• Holiday Seasons,  Holidays,  Humor,  lifestyles,  Transportation,  truck

    Trucking Santa

    A trucking Santa on West Oak Street

    I went to Old Town this past week to see Don Thurn play and sing at the Walnut Creek Gallery. I picked up a friend who went with me and found this Christmas Lighted truck and Santa parked on her street. Had to have a photo.

    Rene on the ukulele and Don assisting with vocals

    A friend of Don’s showed up and played her ukulele while Don assisted with vocals. Snacks were aplenty for those into grazing and even had drinks for those old enough. It’s one of those stores that requires a four hour visit because there is so much to shop for.

  • Art,  Art/Design,  Black and White,  lifestyles,  quotes,  shadows,  Woodcarving

    Casting Shadows

    One of my dad’s wood carving and morning shadows

    “So don’t be frightened, dear friend, if a sadness confronts you larger than any you have ever known, casting its shadow over all you do. You must think that something is happening within you, and remember that life has not forgotten you; it holds you in its hand and will not let you fall. Why would you want to exclude from your life any uneasiness, any pain, any depression, since you don’t know what work they are accomplishing within you?” – Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet

  • coffee shops,  Documentary/Street,  Food,  lifestyles

    Was I insane?

    Nothing like a chocolate eclair to start the morning

    I felt the cold of the 18 degree December this morning as soon as I stepped out the door at 6:50 am. I questioned why I would leave my warm condo into this frigid temperature and walk to the bus stop, hoping the bus would be on time. Was I insane? No is my answer, because I knew that in a short while I would be walking into a favorite coffee shop and be greeted with a warm and inviting smile from one of the baristas. I knew I would be told “Good morning Monte. Do you want your usual?” Once I ordered and paid, I would then find a comfy place to journal, read or both and enjoy a warm mocha latte. However, on this particular morning, and because of the cold, I decided I wanted one these chocolate eclairs to go along with my mocha. No, I’m really not insane but living a simple life with things I enjoy. Yes, life is good. Stay warm wherever you are!

  • Food,  lifestyles

    Pizza Party

    Sylvia and her calzone

    My friend, Joan, invited me to a pizza party offered by her co-workers. Interesting idea because they have a brick wood fired oven on their back porch. They provided the pizza dough and cheese. All we needed was to provide the toppings. No anchovies!! So, we rolled these 7 inch size pizza, added your choice of sauce then laid on the toppings of your choice. The pizzas were ready in about 3-4 minutes. This is Sylvia who decided a calzone would be better. She claimed it was good although she did not share it with me. Have a great day!

  • clouds,  landscape,  lifestyles,  sunrises

    Saturday Sunrise

    Saturday morning Sunrise

    As I left for the bus stop the sky was putting on a show for me. It is a brisk 27 degrees right now. Have my mocha so life is good. Saw a young man riding one of those electric scooters this morning. All he had on was a pink t-shirt. He’s tougher than I am or I’m smarter! 

  • Art,  lifestyles,  Woodcarving

    Back Home

    Santa Wood Carving

    My sister and I  arrived back in Colorado last night. I was home and in bed by about 11:00 pm. It was a wonderful time with my family. Good and plenty of food, laughter, and memories were shared.

    This Santa has a unique story to him. We all worked on this Santa wood carving so we now have a tradition where he gets passed along with one of us for the year. Each Thanksgiving we pass him along to the next one for the coming year. So, Santa came home with me this year.