Torres del Paine

Time for Alphabe-Thursday again, and this week it's the terrific letter T. Travel with me back to Chilean Patagonia...only 6 more weeks to go... just about as far south as you can imagine to Torres del Paine National Park. To get there, we fly into Punta Arenas and then drive for about 6 hours northwest. Once again, it's well worth the drive to see this magnificent park that rivals many of the national parks found in the US and around the world.

Home to guanacos....

...foxes

...condors

...huemules (an endangered species of deer)

...parrots (nope, they don't just live in the tropics)

...and ágila moras (blackberry eagles), among other creatures.

That's it for this week. Be sure to head over to Mrs. Jenny's and see what the other Alphabetarians are thinking about by clicking HERE.

On Stress

They say that we should reduce the stress in our lives. Breathe deeply. Stop to see and enjoy and be grateful for the beauty that surrounds us. Take a walk; go for a run. Set your priorities. Don't sweat the small stuff. Etc etc etc.

But some days it seems that even if you do all those things, there is still too much stress...just in the everyday things of living a full and busy life.

Nonetheless, I'm breathing deeply. Grateful for the beauty that surrounds me. Going for a run. TRYING to set my priorities and IGNORE the small stuff. Hmmm...still feeling stressed. Dang it.

Sunday's Serenity

This is right outside my window. I look at it and am overwhelmed with a sense of wonder. Gratitude. Belief. Love. And many other feelings.

Step by Step

Sometimes you bend. Sometimes you break.

Sometimes you count each step you take.

Two breaths in followed by two breaths out,

Over and over for the entire route.

Falling into a rhythm, the miles pass by.

Step by step, if only you could fly.

There, up ahead you can see the sign.

FINISH it says, a word so divine.

It's Saturday Centus time again and Mrs. Jenny threw us the perfect prompt today (in red above). It's been 18 months since I last ran a half marathon. Today was the perfect day for it. And the course took us through miles and miles of fall colors. 

Be sure to stop by Mrs. Jenny's and see what's happening with the other Centusians this week. 

Switcheroo

I know it's Alphabe-Thursday and so you think I'm going to post more photos from Chilean Patagonia. And normally I would, but this week we study the sumptuous letter S, so I thought that a little switch in scenery was in order. Honestly, I'd be totally remiss if I didn't share some of the amazing beauty that we are being blessed with right now in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah...right here in my back yard...literally.

So sit back, relax and let your senses soar. Fall is here in all its glory. It makes me want to sing praises to that God who made us and who loves us enough to paint the world in stunning and radiant colors.

If you loved this, check out yesterday's post...the clouds were INCREDIBLE!! Next week, back to Patagonia we go to complete the alphabet "tour." Meanwhile I hope you are enjoying a beautiful fall (or spring, if you're in the southern hemisphere). Be sure to stop by and visit the other Alphabetarians over at Mrs. Jenny's and see what they're stirring up this week.

There Just Are No Words...