• Bench,  clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area,  seasons,  snow,  storm clouds,  winter scenes

    Happy Earth Day

    These storm clouds were taken last night out on the eastern plains. A rather large storm was raging so I thought I may be able to capture some drama in the clouds and drove out that way.

    The point of living a creative life – rather than just engaging in creative pursuits on occasion – is not merely to produce aesthetically pleasing artifacts, but to bind one’s creative work and living experience as two dimensions of the same life in all its details, always unfolding and evolving in parallel. 

    Guy Tal

    Each of us is a creative soul. Some have tapped into that creativity while some are unaware they have it or deny they have it. As a photographer I see it as a gift to create/capture images that are pleasing, draw out emotions (yours and mine), and show the beauty of nature through photography. And, we all can do that. I really like the word “bind” that Guy Tal uses in his quote. So, as a prayer this morning I would ask for the binding of my creative works with my living experiences.

    A favorite bench at Pineridge Natural Area this morning

    Well Nature decided to share with us a few more snowflakes before officially moving into spring. As you can see the bench I sit on to journal is not quite as inviting this morning. Have a wonderful day and Happy Earth Day! Stay warm.

  • Art,  Cityscapes/Urban,  flowers,  People/Portraits,  quotes

    Entertaining a Thought

    Crystal City, October of 2007

    “It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.”

    Aristotle

    My ability to dream and fantasize goes way back. I could create a whole world in my head and stay there for hours simply by saying, “let’s pretend,” even when that was subconscious. I believe it’s an essential part of our young lives but there is a point where we cease pretending and begin living in the reality of life. Some of us do that sooner than others. I put myself in the later category. I’ve become aware of when to entertain thoughts without accepting them and let them go. Progress, as they say. Having said that I still find myself entertaining a thought just as this young lady seems to be doing but not accepting it as reality. Hope you had a good Monday!

  • Black and White,  coffee shops,  Documentary/Street,  Mary Oliver,  poems,  sunrises

    Broken World

    it is a serious thing
    just to be alive
    on this fresh morning
    in this broken world.

    Mary Oliver

    Violence never brings peace nor does it solve problems in our world. It’s insanity when we think fixing a broken world or disturbed mind can be accomplished through violence. It’s insanity when some keep trying it again and again. It’s insanity when we encourage such thinking. It’s insanity when we fail to speak up against it. There is another way.

  • Bench,  Cityscapes/Urban,  lifestyles,  snow,  winter scenes

    Calling My Attention

    An Empty Bench
    An Empty Bench

    I took this image last Sunday morning during our little snow storm. We received about 4-5 inches and still have some on the ground as temperatures have been staying cold. Directly behind and across the street is a student housing building where Mugs coffeehouse is located.  After my morning mocha I walked over to campus to enjoy the falling snow, to get in a bit of exercise and possibly find an image. I have several images of this bench, finding it’s solitude calling my attention. I cannot remember ever seeing anyone sitting on this bench. However, today it’s pretty obvious why it’s empty.

  • Bench,  Cityscapes/Urban,  lifestyles,  shadows,  winter scenes

    Just guessing, but …

    Solitary Bench
    Solitary Bench

    Yesterday morning we awoke to clear blue skies and sunshine. Loved it! I took the bus to the transit center then came across this scene while walking across campus. Since it had two of my favorite subjects, a bench and shadows, a photograph needed to be taken. One thing in this image that speaks to me is the solitude because it is a part of my life. Interesting how there are tracks around the pond but nowhere near the bench. I’m just guessing, but thinking it’s due to the 23 degrees. 🙂

  • snow,  trees,  winter scenes

    Snowfall

    Cottonwood on Stuart St.
    Cottonwood on Stuart St.

    Over the past 18 hours snow has been falling here in Colorado. We have between 6-8 inches of snow from the predicted 70% chance. Glad it was not 100% chance. Stayed home most of the morning then ventured out for a while later this afternoon for some exploring with my camera. Stay warm, it’s suppose to be in the single digits tonight!

    Park bench in Rowland Moore Park
    Park bench in Rowland Moore Park

  • Bench,  journal,  writing/reading

    Experience Such a World

    A Bench with Light
    A Bench with Light

    “Each moment is an opportunity to create. We can see this in each sunrise, sunset, flower, rainbow, snowflake, as they are a series of creative moments. We are all gifted to create. We can create new views of and for the world. Why do we waste our creative moments? Is it fear of our creation to be flawed or rejected by others and ourselves? Yet, our art is not intended to be perfection but a chance to offer a gift. And, what about sloth? Sloth is another reason and closely related to fear. Sometimes it is easier to daydream and fantasize in our safe little world than spend the time and effort at creativity. What would the world be like if we all overcame our fears? What would it be to experience such a world?” An excerpt from my journal 1/13/2015