• clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    Clouds and a sandwich

    November 13, 2021

    “People who’ve had any genuine spiritual experience always know that they don’t know. They are utterly humbled before mystery. They are in awe before the abyss of it all, in wonder at eternity and depth, and a Love, which is incomprehensible to the mind.”

    Richard Rohr

    Yesterday I wanted a mid-afternoon sandwich then enjoyed it at one of the natural areas, away from the busyness of the city. I was greeted by silence, silver lined clouds, warm sunshine and a cool breeze. It’s a mystery to me but I know it all made the sandwich taste better. 😊

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  • landscape,  natural areas,  photographers,  Photography,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes,  sunrises

    The Right Lighting

    November 11, 2021
    Sunrise at Pineridge Natural Area yesterday

    “The secret to life is to put yourself in the right lighting. For some, it’s a Broadway spotlight; for others, a lamplit desk. Use your natural powers — of persistence, concentration, and insight — to do work you love and work that matters. Solve problems. make art, think deeply.”

    Susan Cain

    For any photographer to return home with an image that we feel is a keeper, we must place ourselves in the right spot, at the right time, to find the right light. Photography as well as a spiritual practice have been the work I needed to help me to live life, solve problems, make art and think deeply. I think Susan is spot on. It’s 23 degrees this morning with clear skies and wind. They are predicting rain and snow this evening in the high country and a slight possibility for the foothills and plains. Hope you use your natural powers!

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  • coffee life,  coffee shops,  quotes

    Celebrate

    November 10, 2021

    People wish to be poets more than they wish to write poetry, and that’s a mistake. One should wish to celebrate more than one wishes to be celebrated.

    Lucille Clifton

    If we change the word poet and poetry to some other creative field, her words would work for them also. So, I suggest we celebrate whatever creative endeavor we’re drawn too and not fret about any accolades. It could be as a photographer or even a barista.

    This is not my normal mocha latte. It is called a Brooklyn Woodrow which is a cuban style espresso. It’s an espresso drink usually made with a strong dark roast then sweetened with sugar to counter the bitterness. Some even whip the sugar in the espresso. The Bean Cycle makes theirs in a 6 oz mug. Therefore the ratio between a single shot of espresso to milk is much different than in a 12 oz latte, thus making it stronger tasting. They then sweeten it with a dash of brown sugar. My taste buds like it. So, I’m gonna celebrate this anonymous creative barista who created this!

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  • fountain pens,  journal,  writing/reading

    Yes, another one…

    November 9, 2021

    Well, I broke down and bought myself a teal colored Pilot Custom 74. It is my sisters favorite fountain pen, well one of them. We’ll call it an early Christmas gift. It is very similar to the two Pilot Custom Heritage 72 I own. I enjoy writing with them so I assumed I would this one also. I’m finding them similar in size and I believe they have the same rhodium-plated 14k gold nib which is very smooth to write with. When I have a fine camera in my hand I see the world differently through a viewfinder and take more images. The same can be said of a fine fountain pen. It helps me to see the world differently and write words describing what I see and feel. Since I carry both a camera and a fountain pen with me every day, you are for-warned that more images of this fountain pen will be forthcoming. 😊

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  • grass,  landscape,  Mary Oliver,  Plants,  poems,  poetry,  writing/reading

    A Poem and A Photograph

    November 8, 2021

    Every day
          I see or hear
                something
                      that more or less

    kills me
          with delight,
                that leaves me
                      like a needle

    in the haystack
          of light.
                It was what I was born for —
                      to look, to listen,

    to lose myself
          inside this soft world —
                to instruct myself
                      over and over

    in joy,
          and acclamation.
                Nor am I talking
                      about the exceptional,

    the fearful, the dreadful,
          the very extravagant —
                but of the ordinary,
                      the common, the very drab,

    the daily presentations.
          Oh, good scholar,
                I say to myself,
                      how can you help

    but grow wise
          with such teachings
                as these —
                      the untrimmable light

    of the world,
          the ocean’s shine,
                the prayers that are made
                      out of grass?

    Mindful by Mary Oliver
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  • landscape,  mountains,  quotes,  sunsets

    Had to be one ….

    November 7, 2021

    “I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo.
    “So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

    J.R.R. Tolkien

    Took this image last Thursday evening on Larimer County Rd. 19. Needed to get out of the condo so I decided to spend my time given to me by being open for a sunset image. I just knew there had to be one…

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  • animals,  haiku,  writing/reading

    Always Alert

    November 6, 2021

    the antelope grazes
    in a golden field of grass
    yet always alert

    ms

    On my drive the other afternoon I came across four antelope enjoying the warmth of the sun while grazing. I stopped and watched them, aware they were watching me. With respect we kept our distance of more than six feet. Have a super weekend!

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