• architecture,  campus,  coffee life,  quotes

    The Power of Love

    March 4, 2026

    “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”

    Jimi Hendrix

    Rather 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!

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  • fountain pens,  journal,  quotes,  shadows,  writing/reading

    Wisdom and Love

    February 22, 2026

    We are here to grow in wisdom and to learn to love better.

    Rachel Naomi Remen

    It 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.

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  • Candid Portraits

    A Productive Day

    February 16, 2026
    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.

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  • coffee life,  latte art,  quotes

    Meg’s rosetta from this morning

    February 15, 2026

    This morning I made my way to Mugs for this Old Town mocha and the blueberry scone, which is now eaten. The sunrise just before I left for the coffee shop was spectacular as the eastern sky was aflame in red and orange. I was too lazy to take a photo but just watched the miracle of it. This is a photo of Megs rosetta she made this morning. I hope you are enjoying your weekend, rain or sunshine.

    The only thing more dangerous and more common than narcissism is group narcissism.

    Richard Rohr

    Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, a need for admiration, a lack of empathy, and a heightened sense of self-importance. Individuals with NPD may present to others as boastful, arrogant, or even unlikeable personality. This personality has no capability to be of service to others because its only goal is to serve the self. And, I would suggest this is also a true definition for group narcissism. We are seeing it running amuck in our politics, churches, corporations, professional sports, celebrities, the wealthy and the ideology of superiority.

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  • barista,  coffee life

    New Apron

    February 14, 2026

    Annie was sporting a new apron made by her mother. This apron is number two. So, I’m showing you both Annie and apron number two. Well done mom! I am about to head to Pedro’s Coffee and meet up with Eric. I hope you have a great day and weekend!

    And, Happy Valentine’s Day!

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  • coffee life,  fountain pens,  journal,  quotes

    Life’s Own Dream

    February 13, 2026

    “There is a great difference between defending life and befriending it. Defending life is often about holding on to whatever you have at all cost. Befriending life may be about strengthening and supporting life’s movement toward its own wholeness. It may require us to take great risks to let go, over and over again, until we finally surrender to life’s own dream of itself.”

    Rachel Naomi Remen
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  • coffee life,  moon,  Plants/Nature,  trees

    Waiting

    February 7, 2026

    In spring and summer we do not see the intricate and random patterns of tree branches due to the amount of leaves. But in winter when the trees are barren of leaves we see those chaotic growth patterns of tree branches. I say chaotic because our logical minds and egos want to control, keeping things in some form of order. That is not true of nature. She amazes me at how twisted and bent the branches seem to be but nature has its reasons. I’ve come to realize my task is more about enjoying nature’s creative work of art rather than trying to analyse it. So this morning as I waited for the coffee shop to open I enjoyed seeing the moon framed by the old tree with its random and intricate branches while a touch of pink glowed from the morning’s sunrise. My view at this stage in my life is that life is full of things happening erratically and the chances of any of them making some kind of relevant sense are remote in the extreme. We are all here to live life one moment at a time. It seems this is a wonderful way to start any morning!

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  • coffee life,  latte art

    Winter is back…

    January 22, 2026

    And I am talking about Winter, one of our baristas at Mugs on Laurel. She has been gone for three months to England through an exchange program at Colorado State University. This is the first Old Town mocha she made for me since her return. She still makes a good Old Town mocha and her latte art is pretty dang good too. Welcome back Winter!

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