• shadows,  sunrises,  window

    Color and Vibrancy

    June 10, 2019

    The new vision, since the cataract surgery, is amazing. I now see 20/20 out of both eyes. I do need reading glasses but those are cheap and found almost everywhere. The color difference, the brightness and clarity of the simple everyday things have just been life changing. I became aware a couple years ago of how my condo seemed to not be as bright and airy to as in the past. Now I understand it’s because my sight was deteriorating due to the on coming cataracts. The light of morning sunshine has more color and vibrancy. Enjoy the coming week!

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  • architecture,  Black and White,  coffee shops,  Documentary/Street,  window

    Routes Served

    March 28, 2019

    “Other voices easily drown out our own before we can really hear it. And this applies whether you hear positive or negative reactions; both are dangerous to us. Positive feedback too soon will stop us moving forward or going deeper. It’ll stop us at the low-hanging fruit and the first, most obvious iterations, and our work won’t have a chance at getting honed.  And negative reactions or feedback can stop us just as quickly when that feedback often only means “this work isn’t for me” and has nothing to do with how authentic or good it might actually be.” David DuChemin

    Took the early bus this morning to campus and now at the Lory Student Center. I came early to have some time to write and a bit of quiet before the students begin dragging themselves in to classes. I will meet a good friend for coffee who teaches philosophy at 9:00. It seems to be a beautiful day, almost reaching 70 degrees before we have rain later this evening.

    I relate to David’s quote as I have for most of my life been one who wants the approval of others. Hopefully, I’ve moved beyond the need for approval of others to validate who I am, at anything. At one time acquiring the comments and likes determined the quality of my images. I’m aware there are times when I post an image too early, before it’s time, looking for approval of a poor image, or I just want to post an image. What I get from his quote is the need to listen more to the voice within in all areas of life. I’m a work in process, taking my own routes, as are my images.

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  • architecture,  lifestyles,  shadows,  window

    Windows on Campus

    November 20, 2018
    Windows at Lory Student Center
    Windows at Lory Student Center

    The heart catheterization procedure went well. The measurements of my right heart chamber was through my neck and the left chamber through my right wrist. Both places are sore and I have restricted movement of the arm, no more than 5 lbs for the next 5 days.  There is no blockage, the heart is pumping as it should so I’m okay for the valve replacement surgery. I leave tomorrow for Thanksgiving in Phoenix with my family. Hope everyone enjoys the holiday and food.

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  • architecture,  Black and White,  shadows,  window

    A Valve Job

    October 3, 2018
    Shadows in Old Town
    Shadows in Old Town

    “There is in all visible things… a hidden wholeness.”

    In 2013 we discovered I have a leaky aortic valve in my heart, known as Aortic Regurgitation. An EKG and treadmill test were done at that time and a status of moderate leakage was the diagnosis. I was told this is not uncommon but we need to watch it closely. This past May during my physical my family physician and I agreed it was time to have a cardiologist run some tests and get their evaluation. After several tests it has been determined the leakage has continued to deteriorate and the left chamber of my heart has begun to enlarge. I now have a better understanding for my lack of energy and motivation over the past 4-5 years. So, the cardiologists, surgeons and my family doctor consider me to be a good candidate for Aortic Valve Replacement surgery.

    Needless to say this was not in any plans I had. I have consulted family and friends. I have also talked with others who had the surgery. So, on December 5th, 10 weeks from today, I will undergo surgery to have the valve replaced. I will be in ICU for 1 to 2 days and in the hospital for 5 days, unless I’m a problem patient and get booted out. Technology has advanced to the point where the success for these surgeries is much more promising both during surgery and the quality of life after surgery. I’m banking on that!

    Not sure what my recovery will be like. Have been told to expect at least 2 months before I begin to get my energy level back up. I will be under some restrictions for a while, including no dancing girls in the hospital. Bummer! Have a few things I’m in the process of doing such as end of live directives and making sure my will is done. Looks like I will have plenty of support and help from family and friends during my recovery. I’m not sure what my blogging time will be like and how much photography I’ll be doing. I consider you family and an important part of my life so I will try to keep you informed!

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  • architecture,  Cityscapes/Urban,  Documentary/Street,  doors,  Humor,  window

    Hippies Use Backdoor

    September 29, 2018
    Hippies
    Hippies

    I walk by this home on a regular basis, see the sign, smile and but have always hesitated to take a photo. This morning was different. In fact I took two images. The home is across the street from campus and from the looks and location I assume it’s residents are college students. There was a time when I would have followed the sign. 🙂

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  • architecture,  window

    Bedroom Window

    August 22, 2018
    Bedroom Light
    Bedroom Light

    This is a second morning of overcast skies and cooler temperatures. Now at the Bean Cycle for a latte and to use their internet. Talk is about the weather as people get excited about the approaching fall weather. The other night I had to get up to stretch my legs and walk around. When I saw this bedroom window light I had to go back in and grab my camera. There this something about the feel I liked. Have a super Awesome day!

    “The animal merely makes a bed, which he warms with his body in a sheltered place; but man, having discovered fire, boxes up some air in a spacious apartment, and warms that, instead of robbing himself, makes that his bed, in which he can move about divested of more cumbrous clothing, maintain a kind of summer in the midst of winter, and by means of windows even admit the light and with a lamp lengthen out the day.”

    Henry David Thoreau
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  • Anthony de Mello,  Black and White,  quotes,  shadows,  window

    Waking Up

    June 22, 2018
    Morning Shadows and my Desk Lamp
    Morning Shadows and my Desk Lamp

    “Spirituality means waking up.”

    Anthony de Mello

    Good morning! Hoping you’re awake. And, if not, then I’ll let you know this is my desk lamp with shadows coming in from my bedroom window. Another one of those surprise scenes that was given just as I was about to leave the house. Had to be awake though.

    Seems I have lived most of my life with a thinking cap that believed the best time to start a project and put the work in to move towards finishing the project, was tomorrow. At this stage of life I approach each day with new attitudes and a trust in myself that was missing in the past. I attribute this change to some healthy maturity, some inner work, authors who have helped me, photography, journaling, unclouded thinking, accepting failures as a part of life, finding a spiritual path, putting in the work and chocolate. Having a network of fellow photographers has been essential also. Those of you who follow along on this blog, sharing your insights with me can pat yourselves on the back. I now have on a new thinking cap. Hope you have a great Friday and weekend! 

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  • architecture,  Black and White,  doors,  shadows,  window

    Unit 52

    June 15, 2018
    Somewhere in the Shadows
    Somewhere in the Shadows

    We have been warm in Colorado this past week but that looks to be changing the next few days. We are going to see temperatures about 10 degrees cooler and rain/thunderstorms. It is dry here so many are looking forward to any moisture. The predicted rain on Sunday may put a damper on any BBQ plans for Fathers Day. 

    Each morning as I leave for one of my coffee shops I’m given this scene of morning shadows. I usually just take a mental image, smile, and go my merry way but I’m sure I take at least one image a week of my neighbors door. 

    For the past 25 years I have done a lot of reading. There are times I have three books going at one time, which for my simple mind is probably not the wisest of decisions. I’m finding I struggle with my focus when reading, requiring the paragraph to be reread, sometimes more than once. The thought crosses my mind that I need to put all my books down for awhile. I don’t consider myself an author but then again, these journals are my books, my stories.

    “There comes a point in your life when you need to stop reading other people’s books and write your own.”

    Albert Einstein
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  • architecture,  Documentary/Street,  window

    Jessup Farm

    May 4, 2018
    Window at Jessup Farms
    Window at Jessup Farms

    Happy Friday! Clear skies this morning after three days of cloudy skies and rain that brought over 2 inches of much needed moisture. The mountains received snow with as much as 2 feet in Rocky Mountain National Park. That will put a smile on the farmers faces in eastern Colorado as well as golfers in Phoenix. 

    Jessup Farm was a turn of the century farm owned by Joseph and Mary Jessup. In 2011 it was developed into an innovative, adaptive reuse plan to preserve, restore, and rehabilitate the historic integrity of the farmstead. It’s been developed into the Buckingham housing and the Artisan shops. One of these shops is Bindle Coffee. 🙂 There is a barber shop, dress shop, couple of restaurants, portrait studio, brew house, fitness place. Needles to say there is no more farming. However, they do have a chicken coop with chickens that roam around outside. 

     

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