One of the places I love the most here in Central Oregon is called The Oregon Badlands Wilderness Area, located just about 20 minutes east of Bend. It is a vast area, filled with old growth Juniper trees, sage, grasses, volcanic rock, outcroppings, long vistas and "big sky" in all directions. Now that it is protected, there are no motoized vehicles allowed anywhere and silence reigns. And the light, ever changing, creates a vibrant dance of subtle color and shadow...
Badlands Light
Like a desert shade
passsing through a veil
unseen, a sensed
whisper on skin...
awareness, sharp
permeating, palatable
clarity quickens my cells...
Light everywhere
I might drown in this deep, silent stillness
filled with the movement of solitary flight
wings intent upon announcing her presence...
Light everywhere
Overhead a canopy of grays, blues
cool muted grasses, sage below
hues reflecting the darkened
world of winter's lonely demands...
recognition dawns
in the presence of this
eternal moment...
Light everywhere
dsw 2013
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This fall we hiked to the glacial lake (tarn) of Broken Top, one of our iconic mountains here in the Cascades.
A friend with a 4 wheel drive vehicle got us
to the trailhead, saving us a very long hike to get to this elevation. From the trailhead we climbed up, up and up for several miles to the lake and above it.
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| I continue to play with the Manzanita Strings Quartet, with Karen, my pianist friend (above) and for Taize services twice a month. Here we were preparing for a Christmas program. |
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| Returning from Portland after after a Christmas visit there, Mt. Hood gave us quite a show. |
May you all have a new year full of mindfulness and abundance...Dottie
