• Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  landscape,  natural areas,  sunrises

    What is possible between us…

    December 23, 2024

    I can disagree with your opinion, it turns out, but I can’t disagree with your experience. And once I have a sense of your experience, you and I are in relationship, acknowledging the complexity in each other’s position, listening less guardedly. The difference in our opinions will probably remain intact, but it no longer defines what is possible between us.

    Krista Tippett

    I’m finding my task is not to argue or attempt to change another who has a difference of opinion. Nothing builds a wall faster in a conversation than where someone interrupts and tells another they are wrong or rolls their eyes. We miss out on a wonderful opportunity of a relationship. I am learning what is possible between us when we become listeners sharing our experiences. I believe Krista is correct!

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  • coffee life,  landscape,  quotes

    Coffee with Eric

    December 22, 2024
    Deadman Lake with a blue sky, puffy clouds and the moon

    You know that the way of power and ownership, of “mine” and “yours” is just not a good way to live. It is a way of domination, and domination does not care for the weak or give voice to the voiceless. It seeks not to serve, but to be served. It causes life to be out of balance.

    Kent Nerburn, Voices in the Stones

    On Saturday mornings I either meet my friend Eric for coffee or we talk on the phone. It’s one of those 20 year relationships that keeps getting better. I drive by this lake on my way over to Windsor and back to meet him. This morning the blue was eye catching and you can just see the moon on the right side of the image. This lake is called Deadman Lake. There has to be some story behind the name but my Google search comes up blank.

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  • bicycling,  Poudre River,  quotes

    I want to love this world…

    December 21, 2024

    I have a love for nature and all the gifts she offers. I have a love for my prayer and meditation and the gifts they offer. I have a love for all the relationships I have and the gifts they offer. I have a love for photography and all the gifts it offers. I have a love for bicycling and all the gifts it offers. I have a love for life and the gift it offers in these later years of my life. Each day is precious! I like how Mary Oliver says it: “I want to love this world as though it’s the last chance I’m ever going to get to be alive and know it.”

    Canada Geese enjoying sunshine on the Poudre River yesterday afternoon.

    We are enjoying temperatures above 60°. So, Thursday I rode 13 miles along the Spring Creek Trail and Friday I rode 24 miles along Spring Creek Trail and the Poudre Trail. This is a scene along the Poudre Trail.

    One option I did not want on my ebike was suspension. It adds weight to the bike, adds more potential maintenance problems, makes pedaling more difficult and is really designed for mountain bikes. I’ve been happy with that decision except on two occasions, both were on 20-plus mile rides. My tushy was a bit sore at the end of rides. Near the end of the ride I felt every bump on the trail and this makes the ride home seem longer. I need to split those 20+ mile rides into sections to give my body a break or just keep the rides to 15 miles or less. Probably go with the latter option. Both Saturday and Sunday look to be good days for riding so I’ll probably get in more riding. I am headed to Windsor and have coffee with my friend Eric. Enjoy your weekend!!

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  • Candid Portraits,  coffee life

    Two kool people

    December 20, 2024
    Adrianna and Curtis, two of my favorite people

    I don’t seem to get out on cold mornings like I have in the past. I attribute that to my wisdom in aging, some to my laziness, and some to the ease of venturing to a warm coffee shop, instead of standing beside a cold tripod in the wind. However, since getting back on a bicycle I am out in the cold on a regular basis as I pedal to my coffee life. Yes, a bit of a contradiction. It was 23° this morning when I left.

    Anyway, I took this image a couple weeks ago of Curtis and Adrianna. Curtis is one of the regular customers who used to work at Mugs and just graduated from CSU last week. Adrianna works at Mugs, a student at CSU and wears an assortment of hats: boss, manager, barista, student, and cat owner. They both are just all around kool people. This is an impromptu candid shot and I liked how it turned out.

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  • fall season,  leaves,  quotes

    I Love This World

    December 17, 2024
    A sprinkling of frost

    You must learn one thing.
    The world was made to be free in.
    Give up all the other worlds
    Except the one in which you belong.

    David Whyte

    We have 45° and overcast skies this morning. Now at Mugs. Emily is my barista. An Old Town Mocha is my morning beverage of choice. My ride to coffee was wonderful, except when riding north into the wind. It’s going to be a laid back day and the only one I can live in. I will get together with Duane for brunch later this morning. Then the rest of my day is pretty much free for journaling and reading. May you have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by!!

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  • coffee life,  People/Portraits,  Travel

    Christmas break

    December 16, 2024
    Heading home

    Finals were this past week and graduations were going on most of the week and weekend. So this weekend was time for students to pack and head home for the Christmas break. There were large buses at the transit center both Saturday and Sunday taking students to the airport. So we saw a lot of scenes like this one at the coffee shop.

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