When You Can't Go on Vacation- Stare at Nature Pictures!

OK- so this year I'm not off to some exotic spot somewhere for my vacation (not that I am usually!).

I decided it must be my vacation since my co-worker went away and I have no work for over 2 weeks- so I'm on "Vacation"!

(My view from the road I take to drive to work! I always drive through The Garden Of Gods- the red rocks. And in Manitou Springs where I live is in the background at the base of the left scar at the base of the mountain- Pikes Peak.)

So, kinda bad of me to complain since I live 24/7 in one of the best vacation spots in the USA, Colorado and it's always gorgeous outside my window...

 but since I haven't been in a writing mood, I thought I'd just fill a blog with wonderful pictures of nature- some of which I can label and some the source doesn't mention the place, but ultimately- who cares? It's just lovely to look at!

William Neill- Breathtaking Photos Of Nature By William Neill

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Encore- Freedom From Hijab

I have found the past few weeks have meant a lot to me. 

 from the moment I opened to the My Stealthy Freedom آزادی یواشکی زنان در ایران
 site on facebook and saw the pictures posted to now, I feel like my life itself has been touched.

I have made Iranian friends and a Pakastinian and an Israeli.

I feel like I have reached across an unknown void to touch warm and loving hearts in countries that to me before were only names.

I feel richer for the experience and I just want to post a few more pictures of my new friends and some of their thoughts and pleas for freedom!

She says: "Freedom of thought is my right.. awareness is my right.. Freedom of speech is my right! The hijab is not the one and only problem I have. Actually my major problem is living in a prison made up of rotten thoughts.. . Tajrish square, Tehran"

Bare with me- my interest sticks as I contemplate how much they risk for a moment of freedom, for wind in their hair.

I applaud as they reach out to grasp a moment of what I have in abundance!

How I wish I could package what I have and just give it away to them- 

like water to those who are thirsty. 

What do you say to a young man who is so thankful just to be a friend because "you are from the largest democracy in the world"? He was in awe- I was humbled.

What to him would be a heaven- to me was common place. 

It makes me appreciate what I have and yet I am surprised 

She says: "My stealthy freedom and me in Mazandaran. I wish someone would make us understand that being free is not being loose"

when I am with another American that they are not also talking about this,

but no they drone on about their own mundane concerns and I feel like saying- "Did you know there are others that are trying to steal a moment of freedom and you sound so petty in comparison?"

She proclaims: "Stealthy freedom on top of mountains! They echo my screams of freedom and turn them back to myself though!  I am from this country and I want my freedom right here. I wish somebody would hear our screams."


 Our pettiness as Americans- caught up in our purchases, our bills, our smallness of life- do we have no clue that others suffer for wanting what we have so easily? 

That others risk so much to just have a whiff of what we barely value? 

She says: "The only thing which is ignored in this society is freedom; We were never given a chance to talk about it before."

  

I appreciate what I have,

and these women on My Stealthy Freedom make me appreciate 

the air I breath freely 

and the wind that goes through my hair.

Thanks!

Celebrating A Moment of FREEDOM!

Before I go on to more mundane, but happy subjects that I wanted to explore- like Hummingbirds and their yearly return to Manitou Springs here in Colorado, I wanted to post more of those lovely shots I've been receiving on Facebook recently these past two weeks.

 On the facebook site: My Stealthy Freedom آزادی یواشکی زنان در ایران  there are so many women who have removed their hijab for a brief moment of freedom to feel the wind in their hair and express their desire for freedom- forever.

 I find following their risky and still happy moment fun and it kinda keeps my life in perspective- as here in the United States it's "Summertime and the living's easy" as the old Gershwin song goes.

 I am not under any inforced law now, but I have been in my past when I was in an ultra-Conservative Christian group so I am familiar with the feeling of being subjugated by men in the name of religion.

And I have fought for my freedom also.

And some days- not as often as before- I also have to fight not to think before I dress if I put on pants or a dress, or if I go to get my hair cut.

Life for me now is free- I have known the bondage of another's perception of what they think is "Right" in God's eyes.

Ultimately, the only thing, I think, God cares about is our hearts and how we relate to something.

 If we are being made to do something against our will- this is bondage and does not please God- why should it? He cares for us and our hearts- our freedom of choice, our decision is what matters to Him.

You want to wear something or do something for God- well THAT gives Him pleasure- for it is your choice.

Again, I say, I've been there done that! I welcome my freedom and every day when I choose what I will wear for the day

 I celebrate that my joy in my Freedom makes God smile- I'm sure it does.

 Can't you just hear His laughter? I am free- truly!

So I honestly wish freedom for my sisters in Iran and try to encourage them in anyway I can- I do Understand.