• Cityscapes/Urban,  lifestyles,  quotes,  trees,  winter scenes

    I call that progress

    February 18, 2020
    Walking across the CSU Oval after a night of light snowfall

    “The man who fears to be alone will never be anything but lonely, no matter how much he may surround himself with people. But the man who learns, in solitude and recollection, to be at peace with his own loneliness, and to prefer its reality to the illusion of merely natural companionship, comes to know the invisible companionship of God. Such a one is alone with God in all places, and he alone truly enjoys the companionship of other men, because he loves them in God in Whom their presence is not tiresome, and because of Whom his own love for them can never know satiety.”

    Thomas Merton

    We had a dusting of snow yesterday evening and temperature is at 17 degrees this morning. Good morning for coffee. They had freshly made chocolate eclairs in the display but I kept my wallet in my pocket and calories off my waist. I’m calling that progress. 

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  • Cityscapes/Urban,  clouds,  landscape,  rants,  snow,  trees

    Saddens me…

    February 17, 2020
    Open field at Shields and Stuart.

    This is an open lot about two blocks from my condo. I am standing along Shields Street and looking east. I’ve taken a few images of sunrises from this location. However, that will change over the next couple years as they sent notice that they will be building an apartment complex and small convenience store in this field. There are people who call it growth, development, progress, because it is about money to them. I want to call it destruction. Saddens me to see areas like this within the city changed from a natural world to concrete and wood structures surrounded by asphalt!

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  • Avian,  Canada Goose,  clouds,  landscape,  lifestyles

    I’m okay with a dirty car…

    February 16, 2020
    Beautiful clouds in the eastern sky along Weld County Road 90
    A line of Canada Geese making their way to one of the ponds or lakes near town after a day of fine dining in the fields

    When I’m restless it usually means I need to get out of town, so I did. I have been doing a lot of reading lately and some has been heavy stuff. I headed east to favorite spot along Weld County Road 90, turned the car off and just listened. Total quiet. Ahhh! I could feel the change within my soul. About the only sound I heard was the wind and a few Canada Geese as they passed overhead.  Healing was taking place. Seems I am needing more of the quiet and for longer periods of time.

    The roads however were muddy which means my car is now dirty. Actually, I think a car needs to be dirty and I do not say that because I’m lazy. Ironically, as I drove out there I passed one of the car washes and there must have been 20-30 cars in line. I questioned in my mind the need for them to waste good water. Yes, I’m okay with a dirty car.

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  • frost,  leaves,  Plants,  quotes

    A journey impossible to accomplish alone

    February 15, 2020
    Leaves with frost near campus

    “But no matter the medicinal virtues of being a true friend or sustaining a long close relationship with another, the ultimate touchstone of friendship is not improvement, neither of the other nor of the self, the ultimate touchstone is witness, the privilege of having been seen by someone and the equal privilege of being granted the sight of the essence of another, to have walked with them and to have believed in them, and sometimes just to have accompanied them for however brief a span, on a journey impossible to accomplish alone.” David Whyte 

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  • Candid Portraits,  Documentary/Street,  lifestyles,  People/Portraits,  poems,  quotes,  snow

    Happy Valentines Day

    February 14, 2020
    Light snow is falling while students wait for bus on a cold February morning

    “When it’s over, I want to say: all my life
    I was a bride married to amazement.
    I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.

    When it is over, I don’t want to wonder
    if I have made of my life something particular, and real.
    I don’t want to find myself sighing and frightened,
    or full of argument.

    I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world.”
    Mary Oliver

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  • lifestyles,  moon,  snow

    Walk to the bus stop

    February 12, 2020
    Snow moon in the western sky

    Over the past three years I normally start my day by saying three prayers before I place my feet on the floor. Then, I make a trip to the bathroom, get dressed and head to my chair for quiet time. After at least 20 minutes of contemplative prayer and meditation I then like to read some reflection before ending with prayer. When ready I will grab my backpack, place my camera around my neck and make my way to the bus stop. My destination is one of several coffee shops, either on campus or off campus. This is my morning routine. This was yesterday’s snow moon on my walk to the bus stop.

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  • landscape,  shadows,  snow,  trees,  winter scenes

    Listening to the Voices

    February 9, 2020
    Soft subtle shadows on undisturbed snow

    “One way God connects us to nature is through giving us the capacity to appreciate and be fascinated by its beauty. We find nature marked by such patterns as simplicity, harmony, balance, and a mysterious quality of vibrancy.” 

    Tilden Edwards

    I stopped in awe and took in the wonder of this tranquil scene yesterday morning after Friday’s snowfall. It was the shadows and the undisturbed snow that called to me. I like to think of it as an inaudible voice heard deep within me. I was a bit surprised to find this large of an area of undisturbed snow with no tracks and painted with soft long early morning shadows. As you may well know I am drawn to these scenes. I find a beauty and serenity that touches somewhere within me, especially when I find it in a busy city, or in this case a college campus. I’m not sure I set out searching for them as much as it seems they are presented, or gifted to me. However, I must be aware of the world around me, listening to the voice within and have my camera with me.

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  • landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  snow,  trees,  winter scenes

    Finding the quiet

    February 8, 2020
    A nice light fresh snowfall along the Poudre River and cold
    A small group of trees along the Foothills

    “Don’t think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter.
    It’s quiet, but the roots are down there riotous.”

    Rumi

    Maybe 2 inches of snow fell yesterday. I made a drive north of town on Larimer County Road 19 and stopped at the North Shields Natural Ponds where I took this image of the Poudre River. I continued north and one more of the trees. It is snowing in the mountains and the reason you cannot see them in either image. It was clear blue skies a couple miles north of this image. As I returned to town so did the cloudy skies and snow. One reason I headed north was to find the quiet. And I did.

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  • Candid Portraits,  Documentary/Street,  Humor,  lifestyles,  People/Portraits

    So, I took advantage of it!

    February 7, 2020
    Student on their way to class on the Transfort bus system
    Campus on my way home

    I’ve been using the bus system in Fort Collins for about 5 years now. Like most things it took a while to get use to it and learn how it all works. I’m happy with it and use it it at least 4 days a week. As a senior it only costs me $25 a year.

    I’m pleased to see the bus almost always has passengers which means it will continue to run. I say almost because last week I jumped on Bus 2 at 6:50 am and I was the only person on it. Just before we arrived the transit center I began to giggle because my crazy and sometimes insane mind had the thought that now would be good time to fart on the bus. So, I took advantage of it! After all no one would know. 🙂

    Snow is expected today 3-6 inches and as you can see is beginning to stick. Have a super Awesome day!

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  • landscape,  lifestyles,  sunrises

    Morning Sunrise

    February 6, 2020
    Sunrise this morning on my way to the bus stop

    We still have snow on the ground and expecting more snow tonight and tomorrow. We are already seeing a few snowflakes falling as I post this. The sunrise was a beautiful red as I started out the door. It does not last long as this was only a minute or two later. Thinking about all of you on the east coast as it looks like nasty stuff your way.

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