Sunday Evening Reflection: Following the Sunset

Posted byRebecca BuddPosted inAnsel Adams, LadyBudd, Peace, Spring, Sunday Evening Reflection, Sunset, VancouverTags:, ,

Ansel Adams once wrote, “Sometimes I arrive just when God’s ready to have somone click the shutter.”

That was the thought that came to mind on an late afternoon, early evening walk a few weeks ago. Spring had finally come. The warmth and fresh winds coming from the ocean had a hint of seaweed and a promise that summer would soon arrive.

It was the sunset hour. The sky was filled with the last, vibrant rays of the sun that spread the colours of gold and coral across the horizon.

As in ancient times, there is a urgency to follow the sunset, the last glow of a day well lived. The night will come, but for the moment, we have the diminishing light of the sun to guide our way.

Beginnings and ending are remembered for they are entrances and exits signifying transitions and pivotal events. The space between these points are where our best lives are lived.

Come follow the sunset with me….

Published by Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

49 thoughts on “Sunday Evening Reflection: Following the Sunset”

    1. This is an extraordinary story, Judie. Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for adding to my knowledge and experience. I read a biography of Georgia O’Keeffe a few years back and I understand, if I remember correctly, that Ansel Adams spent time with her before he became a photographer. I did not know that he was an accomplished pianist. Hugs coming your way.

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  3. Gorgeous! You know how much I love a good sunset! This one is spectacular – what a wonderfully calm evening, it must have been so lovely to sit by the water and let the time pass by. X

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    1. It was lovely to following westward along the Vancouver Seawall. Our walks usually come later in the day when most people are inside. It is easier to follow the social distancing rules. As we walked along, I realize that time is simply a construct, that moments are as fluid as eternities. There was a quote from the Lonesome Dove miniseries (based on the book by Larry McMurtry) that says it better: ““We’re all travelers in this world. From the sweet grass to the packing house. Birth ’til death. We travel between the eternities.” Hugs coming your way.

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  5. Dear Clanmother Rebecca,
    thanks for this beautiful video and the Adams quote. Great, that you showed us your surroundings,
    Wishing you and your family all the best.
    With big Hugs ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
    The Fab Four of Cley
    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

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    1. This morning, we spent cancelling hotel booking for our August trip to your side of the world. It was a bittersweet moment, for we had been looking forward to seeing you again in person. Even so, I felt gratitude for being able to connect via technology and share our ideas, photos, conversations. The world comes to our desks and computer tables. We are learning to reinvent how we live, learn, connect. In my morning meditation, a quote that come up was from Carl Jung, which resonated with me in this time of uncertainty: “I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.” Sending many many hugs to my dear friends, The Fab Four of Cley.

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      1. Dear Clanmother,
        it’s a pity but fortunately we have the means of digital communication. We suppose we get used to communicate like this, probably that will become the communication of the future.
        Great Jung-quote, thank you!
        With lots of love ❤ ❤ kisses XXX and big hugs
        The Fab Four of Cley
        🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

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    1. I enjoy passing the marina and seeing the lights flickering in the boat.. There are several people that make this their permanent or semi-permanent home. It is a great community shared with the seagulls and occasional seals. Nearby the Aqua-bus taxi stops to pick up passengers to Granville Island. Right now, they are closed so walking is the way to go these days, which is good for the health. Thank you for your thought on “wonder-filled” week. I’m adding that word to my lexicon. Hugs and many many thanks.

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    1. Welcome to a new week of wonderful possibilities. We are on an unforeseen and unprecedented adventure. One of my most favourite quotes about adventures that is perfect for this time is from J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit.” This is the conversation between Gandalf and Bilbo:

      I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it’s very difficult to find anyone.’
      I should think so — in these parts! We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner!”

      So Liz, let’s not be late for dinner!!! Hugs coming your way.

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      1. Thank you so much for the quote from the Hobbit, Rebecca! It’s made my day.

        The quote reminds me that whenever I would get lost with my daughter in the car (I have no sense of direction), I would tell her that we were having an adventure. She didn’t buy it as a child, and she doesn’t buy it now. 😉

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    1. I agree – I think that it is the feeling of gratitude that comes at the end of a well-lived day, knowing that we live in a world where the sun continues to shine on all who walk this earth. P.S. I’m looking at the photos videos of Newfoundland’s icebergs. Stay tuned…..

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  9. It seems you were in the perfect place to (click the shutter). The sunset is beautiful and your little video is lovely–the photos as well. I love and enjoy the reflection on the water, the boats all lined up waiting for their next trip. This look into the beauty of Vancouver and its place next to the ocean is calming in this time of stress. There is something very special about those last days of spring and the first day of summer. We have a beautiful day today, I think I will sit on my balcony and read a book. Thank you for these words at the beginning of a new week.

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    1. What a beautiful day we are having in Vancouver today. I am imagining you sitting on your balcony, feeling the sunshine and looking out over your magnificent view of trees, sky and mountains. Yes, this is a time of stress, but there is still so much loveliness to consider, isn’t there? Enjoy your book – so many to read and now we have some time to take on our stack of books that are waiting for us to open. Hugs and much love!

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    1. I was thinking of your “meanwhile in Finland” posts. It is so much fun to see what is is like on the other side of the world. It feels like I can slip through the monitor and find myself on the other side of the world. Who knows, maybe one day…..

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  12. “The space between these points are where our best lives are lived.” It appears that we are living in an elongated liminal space right now. Gazing at a sunset that seems eternal. Beautiful post, Rebecca.

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    1. I was thinking the same thing, Julie. We define our existence by time as expressed in minutes and hours. That thought has gone by the wayside. A read somewhere that a society’s advancement is measured by how much that society structures their work, schooling, and recreational activities around time. Ergo, the more times we look at our watch, the more advanced we are! YIKES! We need to rethink that idea. Have a wonderful week – so enjoyed your company on my walk.

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  13. Truly breathtaking video. I miss sunsets, since my apartment faces east. Dave’s right, of course. Thank you for sharing these wonderful images, music and your heartfelt writing. You inspire hope and caring always! Hugs and more hugs!

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    1. I was reading about Mental Health Week. In Canada, MHW was between May 4 – 10, 2020 with the theme of “social connection.” In the UK, MHW begins today with a theme of “kindness.” There is a marvelous connection between the two themes that is essential for our current reality. We need each other – a simple idea that has a powerful focus for good! Hugs and more hugs flying back with all speed.

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  14. In this country…only in Vancouver can I imagine such beauty. Thus so being presented by the exceptional taste and recognition of Rebecca Budd, for such creativity, in this instance by nature who finds design, if but for a glance, be so much like Performance Art, save with camera so as to make it last. Thank you Rebecca…

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    1. I love the B.C. Coastline. It is very much different that the Newfoundland/Atlantic coast. But there are is something wonderful about oceans and their shifting colours of blue, grey, green, even though there is danger connected with them. One of my favourite quote is: Those who live by the sea can hardly form a single thought of which the sea would not be part.” Hermann Broch

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      1. You know what? I could agree more. I a have met so many wonderful ‘spirits’ on here, people with the most amazing talents, abilities, joy of and for life, incredibly giving people. One of the things I love best about writing is connecting with people from all over this planet we share. It’s been a window on that world.

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  19. The second picture looks like the perfect shot at the perfect time. The reflection in the middle on the water does seem as it is guiding the boats to their evening resting spot. Thanks for sharing these photos.

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    1. I am delighted that you shared this walk with me and for your eloquent description of the moment. This was an unusual sunset – I had never seen one like this before on my evening walks. Most times, there is more gold in our Vancouver sunsets. Sometimes we arrive at the right place at the right time. Thank you for your visit – very much appreciated.

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