Morning Mocha
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Tasted Perfect
simple recipe
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frothed milk and espresso
gift of latte artWith overcast and smokey skies this morning I headed to the Bean Cycle for a latte and journaling. My barista, Devan, made a very attractive mocha with her artistic touch. I like how she sprinkles chocolate powder about halfway through pouring the milk then finishes with her latte art. Again, I took this image with that old camera and I think the image turned out decent. But, the mocha tasted perfect. Happy Sunday!
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Today is a New Day
They are predicting poor air quality over the next few days as the smoke from the west coast fires are carried into our area. The eastern horizon has this brown haze to it and therefore the sun has an orange glow to it, so surreal. Today is a new day. A gift, even though we may not see it that way. May we live it to the best of our abilities.
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Follow Them
“The things that excite you are not random. They are connected to your purpose. Follow them.”
Susan RoderickIt’s Saturday morning. Arrived at the natural area shortly after sunrise. Birds were singing and in my imagination they were asking me why I was late. Then I wondered, maybe we’re never too late for those few moments when we are immersed in nature. So my answer was, I’m here now.
I wrote almost nothing in my journal over the past two days, a total of 8 lines in those two days. That is so not like me. Also aware of some feeling of depression, also not like me. Even my meditations has been a struggle. Seem to grab the commentary of my thoughts and run with them more than usual. And yet, there is a tug within me to enter into more times of quiet meditations,and so I did.
On a positive note I was given a gift that brought a smile and lifted my spirits when I returned form the natural area this morning. I watched two women get out of their cars at a coffee shop and share a long heartfelt hug. Both were brimming with smiles as they walked towards me. I told them how wonderful it was to see them hug and the emotions it seemed to have. I was told it had been a year and a half since their last shared hug. I’m hoping experiences like that will be the new normal. Those missing hugs are things that excite many of us.
Thanks for listening. 😍
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No One Got Hurt
This is today’s sunrise at Pineridge Natural Area. It looks to be a hot day, reaching 100 degrees. Had a couple of hiccups yesterday so sorry if this post sounds a bit whinny. Promise, it won’t take long.
I dropped off my car at 6:30 to have the oil changed. I then walked to a coffee shop to meet a friend. I was already at the coffee shop, one I seldom patronize, when he called to let me know he was at ER after falling and dislocating his shoulder. He’s going to be okay.
Since I was already at the coffee shop I ordered an iced chai, falsely believing that would make things better. Well it was probably the worst chai latte I’ve ever had. Dumped it all. I noticed a feeling of frustration within because plans were not going as planned. 😁
It was now about 11:00 am. I walked back to the repair shop, buying a sandwich from the local Starbucks on the way. It was horrible. What’s wrong with my tastebuds? ☹️
When I arrived at the repair shop I discovered there was a mixup. When I dropped off the car I placed the keys in the wrong place. They were not able to work on the car until I let them know where the keys were. Thus we were about 4 hours behind my scheduled plans. Then the Uber driver delivering my air filter got lost which delayed things. I did not get my car until 5:00 pm. Partly my error and partly theirs. However, everyone kept their kool. 😳
Next, I was to meet a friend about 6:45 pm. All went well with that plan. Felt gratitude and we even chuckled about each others day!
I realized before going to bed that after my morning prayer and meditation time, I did not start my day at one of my natural areas. I made sure to remedy that this morning. 😍 Anyway, all is okay as no one got hurt yesterday. Have a great day!
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Wondering
Morning Lattes Having the oil changed in the car so, walked over to a coffee shop. Journaling and soaking up sunshine while I wait. Wondering how many people in coffee shops really work on their laptops.
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Two Scones
profile in mirror
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shows obvious girth increase
two scones too manyShout out to my barista, Jack, for this image. After they make these scones and have cooled down, they wrap them, place them at the counter, temping everyone who enters. Obviously practicing good marketing. Anyway the word for my #haikuchallenge today was “obvious.” So, while trying to be creative this morning I came up with the above haiku and then the idea for the image. Jack helped by putting two scones on the plate and I took the image. No, I did not eat either but made my Irish oats with raisins when I got home. 😁
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Morning Rituals
morning ritual
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quiet prayer and meditation
cortado and perrierI’ve mentioned a bit of information on cortados before but here’s more. A cortado is a popular small-sized espresso. The balance between the espresso and milk is 1:1, (about half espresso, half milk). This amount of milk primarily serves to reduce the acidity of the espresso. It also has less froth than a latte. This one made at the Bean Cycle is 2 ounces of equal espresso and steamed milk. The other glass is Perrier water. I buy these once in a while because they have less milk than my latte, an enjoyable coffee flavor when made with good fresh beans and are less expensive. If you are adventurous enough, they can also be made with flavored syrup.
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start my day this way
looking for words
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in books as well as
blank pages of a journal
looking for images
in nature as well as
a favorite coffeehouse
filling my days with both
filling my soul with both
filling a mug with a mocha
start my day this way -
After Sunrise
after sunrise
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dropped by a coffee shop
morning mochaMy parents made the decision to sell their house in Phoenix and move into an assisted living facility. So, my sisters, my brother-in-law and I will help them clear out a 1600 sq ft home and move into a 650 sq ft, 1 bedroom, 1 bath apartment. This is something they have talked about for a while and been a concern with my sisters, my brother-in-law and I for awhile. My parents finally asked my sister, Marcee, if she would check on everything, the facility and the money. She did a wonderful job of presenting them the options of staying in their house or living in an assisted living facility, then letting them make the decision themselves. It seems we all agree it’s a good decision. I fly out tomorrow for Phoenix. Not sure how long I will be gone so my posts may be sporadic or nothing at all. Enjoy your weekend! Oh, and Happy May Day!
