• Family,  flowers,  gratitude,  love

    Thank you!

    December 18, 2025
    Flowers from Christine and Cody on my dad’s casket

    I dropped off both Monica and Sheree and was home by 8 pm last night. It was a good trip with lots of car time that offer good conversation time. We left early Tuesday morning and had a wonderful family gathering on Tuesday evening with lots of sharing of memories with cousins. We had dad’s Celebration of Life on Wednesday morning at the gravesite where we had warm sunshine, more sharing and our shared tears mixed with laughter. I would like to thank everyone for all your thoughts and prayers you may have offered up for my family.

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  • Family,  quotes

    Touching Hearts

    December 14, 2025

    “The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise.”

    Maya Angelou

    It has been a lovely Sunday, sunshine to warm the soul and journal outside in the sun. The sun has set as I write this and the darkness descends upon us. But I wanted to update you on a short trip we will make. My dad’s graveside service will be on Wednesday morning the 17th at 9am in Follett, Texas. Sheree (my sister), Monica (my youngest daughter), and I are going to drive down leaving early on the 16th and stay one night in Perryton at the Quality Inn. We will visit with cousins and eat that evening at Clay and Jill’s house. At 9am the next morning we will gather around his grave site for a Celebration of Life and share individually something about how dad touched hearts, ours and many others. We will head back right after the service on the 17th. So, it will be a short trip down and back. I hope you had a wonderful Sunday!!

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  • architecture

    A Little Excitement

    December 12, 2025

    They had a nice bright fire last night at the apartment across the pond. This is what it looked like this morning. I was reading in my chair when I looked up and saw flames rising above the roof. There were people standing around taking photos and one of them even called the fire department. I couold hear the sirens before I could call. Hopefully no one got hurt. I hope you’re having a wonderful Friday!

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  • coffee life,  People/Portraits

    The Barista’s Smiles

    December 11, 2025
    Adriana and Meg

    It was surprisingly warm this morning at 57 degrees, reaching a high of 69 degrees. Even though the wind was gusting a bit I rode the bicycle to the coffee shop, taking the Spring Creek Trail just for the ride. Two of the baristas were taking photos of latte art to put on their Facebook or Instagram sites for the coffee shop. So I took a photo of them.

    My dad’s graveside celebration of life will be on Wednesday morning the 17th at 9 am in Follett, Texas. Sheree (my sister), Monica (my youngest daughter), and I are going to drive down leaving early on the 16th and drive back right after the service on the 17th. We will stay one night, the 16th, in Perryton at the Quality Inn. It will be a very quick trip down and back. We will gather around his casket and share individually something about dad. I hope you had a good day!!

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  • a gift of life,  Family,  Portraits

    I found it healing…

    December 9, 2025
    Mom and Dad sometime around 1948
    All smiles on his 80th birthday

    I watched a spectacular sunset show last night from about 4:45-5:05 pm through my bedroom window. The show was an unusually long and wonderful experience. For some reason I felt no need to grab my camera but just wanted to experience the beauty of its gift. About fifteen minutes later, while I was journaling about the sunset, I received a message from my sister that dad had died peacefully about 5 pm. I cried, have continued to cry and expect to cry more! It’s all part of the grieving process. An hour or so later I awakened to the realization that the sunset we were experiencing was happening about the same time as dad was saying goodbye to Colorado or Colorado was saying goodbye to dad. And then this morning’s sunrise was just as spectacular, which I received as a message that they are both still present in our lives. Today I have been going through old photos to put in a small book to give to all the grandkids, which we did when mom died. So, I have been deep in memories today as I go through photos. I found it healing for me.

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  • coffee life,  People/Portraits

    He was disappointed

    December 8, 2025

    The young man came in and setup this chess board and then proceeded to eat his muffin. While everyone else around was probably wondering what he was doing, I saw it as a photo opportunity. I grabbed my camera and walked over to ask if I could take a photo. He said yes but actully had hoped I was coming over to play a game with him. He was disappointed when I told him no. The truth is, I don’t even know how to play chess. It has been a beautiful sunny day today and right now we are getting one beautiful sunset. I hope you had a good day!

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  • coffee life,  quotes

    An Update

    December 7, 2025
    A steaming cup of coffee this morning

    “In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.”

    Bill Gates

    Update: My dad had a restless night as breathing becomes more difficult even with oxygen and he is sleeping a lot. Both common aspects of the end stages of congestive heart failure. My sister says he is still sharp and witty and sharing those funny moments with her. What a gift to share! He has plenty of visitors as he is loved by many at his assisted living facility.

    In reference to the above quote I’m not sure it pertains to retirees. For some retirees the coffee life is our real job. I hope you have a wonderful Sunday!

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  • fountain pens,  journal,  Woodcarving

    Spending the year at my place…

    December 5, 2025

    This wood carved Santa has a story. My dad started carving this santa a few years ago but became discouraged with it and set it to the side. One year when Sheree and I were down in Gold Canyon he brought it out and we all started working on him, carving and painting, including mom. Once we were satisfied with how he turned out we decided to start a tradition where he gets passed along with one of us for the year. So each Thanksgiving one of us takes him for the coming year. So, Santa is spending the coming year at my place until next Thanksgiving. 

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  • landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  snow

    First Measurable Snowfall

    December 4, 2025

    We received our first measurable snowfall beginning early Wednesday morning and continuing into the early evening. I had from 4-6 inches of wet snow on my car yesterday morning. After coffee and conversation I drove out to Pineridge Natural Area for the above image. It was deep enough I got snow in my boots. This morning we had clear skies, a beautiful full moon and 10 degrees. Roads are ice and dangerous.

    My dad’s health deteriorates. The heart and kidneys are failing and he is retaining a lot of fluids. So, he asked to stop taking all medications except the Eliquis and be put into Hospice. They brought in a Hospice doctor to evaluate him for their services and then called in Hospice. I am amazed that he is cognisant enough to think this all through and then make the decision himself. He wants to stay on the Eliquis because it can help prevent strokes. Something I would not have thought of. I will not go down there unless something happens since I just visited two weeks ago. I did talk to him on the phone yesterday. He sounded weak and tired and seemed ready to have Hospice available for him. After watching Hospice help mom he knows what they can do. I will keep you informed as you are part of my family.

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