• coffee life,  coffee shops,  fountain pens,  journal,  Self-portraits,  writing/reading

    Bitter Cold Morning

    February 22, 2022

    It was 0 (zero) degrees this morning when I left the condo at 6:33 am. As I dusted off the powdery snow from the car I wonder how many neighbors were questioning my sanity. Then I thought about how connected we really are to nature and the part I play in it, how I am bundled up and prepared for the weather, how beautiful this wintery seen is, and most importantly, how good my mocha latte will taste. Yes, there is a bit of insanity in my life. However, there is much less insanity than a few years ago. 😁

    About this image. It was taken by a lovely young lady at Mugs at CSU coffee shop. Unfortunately I failed to get her name so I could give her credit. The overcast sky and light reflecting off the snow gave this a nice light. She did a great job! I want to use it in an ongoing series of images that include myself, the journal, the fountain pen in the act of journaling. I already have images of the journals and pens taken over the years and will continue to add more. But I have very few of them that include me in the act of writing. Some images I can do it with a tripod and timer but this image required another person pressing the shutter button. The purpose is to share why I have been journaling almost daily for over 30 years. Now, if it was just a wee bit warmer, say 70 degrees warmer!!!! Oh, and my toes are cold.

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  • People/Portraits,  Self-portraits

    Grateful

    December 5, 2020
    Taken in March 2018

    Two years ago today they wheeled me into a cold operating room, opened up my chest, stopped my heart, replaced the aortic valve, restarted the heart then glued me back together (seriously). I’m still here. So what is my life like after major open heart surgery? Early recovery after surgery was a slow process but two years later I feel like all is well. I’m only on two medicines, 83 mg of bayer aspirin and Atorvastatin. Doctors tell me heart sounds good, so I’ll go with that and continue my now annual examinations. It is my responsibility to keep this body as healthy as I can so I walk regularly and eat as healthy as I can. I say that because every once in awhile I eat a DQ Blizzard when they are not looking. The doctors and nurses did their part. I want to now do my part.

    The past two years I’ve started and finished a book with images of horizons including thoughts I have on the horizons we all face in our lives. It’s written in my crude poetic form but it’s a start, something new. I have begun to read poetry which I had never done before. I’m blaming all this on the meds. Even began to experiment with haiku which I’m enjoying but taxing for most readers of this blog. I’ve started another small book that includes a few current images and the haikus I’ve written. About a year ago I had cataract surgery so I no longer need to wear glasses except to read. The change in my vision after eye surgery was amazing and without a doubt made me a much better photographer. 😁 So with the change in my vision and a new perspective on life I upgraded my camera this past year so I can be an even better photographer. 😁

    In all seriousness my heart is working just fine and is full of gratitude. I am also grateful for you who follow this blog, your comments of enlightenment and encouragement and for any prayers you may have offered! Yes, grateful!

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  • clouds,  Fujifilm X-T3,  Fujifilm XF16-80mm f4.0,  John O'Donohue,  landscape,  natural areas,  poems,  Self-portraits,  trees

    A New Beginning

    August 1, 2020
    Quiet time for reading among the pines at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    For a New Beginning

    In out-of-the-way places of the heart,
    Where your thoughts never think to wander,
    This beginning has been quietly forming,
    Waiting until you were ready to emerge.

    For a long time it has watched your desire,
    Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,
    Noticing how you willed yourself on,
    Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.

    It watched you play with the seduction of safety,
    And, the gray promises that sameness whispered,
    Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,
    Wondered would you always live like this.

    Then the delight, when your courage kindled,
    And out you stepped onto new ground,
    Your eyes young again with energy and dream,
    A path of plentitude opening before you.

    Though your destination is not yet clear,
    You can trust the promise of this opening;
    Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning
    That is at one with your life’s desire.

    Awaken your spirit to adventure;
    Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
    Soon you will be home in a new rhythm
    For your soul senses the world that awaits you.

    John O’Donohue, To Bless the Space Between Us
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  • People/Portraits,  Self-portraits

    February 24, 2018

    We had some gray clouds yesterday afternoon that provided some very nice defused light in my bedroom, great for portraits. Unfortunately I had no beautiful model nearby so I grabbed an “old” standby. Had him stare out the window and took a half dozen shots. I like the lighting but sure can tell he needs a haircut and the beard trimmed. Probably lose half a million of my followers after posting this. 🙂 Have a super weekend!
     

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  • Humor,  Self-portraits

    Words of Wisdom

    January 11, 2015

    Oh, that's whats' wrong.
    Oh, that’s whats’ wrong.

    Every once in a while a bad day will raise it’s silly head. Nothing seems to go right. The brain is just not running on all cylinders, randomly sputtering unintelligible words, drawing strange looks from your favorite barista. I’ll give and example. All of a sudden you face a situation where you press the shutter button on your camera and nothing happens. You make a gasp for air as if your life is about to end. Your pulse rate and blood pressure just rocketed. You look at the camera turning it around to see whats wrong and it fires. You let our a sigh of relief as you realized it was on the self-timer mode.  A photographer error. Well, I’m here to help with my words of wisdom. There are a couple of things we need to look at on those bad days.

    First, check your socks. We are now able to buy socks that are made for right and left feet. They put these little “R’s” and “L’s” on them to help. It is a known fact the day could be off kilter if those socks are on the incorrect feet. You may also notice is a slight limp, unable to keep your balance or walk in a straight line. Check it out. Second, is your shorts. Nothing can mess up the day more than having your shorts inside out. Let me tell you it happens to the best of us. A primary symptom with this is the inability to sit comfortably for any period of time. Or you could have them on backwards. You will have the same symptom with this situation. You may encounter an embarrassing time if standing in front of a public urinal. Now, if you have them both on backwards and inside out you might as well just go back to bed and start all over. Hope this helps the next time you have a bad day.

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  • bees,  Self-portraits

    Happy New Years

    January 1, 2015

    The New Years Eve Party
    The New Years Eve Party

    Here’s a self-portrait of the party animal. Lights were out by 10:23 and blankets were pulled up around my neck due to the sub-freezing temperatures. This is what happens when you’re facing your 65th birthday in 2015, carry an extra 15-20 pounds at the waistline and have a difficult time staying awake past 11:00. I stopped trying to stay up till midnight and welcome in the new year a few years ago. I figure I’ll see it in the morning feeling refreshed after a good nights sleep. In my past I did not need a holiday to party and drink, any day worked. I actually was more interested in the “four” bowl games on New Year’s Day. We’d set out unhealthy snacks and overdose on both all day long. When the kids were younger it was fun to make them a big breakfast and watch the Rose Bowl Parade. I hope everyone has a blessed 2015 and Happy New Years!

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