• coffee shops,  Documentary/Street,  People/Portraits

    Gathering Places

     

    Children at Play
    Gathering Place

    Not everyone drinks coffee or tea at coffee shops. These shops, both small mom-and-pop and corporate, have become gathering places for conversation, study groups, romantic meetings and business deals. It’s a place for perking up in the morning and relaxing in the afternoon. People will go out to eat then stop for a coffee and conversation before going home. If you find a favorite one you will find yourself building a community of fellow coffee drinkers. I have a accumulated a family of friends from visits to these shops. Some of those will be life long friendships. Yep, coffee shops are a gathering place.

    For these children it’s also a time to play. I  like the comparison of the mother in the background talking with her hands while the children are playing a game with their hands.

  • Cityscapes/Urban,  coffee shops

    Clouds to the West

     

    Clouds to the West
    Clouds to the West

    I love clouds. And, when you place them against a blue sky it’s time to take out the camera. That’s what happened with this image. I was on my way for a latte at a local coffee shop when I noticed the cloud patterns. I quickly forgot about the latte and turned into a small strip mall driving around to the back side. It has an open field where I thought I if I got down low I may have a chance to get a photo eliminating the houses. It worked. The earth embankment blocked the houses and the sun popped through the clouds to add a bit more to the image. Dusted off my britches and continued on the coffee shop. Sure enjoyed my latte and no one said anything to me about my dirty britches. I love clouds. 🙂

  • Plants

    A Flower's Career

     

    Daisies
    Daisies

    I ate dinner the other night with a young man who is questioning the career direction in his life. I would love to say just the right words and help guide him along but those words don’t always seem to come. I do listen and ask questions, hoping those questions will help. While reflecting back over our conversation this morning, I realize seeking a career is not what I’m focused on at this time in my life. Do we need to have a career or as the case is now a days, multiple careers? Why do we pursue careers? Are we seeking the monetary gain or the status? How many of us define ourselves by our careers? We tell others we are an engineer, a teacher, policeman, a doctor, etc. At the root of all this is the realization I was always looking for a career that would give my something. I really wanted to have the money, the title, the unnecessary material goods. I expected a career to make me into someone and it never could.

    Maybe a career is more about what I can offer to benefit the world rather than what I can gain.These simple daises pictured above, have so much to offer this world in such a short lifetime. They will sprout, grow, blossom and then decompose as part of the process to nurture the next generation. They are not trying to be a rose or a lily. They will blow in the wind as if waving to us, calling our attention to the beauty around us. Maybe that’s what a career is all about.

    Have wonderful day!

  • Plants

    No Straight Lines!

     

    Green is out!
    No Straight Lines!

    A couple days a go I wrote about the dominance of  the color green in nature. Well nature is also dominated with curves. I do admit to enjoying the curves you find sunbathing along beaches :-), but nature has that beat. Let’s just say nature is into curves. You just do not find many straight lines in nature. While, man, on the other hand designs and builds with straight lines. Even the framing of this images is done with straight lines. What we may consider a straight line in these leaves still has a curve to them. 

    So, when we walk in nature do we take notice of those curves?

  • Art/Design,  spirituality

    I Miss My Books

     

    Books
    Books

    I miss my books. They are in storage back in Colorado, collecting dust. I’ve enjoyed reading books over the past few years. Books can refresh the mind. When we read a book we individually draw up the scenes and create characters as only we can do. I’ve bought and read books on spirituality, personal growth, enneagrams, religions and of  course photography. I’ve learned to read back over these books every once in a while as they seem to go through a editing process since I last read them. Very seldom do I read novels, usually one or two a year, that’s all. I have a few favorite authors who have helped me along life’s journey and in a way have become my friends. Their books adorn my book shelves. Sure miss my books. I may have to wander in to the library or book store today.

  • Photography

    Frog Pond

    Frog Pond
    Frog Pond

    I take frogs for granted. I say that because I do not pay that much attention to them nor do I study them as little children do. Ever watch a child as they squat to get a closer look, pointing in awe of what is before them.  And, frogs are private creatures being difficult to spot. Have you had times when approaching water and not paying attention, one of them would jump and startle us. That’s when they have our attention! Their croaking and their ribbits is another way to catch our attention. However, they do not have the soothing impact on me as the Meadowlark’s morning song. It paid off when I took my time approaching the frog pond at Inniswood Gardens just in case I may find one of them basking in the sun and this photo opportunity.

  • Photography

    Natures Favorite Color

    20090607-_DSC1748-Edit
    Leaves

    Green is a predominate color in our nature. Ever notice that? Well, I have and love it. When nature puts on a display of green leaves then throws in a few blossoms and flowers it can take your breath away. When nature includes cloudy skies to diffuse the light and then add a few drops of rain we have a miracle before us. Just to entice us more, nature will also add a few sweet smelling fragrances from those flowers and blossoms and the smell of rain. I like green and I’m not talking about money!