• blogging,  coffee life,  fountain pens,  journal,  journaling,  lifestyles,  meditation,  prayer

    … and peanut butter

    October 20, 2025

    Winds have been gusting up to 25-30 mph since early this morning and we may see that continue into mid-afternoon. Because of the winds I wisely chose not to ride the bicycle to coffee and conversation. After returning home I made a piece of sourdough toast with a generous spreading of chunky peanut butter. I then sat in my bedroom chair with the warm sunshine spreading across my journal to write. But before I could get started writing the light and shadows on the pages urged me to put the pen down, set up the camera and tripod and use this image as a starting place for today’s post. As I post this I realize it reflects the life I live today full of prayer and meditation, coffee life, photography, journaling, blogging, and peanut butter. And if the wind wasn’t blowing, bicycling.

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  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  clouds,  landscape,  quotes

    … once wasn’t enough

    October 18, 2025

    I’ve come to realize the only true walk is the re-walk.
    You cannot know a place without returning.
    And even then, once isn’t enough.

    Craig Mod

    It’s a beautiful morning with blue skies and clouds. I took this at Arapaho Bend Natural Area on my way to meet Eric for coffee and conversation around 8:30 am. The yellows and golds are looking good against the blue sky and water. They’ve predicted the wind to blow and it has already begun so we are being showered with dancing leaves, twirling and swirling for the joy of it. I so enjoyed my time this morning that I needed to stop and take a few more images on the way home. Once wasn’t enough. I hope you enjoy your Saturday!

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  • quotes,  shadows

    Makes me smile…

    October 17, 2025

    The sun shines not on us, but in us.
    The rivers flow not past but through us.
    Nature was made not just for us,
    but for itself and its own happiness,
    and is the very smile of the Divine.

    John Muir

    It was a rather cool morning at 38 degrees which made my bicycle ride invigorating. But that also makes my Old Town mocha taste that much better. Emily was my barista and did a wonderful job. I’m now sitting at my desk watching a beautiful fall day unfold. We have a blue sky while the sun spreads its light and warmth in my condo. Its rays of light extend across my desk, wall and floor. With that invitation I press the shutter button. Later I will enjoy a bowl of chili soup then meet a friend this afternoon for a walk and talk. I choose to believe, as Muir does, that the Divine does smile in and through us. What a gift it is to smile and share it! I hope you have a wonderful Friday!

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  • bicycling,  fall season,  leaves

    A Wonderful Fall Day

    October 16, 2025

    A light mist began to fall just after I arrived at the coffee shop. A half hour later the clouds moved east and the sun lit up the blue sky, it’s warmth wrapping me like a blanket. My ride home was mystical as sunlight would break through the trees along Spring Creek Trail. Later I met my friend Duane for an early lunch. I took a second bicycle ride this afternoon over to the farm. Had to fight a good stiff wind. I am now on my porch journaling, reading, and no wind. It has been a wonderful fall day!

    I met with my youngest daughter and my two youngest grandchildren for a dinner last night. It was a time to be together as Madie is moving to England on the 27th and Devin is moving to Seattle on the 23rd. I realized how different our worlds are because their life energy was much higher than the life I live. I felt like I couldn’t keep up.

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  • Food,  quotes

    The Farm

    October 15, 2025

    Adopt the pace of nature, her secret is patience.

    Ralph Waldo Emerson

    A couple weeks ago I joined Curtis and his father, Luke, at his father’s organic vegetable farm called Shire CSA. They have setup Thursday evenings as volunteer hours to cleanup the gardens in preparation for winter and the coming planting season. I stopped by and watched as owners of shares stopped in and picked up their vegetables. Of course I had my camera so here are a few of the vegetables I picked up with my camera.

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  • Glacier National Park,  lake,  landscape,  quotes,  reflections,  sunsets

    It’s What I Want Too

    October 13, 2025
    Sunset Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park – 2004

    I want to be part of a system in which wealth means having enough to share, and where the gratification of meeting your family needs is not poisoned by destroying that possibility for someone else. I want to live in a society where the currency of exchange is gratitude and the infinitely renewable resource of kindness, which multiplies every time it is shared rather than depreciating with use….

    Robin Wall Kimmerer
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  • clouds,  horizons,  landscape,  nature,  Pineridge Natural Area,  prairie,  prayer

    … take as needed

    October 12, 2025

    Plant seeds of happiness, hope, success, and love;
    it will all come back to you in abundance.
    This is the law of nature.

    Steve Maraboli

    Feeling restless so I ventured out to Pineridge Natural Area again yesterday afternoon. When I turned off the engine I found myself surrounded by quiet. The water was low in Dixon reservoir. Seagulls silently floated over the water. The rabbitbrush swayed in the gentle breeze. Fall colors of golden leaves and brown grass stood in contrast to the now blue sky filled with clouds that silently drifted over the meadow. As soon as I began to write in my journal, the sun broke through the clouds spreading its warmth over my body, and I smiled. As words appeared on the pages they became the seeds of happiness, hope, success, and love. Gradually my restlessness shifted into a much needed peace and serenity. These times in nature on a beautiful October afternoon have a way of doing that. I took this image just before leaving. And if you’re interested, the directions for this medication is to: take as needed.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes,  sunrises

    My Idea of Happiness

    October 11, 2025

    A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people to whom it is easy to do good, and who are not accustomed to have it done to them; then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one’s neighbor — such is my idea of happiness.”

    Leo Tolstoy

    This was the morning’s quiet and peaceful sunrise at Pineridge Natural Area about 7 am. Since then clouds have moved in and we have had a slow steady drizzle since about 9 am. Afterwards I made my way to Mugs for coffee and a wonderful conversation with Dan. I will always accept these kinds of rainy days as they refresh everything, make a leftover bowl of chili soup taste even better and a day to journal and read. Such is my idea of happiness. I hope you enjoy your weekend!

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