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 May we drink and trust such beauty 

Just 50 meters down the street from my home is the Outlook beloved by many people. From here the view goes westward out over the Bay, to the City of San Francisco, and the Golden Gate Bridge. It is perfect for a lunch stop, sunset, fireworks, or an overnighter :) 

 

Normally I will stand there letting my eyes roam freely. The other day I take my camera to capture the slow unfolding aftermath of a sunset. The spectacle gets better and better. I am alone. Once only a younger woman stopping her car. With an excited “wow” she snaps a quick photo with her cell – and off she is. Nothing comes close to truly tasting and sensing this evolving sky painting. Time needs to stretch its limbs wide & far, with a huge slow yawn, occasionally exploding and swirling with drama, then relaxing into serene golden joy, and slowly fading with a dark crimson purple sigh… into the grey ordinariness of oncoming darkness… 


Today, a week later, the same scene is submerged in an atmospheric river. 

  

Drizzly clouds concealing the background, revealing a different beauty. 

  

The day following last week’s spectacular sunset I have my friend Marilyn over for a meal on the Kassandra deck with view, but no show! And I lament how the same happened last year, when I promised her a fabulous sky – nature refusing expectations. 


How come I cherish both? In fog we can’t see the full picture, but in full light we might overlook the quieter truths and depths. The starkness of grey tones mesmerizing, allowing us to intuit essence. Both, says my heart, both….  Full and empty. Sadness and joy. 

 

May we drink and trust such beauty
always nearby
wherever we are

(my live oaks this afternoon)

Comments

Alex K said…
Your words and photos have me thinking about how to embrace myself and life more fully. Keep open to beauty unfolding in all its guises. As I write this, I'm thinking that's a good resolution for the New Year :)
December 31, 2022 at 10:50 AM
nicole gervacio said…
absolutely incredible view, so different each day and often throughout the day...i really love when it's full of shapeshifting clouds. you're right - so difficult to capture via pictures. yours are wonderful! i love how contrasted your burning sunset photos are to the quiet muted fog. infinite spectrum of experiences in this skyline...
January 2, 2023 at 11:51 PM
Fern said…
My soul just sinks into your words and photos..May this New Year bring much color and shade, fullness and Joy!.
January 3, 2023 at 12:47 PM
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