• flowers,  gratitude,  Plants

    Gratitude Lists

    September 22, 2018
    It's in the details
    It’s in the details

    Saturday afternoon and sitting on the patio of a local coffee shop. CSU is playing a football game so pretty much have the place to myself. A beautiful day. It was 47 degrees this morning at 7:00 am and is now 83 degrees with clear blue skies. The cool breeze is refreshing.

    Every day is a day for gratitude. Over the past few years I’ve acquired the habit of making gratitude lists in my journals. Some days it’s only one thing and some days it’s a longer list. A list is important for me as a visual person, something written in black and white that I can see. Today I’m grateful for the details in this dandelion.  Do you write out a gratitude list? 

    Enjoy your weekend! 

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  • clouds,  fountain pens,  journal,  landscape,  natural areas

    Sunbeams

    September 18, 2018

    Sunbeams
    Sunbeams

    Spent some time yesterday afternoon at Fossil Creek Reservoir as I again needed to distance myself from the constant man-made noise within the city. I don’t make it out there very often and after returning wonder why I don’t. It is one of the  larger nature areas in the city. It’s primarily a place for birds. During early spring part of it is closed due to nesting eagles. While enjoying my time there I saw an eagle, a heron, several white pelicans, a lot of Canada Geese and ducks. It is a birders haven as there are many more birds that visit the nature area. You may see and hear more about this area.

    Found a place to journal
    Found a place to journal

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  • Black and White,  clouds,  landscape,  mountains

    Drama in the Clouds

    September 16, 2018

    Clouds over the Colorado Front Range
    Clouds over the Colorado Front Range

    Thought I would post an image of clouds over the front range for those who like clouds. 🙂 We have had temperatures in the 90’s the past three days so it’s been hot out here. We have tow forest fires burning north and west of us. One is a controlled burn and the other is one set by lightening about three days ago and is not a major problem. I imagine those of you in Charlotte are not seeing these sort of clouds.

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  • Cityscapes/Urban,  lifestyles,  quotes,  sunrises

    Surrender is a Gift

    September 15, 2018

    Morning sunrise at the bus stop
    Waiting for the bus yesterday morning

    “Surrender is the ultimate sign of strength and the foundation for a spiritual life. Surrendering affirms that we are no longer willing to live in pain. It expresses a deep desire to transcend our struggles and transform our negative emotions. It commands a life beyond our egos, beyond that part of ourselves that is continually reminding us that we are separate, different and alone. Surrendering allows us to return to our true nature and move effortlessly through the cosmic dance called life. It’s a powerful statement that proclaims the perfect order of the universe.

    When you surrender your will, you are saying, “Even though things are not exactly how I’d like them to be, I will face my reality. I will look it directly in the eye and allow it to be here.” Surrender and serenity are synonymous; you can’t experience one without the other. So if it’s serenity you’re searching for, it’s close by. All you have to do is resign as General Manager of the Universe. Choose to trust that there is a greater plan for you and that if you surrender, it will be unfolded in time. 

    Surrender is a gift that you can give yourself. It’s an act of faith. It’s saying that even though I can’t see where this river is flowing, I trust it will take me in the right direction.”  

    Debbie Ford

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  • Cityscapes/Urban,  sunrises

    I’ll do it later….

    September 14, 2018
    Sprinklers and sunrise at campus Oval
    Sprinklers and sunrise at campus Oval

    Yeah right! “Later” sometimes means never.

    Before I left my home this morning I checked my calendar. Something inside me was telling me I was to meet someone but there was nothing in the calendar. So, I jumped on the bus, headed to campus and camped in a comfy chair in the Lory Student Center for some reading and writing. A little after 9:00 I received a message from Eric wanting to know if we were still meeting at 9:00. Dang it! It was another instance where I told myself over a week ago that I’d do it later but later turned into never. It really is true that life is about the process, never being prefect but hopefully learning from these experiences. Again, hoping all my friends on the east coast are safe!

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  • coffee shops,  Documentary/Street,  lifestyles,  sunrises

    I Smiled, Again

    September 12, 2018

    Sunrise on the patio at Bindles
    Sunrise on the patio at Bindles

    This mornings coffee shop included a drive to Bindles on the east side of town as they have good mochas and an ambiance I enjoy. As I stepped out the door, the eastern sky was just coming alive with the few scattered clouds slowly turning a beautiful red. I felt an inner joy as I drove into that eastern sunrise. I watched the red fade to pink then a light shade of orange. By the time I arrived in the parking lot the sun was just beginning to rise. Once out of the car I grabbed my camera. The day was arriving. I smiled!

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