• flowers,  landscape,  Plants,  Plants/Nature,  quotes,  snow,  winter scenes

    Spring Snow

    Here are a few scenes from the spring snow we are enjoying. I cleaned off 5 inches of snow from my car this morning. We need the moisture so I’m pleased with that. It is a heavy wet snow so it will keep the tree trimmers busy over the next couple of days. There are several tree branches down on along the campus on Shields and Laurel and they have the CSU Oval closed. The coffee shop was empty because CSU classes have been canceled. Meg, my barista, made me an Old town mocha and was playing oldies, so I tapped my foot and journaled. The snow is beginning to let up as the sun tries to break through the clouds and the temperature rises. I would suggest you not walk under any trees as you will most likely get snow dumped on you, very wet and cold snow. I am looking forward to meeting my youngest daughter and granddaughter for lunch today. Stay warm and dry and please treat everyone you meet today as a person!

    “Evil begins when you begin to treat people as things.”

    Terry Pratchett
  • Dewdrops,  leaves,  quotes

    Silent Song of Happiness

    “Every form of insentient existence – plants, stones or utensils – has its individual feelings similar to those of men. When we observe calmly, we discover that all things have their fulfillment.”

    Basho, The Essential Haiku by Robert Hass

    We awoke to a dusting of snow. Since then it has switched between a constant drizzle and snow, sometimes rather large snowflakes. It is actually quite beautiful. It is moisture we desperately need, so bring it on. And, I want to believe every plant, including these leaves outside the coffee shop, is probably excitedly soaking it all up and singing its own silent song of happiness.

  • bicycle rides,  nature,  Spring Creek Trail

    A Saturday Ride

    We have a beautiful day here in Colorado. I mounted the red steed and took a bicycle ride along Spring Creek Trail out to Spring Canyon Park and back, about 7.6 mile round trip. Lots of people were out enjoying the weather so the trail was busy. And the park was busy with little kids’ soccer, and the pickle ball courts and tennis courts were full. I spotted a couple of young girls sunbathing in bikinis and almost rode off the trail. I’m gonna call it wildlife. No image but I did stop for this image on the way back because I like the idea that we can feel like we’re in a natural wooded area outside of the city while still in the city. I hope you are enjoying your Saturday!

  • nature,  quotes

    The web of all life

    My God is too vast to be contained by theology, too mysterious to be defined, too holy to be personified. My God neither punishes nor rewards, but invites me into a living relationship that unfolds in the heart of all that is. My God belongs to everyone, and this belonging connects me to the web of all life.

    Mirabai Starr

    It has been a beautiful day with clear blue skies, sunshine and a gentle cooling breeze. I used yesterday and today to recover from the traveling. I got some grocery shopping done and made tuna salad. This afternoon I spent time at Pineridge Natural Area for the silence, solitude, and journal time. I believe my time at the coffee shop and in these Natural Areas are places where I do connect with the web of life. They are essential in my life! And hope you had a Happy May Day! Enjoy your weekend!

  • desert,  landscape,  mountains,  quotes,  sunrises

    Predawn Sky

    Predawn sky along Peralta Trail from August 2012

    Violence is what happens when we don’t know what else to do with our suffering.

    Parker J. Palmer

    My sister Sheree and I arrived home about 1:15 pm yesterday afternoon. We left on Tuesday morning, stayed the night in Raton, New Mexico then finished the trip yesterday. It was a good day of travel. We had a near miss with a deer just outside of Raton, New Mexico yesterday morning and then one driver almost swerved into us somewhere in Denver a few hours later. Seems road construction was/is everywhere! Both of us were tired by the time we got home. My sisters keep different hours than I do, staying up later but on this trip I did also. So I was even more tired. I emptied the car, unpacked everything and then sat for some meditation and quiet. I slept in this morning. In spite of the fatigue, I had a wonderful time with my family.

    It’s been a cloudy and cool with a 40% possibility for rain. Because of the possibility for rain I drove to coffee this morning. At the present time the possibility of rain has been about 23 1/2 drops of rain. Well, maybe 25. Guess I need to dance faster. The gray skies offered a day to relax, journal, and read. I have also been going through some of the things belonging to mom and dad that we brought back. I have already discovered some jewels and shed a few tears. All good stuff! I still pray for the end of violence!

  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  quotes

    … it’s how we live.

    “…the greatest reward for a creative life is not in what you create, but in how you live. It is in how you train yourself to view and respond to the world and internalize the many experiences and meanings and mysteries that come your way. It is about finding peace and satisfaction in a world rife with cynicism, violence, competition and greed.”

    Guy Tal

    I posted the above quote back on June 11, 2012, about 14 years ago. It spoke to me then and it speaks to me now in my photography, blogging and how I try to live my life. Pursuing a creative path is helping me find peace and satisfaction in a world that is rife with cynicism, violence, competition and greed. One of the things I do to live my life and find peace is spend time in nature. So, I spent some time this afternoon at Pineridge Natural Area. They made some changes on me by removing the bench up near the parking lot and putting in another one right next to the rocks I enjoy sitting on. It’s probably only three feet away from those rocks. It is a big, solid bench and just as hard as the rocks. But it has a back on it. It actually is a much more scenic view than where the previous bench was. That’s one of the reasons I liked sitting on those rocks. I approve of the change. You don’t suppose they put in that bench just for me???

    Anway my sister, Sheree, and I are flying down to Phoenix in the morning to spend a couple days with my sister Marcee and brother-in-law, John. Then we will rent a car and drive back with some of mom and dad’s artwork. So I probably won’t be posting much the rest of the month. Hold down the Fort while I’m gone! I better finish packing.

  • Candid Portraits,  coffee life,  coffee shops,  People/Portraits,  quotes

    This morning’s smile, or grin…

    Here’s a candid portrait of one of the regulars that shows up irregularly. Wait, maybe that’s one the irregulars who shows up regularly. Wait, maybe it’s both! Anyway, he works at campus and was on his way to a meeting so he stopped to grab some caffeine and said “Hi.” What a gift to see him again. He’s a good man! And, now that you know who he is, say “Hi Shawn” the next time you see him.

    “Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.”

    Marcus Aurelius
  • poems

    … and was a flower

    once a snowflake fell
    on my brow and i loved
    it so much and i kissed
    it and it was happy and called its cousins
    and brothers and a web
    of snow engulfed me then
    i reached to love them all
    and i squeezed them and they became
    a spring rain and i stood perfectly
    still and was a flower

    Winter Poem by Nikki Giovanni

    We have clear blue skies and sunshine this morning. I awoke at about 4:46 am and said ugh, I don’t wanna get up! And, I didn’t. Slept in till 5:45 am. I loved this simple poem and wanted to share it with you. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!!