My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and the mystery of it all.
The way to think about photography is that the next frame you shoot will be the definitive one. Everybody takes one picture and says, ‘Well, I’ve got it.’ Take another one, and always believe that the one you haven’t taken will be even better.
John Shaw
We are all broken. That’s how the light gets in.
Ernest Hemingway
What is the duty of humans? If gifts and responsibilities are one, then asking “What is our responsibility?” is the same as asking “What is our gift?” It is said that only humans have the capacity for gratitude. This is among our gifts.
Robin Wall Kimmerer
Sometime during the night flashes of lightning and thunder filled my room and raindrops tapped against my window. Not sure I slept very well after that. As I lay there I realized how few sunrises I see this time of the year. Daylight savings now has the sun rising a bit too early for this older body. I was unable to return to the land of dreams and deciding not to fight it, I threw the covers off about 4:03 am and began the day.
When I arrived at Pineridge Natural Area it was a warm 68 degrees according to my car’s dashboard. A refreshing and gentle breeze caressed my face as I sat on the bench to journal. A few light clouds hovered just above the eastern horizon offering a mix of pink and silver that eventually gave way to an orange sunrise. Darker clouds rose above the mountains in the west, hinting of possible rain later today. A baby cottontail nibbles on leaves near me and Magpies chatter endlessly. After a while I took the camera for a walk, looking with the child’s eye. Before leaving, I rubbed sagebrush between my fingers, wanting to carry its scent with me into the day. I felt a rush of gratitude flow through me. I then headed for the coffee shop, hoping to share this gratitude with others. It’s been a good but early start to this day. Hope you have a great Monday!
Overcast skies on this Sunday morning provided beautiful diffused light, perfect for flowers. This light enticed me to stop at the CSU Flower Trial Gardens on the way home from coffee. I grabbed my camera and walked among the beauty of nature’s newest creations. At times I can almost be overwhelmed by the colors and those smiling faces of so many flowers. I was not the only one enjoying them. Bees excitedly buried their bodies in each face, then moved on the next face. I was also joined by a few early risers with coffee in hand strolling among these smiling faces. Needless to say I left with a smile on my face! Have a wonderful Sunday!
Childhood means simplicity. Look at the world with the child’s eye – it is very beautiful.
Kailash Satyarthi
The colors, the shapes, and the patterns of nature in the summer are amazing if we stop and look. This morning I stopped and looked with the child’s eye. Now at Coffee House 29 to meet Eric for coffee and conversation. It’s gonna be another hot day.
“To love a place is not enough. We must find ways to heal it.”
Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass:
It was nothing spectacular but I happened to catch a glimpse of the sun breaking through the clouds just before dropping below the horizon. I had to stop and in fact I need to stop more often because I don’t want to miss anymore of these gifts of nature. As I stepped out of the car I took in the fragrance of summer, that smell of fresh cut hay. I stood there and let it sink into my memory senses. I can still smell it this morning!
The difference between confusion and ‘don’t know’ is that confusion can only see one way out and that way is blocked, while ‘don’t know’ is open to miracles and insights.
Joyce Rupp
The years of my life spent in confusion were often based on the presumption that I knew and if I didn’t know, I could quickly find out or fake it. Today I am willing to admit there are many more things I don’t know than I know, or think I think I know. So much more enjoyable to ask questions and be open to miracles and insights. Know what I mean?
One eye of the photographer looks wide open through the viewfinder, the other, the closed looks into his own soul.
Henri Cartier-Bresson
Looking into our souls is the practice of mystics, monastics, poets, and sunflowers but also includes the photographer. I’m off to meet Mark for breakfast! Happy Wednesday!
I stopped and photographed these double rainbows a couple weeks ago on my drive back from Red Feather Lakes. Again, more of nature’s beautiful work of art to enjoy!
Milo is one of the regulars at Mugs who brings his human to the coffee shop for their caffeine fix and to show off Milo. He is one of the best behaved dogs you’ll ever meet. Every once in awhile I see him get one of those pupcups, which is a small cup filled with whip cream. I’ve never heard him bark either. Anyway, meet Milo and have a great week!