My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and the mystery of it all.
If this speed sign is accurate then it’s telling me I’m not moving fast enough. In fact it tells how I’ve been moving over the past few days. There’s been a lot going on with all the moving, repairing some things in the condo, unpacking boxes, working and throwing in a couple days of flu. I’ve just not been shooting or even on the computer. Hopefully in a few more days and I’ll be getting back up to speed. 🙂 Once that happens my parents will be arriving for a few days so there could be another lull in posting. This image was taken with my iPhone. Hope everyone had a good Memorial Weekend!
I attended the graduation of the Windsor Wizards yesterday afternoon. Wasn’t expecting the emotions. I shed a few tears just driving over there, then a few with my daughter as we sat and watched it happen. It really is amazing to see what some kids accomplish in high school, all of them. I am proud of you. Another stage of your life has been completed and you now move on move on to another. I really like your attitude and views of life at 18 years of age. I pray you enjoy life through the hard times and the joyous times. I have no idea as to what contribution you will have on this world. I hope you discover all the gifts and talents still within you, even those unseen, and that you freely offer them to the world. Congratulations, Daryian! I love you!
Yes, I’m back in Fort Collins and home from the hospital. Okay, here’s the story. I’m back in my condo in Fort Collins but what a tiring and exhausting experience it has been. I was able to move most of my Kitchen and bathroom stuff last Tuesday afternoon and slept on my couch with full intentions of moving the bigger stuff the next day with Eric’s help. Just before going to bed I stepped on a wasp, which ticked him off. He therefore bore the stinger into my 4th digit on my right foot. Within 2 minutes my foot and ankle had swollen and turned a pretty shade of pink. Oh, and it hurt like hell.
So the next day with less swelling but only able to get my sandals on comfortably, I picked up the the U-haul truck then Eric. The move actually went pretty smoothly. I had no discomfort with the foot and Eric was a God-send. When we returned to Fort Collins, Dillon arrived and helped unload. It was now time for pizza and coke then take the truck back. About 5:30 I started to feel sick at my stomach and assumed it was the pizza a coke, which I very seldom indulge in. By 6:30 I was under the covers in bed and spent the next 36 hours in the bathroom battling vomiting and diarrhea, and losing it, all of it. Finally, on Friday morning I drove to the ER where they gave me fluids and oxygen. Said my oxygen level was at 85%. Blood tests were okay so the prognosis is I most likely have viral gastroenteritis or stomach flu. Even as I write this on Saturday evening my stomach still rumbles and I need to keep a bathroom within site. Not fun!
I still had to go back down to Denver and clean my apartment. I needed to bring back some food in the refrigerator plus a few cleaning supplies and turn my keys in. I moved in to the apartment last year on the 20th of May and it rained. I moved out the of apartment on the 19th May and it rained. 🙂 I heard the lightening, thunder and rain start about 4:30 in the morning. The rain was much needed as it helped put out the 7000 acre Hewlett Gulch forest fire we had burning west of town. And, the cool air and rain made it easier for me to move, keeping my body temperature cooled.
Today I celebrate my grandsons high school graduation. Wow! He’s looking forward to college in the fall and has some goals to go after. Dang proud grandpa! And, he’s just as handsome!
So, I’m back in my little condo, all 760 feet of it. A bachelors abode, easy to clean and keeps me from accumulating too many toys. I have much to be thankful for, health family, friends and a roof over my head ! Have a great day!
Oh, and they had to close Trail Ridge Road yesterday due to snow. It’s Colorado in May.
When people confine themselves to their prisons made of asphalt, concrete, glass, bank accounts, office cubicles, new cars, large homes, malls, theaters and our inflated egos, we have no concept of what our natural world offers us. I believe some people feel they are bigger than the world, own it and have the right to destroy it. The word that comes to mind is entitlement. Yet, we really have no idea how insignificant we are in the scheme of nature. How many of us focus on what we can take from the world not what we can offer back to the world? What direction would our world be moving towards if more (idealistically everyone) were to connect with nature? Touching nature does not need to be a week long back packing trip. It can be a walk in a natural area or wildlife refuge or the local botanical garden or your own garden or a farmers field. I like how John Sexton says it in the quote I posted a few days ago, “…I feel quiet, yet intense energy in the natural elements of our habitat. A sense of magic prevails. A sense of mystery. It is a time for contemplation, for listening…”
Lately I’ve been feeling like my images are falling short, like something is missing within them. Questions run through my head. Am I being too critical? Do I need more practice at this craft, both in the field and at the computer? Am I burned out? Or do I have this dang blogging virus, I’ve heard about? It seems I never know what the images will be like once loaded into Lightroom. But, as I worked on this image in Lightroom my mind wandered back to the evening I took this image. I’d like to share some of those thoughts and feelings I had while taking this image.
This image came about as the result of my attempt to capture a few shots of the full moon. While setting up my tripod I peaked over my shoulder to west and saw this scene. I turned the camera around and took about a half dozen images. I bracketed for HDR but settled on processing only one image. I enjoyed the few moments and then turned my attention back to the moonrise. Shortly after the sun dropped below the horizon and the moon was hidden behind clouds and the camera was packed away, mother nature presented me with a glorious thunder and lightening show. In fact the whole evening had been a show! As the show moved on to the second act, I marveled at the power nature was giving me. I felt really small at the moment yet comfortable in my solitude. I felt chilled as the wind penetrated my light fleece. The chill made me think about those who were at home watching television or at the bar having a brew or two with friends. They were not feeling the cold wind or the first raindrops forming on their clothes. They were not seeing the outlines of farms on the horizon when lightening would momentarily light up the sky then seconds later hearing the clap of thunder. But, I also thought of those standing outside or looking through their windows, tuned into this same show. Those of watching were present to mother nature and for me it was a much needed time. Maybe nothing is really missing in my photography as the real purpose of this passion is to be there, tuned in to the “real” show. I saw, felt, smelled that moment. And, that’s what it’s about?
I’m off to work, hope everyone enjoys the weekend!
The artist of this sculpture has included details that require the observer to patiently walk around it and take it all in. As a photographer I fail at times to walk around my subjects and take in all the details. At other times I’m on it. So how much do the simple details we find and present say about the subject others may overlook and what do they say about the artist? I hope you’re having a great day!
“It is light that reveals, light that obscures, light that communicates. It is light I “listen” to. The light late in the day has a distinct quality, as it fades toward the darkness of evening. After sunset there is a gentle leaving of the light, the air begins to still, and a quiet descends. I see magic in the quiet light of dusk. I feel quite, yet intense energy in the natural elements of our habitat. A sense of magic prevails. A sense of mystery. It is a time for contemplation, for listening – a time for making photographs.”
John Sexton
This image was a happen-chance. I was heading to a location for an image I had in my head. Storm clouds were overhead as the sun dropped below the clouds offering up a wonderful warm glow over DIA. Being the maniac I am, I pulled over, ran around the front of my car and took two shots before the light changed. I then smiled. We maniacs do that.
