My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and the mystery of it all.
I am infinitely grateful to be alive. Each breath reminds me of the sacred gift of life.
Mary Davis
Fog was still hanging around when Jeff and I left the coffee shop about 9:44am. Yes, we did stay longer than usual. I decided to drive up to Pineridge Natural Area and look for some mood shots of fog. The fog seemed to set along the foothills. If you look closely you can see a fishman in the lower right corner. So, November 1st started out on a positive note. I have so many things to be grateful for and one is the gift of life. I picked up a couple things at the grocery store on the way home and will be home the rest of the day. Laundry is going now. May you have a wonderful November!
Freedom is letting go of bounds and barriers, and hurling yourself into the adventure of living.
Richard Wagamese
It has been cloudy all morning except for a short burst of sunlight and blue sky. I drove up to Pineridge Natural Area this morning for the quiet and peace I feel there. I watched as fog moved into the valley below me and over the reservoir. I could see lights along the trails as bicyclists and runners made their way in the darkness. It was quite different without the sounds of birds but I loved it anyway. I’m not sure you would call my time there as hurling myself into the adventure of living life but something I do on a regular basis for my soul. I then made my way to the coffee shop and morning mocha (more adventure?). I hope you are having a wonderful Tuesday.
What makes us human is not our mind, but our heart, not our ability to think but ability to love.
Henri Nouwen
There was a wonderful feeling of fall this morning on my ride to the coffee shop. A light fog settled over the grass at Rolland Moore park and this tree was showing signs of the color changes. But the most telling was the coolness in the air. It felt and smelled like fall. It will not be long and I will be wearing heavier clothing on my ride. I hope you’re having a good day!
I stopped near Arapaho Bend Natural Area to soak up the sun and the clouds. I came to journal before going to my annual checkup this morning with my PCP. I bought a mocha latte on my way which added to the joy of journaling.
I watched as fog settled low among the trees that line the banks of the Poudre River. A few geese and ducks were having their morning conversation on the small pond just to my left. The clouds had this beautiful pattern that seemed to be reaching out across the sky. As any good photographer would do, I took a few photographs of nature’s artwork. The sun sat behind the clouds, the radiant globe it is. I soaked up its warmth, medicine to my soul. At that moment I felt gratitude for being alive.
It was 13 degrees when I left the condo at about 6:47 am. No wind. No bicycle! It was cold enough I could blow off the dusting of snow covering my car. I could feel the peaceful stillness and quiet on this winter morning. I moved on to my coffee life at Mugs where my barista, Dean, made me an extra hot Old Town Mocha. It hit the spot. The coffee shop was rather quiet because of the cold morning. Only a few brave souls would be out on a morning like this. I was able to chat with a two of the brave souls, Jeff and Chris, then had some journaling time. My POD (Pen of the Day) is a Pilot Custom 823 with Yama-guri ink. It is a good combo to find words on blank pages.
As I left the coffee shop the sun was beginning to break through the clouds, offering blue skies and sunshine on the frost covered trees of the foothills. So I drove home along Horsetooth Reservoir. Nature offered its wintery gifts of low lying clouds, mist rising and floating across the open water, frost covered trees and a touch of blue sky over the foothills. And more quiet! Back home I started laundry and will have a bowl of chili soup later today. May you have a wonderful Sunday! Stay warm!
Winter colors along the Poudre River at the Environmental Learning Center A pair of Bald Eagles near Arapaho Bend Natural AreaBlue sky and fog over Beaver Pond at Arapaho Bend Natural AreaThe bleakness of the Environmental Learning Center A whitetail doe framed and staring me down at the Environmental Learning Center
I had an invigorating ride in the fog this morning to meet Jeff for coffee. About 10:00 am I drove to the Arapaho Bend Natural Area and then over to the Environmental Learning Center. I needed to take my camera for a walk and did that at the ELC. I had not been to the ELC in a while and was shocked. Everything seemed so bleak to me, dead trees were down everywhere. It’s usually lush, green and vibrant. The last time I was there was there in June of 2023. I settled in for a walk of the Wilcox Trail, about 1.5 mile loop. By the time I headed home for lunch, I had seen seven eagles, two hawks, and a dozen whitetail deer. So I enjoyed my bicycle ride, my mocha, my conversation with Jeff and my walk in nature.
Pelican in early morning fog at Arapaho Bend Natural Area – May 2023
One of our problems today is that we are not well acquainted with the literature of the spirit. We’re interested in the news of the day and the problems of the hour.
Joseph Campbell
My wife and I separated in 1991 and sold the house that fall. I drove away with everything I owned in the back of a small Ford Ranger pickup and with a feeling I was not familiar with. Her and I were closing one chapter of our lives and moving forward into another. It was a time of letting go. One thing that I have fully embraced from that day to the present was the letting go of television. I have not owned one since then. I came to a place where I’m not interested in the news of the day, the problems of the hour or what society considers entertainment. I focus my attention on the reality of life, one-on-one time with family and friends, the gift of time in nature, reaching out to the needs of those who are suffering, time in solitude, silence, prayer and meditation, journaling, photography and listening to the spirit that pervades everything. I guess you can say that’s being acquainted with the literature of the spirit.
Six years ago today I had open heart surgery. That valve lasted about four years when it failed and they needed to replace it in a TAVR procedure, March 2023. So today I am grateful and living life as full as I can. Thank you to all who have been reading these ramblings over the years!!
When we recognize the virtues, the talent, the beauty of Mother Earth, something is born in us, some kind of connection—love is born. We want to be connected. That is the meaning of love, to be at one…. You would do anything for the benefit of the Earth, and the Earth will do anything for your well-being.
Works of art are not born in flashes of inspiration but in a daily fidelity.
Albert Camus
Where I live each condo has one numbered parking spot. The numbers are painted on the pavement and are now quite faded. This time each year we have a major turnover of residents due to college students. I now find some of the new residents parking in my space and others. Rather than be angry or say anything, I have begun to park in open spaces which means I may need to walk an extra 20 or 30 feet. Could it be that I’m finally growing into a mature adult? Or maybe I’m becoming more childlike than childish?
