My online journal sharing interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, spirituality and asking deep questions.
Winter is still making its presence felt here in Colorado. The rain that moved into the area changed to snow late yesterday afternoon, offering big beautiful snowflakes the size of quarters. Early this morning it was just below freezing and clear blue skies. Now that clouds have moved in it feels much colder.
This image was taken just outside my front door yesterday afternoon. The two geese seem to like this stuff. Hoping it gets up to the predicted 40 degrees. Stay warm!
“Other voices easily drown out our own before we can really hear it. And this applies whether you hear positive or negative reactions; both are dangerous to us. Positive feedback too soon will stop us moving forward or going deeper. It’ll stop us at the low-hanging fruit and the first, most obvious iterations, and our work won’t have a chance at getting honed. And negative reactions or feedback can stop us just as quickly when that feedback often only means “this work isn’t for me” and has nothing to do with how authentic or good it might actually be.” David DuChemin
Took the early bus this morning to campus and now at the Lory Student Center. I came early to have some time to write and a bit of quiet before the students begin dragging themselves in to classes. I will meet a good friend for coffee who teaches philosophy at 9:00. It seems to be a beautiful day, almost reaching 70 degrees before we have rain later this evening.
I relate to David’s quote as I have for most of my life been one who wants the approval of others. Hopefully, I’ve moved beyond the need for approval of others to validate who I am, at anything. At one time acquiring the comments and likes determined the quality of my images. I’m aware there are times when I post an image too early, before it’s time, looking for approval of a poor image, or I just want to post an image. What I get from his quote is the need to listen more to the voice within in all areas of life. I’m a work in process, taking my own routes, as are my images.
I met up with my sister on Sunday morning and tried out a coffee shop we had not visited before, call the Dark Heart Coffee Bar. There was a distinct difference in coffee flavor and probably because they use a coffee roaster out of Portland, Oregon neither one of us had heard of before, Coava Coffee Roasters. We both thought is was on the pricey side but we are also tight with our money, so we are not likely to make them a daily coffee shop but a special occasion place. It’s ambiance was light and airy, with lots of window light. The decor was nicely done, had plenty of room and did not feel crowded due to its open feeling. All the seating was located along the walls which was one continuous bench with separate tables and chairs, except the small high top table this young lady was sitting at. A big plus for me was the quiet, even though they were busy. They also had a nice porch area that would be enjoyable during the warmer weather. I will go back!
Today is the first day of Spring. To celebrate and because I woke up early, I made a french press of coffee and headed to Arapaho Bend Natural Area. I setup my gear along the banks of Beaver Pond looking east. Behind me in the west was the setting Supermoon. The night ends and the new day begins. Spring! Beautiful!
Canada Geese were out for their morning swim, searching for a bite to eat and noisily enjoying the spring morning. For me it was an almost perfect way to start the day and the beginning of Spring.
After feeling I had all I wanted in images I loaded my gear back in the car to head home. As I started to put the key in the ignition I noticed a man on a paddle board of some kind and quickly jumped out of the car and took this last image. I thought it an appropriate photo to end my morning on the banks of Beaver Pond in the Arapaho Bend Natural Area.
