Black Tree in the City

First day of Spring

Balance

On the Edge

The Cabin

Being out in nature with family. Being in a place built up by your forebearers and enjoyed by several generations.

It's really a nice thing.

Smelling lilacs

Power Surge

Watching videos on PBS has become a new hobby. So much to learn, it's awesome.

I've not thought much about flipping lights on and off until watching this video. Super interesting. It's made me more thankful for turning on my hair straightener, more interested in clean energy, and more aware of doing my part in conserving energy in our home.

Watch the full episode. See more NOVA.

Fairy Falls, etc.

A hike is just not a hike unless it involves a waterfall. At least that's what you think when you grow up near the Columbia River Gorge. If you're visiting or live in the Portland, Oregon area, you should totally do this hike to Fairy Falls.

And if you're really ambitious, continue on and do the loop up behind Multnomah Falls. It involves at least 10 waterfalls, several creeks, beautiful green nature, gorgeous views, and at the end you can eat at the Multnomah Falls lodge. Even Gershwin couldn't ask for anything more.

Odds are, it'll be the favorite hike of your life too. But, as Levar Burton would say, don't take my word for it. ::du-da DA::

Sunny Winter

64 degrees

A California-style October 26.

So we played in the leaves.

Nature: Lines and Patterns

Autumn

Trees near our home last September. We're hoping to snap more good shots this autumn.

Trees

I love trees. I love big trees. I love that they are taller than me. Their bigness makes me feel somehow protected; a reminder that I'm not the biggest thing around. Maybe a little shadow of God existing or something.

I used to think I could only live in a place with a lot of trees. But I found while living in Utah that mountains can provide a similar safe feeling. Even tall buildings in a big city can do the trick. But I definitely prefer trees. I love the green, the freshness. I love that they're alive and strong. I love their old trunks and young leaves. They make me feel calmer and happier.

Oneonta Gorge

Moving Water

Water of Niagara Falls.

Green

I love the color green. Bright vibrant green especially. There's so much life in green. It's fresh, it's growing and it's happy. That's probably a big reason why I like Oregon so much. The trees, ferns, grass, moss--the green is everywhere!

Latourell Falls

The waterfall, the lighting, the mist, the slick mossy rocks, the ferns behind, the Gorge, the feeling of home. All of it captured here.

Discovering Grass

I'm here, home alone. Seth's asleep and Ben's at school.

***

And now Seth's awake and Ben's at clinic.

The cat inside me is scratching to get out again. Or is something scratching to get in? I don't know. But I pray I can recognize it when it comes.

Seth and I go outside for a walk. I hope to find the new idea I need to discover. Maybe the freshness and newness of the day will help me. The warm wind, blowing branches and green grass.

We stop walking and decide to be part of the wind, branches and grass. I realize Seth's never felt grass before. I lay him on my lap and he feels the blades with his fingers. He discovers grass.

When was the last time I discovered grass? It's everywhere. Even where it isn't we start to grow it. And sometimes where it is we tear it out, pave a parking lot and replant it in patches. So I see it. But when did I last feel it?

I feel it now. It feels different from Oregon or Utah grass. I wonder if the BYU garden has this kind of grass. I wouldn't know; I never felt it.

I wonder if the scratching is not a new discovery, but to keep discovering those things I think I know and love. Find a new fleck to love in Sethy's blue-green eyes. Write something new and don't just reread what I've written.

I put my earbuds in at the beginning of this walk, but I didn't turn on the music. I hoped instead it would help attune me to hear the Lord's voice whisper what I needed. It did. He whispered, "Write what you're thinking." I hope to keep my spiritual earbuds in. And to keep discovering the grass.