My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, spirituality and asking deep questions.
“At the heart of all photography is an urge to express our deepest personal feelings – to reveal our inner, hidden selves, to unlock the artist. Those of us who become photographers are never satisfied with just looking at someone else’s expression of something that is dear to us. We must produce our own images, instead of buying postcards and photo books. We seek to make our own statements of individuality.” – Galen Rowell
“You don’t become enormously successful without encountering and overcoming a number of extremely challenging problems.” Mark Victor Hanson
I’ve had a few of challenging problems in my life and I assume you have also. Reflecting back I see where some of those challenges were not really challenges at all, some were created by me and some were both. I learned from some of those challenges while some I repeated (more than twice). While working as an engineer, I found it exciting to encounter challenges. Those challenges helped keep my interested in that career, at least for a few years.
As we age many will face the challenge of health problems. Knees will pop and crack, backs will hurt more, arthritis will be more persistent, naps will play a more important role, our metabolism slows down and more. And, I imagine, keeping up with technology will require calling the (great) grandkids. As you know I just made a trip to visit my parents and I see the challenges my parents are facing and notice them occurring in my own life.
Photography, also offers us challenges. Learning the capabilities of our gear, dealing with weather and lighting conditions. If making money with our passion is required then we may have challenges with learning how to work as a business, marketing, finances.
Anyway, while relaxing on my parents back patio I noticed the patterns and colors of their pergola and the blue sky. And, since I had my camera I took one shot. To me this is an example where images do come to us. This image was given to me rather my efforts to capture or take an image. We just have to be there.
“Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you’d have preferred to talk.”
Doug Larson
Quiet time found in an empty church as light beams flow in.
“Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning.”
Gloria Steinem
Red chairs waiting and ready for warmer weather.
“Faith is taking the first step even when we don’t see the whole staircase.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
Sometimes we must take the stairs to reach our goals. I’ve discovered hesitation can delay reaching our goals or even sidetrack us from reaching them. Anyway, as Willie Nelson’s song goes, “I’m in the air again.” Starting on a 4-day trip today with Audrey. So, stay close to your phone in case we need to call for bail money. 
I saw a sign yesterday posted out in front of a church, it read “If you’ve been praying for snow, please stop.” But, because of our need for moisture in Colorado, I say keep it going. We had about 5-6 inches of snow through the night, that works for me. Anymore than that I’ll be complaining. The temperatures are not bad at 16 degrees (F). Stay warm for those caught in frigid weather and enjoy this last Friday of January 2014!