• haiku,  People/Portraits,  Portraits,  writing/reading

    Red Hair

    November 30, 2020

    red hair with freckles 
    on a dare and not for love
    innocent first kiss

    ms

    One perk of reaching 70 years of age is how many people I have encountered in life. Some I will keep as lifelong friends while some will only be a part of my life for a season or two. But, what I have from each of those encounters are memories and the awareness of how they changed my life in some way. I encountered a lot of people during my seven years working as flight attendant, both crew and passengers. And, I was lucky enough to photograph several of the flight attendants I worked with, both men and women. This young lady is Lori and the image was taken in 2009. Because she is outgoing and comfortable with herself we came away with some very good images. This is one of my favorites.

    Now about the haiku. I wrote the haiku this past week while reflecting on a few experiences of my childhood. I started a project a a couple years ago to write a simple memoir for my grandchildren. One of those experiences needs to be the first kiss. The first kiss I remember was with my red haired neighbor, Carolyn. I’m suspecting I was 8 or 9 and she was 6 or 7. Her brother, one of my classmates, put us up to it with a dare. I’m posting this image of Lori because she has the red hair and the perfect amount of freckles to go along with my haiku and story.

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  • coffee life,  landscape,  natural areas,  Plants,  quotes,  sunrises,  trees

    Laugh at Ourselves

    November 29, 2020

    “As soon as we think we know what’s going to happen, life shows us that we don’t.” Adyashanti

    It’s good to laugh at ourselves, especially at start of the day. After an enjoyable quiet time I decided to grab my camera and tripod with the anticipation of capturing the morning sunrise at Pineridge Natural Area. Before I left the house I ordered a mocha from the nearest Starbucks using my phone app. I was surprised to arrive and find the store was closed. Dang! I was afraid I was going to miss out on the predawn colors. About a mile away was another Starbucks with a drive through so I decided to try them since I’d already purchased the mocha online. But, they were not opening for another hour. So headed to the Human Bean and their drive through and now had my mocha. You don’t suppose I have a problem and need to find another 12 Step program? 😁

    Anyway, the sun was up by the time I arrived at the natural area but all was good. Clear blue skies and a bright sun shining on me. Magpies loudly greeted me while silence was heard between their squawking. I journaled, sipped on my mocha and enjoyed the quiet. I also laughed several times at how my morning turned out. Happy Sunday! 😍

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  • landscape,  natural areas,  Plants,  sunsets,  trees

    Walking off the food coma

    November 27, 2020
    Sunset at Reservoir Ridge

    Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving and overate like I did. I came too from my food coma early this afternoon. After clearing my head and realized how much damage I did yesterday, I knew I needed to walk it off. I drove out to Reservoir Ridge Natural Area for the walk and sunshine. So did half the city. Anyway, I got my walk in and my steps. I cooked two cornish hens for the first time and first time to eat one. Pretty simple actually. I invited my friend Joan over at the last minute and shared one with her. Have a great weekend!

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  • gratitude,  poems,  window,  writing/reading

    expressing gratitude

    November 26, 2020

    morning sun enters through my window
    warms my soul with its abounding grace
    grateful and blessed for this life I live
    filled with love of family and friends

    solitude and silence the foundations of my life
    it’s the staff I need to walk through life
    raises me up when I fall, again and again
    where I discern my chatter from your words

    prayer and meditation my daily practice
    a lifeline to grasp when I begin to wander
    lifting the spirit when life weighs heavy
    opens a door to knowing beyond thinking

    it’s been said that if the only prayer we say
    is thank you, that would suffice
    so I’m thankful for this wonderful life
    happy thanksgiving to you!

    ms
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  • frost,  haiku,  landscape,  leaves,  Plants,  sunrises,  trees,  writing/reading

    A Bit of Frost

    November 25, 2020

    sun rising in east
    a cold blue blanket of frost
    few leaves hanging on

    ms

    Cold morning, 19 degrees at 5:45 am. That’s too cold so I waited until it reached 21 then went outside for this photo of a cottonwood leaf with frost. Not the best but… Anyway, everything is pretty much shut down now in Larimer County as it is one the counties to go into Level Red due to high increase of cases and hospitals almost maxed out. Our two week positivity rate was 12%, so I guess you can say we graduated. Anything over 10% put us into that level. This means restrictions on numbers in businesses, churches, music events, etc. Most coffee shops and restaurants have no more indoor seating unless they go against the mandate. I am concerned about our small business owners and those who work for them.

    Hope you have a safe Thanksgiving Day!

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  • haiku,  landscape,  sunsets,  writing/reading

    Unbroken Silence

    November 23, 2020

    solitary fence posts
    without the meadowlarks song
    unbroken silence

    ms

    Our first forest fire started back in August and every since then I seldom see or hear the meadowlarks singing when visiting the natural areas. I assume they moved farther east onto the plains due to the smoke and ash. And, now that it’s colder we will see less of them. Spent some time journaling about missing their enchanting song this morning.

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  • fall season,  frost,  leaves,  Plants,  poems,  poetic journal,  seasons,  writing/reading

    brush strokes of frost

    November 22, 2020
    Cottonwood leaves covered in frost – Arapaho Bend Natural Area in 2014

    Wintery morning stroll in a world turned white
    I love nature’s work of art created in the cold of night
    So grateful for these lovely brush strokes of frost

    ms

    I did not pick up my camera all day. A bit unusual for me. The sun has just set. I feel the need to write a post. So, I sit at my desk. The cold air gathers around my feet as I ask for words to write. I sort through them in the quiet. The furnace turns on. I no longer sit in silence. I stay in my chair awaiting for more words and they are given. This post is simple, nothing eloquent. It’s what I do and my way to reach out to a virtual world of friends. I’ll end with a prayer that you feel the love within you and sleep well.

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