• coffee life,  coffee shops,  digital art,  fountain pens,  JetPack,  journal,  journaling,  lifestyles,  Photography,  quotes

    My Daily Companions

    July 26, 2026

    These handwritten words in the pages of my journal confirm that from an early age I have experienced each encounter in my life twice: once in the world, and once again on the page.

    Terry Tempest Williams
    Edited with Lightroom then enhanced with Jetpack Image Editor

    I slept well and had a lovely quiet time before making myself a smoothie. I then did some reading and journaling to move me into the day. It is expected to be another 100 degree day here in Colorado. We reached 102 degrees yesterday and maybe the same today. No rain forecast until Tuesday. I enjoyed my early morning bicycle ride to the coffee shop and the social life I experience there. As the journey of this life moves along I have come to enjoy the world my journaling offers. Even though I’ve mentioned it before I feel the pages of my journals are a sanctuary, another world I daily enter into. Some days my journaling takes me to new worlds of confusion and sometimes it grounds me so I can see more clearly the reality of this world. My journals and pens are my daily companions. And, while this world was bringing words to these pages this morning I grabbed a photo to share with you then wanted to take you to a place of fantasy with this image. 

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  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  Art,  horizons,  landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  sunrises

    It’s All Stories

    July 25, 2026
    Still waters at sunrise at Arapaho Bend Natural Area – May of 2023

    There’s always a story. It’s all stories, really.
    The sun coming up every day is a story. Everything’s got a story in it.
    Change the story, change the world.

    Terry Pratchett

    As photographers and creatives, I imagine we all hope that our images tell a story. On many of my blog posts, I also add content to express my experience of that moment, that morning, that evening, that day. In other words, I am telling a story. Was I cold? In a place of gratitude, or wonder? What birds were singing to me? What was I thinking or feeling? And hopefully the photograph, the content, or both have the potential to be a story capable of changing the world in some small way, including myself.

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  • Anime,  Art,  bicycle rides,  bicycling,  Creativity,  landscape,  Plants,  Spring Creek Trail,  trees

    My Morning Ride

    July 10, 2026

    I am thoroughly enjoying my morning rides to the coffee shop along Spring Creek Trail. This morning I stopped and took this image while standing on a small bridge over the creek then put it though the Jetpack image editor to come up with this AI generated image. I used anime style with enhancement. I did ask it to add the sunbeams and show more of the creek. I feel it gave a decent representation of the original scene. Anyway, it was fun to play with. It is another hot day for most of the country so I hope you enjoy or have enjoyed your day!

    Before
    After
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  • Art,  coffee shops,  People/Portraits,  quotes,  street photography

    Time in Old Town

    May 8, 2026

    Creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention on the part of the actor. It’s a gift to the world and every being in it. Don’t cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you’ve got.

    Steven Pressfield

    I took my camera for a walk today in Old Town. After a bit of wandering the streets for a while I impulsively decided to stop at Starry Night and splurged on one of their sandwiches for lunch. I sat in one of the old chairs near the front window. That way I had a view of people in the coffee shop and people walking by in the street. I had forgotten how old those chairs were as I felt myself bottom out when I sat down. A moment of panic came over me as I wondered whether I could get up out of the thing. Plus I was about to indulge in a turkey and havarti sandwich.

    I was surprised it was not busy since it was close to lunch time. When I entered there was a table of about six people who were laughing and enjoying their time together and two other people at different tables. None of them were on their electronic devices. But it wasn’t long before people began to come in bringing their electronic devices and wearing headsets or earbuds. The one exception was a woman who brought a notebook, colored pencils, crayons, and sat at a table next to me. She was there to create her art and enjoy her drink of choice.

    I was glad I went in because I was able to have some good journaling time and in a different place than I normally write. I did make it out of the chair and as I was leaving I asked the artist if I could take a photo of her hands at work. After a short conversation I took a couple photos, thanked her, and then left. She did tell me she was enjoying her art now that she has more time in life. I hope you had a wonderful Friday and enjoy this upcoming weekend!

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  • coffee life,  latte art,  musings

    Cost of a latte…

    April 11, 2026

    There is a coffee shop that I have not been to in awhile because they are pricey and on the other side of town. They advertise themselves as serving quality coffee and roast their own beans. I must admit I have enjoyed their espresso roast in their Americano. But one day last week I ordered a 12 oz. mocha and was flabbergasted by the price. It was a good mocha and the latte art was good but sure not worth $7.99. It’s a bit frightening to think that someday I could be priced out of my coffee addiction. Then what? Cuz I sure ain’t going back to work! Well… I hope you enjoy your weekend!

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