New

 

New…. and improved! I welcome 2013 and the changes that have brought me here. My gift to you for your understanding while I was away.. the January 2013 desk top calendar~ feel free to right click it and download it for personal use on your computer. Happy New Year to each and every one of you.. My wish for you is that this new year bring you each happiness, good health, lots of love,  peace and many…many blessings~

Stacey

 

July 2012

July 2012
Nope, I didn’t forget.

A new month

A new day

A new start

New memories

New Town

New Job

New truth

 and new beginnings!
And a new desktop calendar.
You can order your downloadable ~ high resolution copy for just $1 per month by clicking the tab on the right side of your screen.

Settled

As I was leaving town a few days back,  I caught a velvet glow sneaking through the deep sage along the irrigation ditch, behind some old stacks of “things”,  left by man. I pulled to the side of the road and watched a group of bachelor bucks sneak through to spend their day in a quieter, less “populated” spot. I snapped a few photos and smiled to myself because I realized that even on the edges of town, natural things can still flourish and grow as long as they are able to find those quiet places when they need them.

My move has been made and I am settling in. Boxes are unpacked and my world has taken on a semblance of order.
The sunrises peaking over the Pryors and sounds of chuckar calling from the surrounding hills have, for now, been replaced with the sunshine peaking over the tops of trees (town trees) and the sounds of early morning traffic as people begin their work days.  My wide open windows that welcomed nature in, have been replaced with curtains and blinds to keep my privacy within these four walls…

I have settled. But only temporarily.

This is a safe place to start. A safe place to rest while I search for “me”.

As I sit here trying to find the words to describe how I feel this morning~ I caught myself sliding over a bit on the couch to avoid a spot of blinding sunlight that has found it’s way around the corner of the blinds on my East facing door. I heard a noise outside and stopped typing to focus on the sound. A birds call.  As I listen to try and determine what has this small creature so worked up this morning,  I realize that while  I was focused on the birds call outside my new home, the engine sounds from  the occasional passing vehicles seemed to fade away revealing a whole chorus of morning bird song.

And even though parts of my heart will always long for it,
I don’t have to be immersed in nature to appreciate it and know that it still surrounds me. Some how,  it always has a way of finding  me and sending a gentle reminder  that no matter where you are in life, Nature is still there, if you are only willing to acknowledge  it.

Today I am headed up on the mountain. I am settled, but I am also flexible enough to be able to blow with the mountain breezes and float on the clean mountain streams if they are taking me to a better place.

Settled, but not anchored.

Growth

There is one thing in our world that is a given.
Life goes on.

When life kicks your feet our from under you and continues to go on, we each have a choice as to how we handle it.
We can bury our head in the sand and pretend that nothing has changed. Lie down and feel sorry for ourselves.

Or use the opportunity to open our eyes to the truth and grow.

Life recently kicked my feet out from under me, and refuses to let me get a breath.

Through “well meaning” actions and words from some, and self centered actions of another “life” continues to kick me in the stomach every day.
But only because I have let it.
This morning I woke up. Poured myself a cup of coffee and sat looking at the boxes scattered around my home. I thought long and hard as to how to proceed.
I realized I expect too much of people.

Self absorbed people don’t realize, so could never care how their actions hurt others.  No one can explain it to them, or MAKE them understand, because life is about “them.” They thrive on attention and wants. They have no regard for how their behavior effects others.

It is what it is.
People will cling to the drama of the situation and run with it.  I have friends that are hurting themselves, and reaching out to me to support them and help them through their own pain. Not realizing that I barely have the energy or strength to keep my own head above water. And others who still expect me to clean up and validate their feelings.

Good coffee and a beautiful sunrise this morning cleared my head. I have amazing family and friends.
I have children to care for and build memories with.

I have a future ahead of me.
I no longer have to take the blows from this part of life.. they aren’t mine to take

My future will be a clean one,

I can only  be manipulated by the actions of others  if I allow it.
Instead I will do as I always have and focus on the beauty in the world around me, and to show my children what is beautiful and right and real.

Life happens. But how each of us chooses to proceed will define who and what we become..

I chose to see the truth.
I chose to grow.

Spring surprises

More signs of spring.  This brown bear was loving the fresh Spring grass. (another reason not to believe that eating only veggies will help you lose weight… like my dad always says..”Have you ever seen a skinny rabbit?” )

Even though the hide on this ol’ boy looks ragged ~ his antler growth is still quite impressive.  I still say he would love a good brush with a curry comb

Shooting star~ Beauty reborn (and the scientific name is Dodecatheon.. for my friend over at MyNature Apps)

and danger, danger, danger. Sow griz and 2 yr old cubs.. not something you look forward to running in to in the woods.  Just very glad I didn’t surprise her or the babies (or should I say they didn’t surprise me.)  Spring is a beautiful time in the woods. But as with all things in nature. Unpredictable~ abrupt storms, hungry animals, unstable glaciers and rising rivers are just a few of the dangers  one can encounter ~ but if you use common sense and stay alert at all time. Spring can also become one of your favorite times of year. I know it’s one of mine..

1 of 4 Spring , Summer, Fall and Winter

May 2012

May Desktop calendar is finished (Yes next week is already MAY)
looking through my archives I was shocked to realize that this month marks 3 years that I have been creating these monthly calendars… how time flies !
And a special THANK YOU to those of you how have ordered ~ via the link on the right. It is always nice to know that work I put into them is appreciated.

Nodule

46 degrees this morning, but the weather people are mumbling some nonsense about rain AND snow, or something silly like that so I just tuned them out… and I refuse to acknowledge the blue-black sky I see out my windows.  It is SPRING ~ and after all we COULD use the moisture, so I guess I won’t complain. But I may stay in denial Enjoy your weekend!

Popping

The boys are back in town

Yep.. if you look close, they are boys.. and they are already starting to grow their new sets of antlers.
I love Spring !

Heads or Tails

Mule deer generally shed their antlers in late February.

Here it is the end of March and this buck seems to have missed the memo.

It has been a busy week. Raked and burnt the yard. Captured the horses that have been on pasture for 2+ years and reminded them that they are NOT feral.

Hiked a mountain I had never been on. Found no antlers, but the view was spectacular, as always, and we found 3 antelope caps.

Got to visit with our oldest son.

Visited the lek grounds again, and it looks like the drumming is finally starting to pick up.

Enjoyed morning coffee on the deck. Finished and sent off 4 articles.

Walked through snow drifts. Saw elk, moose and coyotes.

Listened to the birds sing and the wind blow.  Watched turkey’s strut, and discovered a couple roost trees.  Saw antelope  sleeping and grazing along the sage.

But  most importantly, we enjoyed time together as a family.

Today is Friday and the weekend is here~ Hope you get to spend a little time OUTSIDE.

I know I will

~