• clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  sunrises

    Happy New Year

    January 1, 2021

    I spent some time last week creating a slideshow of favorite images from 2020 but I was not satisfied with it. And, just as I’ve not had any Christmas spirit this year, the mood for a slideshow was not there. Instead, I decided to greet the first sunrise of 2021 with a mocha, my journal and camera and post that image. I always start each day’s entry in my journal with the date. So this morning I smiled when I wrote 2021 because I have hopes for the coming year and the needed healing for our wounded world; politically, economically, environmentally, socially and spiritually.

    As I journaled a car pulled up beside me and a young couple got out and sat on the small bench. They wrapped themselves in a blanket and joined me in greeting the new year’s first sunrise. They agreed to let me include them in the photo. I hope and pray for any who read this post to have a wonderful year in 2021.

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  • Candid Portraits,  coffee shops,  People/Portraits

    Happy Halloween

    October 31, 2020
    Maggie and Jack – Love their smiles

    I’ve never been too excited about Halloween and that’s true today. However, I know that there are many who feel differently and celebrate the day with enthusiasm and style. I’m making another assumption but with masks as a requirement for much of the world we probably will see more people dressed down from previous years, or not. Anyway, enjoy your Saturday and the candy corn pieces.

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  • Fujifilm X-T3,  Fujifilm XF16-80mm f4.0,  landscape,  mountains,  natural areas,  sunsets,  trees

    Nice Reprieve

    October 4, 2020
    An image of the sun about to set at a local park on Tuesday evening

    Thursday and Friday of last week were very smokey over the city. The smoke filters the sun and changes the colors and shadows of everything, bringing on an otherworldly look. It has an affect on peoples moods, adding stress to the pandemic and our countries unrest. On Friday evening I drove out to one of the natural areas because I thought I may find an image to show just how the smoke looks from here. The top image was taken about an hour before sunset, all is dark and gloomy and the sun has a deep red color.

    Thankfully, not everyday is like this. Saturday was a nice reprieve, winds blew in our favor so we enjoyed blue skies and not as much soot and ash falling on us. I’m wearing my mask practically all of the time and have my windows and doors closed just because of the snoke. It’s a good time to stay inside. Our Colorado sunsets are just not the same.

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  • architecture,  Black and White,  Candid Portraits,  Documentary/Street

    Have a great Friday

    May 8, 2020

    Student life at Lory Student Center

    This image was taken last fall when campus was still open and students were in classrooms. Some would call it normal, but was it? I’m sitting in my bedroom looking out at overcast skies and a bright but diffused sun. The robins awoke me before dark with their gentle song. I must say it’s much better than waking to an alarm. Not much on my mind this morning, foggy thinking. Have a great Friday and upcoming weekend.

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  • Candid Portraits,  coffee shops,  lifestyles,  People/Portraits,  snow,  winter scenes

    I was glad to see them…

    March 20, 2020

    This mornings baristas and their smiles – Sure makes the day brighter

    I took the bus to campus so I could sit near the gas fireplace in the Legacy Lounge and use their internet. At the bottom of the stairs is a small coffee shop that lickily is still open. I had to laugh at myself and share with them how my mind was wondering if they would be open when I came around the corner. Their business is slow so they they seemed glad to see me. But not as I glad as I was to see them. 

    Doesn’t look like the First Day of Spring

    This was at the bus stop this morning. Sure doesn’t look like spring. Everything is so quiet. The Lory Student Center has been so quiet the past three days I’ve come here. There is no piped music and no students. Not sure how long I will be able to come here as things progress with more reported cases, restrictions and fear.

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  • Candid Portraits,  lifestyles,  People/Portraits

    It’s different now…

    March 18, 2020

    A young lady lost in thought

    With all this free time  at home I’ve been reflecting on memories of my youth, those years from five into my mid-teens. Life seemed simple back then. As a family we always ate our evening meal at home and always together. That was because we did not have much money and second there were not that many restaurants available. It’s different now.

    Television was still in its’ younger days. Channels shutdown by midnight with the black test screen. Many of us still had black and white televisions with rabbit ears and at most, 3-5 channels. The evening news would come on at 5:00 for about an hour while a second at 10:00 pm. There was no 24/7 news from multiple sources with differing viewpoints. It’s different now.

    We had one phone for the entire family to use and it hung on the wall. It was a party line so we needed to pickup the phone and make sure no one was using it before dialing. It had a rotary dial. It’s different now.

    Thanks for listening. 

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  • Candid Portraits,  coffee shops,  Documentary/Street,  John O'Donohue,  lifestyles,  People/Portraits,  quotes

    The Warmth of the Coffee Shop

    February 20, 2020
    It’s cold outside but nice and warm inside the coffee shop

    A Blessing of Solitude
    “May you recognize in your life the presence, power, and light of your soul. May you realize that you are never alone, that your soul in its brightness and belonging connects you intimately with the rhythm of the universe. May you have respect for your own individuality and difference. May you realize that the shape of your soul is unique, that you have a special destiny here, that behind the facade of your life there is something beautiful, good, and eternal happening. May you learn to see yourself with the same delight, pride, and expectation with which God sees you in every moment.” 

    John O’Donohue, Anam Cara
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