• architecture,  Candid Portraits,  Cityscapes/Urban,  coffee shops,  Documentary/Street,  lifestyles,  People/Portraits

    The Dark Heart Coffee Bar

    I met up with my sister on Sunday morning and tried out a coffee shop we had not visited before, call the Dark Heart Coffee Bar. There was a distinct difference in coffee flavor and probably because they use a coffee roaster out of Portland, Oregon neither one of us had heard of before, Coava Coffee Roasters. We both thought is was on the pricey side but we are also tight with our money, so we are not likely to make them a daily coffee shop but a special occasion place. It’s ambiance was light and airy, with lots of window light. The decor was nicely done, had plenty of room and did not feel crowded due to its open feeling. All the seating was located along the walls which was one continuous bench with separate tables and chairs, except the small high top table this young lady was sitting at. A big plus for me was the quiet, even though they were busy. They also had a nice porch area that would be enjoyable during the warmer weather. I will go back!

  • Cityscapes/Urban,  Humor,  lifestyles

    Valve Job

    No, this is not my valve
    No, this is not my valve

    Today they will pop the hood and do the valve job. At pre-op last week I learned that this morning I will have a tube down my nose, a tube down my throat, and a catheter inserted. Sounds like fun, huh!

    Today I am grateful for life, what I’ve accomplished and all I still dream of accomplishing, my family and friends, and each new lease on life. Hopefully this surgery with offer me another lease. If so, then I believe my task will be to use the coming years to the fullest, whatever that may be.

    The new aortic valve will look different than the one pictured above and definitely be much smaller. The valves are usually made of pig or cow, somehow. The doctors have chosen to use one made from a cow which has an expected lifetime of 15-20 years, about 5 more than a pig.

     I have really not had much worry but every once in awhile a feeling of fear arises then subsides. The surgery does not bother me as much as the recovery. Probably not going to be posting much for a while but will get back on line as soon as I’m able. Thanks for being a part of my life! 

  • Cityscapes/Urban,  Documentary/Street

    Voted

    Early Morning at the Bus Stop
    Early Morning at the Bus Stop

    The first bus arrives at 7:02 am when it is quiet, dark, cold and empty.  The second bus arrives 30 minutes later and will be crowded. This will look different next week when we change our clocks back. Still not sure I like this time change.

    It took some study time to understand the issues on our ballets but I’m done and turned my ballet in. Voted!

  • Art,  Cityscapes/Urban,  clouds,  Creativity,  Fujifilm X-T10,  Fujifilm XF35mm f2.0,  grass,  Plants

    Looking and Thinking

    Grasses against the sky
    Grasses against the sky

    This is an image of tall grasses, 3-5 feet tall, which are planted in a raised flowerbed. So probably a total of 7-8 feet tall. I have found myself just staring at this image for awhile because of the patterns they make silhouetted against the blue sky, puffy clouds and the starburst. It’s impact has come after pressing the shutter.What caused me to see this and then compose, frame and press the shutter? This is so simple but I just keep looking and thinking about it. It’s impact on me has come after pressing the shutter. It’s gotta be Cedric’s writings. 

  • Cityscapes/Urban,  landscape,  snow,  trees,  winter scenes

    First Snowfall of 2018

    First snow of 2018 - Rowland Moore Park
    First snow of 2018 – Rowland Moore Park

    A wintery good morning from Colorado. Yesterday Colorado State University had their homecoming football game with clear blue skies, bright sunshine and 61 degrees at kickoff. Clouds began to move in from the northwest and the temperature started dropping by the beginning of the fourth quarter. I noticed a few fans walking home from the game in shorts and t-shirts, paying the price of not layering.

    This morning at 6:30 we were at 23 degrees with 3-5 inches of snow, much needed moisture. Under the snow was a layer of ice from the rain we received before turning to snow. This is Colorado and one of the things I enjoy about living here. After my quiet prayer and meditation I made a visit to Rowland Moore Park for a few wintery scenes. This is one of them. Have a super Sunday!

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

    Hippies Use Backdoor

    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. 🙂

  • Candid Portraits,  Cityscapes/Urban,  lifestyles,  People/Portraits

    Study time?

    I found a quiet spot  on Monday morning at the patio of the Behavioral Sciences Building. Turned out to be a good place to write and read. I noticed these young ladies basking in the cloud filtered sun as I was leaving. One was on a laptop the other two were on their phones. If we use those numbers then only 33% of the students were studying. 🙂

    Wanted to post one more image. Today my oldest grandson, Daryian, turned 25. So here’s a photo when Daryian was around 1 and his grandpa. Happy birthday, Daryian! 

  • Cityscapes/Urban,  flowers,  sunrises

    My Personal Gardener

    Sunrise and the Daisies
    Sunrise and the Daisies

    We have our first frost warning of the 2018 fall season tonight. Goodbye summer. These daisies are located on the median strip at the north entrance of campus. I walk by this spot each morning I walk to Mugs coffee shop. I like how the school landscapers change these flowers throughout the summer season at this spot It is never the same. I posted an image of tulips earlier in the summer that were in this same spot. Feels like I have a personal gardener.Â