Finding Serenity in a Desert Sunrise

Short and sweet post to share the weekly photo challenge theme Serene.

With one more week of classes for which to prepare final grades, a birthday to celebrate (mine), and the inevitable push of the holiday season now here, finding moments of serenity will be good for my soul. Sometimes I have to stop what I’m doing and get my second wind!

Last October, we spent a long weekend with good friends in Helendale, California, in the Mohave Desert. We stayed in a vacation home and woke up to this incredible golden sunrise.The rising sun illuminated the homes across the lake (made up by the Mohave river aqua-fir). Hundreds of “mud ducks” serenely floated on the calm water.

Not shown in the photo is the lovely deck where we could just sit quietly and take it all in.

I hope you can find some serene moments as the holiday season approaches.

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40 responses to “Finding Serenity in a Desert Sunrise”

Mucho Spanish Weekly Photo Challenge: 2017 Favorites

Dec 20, 2017 at 2:57 pm

[…] Terri (Serenity in a desert sunrise) Finding Serenity in a Desert Sunrise […]

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NorCal Zen

Dec 17, 2017 at 11:45 am

It’s very beautiful!

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dray0308

Dec 6, 2017 at 11:05 am

Reblogged this on Dream Big, Dream Often.

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Michele

Dec 4, 2017 at 7:18 pm

I crave serenity and look for my serene moments in every day.

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dgkaye

Dec 4, 2017 at 7:13 pm

Thanks for sharing this brief moment of serenity Terri. 🙂 x

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Hugh’s Views and News

Dec 4, 2017 at 8:43 am

It’s getting busy, isn’t it, Terri? I’m sure it won’t be long before the blogging world slows down for the holidays. Then, hopefully, we can all find some serenity. Love your festive signature at the end of the post. Care to share how you did it? 😀
Happy Birthday (when it arrives). 🎂

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1. Terri Webster Schrandt
  
  Dec 4, 2017 at 9:56 am
  
  Thanks, Hugh! Its’ here (my b-day)–quiet since today is Monday and I teach my last classes for the semester! We celebrated in style on Saturday at a jingle bell walk for the SPCA, AKA, the PUP Crawl! One of my students coordinated the event with the SPCA for her class , so we thought it would be fun to participate. I know you are passionate about your pups. Here is the link if you want to see the event. http://www.sspca.org/post/1st-annual-pup-crawl
  
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  1. Hugh’s Views and News
    
    Dec 5, 2017 at 6:44 am
    
    Well, happy belated birthday, Terri. I hope you had a great day. Sounds like the weekend was fantastic. A great cause and thanks for the link to the pup crawl. We would have loved to have joined you guys. 😀 I hope you and the pups get to go on many more. Looks great fun.
    
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2. Terri Webster Schrandt
  
  Dec 4, 2017 at 10:00 am
  
  Also, Hugh, I used Picmonkey to make the signature. I should write a post about it!
  
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  1. Hugh’s Views and News
    
    Dec 5, 2017 at 6:45 am
    
    Yes, please. 😀 I don’t use Picmonkey, but I should give it a try. I thought you may have done it with using an app.
    
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athelenerose

Dec 3, 2017 at 7:08 am

I love sunrise and you captured it beautifully.
Happy Birthday.
How a peace-filled holiday
Laura

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1. Terri Webster Schrandt
  
  Dec 3, 2017 at 8:36 am
  
  Thanks, Laura!
  
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Tina Frisco

Dec 2, 2017 at 11:38 pm

I adore the desert, and this photo is absolutely incredible. Mother Nature is exquisite in her bounty. Such a gift ❤

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1. Terri Webster Schrandt
  
  Dec 3, 2017 at 8:35 am
  
  Thanks, Tina, this area right on the lake is really beautiful. Great stand-up paddling right out the back door!
  
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  1. Tina Frisco
    
    Dec 3, 2017 at 4:13 pm
    
    Omg, I’m there!!!
    
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Tina Schell

Dec 2, 2017 at 7:11 pm

Lovely capture Terri-though not very desert-like!! Have a great birthday 🙂

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1. Terri Webster Schrandt
  
  Dec 2, 2017 at 7:41 pm
  
  Thanks, Tina!
  
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Toni Pike

Dec 2, 2017 at 12:47 am

I hope that you have a wonderful birthday, Terri xx What a beautiful scene. We certainly all need some serenity at this time of year. x

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1. Terri Webster Schrandt
  
  Dec 2, 2017 at 7:39 am
  
  Thank you, Toni, much appreciated!
  
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Serene: Washed – What's (in) the picture?

Dec 1, 2017 at 11:27 pm

[…] Second Wind Leisure Perspectives Finding Serenity in a Desert Sunrise […]

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Kathy @ SMART Living 365.com

Dec 1, 2017 at 9:54 pm

Hi Terri! Yes, I think that it is very important that all of us find a way to find serenity during the month ahead. And I so agree that nature is a perfect place to find it. Thanks for sharing your photo and reminding us of things to look for in the days ahead. ~Kathy

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1. Terri Webster Schrandt
  
  Dec 2, 2017 at 6:29 pm
  
  Thank you, Kathy!
  
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www.retirementreflections.com

Dec 1, 2017 at 8:37 pm

Happy Birthday for this coming Monday! Enjoy your final week of classes!!

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1. Terri Webster Schrandt
  
  Dec 2, 2017 at 6:27 pm
  
  Thanks so much, Donna!
  
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Aixa

Dec 1, 2017 at 5:25 pm

This was definitely a great way to begin the day! A quiet early morning on the deck with the spectacular sunrise.

Happy birthday, Terri. I love your new profile picture.

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1. Terri Webster Schrandt
  
  Dec 2, 2017 at 6:27 pm
  
  Thank you, Aixa!
  
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Liesbet

Dec 1, 2017 at 3:24 pm

Amazing colors and caption, Terri. I hope you will be able to relax a bit soon! Happy upcoming birthday. I hope you have a terrific day with lots of spoils from the hubby and the pups. 🙂

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1. Terri Webster Schrandt
  
  Dec 1, 2017 at 4:11 pm
  
  Thanks so much Liesbet!
  
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Encore Voyage

Dec 1, 2017 at 9:34 am

Beautiful, Terri! Enjoy your Christmas vacation and your birthday! ~ Lynn

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1. Terri Webster Schrandt
  
  Dec 1, 2017 at 11:57 am
  
  Thank yiu, Lynn!
  
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fearlessinjesuschrist

Dec 1, 2017 at 8:34 am

Beautiful picture. And happy birthday!🎉🎉🎉

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1. Terri Webster Schrandt
  
  Dec 1, 2017 at 11:57 am
  
  Thank you so much!
  
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ghostmmnc

Dec 1, 2017 at 7:29 am

Beautiful golden glow! Happy Birthday week! 🙂

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1. Terri Webster Schrandt
  
  Dec 1, 2017 at 8:27 am
  
  Thank you!
  
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Retirementallychallenged.com

Dec 1, 2017 at 7:25 am

The ducks, indeed look serene… and I can imagine the serenity you felt sitting on the deck enjoying the view. Take time to breath… it sounds like you have a lot on your plate.

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1. Terri Webster Schrandt
  
  Dec 1, 2017 at 8:30 am
  
  Thank you, Janis, can’t wait to officially be on vacation!
  
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robbiesinspiration

Dec 1, 2017 at 7:24 am

This photo is gorgeous, Terri. I wish I was there now.

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1. Terri Webster Schrandt
  
  Dec 1, 2017 at 11:56 am
  
  Thank you, Robbie!
  
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Jodie

Dec 1, 2017 at 7:19 am

Amazing photo Terri!! It’s almost like you put two photos together!!
Have a fabulous weekend,
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

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1. Terri Webster Schrandt
  
  Dec 1, 2017 at 8:28 am
  
  Thank you, Jodie, I wouldn’t even know how to do that 😁
  
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● About Me

I’m a former university adjunct Professor and retired recreation & parks practitioner living in North-Eastern Washington State near the Idaho border. Second Wind Leisure Perspectives is my blog about living a leisure lifestyle, including photography, friends, fitness, and fun.