• coffee life,  coffee shops

    Change of Seasons

    Leaves have begun changing colors and are making their end of life journey to blanket the ground with their colors. Canada Geese are loudly flying in formation as they return for the fall and winter months. Mornings are becoming cooler and the heavy dew will be turning to frost soon. The sun has begun to rise farther south on the horizon, and later, signifying the season of shorter days. Jackets will come out of the closets to help us face those brisk mornings. Homes will begin to fill with the aroma of steaming pots of chilli soup to enjoy on cold evenings. All signs that the change of seasons is upon us.

  • coffee life,  coffee shops

    Costumes

    I met a friend Friday morning for coffee and conversation. The couple I visited this past week are mutual friends so plenty to share. As you can tell my barista was showing off her talent on my mocha latte.

    Yesterday was the Tour de Fat in Fort Collins. It is a costumed bicycle parade followed by a party (beer) at New Belgium Brewing with music, entertainment, contests and games. What is cool about this bicycle parade is the children who dress up and ride with mom and dad. Needless to say I saw some very strange people riding bicycles. 😂

  • animals,  clouds,  coffee shops,  flowers,  horizons,  lake,  landscape,  Plants,  sunrises,  Travel,  writing/reading

    Update

    Fremont Lake as I arrived yesterday

    Arrived at Fremont Lake yesterday afternoon to clear skies and warm weather. I do not have wifi or cellular at my campsite, which is something I expected. Lets me know how much I use both.

    My drive was without trouble. I encountered a ton of road construction on I-80. Seems they were working on the interstate all the way from Laramie to Rock Springs, Wyoming. I would also say 70% of all traffic was semi trucks. Once I turned onto 191 the semi trucks disappeared and the traffic switched to RVs, Vans, and trailers. The interstate follows two separate railroad tracks so I saw almost continuous trains going both east and west.

    My campsite

    There are 39 campsites at the Fremont Lake Campground. All were taken except two which I didn’t expect. I chose #7 because it had shade trees while the other one was wide open but had a wonderful view of the lake. That turned out to be a good choice because of the protection by my sisters the trees and they helped isolate noise, letting me enjoy the quiet. My back was sore when I went to bed from all the driving but slept well until early morning. Camping is cheap for us seniors as it only cost me $15 for two nights.

    Yesterday afternoon at Fremont Lake

    I did some walking after setting up camp so I was able to get my steps in, and some. The area around the lake is a large boulder field and I’m talking big boulders. Wildlife is everywhere, deer, antelope, hawks and squirrels everywhere I turned. I did not remember how much boating there is on the lake. But, that was 19 years ago. I drove around yesterday evening to explore the area and took the above image while sitting on one of those large boulders. Such peace and quiet. I just may do it again this evening. The silence and quiet was a primary reason for this trip.

    The drama of storm clouds and the sun about to rise after the rain

    The wind began blowing hard about 4:39 am, followed by lightning and thunder. Then, a nice gentle rain began falling and rained for a good hour. I stayed dry. The trees protected me from the wind and some rain. So that was a good reason to choose this site. There is something magical for me to lay there warm, dry and listening to the rain. I did not sleep much after it began raining, so I’ve been up for a while. But, there’s always the afternoon power nap!

    There is something about the scent of wet sage and having an antelope checking me out.

    I drove into town with hopes to get my mocha latte fix, my internet fix and hopefully some early morning photos fix. Got all three! Now in a coffee shop call Pine Coffee Supply. It’s an old converted garage. They do their own roasting. I was here at 7:30 am when they opened and they have been busy every since I arrived. Could be because they are the only coffee shop in town. That’s the end of this update.

  • coffee life,  coffee shops,  poetic journal,  writing/reading

    A Good Book

    I don’t promote many books here but this is one that has impressed me; Braided Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Nor is this a book review. I must say I’m impressed with how she brings across her message of our need to connect with all of creation. We have lost that. She reminds us where our place is within creation, that we are part of creation and not superior to all of creation.

  • coffee life,  coffee shops,  fountain pens,  journal,  writing/reading

    Something New

    I ventured into a new coffee shop, well it’s one I’ve never been to before. From the outside it had the look of being expensive and it is. I paid almost a dollar more for the same coffee fix than at my other java shops. However, I must say the mocha latte was excellent. The decor and ambiance were wonderful and music did not blast me out. So I will return but probably not as a regular.

    What I wanted to share with you was the coffee mugs they used. They market them as a designer reusable coffee cup made for cafes, home users & on-the-go coffee drinkers. The website says they are made from a unique eco-composite polymer and features coffee bean husks, which is a thin layer that surrounds the coffee seed or bean. The primary polymer they use is a plastic called Polypropylene. I was impressed with how it looks, feels in my hand and it’s as light as feather. They are called HuskeeCup. Not going to buy one but…

  • coffee life,  coffee shops,  fountain pens,  journal,  lifestyles,  musings,  poetry,  still life,  writing/reading

    … with you

    It was an overcast morning and cool. There was no need for a coat, my fleece would do fine. I slept well and felt refreshed. On most mornings I usually start my day by asking and relying on my intuition. Do I want to head to a natural area and all that it has to offer or do I head to a coffee shop and all it has to offer. This is a gift of retirement. After quiet time my intuition lead me to a local coffee shop. I was not disappointed as my barista, Devan, brightened my day with her latte art. Of course a photo needed to be taken followed by my feeble attempts to write about it.

    crafted with frothed milk
    a work of art now created
    no longer just a latte

    the sense of taste awakens
    as the visual sense is transformed
    when lips touch the cups rim

    now sharing this experience
    as a written memory in the journal
    … and with you

    ms

  • Black and White,  coffee life,  coffee shops,  haiku,  journal,  writing/reading

    Simple Life but Full

    new poetry book
    words offered to the soul
    old chipped saucer

    ms

    Bright sunny morning here in Colorado. It’s 51 degrees but the 7 mph breeze makes it feel cold to me. Coffee time and writing at Bean Cycle. Reading a book from a new-to-me poet called named Ted Kooser and his book called Delights and Shadows. Meet up and catch up with friends later today. I live a simple life but full.