• coffee life,  People/Portraits,  quotes

    Top of my Gratitude List

    Adriana and Emma

    May the light of your soul guide you; May the light of your soul bless the work you do with the secret love and warmth of your heart; May you see in what you do the beauty of your own soul; May the sacredness of your work bring healing, light and renewal to those who work with you and to those who see and receive your work; May your work never weary you; May it release within you wellsprings of refreshment, inspiration and excitement…

    John O’Donohue

    My coffee life this morning had a special perk to it. I was pleased to see Emma at the coffee shop when I arrived. Let me tell you about it. So Adriana, in the background, is one of the current baristas, a full time student at CSU and a manager at Mugs. Emma, in the foreground, worked at Mugs for many years while a student at CSU. She now lives in Massachusetts after graduation and is in town for a visit. These two were roommates for several years and two of the most beautiful people on the earth. They both have made a lot of my mornings better by their presence, offering their smiles, their morning greetings and making my mocha lattes. My life has been enriched because of the gifts they are and I believe the world is richer because of their presence. Even though I am much older, they inspire me through the lives they live! I also consider them adopted granddaughters. They are at the top of my gratitude list! Even though I knew Emma was going to be here, it was still a wonderful surprise to see her. I’m still smiling!

  • John O'Donohue,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes,  sunrises

    Before Sunrise

    “One of the most beautiful gifts in the world is the gift of encouragement. When someone encourages you, that person helps you over a threshold you might otherwise never have crossed on your own.”

    John O’Donohue

    I was up early this morning, way before sunrise. Made a chai latte after quiet time then drove to Pineridge Natural Area for pre dawn light. It found it unusual to see frost on the grass but almost none on the cars. When I arrived at this spot, I was met with the silence of nature, very little wind, clear skies and cold. Its gift to me is peace, serenity, hearing an unspoken prayer and offering healing of my body and soul. It also holds the promise that today is going to be a good day. Weather app says we could see 50 degrees today. Let’s hope so as there is a feel of spring here.

    I am limited to lifting no more than 10 pounds for the next 2 weeks. My backpack with camera and lens weighs about 5 pounds and pretty sure my journal, fountain pens and kindle paperwhite, keep me under the limit. It will be another day to relax, rest and heal. Strange to think this is my 5th day since surgery. Praying you have a wonderful day!