My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, spirituality and asking deep questions.
Colorado sunset at Arapaho Bend Natural Area – January 2025
The human soul is hungry for beauty; we seek it everywhere – in landscape, music, art, clothes, furniture, gardening, companionship, love, religion and in ourselves. No-one would desire not to be beautiful. When we experience the Beautiful, there is a sense of homecoming. Some of our most wonderful memories are of beautiful places where we felt immediately at home. We feel most alive in the presence of the Beautiful for it meets the needs of our soul.
John O’Donohue
They say the perception of beauty is subjective – people can have differing opinions on what is beautiful. So what one person perceives as beautiful might be ordinary or unappealing to another. I would also add that perception changes as we change. The beauty I see today is different than what I saw 10, 20, 30 years ago. It’s a gift to see beauty in so many things but what sets Beauty apart for me is the experience of being present to it! And, in many ways feeding my soul.
Greeting the pre-dawn sunrise and soft pink clouds
Right now I have three options available in getting into a Class B. Option 1 would be purchasing a new Class B that would run from $150k to $200k with the options I’d like. Option 2 would be buying a used van probably costing from $60k to $100k for one I’d be happy with. Option 3 would be letting go of this dream and not buying a van which would cost me $0.
My financial history is not something to brag about. I made decent money working as an engineer but had no skills in managing that money. I spent many years spending foolishly while pursuing the pleasures of life. Therefore my retirement years are being spent with minimal cash. For the past 6 years I’ve been living on my social security checks, leaving my retirement funds for when I reach the 72 year marker or for some unforeseen emergency, which I’ve needed to do. My miniscule savings is gone.
With that said, options 1 and 2 would be possible only if I sold my condo, bought the van and placed the remaining small (tiny) equity in some fund/investment or I win the lottery. Selling my condo is not the best financial move and for several reasons.
I have no idea how long I would I travel in a Class B? Since I’ve never done it before, would I like the lifestyle? I’m also over 70 so I’m unsure how long I will stay healthy. If I knew that living in a Class B was something I would do until I took that last breath then I’d go for it. It’s almost a guarantee that someday I will be needing my home back. Soselling my condo is too high a risk for me.
So, at the present moment owning a Class B is a dream that is almost daily in my mind but at the present time is unattainable. I wish I could let it go and live with what I have, which really is enough. Because the life I live now allows me to rise early and greet the dawn with my camera without the need for a van. From a financial standpoint it’s a dream that is not feasible for me unless a large sum of money fell from the sky. And, that’s why I buy a lottery ticket every so often and dream.
“In this world of onrushing events the act of meditation – even just a “one-breath” meditation – straightening the back, clearing the mind for a moment – is a refreshing island in the stream.” Gary Snyder
I am fully aware I do not get out for many nature and landscape images as I have in years past. Maybe, just a season in my life? I can’t point to one specific reason but here are few excuses I’ve used; sloth, age, lack of desire, need a better camera or lens, I’m not good enough, too far to drive or a few other excuses I can conjure up in my mind. Now that I’ve written that it’s obvious I need to have a talk with myself because none of those excuses are true. Gratefully, I’m not beating on myself about this and still taking images focused more on street and documentary.
“When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in you.” Chief Tecumseh
On Saturday morning I drove to the Garden of the Gods. I have lived three hours away but I do not remember ever visiting. I thought it was beautiful and a great place to take photos. It is another amazing gift of art provided by nature. Found myself just standing in awe and wonder. So many questions ran through my head about how it was formed, the time it took, the laws of nature that have, and still are at work, in forming this scene and the native people who lived here. So, the rest of my today will consist of laundry and reading. Hope you are enjoying your weekend.
Spent the day in Red Feather Lakes area yesterday. Helped a friend move some “stuff.” We stopped at the Potbelly Stove and ate on the way back into town. This was our view driving home about 3:00. It was a beautiful day. However, we now have a rain and snow mix that is to become 1-3 inches of snow. Such a change.
Nature always amazes me in it’s creative ways. Each moment is something new, we never see the exact sunset, they’re similar but never exactly. I took probably 50 images of last night’s sunset. I can look through them on my monitor, almost yawning, then stop because one speaks to me in a way the others don’t or I’m in a place to hear that one image. I’m also aware the image I connect with may not be the same one viewers will connect with. So, you’ll have to accept the one I connected with.
