• coffee life,  coffee shops,  quotes

    Working the Craft

    November 11, 2023

    Photograph because you love doing it, because you absolutely have to do it, because the chief reward is going to be the process of doing it. Other rewards — recognition, financial remuneration — come to so few and are so fleeting. And even if you are somewhat successful, there will almost inevitably be stretches of time when you will be ignored, have little income, or — often — both. Certainly there are many other easier ways to make a living in this society. Take photography on as a passion, not a career.

    Alex Webb

    I had new business cards made. Well they’re not really business cards as I do not have a business. However, there are those times when people see me on the street with my camera and will ask if I’m a photographer. I tell them yes but I do not make a living at it, it is one of my passions. I hand them a card so they can see what I like to photograph and write about on my blog. The last set of cards lasted about 5 years. Shows you how seldom I hand them out. 

    I’ve noticed over the past few days how many photo opportunities I find when I take the bus to campus then walk on campus and in Old Town. They seem to be everywhere. Since I was in Old Town on Friday I figured I might as well stop in at Starry Night and have an Americano. It was about 9:30 am and they were busy. The din was up several decibels from what it usually is at 7:00 am. I did get in a few lines in my journal then headed home. On my way out I took a few photos of Amber working her craft, steaming milk while she pulls an espresso shot. A photo opportunity fulfilling a passion of mine!

    It is a cold morning with clear blue skies and sunshine. Hope you have a wonderful day.

    Read More
  • landscape,  Pineridge Natural Area,  sunrises

    O’Dark Thirty

    November 1, 2023
    Predawn colors and reflection at Dixon Reservoir

    What a wonderful way to start this day, any day for that matter. This image as taken at O’Dark thirty (6:49 am) and the show was absolutely gorgeous. Almost no wind and a pleasant 28 degrees. After experiencing a sunrise like this and I head back into the chaos of the city, I can feel as if I needed to stay longer. I’m not sure whether the feeling arises from within me or if nature itself is whispering, please don’t leave yet. Maybe both. I believe these moments have a way of transforming me at some deep level. I am just never the same man. This morning was one of those mornings. Curious if any of you experience such feelings after time with nature, not wanting to leave? Anyway, I am so thankful for all the gifts so graciously given and my desire to receive each one of them. I met Mark for breakfast and conversation where we talked and wept over the tragedies happening in our world, a list that seems would have no end.

    Read More
  • Candid Portraits,  coffee life

    Halloween – 2023

    October 31, 2023

    Looks like James, my barista, had a long night but is still smiling this morning. And, coming home from coffee shop I saw a six foot tall fluorescent green bunny rabbit walking along West Prospect. Suspect they were headed towards campus. Could be an interesting place to visit today.

    Read More
  • coffee life,  journal

    Special touch

    October 25, 2023
    Latte Art

    I enjoy the special touch the Bean Cycle offers with my mocha. After adding the mocha and espresso in the cup they begin pouring the steamed milk. When the cup is about a quarter full with steamed milk, they stop and sprinkle a dash of chocolate powder on top of the already poured milk. Next they fill the rest of the cup with more foamed milk adding those two or three hearts, showing their craft. To me the chocolate powder adds a tough to the looks and I love how the powder mixed with the foam sticks to my mustache. ❤️ So, sometimes I start my morning with this gift. Seems to make the day run smoother. I hope I was able to fully espresso how they make this special touch.

    Read More
  • coffee life,  quotes

    It’s a Lifestyle

    October 10, 2023

    “… spirituality is not a thing or a feeling. Spirituality is paying attention. Spirituality is being present to what is happening around and within you. Spirituality is living in the world with compassion and justice. Spirituality is making the world a little better for your having been born into it. Spirituality is meeting God in the ordinariness of our everyday lives.”

    Reb Yerachmiel

    Third morning in a row where I needed to scrape light frost off my windshield. Yep, fall is here. Made my way to Mugs for a mocha latte and was greeted with a big smile from my barista, Jess. Morning was a success. Had my monthly lunch with high school classmates today. Another success.

    Seems to me spirituality isn’t anything I can define or physically touch but something I experience. I just read where Spirituality is a lifestyle. I sorta like that. It has no connection to any religious faith and doesn’t define it. Spirituality just is, something we live. The quote above is more about sharing the experience. I find it is much like the coffee life. Life needs to be experienced not defined.

    I was reading an older blog post on someone’s perspective to beginning a blog, offering our views, where that might lead and the stories written and read in these blogs. I found it interesting, quite profound and wanted to share it with you. You can find it here.

    Read More
  • coffee life,  coffee shops,  fountain pens,  journal,  latte art

    Flat Tire

    October 2, 2023

    I’m now sitting in a coffee shop across from the tire store. I had to change a flat tire this morning on my way to the natural area. So, I drove over here to get it fixed. Surprisingly this is the first flat on this car in the 11 years I’ve had it. No one to blame I tried to make a u-turn and ran up on the curb. Put a good sized hole in the tire and hope I did not destroy the rim. The mocha latte is good and I didn’t get my pants dirty. Not how I wanted to start this day but I’m adjusting. I needed to have new tires put on before winter and so now is probably the time to do it.

    Hope you have a wonderful day!

    Read More
  • clouds,  horizons,  landscape,  musings,  storm clouds,  writing/reading

    A Portrait of Nature

    August 6, 2023

    Nature is a mirror in which I am reflected, because by rescuing this land from sad devastation [through recreating it in photographs], I am in fact trying to save myself from my own inner sadness.

    Mario Giacomelli

    This quote hits a sensitive spot because I am a witness to the sad devastation of nature. While out photographing the cloud formations during the afternoon thunderstorms this past week, I began reflecting on all the places I have photographed over the years which were free of signs of man’s intrusion. Sadly, I have been a witness to many of those scenes which no longer exist. Later, while studying this image I felt a feeling of inner sadness that someday this scene may be a housing development or warehouse or whatever. So, there is a stirring within me as the photographer Mario Giacomelli suggests, to seek out more portraits of Nature. She is so beautiful and as an artist she continues to create more beauty, while we destroy what she creates! And, I believe she is willing to have her portrait taken.

    I had never heard of Mario Giacomelli before. One reason is because the raw expressiveness of his images are not appealing to my style of photography. However, I will suggest this link for you read a bit about him and his photography. Have a wonderful Sunday!!!

    Read More
  • coffee life,  coffee shops,  Humor,  People/Portraits

    One of the regulars

    July 30, 2023

    This is my reflections on Sunday morning from Starry Night. A young man sat against the south wall, phone in hand and a latte sitting on his table. He was not familiar to me. Sitting next to him was a couple who come here often, what we call regulars. A couple men sat in the lounge chairs near the front window deep in conversation, more regulars. Then Lucy came in who is one of the solid regulars. I see her almost every time I come to this coffee shop. She usually is out walking and stopping here is part of her routine. Sometimes she meets up with friends and sometimes she reads the paper. The baristas know her, as do us regulars. I asked if I could take her photo today. So meet Lucy!

    Read More
  • landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes,  sunrises

    While the city still sleeps…

    July 23, 2023

    The God of creation goes on creating us.

    Joan Chittister

    I awoke early this morning, way too early. Unable to go back to sleep I made a pour over then headed to Pineridge Natural Area. I would spend the next hour and a half in this sacred place while the city still sleeps. A couple of baby cottontails dashed across the road when I pulled into the parking area. After parking the car I could see the silhouette of bats darting in the dim light feasting on insects. A croaking frog belted out from the shallows of the reservoir. The meadowlarks now share their songs of joy. I had maybe an hour before sunrise so I moved to the north end of Dixon Reservoir because nature was gathering a few clouds in the northern sky. After taking a few predawn images I moved to a spot along Dixon Canyon Road and set up my camera looking out over the reservoir where I wanted to watch and photograph the sunrise. As I left this sanctuary an hour later the clouds had filled the sky and the beauty of the new day’s sunrise was more than I expected. This is one of the predawn images and I will post one of the sunrise images later. Next I had a wonderful conversation with Dan and an Old Town mocha latte at Mugs coffee shop. It has been a lovely morning but I do believe there will be a power nap later today. May you have a fabulous day!

    Read More