the Matanuska River Valley . . . a treasured “Be still and know I am God” moment. “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run…