Trust in what you love, continue to do it, and it will take you where you need to go.
Natalie Goldberg
It’s called practice…
-
-
The gift of the poet…
a poet drinks from the
Garcia Lorca
well of the people, and
then gives it back to
them in a way that may
help them understand
themselves and the
world even betterReading poetry is something new for me, coming in the latter stages of my life, and I must say enjoyable. I have found poetry that helps me understand myself and the world around me. I am drawn to poets who are connected to nature, creation and speak to me about their spiritual life. But there are poets I just do not understand. Yet, I know there are people who connect to them while not with the poets I connect with. I have come to agree with Lorca that in the short period of time I have been reading poetry I have come to believe that poets help us understand ourselves and the world better. I also believe that people can and need to drink from the well of the poet. I therefore see poets as a gift!
-
Clouds at Predawn
The cloud is free only to go with the wind.
Wendell Berry
The rain is free only in falling.Here is this morning’s predawn sky over campus on my bicycle ride to Mugs. Emily was my barista and an Old Town mocha was my drink of choice this morning. We had some dramatic winds along the Colorado Front Range and into Wyoming on Thursday. They closed I-25 and US 287 north from Fort Collins to Cheyenne and Laramie for the better part of the day. There were wind gusts recorded over 80 mph. So there has been some major wind damage. The campus had some big old pine trees toppled. They released students early on Thursday due to the winds and it was the last day of class before spring break. What was interesting to me about this wind was having it blow for almost 12 hours nonstop. As my friend, Joan, described it, it was “unsettling.” They are predicting more high winds again today and into tomorrow. I hope you have a safe and enjoyable weekend!
-
An Hour at the Library
Cortado at Mugs this morning I spent an hour at the Harmony Library this afternoon. It has been a cold day so the library sounded inviting. I was a librarian my senior year in high school to pickup a credit or two. As I reflected I realized that working in the library today is much different than in 1968. Back then nothing was digital. The old card file system worked just fine and an ink can with an ink soaked sponge and a rubber stamp. Interestingly I watched as librarians helped people with the many desktop computers that they have everywhere. So a librarian needs to be tech savvy now a days. They also have a media center where people can print papers, articles and assignments. My media center back then was a notebook and pencil. As I sat and journaled with my fountain pen, I noticed a crackling and rustling sound as a woman sitting near me turned the pages of a newspaper. Now that’s a sound I don’t hear much any more. I also watched several people carrying stacks of 3-6 books to check out, which means there are still people who read books rather than watch television.
-
Keep me on schedule…
Collect moments, not things
Paolo CoelhoThis moment happened this morning as Jeff and I waited for Mugs to open. And, this moment happened an hour earlier than it would have yesterday due to the time change. Strange as it may seem I was not even aware of the change until we got inside the coffee shop. Goes to show how much I care about it and how dependant I am on my phone and watch to keep me on schedule. Anyway, it was a nice moment to share with Jeff. I hope you had a wonderful Sunday!
And back in September the Department of Defense was renamed to Department of War and that is what they are doing. No defense involved nor any attempt at peace. The president’s 2024 campaign prominently promised to be a “president of peace” by ending “forever wars,” preventing World War III, and not starting new conflicts. What happened to those promises?
-
Birthday Girl
Happy birthday Adriana! Enjoy your trip to Boston and your time with Emma!
-
The Power of Love
“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”
Jimi HendrixRather than ride the bicycle ride this morning to Mugs, I decided to take the bus to campus. I stopped at Sweet Sensations coffee shop and got a mocha then spent time in the Paul and Elsie Legacy Lounge by the fireplace to journal in the quiet. I usually have the area to myself until about 8:15 am before the groggy students begin to stumble in. It had been a while since I was in the lounge area and I was pleased to see they had changed all the furniture. We had a warm sunny day and may see rain Thursday night into Friday. Time to push the publish button and read for a while. I hope you had a good day!
-
Wisdom and Love
We are here to grow in wisdom and to learn to love better.
Rachel Naomi RemenIt was 11 degrees this morning so no sunrise photo although there was a lovely pink sunrise in the eastern sky. I enjoyed my mocha and conversation with Jeff and John this morning at Mugs. Alissia was our barista. Not a bad way to start a cold Sunday morning. I would like to say and live Remen’s quote as a prayer throughout this day for the world. And a keyword in her quote that stands out for me is “we.” Seems we need a good dose of wisdom, love, and prayer right now. I hope you have a good Sunday. Stay warm and dry for those of you on the eastern coast.
-
Welcoming words
Brown Marbled Pelikan M200 with Pelikan Edelstein Smoky Quartz ink. when words are welcomed
as ink flows on blank pages
journals take on life
mws -
A Productive Day
This is a candid photo of a member of my flight crew taken along the banks of the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge in 2008. I have had a productive day. It started with my prayer and meditation time then a trip to Mugs for coffee and conversation. It included getting my taxes done and sent in. Federal taxes have already been accepted, but I haven’t heard back from the state yet. I took some used and new camping gear that I will not use anymore to a used outdoor shop in town called Gearage. The money they would normally give me will go to a charity of their choice. I also made a phone call that I was dreading because many of my experiences with phone systems seldom allow me to talk to a real person. But this time I stayed with it. I had to hold for several minutes but a helpful woman had things solved in a matter of a couple minutes. I also went through a pile of papers that needed to be filed or thrown away, which took much more time than anticipated. Yes, I’m known as a Procrastinator with a capital “P” unless I’m heading out for a coffee or ice cream. And now I’m letting you know I had a good day by posting this blog and photo. I hope you have had a good and productive day.
