• a gift of life,  journaling,  lifestyles,  nature,  rants,  spirituality

    … not always my best thinking

    March 20, 2026
    Starburst from my porch this morning

    I have been glancing at Google news and NPR news for the past month thinking I would stay better informed. I made sure not click on any of the links or read articles, I only read the headlines. But that wisdom showed me that some of my best thinking is not always my best thinking. In no time at all I found myself both angry and weeping for the world. So today as I journaled on my porch I wondered when was the last time we saw headlines with news of hope, love, compassion, tolerance, peace, forgiveness, acceptance, and stories of people who are making a positive difference in the world? Maybe that voice must come from each of us. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

    Read More
  • coffee life,  fountain pens,  journal,  journaling

    Stay warm!

    November 30, 2025

    Yesterday morning it was 22° at 6 am. This morning we started at 14° and have now warmed up to 17°. They are saying today will only have a high of 25°. Looks like much of the country is in a cold spell and some are having snow or rain. Started my day in quiet time then headed to Mugs for an Americano and conversation. Another day with no bicycling and probably not for the next few days. It is a hot coffee or cup of tea type of weather to accompany my journaling. Stay warm!

    Read More
  • coffee life,  fountain pens,  journal,  journaling,  quotes

    Journal writing…

    November 11, 2025

    Journal writing is a voyage to the interior.

    Christina Baldwin

    It was a surprisingly warm morning so a very pleasant bicycle ride to coffee and back. I then met a few of my high school classmates for our monthly luncheon. I overate, again and have been waddling around most of the afternoon. It seems some lessons must be repeated! My youngest sister and I have purchased tickets and are flying to Phoenix next week to spend a couple days with my dad, sister and brother-in-law. It will be an early Thanksgiving. The sun has set, darkness and cold move in. I hope you had a good day and stay safe!

    Read More
  • blogging,  coffee life,  fountain pens,  journal,  journaling,  lifestyles,  meditation,  prayer

    … and peanut butter

    October 20, 2025

    Winds have been gusting up to 25-30 mph since early this morning and we may see that continue into mid-afternoon. Because of the winds I wisely chose not to ride the bicycle to coffee and conversation. After returning home I made a piece of sourdough toast with a generous spreading of chunky peanut butter. I then sat in my bedroom chair with the warm sunshine spreading across my journal to write. But before I could get started writing the light and shadows on the pages urged me to put the pen down, set up the camera and tripod and use this image as a starting place for today’s post. As I post this I realize it reflects the life I live today full of prayer and meditation, coffee life, photography, journaling, blogging, and peanut butter. And if the wind wasn’t blowing, bicycling.

    Read More
  • coffee life,  fountain pens,  journaling,  poems

    Hanging Around Friends

    May 14, 2025

    Something whispered something that was not even a word. It was more like silence that was understandable.

    Mary Oliver

    I’ve been struggling with health issues for the past 4 days. Primarily deep back pain that penetrates my chest. I’ve had about every test possible checking for blood clots, strokes, seizures, and any heart issues. I have many symptoms of pleurisy, but all the testing came back negative. So, I am taking six Tylenol a day and resting. I haven’t been to the natural areas, bicycling, or photography as much. However, I made it to Mugs for an Old Town mocha and gathered around friends this morning. Seems hanging around friends is good medicine. I’ve kept up with my journaling and been reading some new poetry. I hope all is well with you. And, thanks for listening to me whine.

    Read More
  • fountain pens,  journaling,  quotes

    Embrace living…

    March 25, 2025

    Life isn’t something you leave home to do. It’s what you accomplish within the walls of your haven. That’s what allows you to greet the world with an open heart and reach out and embrace living in all its richness, variety, and staggering wonder.

    Richard Wagamese, Embers

    One way for me to greet the world with an open heart, then reach out and embrace living in all its richness, is setting aside time to put pen to paper in my journals. I find it a great way to begin the new day, as well as end the day, while staying in this present moment. Hope you had a good day and I hope you stagger in wonder tomorrow!!

    Read More
  • blogging,  clouds,  journaling

    Then…

    September 4, 2024
    Scattered Clouds

    I sit up on my porch to journal as the sun and a blue sky of scattered clouds give way to predominate gray clouds. Then… a trash truck picks up one of the dumpsters and loudly shakes its contents into its hungry jaws; a dog barks it’s lonely plea for attention but their pleas are ignored, so it barks louder; a car engine starts up then is quickly overpowered by the blast of an earth shattering stereo, silence seems impossible; a screaming ambulance rushes by as it hurries to the aid of someone in need, maybe it’s silence they need; a demon possessed leaf blower starts up, eager to join in on the noise pollution parade. I find myself annoyed. I let out a silent sigh and begin taking much needed breaths. Eventually, a moment of external silence arrives, the gray clouds move on and in this silence words begin to flow. Then…

    Read More
  • fountain pens,  journaling,  quotes

    Something New

    July 7, 2024

    The material came bubbling up inside like a geyser or an oil gusher. It streamed up of its own accord, down my arm and out of my fountain pen in a torrent of six thousand words a day.

    C. S. Forester

    This is my new Pilot Custom 823 fountain pen. It has a translucent clear cap and barrel which shows the visible ink supply. I have it filled with Namiki Blue ink. It also has a 14k gold nib. My first one I purchased in February is a translucent Amber color. Probably the nicest writing experiences for me, ever. Thus the reason I have two now. I do not expect a torrent of six thousand words a day but at least a page or two in my journal. And, because it is a nice experience I’m more prone to pick it up. Happy World Chocolate Day!

    Read More
  • coffee life,  fountain pens,  journal,  journaling,  quotes

    Maybe a blankie

    February 16, 2024

    Writing by hand is thinking on paper. Thoughts grow into words, sentences and pictures. Memories become stories. Ideas are transformed into projects. Notes inspire insight. We write and understand, learn, see and think – with the hand.

    The above quote is from the packaging in my newest Leuchtturn1917 journal, which I have been using for several years. It seems that the first sentence can be attributed to a writer and teacher, named William Zinsser. Not sure where the rest of the quote comes from. I relate to his idea that writing by hand is thinking. And, writing by hand also has a way of slowing my mind down. I’m posting this image because it goes along with the quote and I began a new journal today. It’s also a new color of journal for me as I have exclusively used black. It is hardbound, has two ribbons, and 251 lined pages. I average around 6-9 months of journaling in a book. In one strange period of time, where I had a lot on my mind, I filled one journal in three months. I find having a quality journal with 80 gsm fountain pen friendly paper and a quality fountain pen will inspire me to pick them up more often and use them.

    As some of you know my dad now lives in the warmer climate of Arizona, so I sent him the following message this morning: “Good morning! It is cloudy, 23 degrees, 84% humidity and expected to snow later today. It seems like a wise choice for me to stay inside, making it a day to read and journal.” And he responded: “That is what I would do with maybe a blankie.” Stay warm!!!

    Read More