• lifestyles,  quotes

    Art is Healing…

    The purpose of art is to heal. I believe that every person is a special kind of artist, rather than the common belief that artists are special kind of people.

    Samuel Avital

    So, if art is healing then there are several artist hands involved for this simple image. There’s the artist who created the board game, the artist who made the board, the artist who made the chess pieces, the artist who made the coffee and glass and mug, the artist who made the table and the artist who took the photo. Lots of hands involved in healing.

  • coffee life,  coffee shops,  Food,  haiku,  writing/reading

    Chocolate Eclair

    Last bite of a chocolate eclair

    morning coffee time
    fountain pen and blank pages
    chocolate eclair

    ms

    Emma is one of my favorite baristas, not just because she makes a good mocha latte but because she entices me with the biggest chocolate eclair from the bunch. And no way you can take a bite without the filling oozing out.

  • coffee life,  coffee shops,  Documentary/Street,  fountain pens,  journal,  lifestyles,  writing/reading

    Sigh!

    It was 3 degrees this morning when I left the condo. And, we are expecting it to stay cold all day and into the night but no snow. I changed up my routine this morning and made it to the Little Bird Bakeshop for a mocha and one of their bostocks. I do have about six different coffee shops I regularly visit. Each one has its own ambiance. I’m sure most of my decision in selecting which one I visit is based on my subconscious. I’ve found it wise to listen to that voice. It had been a while since visiting the Little Bird because they open later, 8:00 am, and they serve pastries. I’m usually at the other coffee shops by 7:00 am. The Little Bird Bakeshop is primarily a bakery so there’s always the possibility one of their pastries calling my name as I walk in the door. If When that happens it equates to spending more money. Sigh! Along with more calorie intake. Sigh! To combat against more calorie intake I order smaller mochas in my attempt to justify the bostock. Sigh! Stay warm!

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

    Bitter Cold Morning

    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.

  • coffee life,  coffee shops,  quotes

    Way of life …

    For me photography is to place head and heart and eye along the same line of sight. It’s a way of life.

    Henri Cartier-Bresson

    Cold mornings have kept me snuggled under covers rather than braving the cold at one of the natural areas to greet the sunrise. I’m gonna need to change that attitude and spend time with nature, otherwise you will probably see more images of coffee cups, which could get boring quickly. I must admit sitting in one of the soft cozy chairs with a mocha latte and a good book is good for the soul, and warmer. However, I also need to be touched with the spirit of nature, in the cold. Looks to be cold for the next few days so we’ll see how often I am able to lift off those heavy covers. After all, photography is a way of life for me.

  • coffee life,  coffee shops,  Documentary/Street,  lifestyles

    Little Bird Bakeshop

    Took my 35mm f2.0 lens and camera for a walk in Old Town yesterday morning. I mysteriously found myself sitting at a table inside the Little Bird Bakeshop with a small mocha and a bostock. Things like that are happening more often. At first it bothered me but now I’m beginning to be okay with them, almost expecting them.

    It had been a while since I was in there and what a make over the shop has gone through. They have done a very nice remodel job making it more inviting and open. I took this image to show evidence of their bakery goods and highlight the latte art by my barista, Leslie. I’ll for sure need to revisit. Loved the blueberry bostock, by the way!