Sometimes I order a mocha latte just so I can see the art they are capable of making.
And they seem to do it effortlessly. This is Meg’s latte art.
Latte Art
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Sacred Instruments
I consider my journals and fountain pens as tools that enrich my life. They provide an ongoing spiritual impact on me, seeing them as sacred instruments. I’m aware that when I pick them up to journal in a public place such as a coffee shop, bookstore or library they present an image or statement about the life I live. But the true reason I journal is bringing to life a few words expressing my thoughts, ideas, dreams, and feelings. And, I have to smile when I see people with journals and pens in hand writing words on their blank pages. I secretly wonder what they are writing. What thoughts or images are being envisioned in their minds. Are they writing a short story, novel, poetry, letter, or maybe writing about me watching them.
A reflective moment This Gemini generated image made several weeks ago begs many questions for me. Are the words she is finding on her pages voicing the grieving of the loss of a parent or a spouse, or feeling the experience of a new man in her life, or the excitement of her first great-grandbaby that’s due in a month, or reflecting on her life’s journey of 76 years, or maybe a time to pause and listen to the rain while watching the world pass by? Maybe it’s all of it! But it really makes no difference what story my imagination can create because it encourages me to continue my journaling. Something I like in this photo after spending some time looking at it is how gently she holds the journal and the pen. Maybe they are sacred instruments to her, also.
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Pedro’s Coffee
We had a very good rain yesterday afternoon, and a much needed rain. So this morning, we have high humidity and the possibility of more rain and thunderstorms this afternoon. This morning we changed things up and Jeff and I met up at a coffee shop called Pedro’s Coffee. They had these chocolate glazed donuts with little sprinkles on them in the display case that was too tempting for me not to pass up. And I will say the Americano was good but the donut was gooder. And as always so was the conversation. If you’re hot stay cool. If you’re getting wet dry off. If life is perfect, smile!
- coffee life, coffee shops, digital art, fountain pens, JetPack, journal, journaling, lifestyles, Photography, quotes
My Daily Companions
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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Bacon Toast
Bacon Toast 
Spring Creek this morning I treated myself to something new this morning at Mugs, called Bacon Toast. It is bacon, avocado, sprouts, feta cheese and drizzled with balsamic glaze over sourdough toast. It was well worth my money. My day has been quiet. After my ride to the coffee shop and time with the community I celebrate there, I made sure I ate a couple hot dogs with chips and a piece of peach pie. It wouldn’t be the 4th without the hot dogs! Not the healthiest eating day for me but… I hope you enjoyed your celebration of our 250th anniversary.
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The Last Leg
Shadows across CSU Oval This is the last leg of my bicycle ride to one of my favorite coffee shops. And for many of us at the end of this path awaits one of our baristas, always greeting us with a smile, a drink of our choice, and one or two of the irregular/regulars to commiserate with. And it almost never fails that we find one of the squirrels-of-the-oval, at almost every other tree, encouraging us along on this last leg of the mornings journey. And Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers!!!
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Keeping a journal…
Keeping a journal has taught me that there is not so much new in your life as you sometimes think. When you re-read your journal you find out that your latest discovery is something you already found out five years ago. Still, it is true that one penetrates deeper and deeper into the same ideas and the same experiences.
Thomas MertonWhen I journal I write about my thoughts, questions, dreams, fears, and journal about what I see around me in this world. But I also journal because I believe there are words to discover within these fountain pens when I penetrate deep enough. So I am learning to not spend time trying to analyze or criticize what I write. I just write them down in my journal because they may be seeds for other ideas to write about and I desire those seeds. Journaling is a gift to and for me. And, yes, I do reread them to see what I have relearned. May you enjoy your weekend!
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But I’m learning
My adopted baristas: scheduling, ordering supplies, creating a newsletter, marketing, and smiling. And I learned something from Mr. Theo.
Allen Levi, Theo of Golden
God gave us faces so we can see each other better.
I used to not look at people’s faces so much.
But I’m learning.It’s a hot day here in Colorado, showing 92 degrees right now. Blue skies and sunshine dominate. A nice breeze blows through and cools it down while singing a song and dancing with the trees. Robins are singing, blue jays making their raucous calls, and the bumbling of the fountain in the pond. I hope you had the chance to look into someone’s face today and offer them a smile.
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Embrace the Joy
Instead of bracing yourself for the perils of the unknown,
Michelle D. Rosado
embrace the joy that is here, in your present moment.Enjoying a mocha latte and journaling is one of my ways to stay in the moment. And, at the moment, it is 90 degrees here.
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A Miracle
“I believe that reading and writing are the most nourishing forms of meditation anyone has so far found. By reading the writings of the most interesting minds in history, we meditate with our own minds and theirs as well. This to me is a miracle.”
Kurt Vonnegut
