My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and the mystery of it all.
Silence is one of the best ways to immediately reduce stress, while increasing your self-awareness and gaining the clarity that will allow you to maintain your focus on your goals, priorities, and what’s important for your life, each and every day.
Hal Elrod
Here’s a candid portrait of one of the regulars that shows up irregularly. Wait, maybe that’s one the irregulars who shows up regularly. Wait, maybe it’s both! Anyway, he works at campus and was on his way to a meeting so he stopped to grab some caffeine and said “Hi.” What a gift to see him again. He’s a good man! And, now that you know who he is, say “Hi Shawn” the next time you see him.
“Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.”
Marcus Aurelius
Happy birthday Adriana! Enjoy your trip to Boston and your time with Emma!
I have had a productive day. It started with my prayer and meditation time then a trip to Mugs for coffee and conversation. It included getting my taxes done and sent in. Federal taxes have already been accepted, but I haven’t heard back from the state yet. I took some used and new camping gear that I will not use anymore to a used outdoor shop in town called Gearage. The money they would normally give me will go to a charity of their choice. I also made a phone call that I was dreading because many of my experiences with phone systems seldom allow me to talk to a real person. But this time I stayed with it. I had to hold for several minutes but a helpful woman had things solved in a matter of a couple minutes. I also went through a pile of papers that needed to be filed or thrown away, which took much more time than anticipated. Yes, I’m known as a Procrastinator with a capital “P” unless I’m heading out for a coffee or ice cream. And now I’m letting you know I had a good day by posting this blog and photo. I hope you have had a good and productive day.
It was surprisingly warm this morning at 57 degrees, reaching a high of 69 degrees. Even though the wind was gusting a bit I rode the bicycle to the coffee shop, taking the Spring Creek Trail just for the ride. Two of the baristas were taking photos of latte art to put on their Facebook or Instagram sites for the coffee shop. So I took a photo of them.
My dad’s graveside celebration of life will be on Wednesday morning the 17th at 9 am in Follett, Texas. Sheree (my sister), Monica (my youngest daughter), and I are going to drive down leaving early on the 16th and drive back right after the service on the 17th. We will stay one night, the 16th, in Perryton at the Quality Inn. It will be a very quick trip down and back. We will gather around his casket and share individually something about dad. I hope you had a good day!!
I watched a spectacular sunset show last night from about 4:45-5:05 pm through my bedroom window. The show was an unusually long and wonderful experience. For some reason I felt no need to grab my camera but just wanted to experience the beauty of its gift. About fifteen minutes later, while I was journaling about the sunset, I received a message from my sister that dad had died peacefully about 5 pm. I cried, have continued to cry and expect to cry more! It’s all part of the grieving process. An hour or so later I awakened to the realization that the sunset we were experiencing was happening about the same time as dad was saying goodbye to Colorado or Colorado was saying goodbye to dad. And then this morning’s sunrise was just as spectacular, which I received as a message that they are both still present in our lives. Today I have been going through old photos to put in a small book to give to all the grandkids, which we did when mom died. So, I have been deep in memories today as I go through photos. I found it healing for me.
The young man came in and setup this chess board and then proceeded to eat his muffin. While everyone else around was probably wondering what he was doing, I saw it as a photo opportunity. I grabbed my camera and walked over to ask if I could take a photo. He said yes but actully had hoped I was coming over to play a game with him. He was disappointed when I told him no. The truth is, I don’t even know how to play chess. It has been a beautiful sunny day today and right now we are getting one beautiful sunset. I hope you had a good day!
“I believe that under it all, when you get right down to it and uncover all the things we’re told to believe in, … what deeply matters to human beings, our most universal soulful commitments and core values, is the well-being of the people we love, ourselves, and the world in which we live.”
Lynne Twist
Care for the soul needs to include care for the sacred, for without it we will become lost without even knowing that we are lost. And care for the Earth needs to combine these two, so that the real music of creation can be heard amidst all the noise of today.
Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee, Seasons of the Sacred
I pushed the order button on March 2nd for a beginners Native American Style flute, also called a Love flute. I could give you a list of reasons for justifications but it had more to do with impulse than anything else. I have always connected to the sound of Native American flutes. It’s not a loud instrument, does not require a battery or power outlet, has little maintenance, you don’t need to read music, and you can easily take it anywhere. I have never played a wind instrument in my life so this is my first. And, I quickly discovered I wanted a flute made by the hand of a craftsman and out of wood. Some are beautiful works of art and some are simple works of art. I chose a simple work of art and one designed for a beginner.
While taking sunset photos and selfies of me practicing on my Native American flute on Thursday evening, I met a wedding photographer, Danja, who was shooting a young couple’s engagement photos near me. Afterwards, they thanked me for serenading them while they did their photos. I was surprised by their comment because I’m not sure I would call what they heard as serenading. It was more about trying to keep all squawks, squeaks and whistles to a minimum. Then Danja asked if she could take a photo of me playing the flute. The top image is what she sent me the next morning. Thank you for the image, Danja!!
I’ve discovered online lessons and courses through youtube and a couple of websites to help me along this journey. I’m taking one online course now. As you know I enjoy spending time in the natural areas and I can think of no better place to play a Native American flute than in nature. I’m finding these locations are ideal to practice learning how the flute and I can make music together. I’m 74 years old and do not know when I will take my last heartbeat. So it seems reasonable to give this some good old discipline, practice, and be both patient and gentle with myself. I plan on carrying it when I ride the bicycle along the trails, stopping when I find a secluded area and play. My hope is for the flute to be another tool on this spiritual journey I’m traveling.