• Candid Portraits,  People/Portraits,  quotes

    Love is…

    March 24, 2022

    Love is what we are born with. Fear is what we learn. The spiritual journey is the unlearning of fear and prejudices and the acceptance of love back in our hearts. Love is the essential reality and our purpose on earth. To be consciously aware of it, to experience love in ourselves and others, is the meaning of life. Meaning does not lie in things. Meaning lies in us.

    Marianne Williamson

    It was just after 7:30 am and the morning light on Adriana’s auburn hair was radiating around her! She was in the spotlight. Love is shining on her and in her. She agreed to let me take a shot while she continued to work on her computer. The subject, the light and the moment, all make this image a meaningful moment. Thank you, Adriana.

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  • Art/Design,  coffee life,  coffee shops,  Humor

    A Fart Sale

    March 1, 2022

    I met a friend for coffee this morning and could not pass up this sign as I walked in. So I wonder are they selling loud ones, silent ones, squeaky ones and of course the smelly ones? Maybe all the above. Kinda makes you wonder what yours are worth. Great way to advertise for a Fine Art sale. Have a super day!

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  • animals,  coffee life,  coffee shops,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area

    Passed

    February 28, 2022

    My barista had trouble this morning when making my lotus flower latte art. So we agreed to just call it abstract latte art this morning. The real test was how it tasted. Passed.

    Before going to the coffee shop I spent some time at Pineridge Natural Area. If you use a magnifying glass you’ll see the four coyotes making tracks over the snow covered ice on Dixon Reservoir. They were having a good time.

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  • coffee life,  coffee shops,  lifestyles,  quotes

    No Suffering

    February 27, 2022

    The resistance to the unpleasant situation is the root of sufferings.

    Ram Dass

    Here’s Alyssa’s latte art. Not bad at all and tasted delicious. I have switched to ordering their smaller latte, going from a 12 oz. cup to a 6.5 oz. cup. Same amount of espresso so it provides more coffee flavor and reduces the amount of chocolate and milk. I find it a more pleasant coffee experience, so no suffering as I enjoy Alyssa’s latte art. Expecting a warm trend but still 13 degrees this morning. Have a great Sunday!

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  • landscape,  seasons,  snow,  trees,  winter scenes

    Keeping Peace Alive

    February 26, 2022
    More blue skies

    With our our country’s political strife, the pandemic and world violence it is vital for us to keep our inner peace and sanity. So, I wanted to share a question with you that I came across yesterday. I am going to use it as a seed in my meditations and to journal about over the next few days. How are you keeping peace alive in your heart and mind?

    Here are some of my ways: quiet time, prayer and meditation, time with nature, journaling, reading, photography, poetry, early mornings at coffee shops, healthy conversations with friends, daily walks and more… which is pretty much what I do every day. I must admit I’m concerned what impact our worlds insanity has on everyone especially those immediately impacted. It’s demonstrated to me how far reaching our actions have on others. Therefore, whatever simple actions I can do to keep peace within my heart and mind matters. And, I have no idea how my actions or words or prayers can reach out into the universe and positively affect others. Maybe just taking a “one-breath” meditation throughout the day will clear the mind, keeping peace alive in our hearts and minds and the world.

    We may get above 32 degrees today for the first time in 4 days. As my sister would say, I’m esscited!!!!

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  • coffee life,  coffee shops,  fountain pens,  journal,  poems,  poetry,  writing/reading

    just maybe…

    February 25, 2022

    saddened by the thinking
    of so many that violence is
    a solution for peace
    or a solution to anything

    nor is violence a show of
    masculinity or strength
    it only breeds its own poison
    the innocent pay the price

    may we not be just the
    indifferent and silent….

    yesterday I sought solace
    within my journal pages
    seeking words for comfort
    to calm my inner turmoil

    then I remembered the words of
    one of our peacemakers

    Thich Nhat Hanh believed
    that there is no way to peace…
    peace is the way

    haven’t we proved violence
    is not a solution
    maybe Thầy’s right
    just maybe…

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

    Bitter Cold Morning

    February 22, 2022

    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.

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  • coffee life,  coffee shops,  fountain pens,  journal,  writing/reading

    My Friends

    February 16, 2022

    “There is no friend as loyal as a book.”

    Ernest Hemingway

    Between my camera, my journal, my fountain pens and a book, I would say books are in the top four. And, if I’m carrying my Kindle Paperwhite I’ll have to include a small digital library. Not sure I can say if any one is more important than the other but they all have become my friends. After writing that I also want to include the book of nature. I consider her to be a loyal friend, also.

    Clouds and snow have now settled over the mountains above 6,000 feet. Interesting how they say we could expect “snow accumulation of 4-8 inches, with 6-12 inches in the foothills.” Pretty much covers it all. So, I have a pot of Cream of Chicken Noodle soup cooking on the stove. Should be ready around 1:00 pm if you’re heading over this way.

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  • Candid Portraits,  coffee life,  coffee shops,  People/Portraits

    All is a Miracle

    February 9, 2022

    ““People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don’t even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child—our own two eyes. All is a miracle.”

    Thich Nhat Hanh

    It is so easy for us in our society to miss the miracles, big and small. For some there is no concept they exist. Wonder how many of us would we see the miracles if we put down our smartphones?

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