• fountain pens,  journal,  musings

    To Be Fully Alive

    August 4, 2024
    Pilot Custom 74

    Someone shared a quote with me by Mother Teresa that says “to be holy is to be fully alive.” Seems as I’m aging I am becoming more alive, maybe even fully alive! But, being holy is another story. Anyway, my experiences in becoming fully alive has required me to rely on courage. I remember a time when I prayed for courage, believing it was something I didn’t have, not realizing it’s already a part of who I am. And, I believe a part of who we all are. I’ve learned that looking at my failures as lessons rather than condemning myself has required courage. Asking for help requires courage. It takes courage just to believe that I can grow in my creativity, in my spiritual life, to face the reality of life and, yes, to be fully alive.

    Read this morning that the Alexander Mountain FIre is at 9,680 acres and now at 32% containment. Smoke is still bad so air quality is very poor. We are hoping to have rain showers and cooler temperatures for the next 7 days. Should help with containing the fires. Happy Sunday

    Read More
  • coffee life,  quotes

    Extraordinary Freedom

    July 19, 2024

    The range of the human mind, the scale and depth of the metaphors the mind is capable of manufacturing as it grapples with the universe, stand in stunning contrast to the belief that there is only one reality, which is man’s, or worse, that only one culture among the many on earth possesses the truth. To allow mystery, which is to say to yourself, “There could be more, there could be things we don’t understand,” is not to damn knowledge. It is to take a wider view. It is to permit yourself an extraordinary freedom: someone else does not have to be wrong in order that you may be right.

    Barry Lopez

    I’m about to push publish as I sit on my porch watching flashes of lightning and listening to thunder. We are receiving the gift of a refreshing and much needed rain. I watch and listen with a feeling of gratitude as it’s been hot and dry here. Hope you are enjoying your Friday! I started my day with the above Americano. And, Mr Barry López is spot on!

    Read More
  • fountain pens,  journaling,  quotes

    Something New

    July 7, 2024

    The material came bubbling up inside like a geyser or an oil gusher. It streamed up of its own accord, down my arm and out of my fountain pen in a torrent of six thousand words a day.

    C. S. Forester

    This is my new Pilot Custom 823 fountain pen. It has a translucent clear cap and barrel which shows the visible ink supply. I have it filled with Namiki Blue ink. It also has a 14k gold nib. My first one I purchased in February is a translucent Amber color. Probably the nicest writing experiences for me, ever. Thus the reason I have two now. I do not expect a torrent of six thousand words a day but at least a page or two in my journal. And, because it is a nice experience I’m more prone to pick it up. Happy World Chocolate Day!

    Read More
  • coffee life,  fountain pens,  journal,  quotes

    A Beginning

    June 14, 2024

    “A beginning is ultimately an invitation to open towards the gifts and growth that are stored up for us. To refuse to begin can be an act of great self-neglect.”

    John O’Donohue

    I’m beginning this morning as usual. It began with quiet time of meditation and prayer. I’m now at Mugs for my Old Town Mocha latte made by Adrianna. I will meet a friend for breakfast later. No self-neglect this morning. We had a very active thunder and lightning storm last night, about 10 o’clock with very little rain. It is overcast this morning and we could see some heavy rain this afternoon. Hoping you have a wonderful Friday.

    Read More
  • coffee life,  journal,  quotes

    Little Bird Bakery

    May 30, 2024

    The courage to be is the courage to accept oneself, in spite of being unacceptable.

    Paul Tillich

    I met a friend on Sunday morning at a place called Little Bird Bakery. They recently relocated from the square in Old Town. Their new location is much bigger and more inviting. The same wonderful French baked goods, though! We found a table on the second floor looking out over College Avenue with the morning sun coming in the window. Their French pastries are delicious but pricey. Which will prevent me from going very often.

    Read More
  • coffee life,  journal,  latte art,  quotes

    Life comes from living it…

    April 16, 2024

    Things do not make life, life.

    Joan Chittister

    From my own experiences I’m aware that a new fountain pen “will not” make me a better writer, or a wiser person. Yet, I still look. I also know that a new Fujifilm X100VI will not make me a better street photographer, or a wiser person. Yet, I still look. From my own life experiences the simple things I have in life are the real treasures of life. I am doing my best to live my life with less attachments to things and not accumulating more things. Chittister also says that life comes from living it. So, living life today means taking the time to savor the beauty of latte art, enjoying my mocha, and a bit of journaling with the treasures I have.

    Read More