• landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes

    Grateful

    April 13, 2024

    “Each person is a special gift of God to the world. His or her life is designed by God to make a difference in how the world is. That influence on the world will come by the person getting in touch with her or his inner life and making a gift of that inner life to others.”

    The Enneagram: A Journey of Self Discovery

    Took this image a couple weeks ago and just now got around to posting it. I do love the blue in Dixon Reservoir and those waves left by the geese.

    I did some study about 25 years ago on the Enneagram and found it interesting as well as helpful. There are several approaches to using it. My purpose was to understand my compulsive behavior and learn how to change those. It runs along the line of the Myer-Briggs personality types. I happened to pick up one of my books this past week and read back through some stuff and thus the quote. I like the idea that a person can make a gift of their inner life to others. The world needs more of that!

    Met my friend Eric for our Saturday morning coffee and conversation. I find it a good way to start my weekend but it is also a good close to our week. The drive is calming when I take the backroads. It is expected to be a warm spring day. Already up to 68 degrees. So, I’ve already had a chai latte, met with Eric, and a Dove’s dark chocolate. Pretty good day so far! I am grateful.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  quotes

    Life Stories

    January 2, 2024

    “The longer we listen to one another – with real attention – the more commonality we will find in all our lives. That is, if we are careful to exchange with one another life stories and not simply opinions.”

    Barbara Deming

    I love when people share stories. Opinions? Well, not so much. Opinions seem to always build walls. Ever wonder what our world would look like if we were learning to listen to each other’s stories with real attention? Congress, churches and our neighbors would look radically different to one another. Strangers would become neighbors. Gratefully, I am blessed in my life to have people who share their life stories with me, those life changing experiences that have altered the course of their lives. And by sharing their stories, they risk letting me know more about them. I consider that a gift. While they share those stories with me they may teach me something about myself. If they have the courage to risk sharing then I need to take the risk to really listen. They were all strangers before becoming wonderful friends. I have found they are also the ones who will listen to what I have to share about my experiences in life, allowing me to be at risk. We find our commonality. 

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  • street photography,  sunrises

    … my day

    February 28, 2023

    “I’m starting to think this world is just a place for us to learn that we need each other more than we want to admit.”

    Richelle E. Goodrich

    As I walked up to the door at Mugs this morning the sun was just cresting the buildings on campus, offering me a much needed good morning wink, which made my day! A half hour earlier the sky was ablaze with a red sunrise, which brightened my day! After quiet time and some journaling I made my way to meet a friend for coffee and conversation, which enriched my day! I felt such gratitude when I returned home. First, because I have a large and supportive group of friends in my life. And, second because I’m at a place in life where I need that support. And, I’m aware that allowing others to help is helping them in return. Snow predicted for tomorrow afternoon. Hoping you have a wonderful day!

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  • Food,  gratitude,  writing/reading

    Grateful for…

    January 9, 2023
    This mornings avocado toast at Mugs

    … the breath of life, family, friends, sobriety, journaling, photography, nature, coffee shops, solitude, quiet, prayer, meditation, books, serenity, courage, an open mind, willingness, avocado toast, chocolate and …

    mws

    I would like to invite all who read this post to add to this short list above those things which you are grateful for. You do not need to add them in the comments necessarily but maybe find a piece of paper and write them down as you go through the day. Sunshine and blue skies here. Happy Monday!

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  • clouds,  gratitude,  lake,  landscape,  reflections,  sunsets,  writing/reading

    Four years ago today

    December 5, 2022
    Sunset over Rigden Reservoir

    … I had my heart surgery, where they replaced my aortic valve. So, I thought I’d share my gratitude list with you today as it follows the theme of my last posting: 

      • Thankful for a healthy heart and it’s as full as it is 
      • Thankful for time with family and friends
      • Thankful for the opportunity to enjoy the things that have become such a gift in my life such as time with nature, photography, blogging, conversations with family and friends
      • Thankful for my prayer and meditation times
      • Thankful for my journals, fountain pens and the words I uncover with them
      • Thankful I can experience and enjoy each new sunrise and sunset
      • Thankful for another day to venture into a coffee shop to visit my favorite baristas
      • Thankful for the chance to read poetry, which I’d never done before
      • Thankful for the chance to try my hand at poetry, haiku
      • Thankful for the chance to create more of my photo books to share my photography and my words
      • Thankful for my home and the remodeling this past year
      • Thankful for blueberries in my Irish Oats 😂
      • Thankful for DQ Blizzards 😂
      • Thankful for my camera upgrade 2 years ago and a lust for the next upgrade 😂
      • Thankful that what I have is enough and in all honesty do not need anything more than what is already in my life
      • Thankful that there are still those who embrace love, compassion, serenity, joy, hope, peace and …. ❤️
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    • coffee life,  coffee shops

      Costumes

      September 4, 2022

      I met a friend Friday morning for coffee and conversation. The couple I visited this past week are mutual friends so plenty to share. As you can tell my barista was showing off her talent on my mocha latte.

      Yesterday was the Tour de Fat in Fort Collins. It is a costumed bicycle parade followed by a party (beer) at New Belgium Brewing with music, entertainment, contests and games. What is cool about this bicycle parade is the children who dress up and ride with mom and dad. Needless to say I saw some very strange people riding bicycles. 😂

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    • coffee life,  coffee shops,  fountain pens,  journal,  writing/reading

      My Friends

      February 16, 2022

      “There is no friend as loyal as a book.”

      Ernest Hemingway

      Between my camera, my journal, my fountain pens and a book, I would say books are in the top four. And, if I’m carrying my Kindle Paperwhite I’ll have to include a small digital library. Not sure I can say if any one is more important than the other but they all have become my friends. After writing that I also want to include the book of nature. I consider her to be a loyal friend, also.

      Clouds and snow have now settled over the mountains above 6,000 feet. Interesting how they say we could expect “snow accumulation of 4-8 inches, with 6-12 inches in the foothills.” Pretty much covers it all. So, I have a pot of Cream of Chicken Noodle soup cooking on the stove. Should be ready around 1:00 pm if you’re heading over this way.

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