• Candid Portraits,  coffee life

    Two kool people

    Adrianna and Curtis, two of my favorite people

    I don’t seem to get out on cold mornings like I have in the past. I attribute that to my wisdom in aging, some to my laziness, and some to the ease of venturing to a warm coffee shop, instead of standing beside a cold tripod in the wind. However, since getting back on a bicycle I am out in the cold on a regular basis as I pedal to my coffee life. Yes, a bit of a contradiction. It was 23° this morning when I left.

    Anyway, I took this image a couple weeks ago of Curtis and Adrianna. Curtis is one of the regular customers who used to work at Mugs and just graduated from CSU last week. Adrianna works at Mugs, a student at CSU and wears an assortment of hats: boss, manager, barista, student, and cat owner. They both are just all around kool people. This is an impromptu candid shot and I liked how it turned out.

  • coffee life,  People/Portraits,  Travel

    Christmas break

    Heading home

    Finals were this past week and graduations were going on most of the week and weekend. So this weekend was time for students to pack and head home for the Christmas break. There were large buses at the transit center both Saturday and Sunday taking students to the airport. So we saw a lot of scenes like this one at the coffee shop.

  • Candid Portraits,  coffee life,  People/Portraits

    Good luck, my friend!!

    This is Curtis, one of the irregulars at Mugs and actually worked for Mugs at one time. He’s an awesome young man with a beautiful soul which is why I like to hang with him. He graduates this month with a degree in Construction Management. He’s already had a couple of interviews for jobs that hopefully will pay him millions of dollars. I personally hope he finds a good job locally so I can still meet with him once in awhile and also so he can be close to his family. Good luck, my friend!!

  • Black and White,  Candid Portraits,  coffee life,  quotes,  writing/reading

    I promise you…

    Teachers and other adults too will tell you a lot of things you may argue with eventually – you may well have your own different ideas, and perhaps better ones. But about the importance of learning to write and read, easily and fluently, you will never argue. Such wonderful people will speak to you – to YOU – from the pages. Such adventures you will have through their telling, that you would never otherwise have! And all because the words on the page are not a puzzle but a door to many worlds. To write is delight, to read is to plant the seed of endless excitement. I promise you.

    Mary Oliver
  • Candid Portraits,  Family,  Travel

    I’m back

    My dad, who will be 96 in January

    I arrived home Sunday afternoon about 2:30 pm. We had mechanical problems on the flight out to Phoenix on Wednesday and needed to return to the gate. That delayed us by an hour and a half. The trip back was smooth except for turbulence coming into Denver.

    I enjoyed my visit with my dad, my sister and brother-in-law. I ate more sweets than I have in a while and have no one to blame but me. I felt my pants had shrunk by the time I got back on the plane. But my wise father suggested it was due to altitude changes, having nothing to due with eating two pieces of my sisters Lemon Meringue pie, or a piece of chocolate cream pie, or two sugar cookies each with a quarter inch of frosting, not to mention the turkey, ham, beef brisket or any of the other trimmings …..

    Today is a rest day. I like this photo of my dad as he has that mischievous look.

  • Candid Portraits,  Family,  Portraits

    Thursday’s Lunch

    Christine

    Yesterday morning began with overcast skies, a heavy fog and a light mist. I was able to take a few images of some of the weather conditions but my favorite image of the day was yet to come. My oldest daughter and I had scheduled to meet for lunch a couple weeks ago. By the time we met for lunch the clouds had begun to break up and sunlight would peak in and out. We were able to have a table near a window and talk about our enjoyment of the fall season. After lunch we enjoyed a latte, rather than a dessert, and continued our conversation. I could not help but notice the diffused light from the window as it accentuated how beautiful a woman she is. So, I asked if I could take her photo and now proudly share it with you.

  • musings,  People/Portraits,  street photography

    Thanks for listening…

    So this morning I needed to take my car in because it was making a noise. I dropped it off then took the bus home. It takes two bus rides and a walk halfway across campus to get home and about 45 minutes. I discovered and appreciate just how easy bicycling really is.

    Took this image on the second bus ride as we left campus.

    I feel sadness today. Found out my medical insurance did not pay as much as expected so now I owe more. The car is going to cost more than expected. This country, and the world, seems to be bent on hatred and violence, unrest and division, all of which causes finger pointing, blaming, and always perpetuating resentments. Coming to mutual solutions doesn’t seem to be on the horizon. And believing our diversity is our strength rather than a problem doesn’t seem to be part of anyone’s vision.

    But on a positive note we have beautiful blue skies and sunshine to bask in. So, once I arrived home, I let nature speak to my soul, as only she can. I sat in the warm sun, which feels almost like being hugged, and ate a refreshing orange. I watched leaves dancing with the wind and excitedly take to the air. I watched a group of Sparrows snatching insects out of the air. I listened to Blue Jays making a racket in the trees. They could be arguing but I doubt they will kill each other. And, I sit with inner silence, my journal, pen and let my breath be my prayer. Thanks for listening if you read this far.