• coffee life,  coffee shops

    Christmas Gifts

    November 30, 2022

    Received my two books that will be Christmas Gifts for my children and grandchildren. I spent the past two days proofing them and then ordered copies yesterday morning. They turned out okay and are simple 7×7 inch softcover photo books. One photo on the left page and a small paragraph or poem on the left page. One book is 60 pages and the other is 64 pages. I do enjoy making these small books, like the final product as I don’t print and frame that many images. This is a good way to archive some of my images and share them. I used Blurb in Lightroom because it’s easy to do photo books. However, any text work is awkward.

    Happy Birthday to my oldest daughter, Christine!!!!

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  • grass,  landscape,  Mary Oliver,  Plants,  poems,  seasons,  snow,  winter scenes,  writing/reading

    A Bit More Snow

    November 29, 2022

    Now through the white orchard my little dog
    romps, breaking the new snow
    with wild feet.
    Running here running there, excited,
    hardly able to stop, he leaps, he spins
    until the white snow is written upon
    in large, exuberant letters,
    a long sentence, expressing
    the pleasures of the body in this world.
    Oh, I could not have said it better

    The Storm by Mary Oliver

    Winter weather is the word for the day, receiving the 3-4 inches promised. It is loaded with moisture and making road conditions bad. It was 18 degrees at about 8:30 am and not expecting to be above 22 degrees. I call that cold and the perfect day to stay in and eat leftover vegetable soup, unless your Mary Oliver’s dog.

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  • clouds,  Humor,  quotes,  sunrises

    Wearing socks tonight…

    November 28, 2022

    Red sky at night, sailors’ delight.
    Red sky at morning, sailors take warning.

    The red sky as I left my condo this morning reminds me of the above ancient rhyme often repeated by mariners. Clouds have moved in, temperatures are dropping and snow expected to start about 9:00 pm. May see 3-8 inches and probably wearing socks tonight to bed.

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  • coffee life,  coffee shops,  Documentary/Street,  poems,  poetry,  street photography,  writing/reading

    Wintery Sunday

    November 27, 2022

    wrapped in my blanket in the predawn darkness
    I read and meditate on words which
    become seeds for my soul and mind

    the new day offers a dusting of snow outside my window
    so after my quiet time I bundle in warm clothing and
    grab my backpack to venture to the coffee shop

    am greeted by early-to-rise baristas as I enter the door,
    they make my favorite, an Old Town mocha, extra hot,
    perfect on this bleak and wet day

    notice beads of water forming their own worlds
    on the patio chairs warning me to sit inside
    on this wintery sunday morning

    ms
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  • gratitude,  natural areas,  quotes,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    Grateful Eyes

    November 26, 2022
    Rabbitbrush from yesterday afternoon’s walk at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    The practice of looking at the world through grateful eyes and with a grateful heart is an exquisite end in itself.

    Kristi Nelson

    A rather lovely day until late this afternoon when clouds moved in and the wind picked up. It is 52 degrees but it looks like 32 degrees. It’s been a quiet day filled with writing and journaling. Eating leftover soup and chocolates. Not at the same time!!!

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  • landscape,  mountains,  natural areas,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area,  sunsets

    Second Post

    November 24, 2022

    This is my second post for today. I spent some time at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area late this afternoon, primarily for journaling. It was quiet so it added to my journaling. A couple people were out walking off dinner and dessert, even a runner. I hung around long enough to watch and enjoy the sun set, grab a photo and head home. Without the sun I feel the cold more. Hope you had a great day!

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  • Candid Portraits,  coffee life,  coffee shops,  gratitude,  haiku,  Holidays,  People/Portraits,  writing/reading

    Day of Thanksgiving

    November 24, 2022

    with hands of gratitude
    wrapped around coffee cups
    they share morning time together
    a simple conversation
    sometimes without words 
    on this day of thanksgiving

    ms

    Since Mugs at the Oval was closed today I went to Mugs in Old Town. Streets were busy as they were having a foot race called the Turkey Trot. Being a people watcher I noticed a couple sitting across from me with their coffees. I was taken by their hands. So, I asked for and was given permission to take a couple images of their hands. Thank you, Scott and Michelle, and may you two have a wonderful day and life together!

    I have much to be grateful for in my life. I regularly journal a gratitude list and that is what I will do throughout this day. I find it a great habit and can place me in a better mood when I list what I have rather than what I don’t have (or think I need). I put on a crock pot of andouille sausage and vegetable soup that is good for a cold day as today. Have reached out to family and friends through text messaging and calls letting them know I love them and they are on the lists! The sun came out so I got a walk in and burned some calories. No pie for me this year but an apple fritter made it to my plate.

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