• quotes,  shadows

    Makes me smile…

    October 17, 2025

    The sun shines not on us, but in us.
    The rivers flow not past but through us.
    Nature was made not just for us,
    but for itself and its own happiness,
    and is the very smile of the Divine.

    John Muir

    It was a rather cool morning at 38 degrees which made my bicycle ride invigorating. But that also makes my Old Town mocha taste that much better. Emily was my barista and did a wonderful job. I’m now sitting at my desk watching a beautiful fall day unfold. We have a blue sky while the sun spreads its light and warmth in my condo. Its rays of light extend across my desk, wall and floor. With that invitation I press the shutter button. Later I will enjoy a bowl of chili soup then meet a friend this afternoon for a walk and talk. I choose to believe, as Muir does, that the Divine does smile in and through us. What a gift it is to smile and share it! I hope you have a wonderful Friday!

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  • clouds,  horizons,  landscape,  nature,  Pineridge Natural Area,  prairie,  prayer

    … take as needed

    October 12, 2025

    Plant seeds of happiness, hope, success, and love;
    it will all come back to you in abundance.
    This is the law of nature.

    Steve Maraboli

    Feeling restless so I ventured out to Pineridge Natural Area again yesterday afternoon. When I turned off the engine I found myself surrounded by quiet. The water was low in Dixon reservoir. Seagulls silently floated over the water. The rabbitbrush swayed in the gentle breeze. Fall colors of golden leaves and brown grass stood in contrast to the now blue sky filled with clouds that silently drifted over the meadow. As soon as I began to write in my journal, the sun broke through the clouds spreading its warmth over my body, and I smiled. As words appeared on the pages they became the seeds of happiness, hope, success, and love. Gradually my restlessness shifted into a much needed peace and serenity. These times in nature on a beautiful October afternoon have a way of doing that. I took this image just before leaving. And if you’re interested, the directions for this medication is to: take as needed.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes,  sunrises

    My Idea of Happiness

    October 11, 2025

    A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people to whom it is easy to do good, and who are not accustomed to have it done to them; then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one’s neighbor — such is my idea of happiness.”

    Leo Tolstoy

    This was the morning’s quiet and peaceful sunrise at Pineridge Natural Area about 7 am. Since then clouds have moved in and we have had a slow steady drizzle since about 9 am. Afterwards I made my way to Mugs for coffee and a wonderful conversation with Dan. I will always accept these kinds of rainy days as they refresh everything, make a leftover bowl of chili soup taste even better and a day to journal and read. Such is my idea of happiness. I hope you enjoy your weekend!

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  • musings,  Plants,  quotes

    …it’s the right choice

    July 31, 2025
    Two portraits in one

    There comes a time in the spiritual journey when you start making choices from a very different place . . .And if a choice lines up so that it supports truth, health, happiness, wisdom, and love, it’s the right choice.

    Angeles Arrien

    If you notice she does not include monetary wealth or anything that has a physical presence in her list. Everything she lists has an intangible value. And, in my world her list does not have a monetary value to them. I believe this is one of the reasons this quote resonates with me and one of the major reasons our world is in a state of decline. Which begs the question within me; What would our world be like if more people lived their spiritual journey?

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  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  reflections

    The scent of the rain

    March 14, 2025

    As I stepped out the door this morning I was greeted with a chorus of robins announcing the new day. Now a gentle rain falls, spreading it’s refreshing scent into the lives of all of creation. In these moments I feel alive, renewed, as I enter into the mystery of this new day. This day began with quiet prayer and meditation time, an Old Town Mocha made by Adriana, then coffee and conversation with Jeff. My intent for the day is to live with some peace and calm, separate from the chaos and drama that society seems addicted to. I know of no better teacher and friend to experience this serenity with than staying close to nature. Did I mention I love the scent of the rain?

    Reflections in Big Bass Pond

    I took a stroll around Big Bass Pond at Arapaho Bend Natural Area yesterday afternoon to enjoy the silence and solitude of that sacred place. Behind me were a couple of nesting eagles. I want to believe their shrill calls are shouts of happiness for the egg or two sitting in their nest. May you have a wonderful Friday!

    How we think ripples out to how we behave.

    Robin Wall Kimmerer
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  • bicycling,  Cityscapes/Urban,  quotes,  sunrises

    Start of the Day

    October 2, 2024

    Hello, sun in my face.
    Hello you who made the morning
    and spread it over the fields…

    Watch, now, how I start the day
    in happiness, in kindness.

    Mary Oliver

    I would add to her start of the day, a bicycle ride to a favorite coffee shop and an image of the sunrise along the way. Weather app suggests the possibility of 90 degrees today. Toasty!

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  • leaves,  Plants,  quotes

    With the Child’s Eye

    July 13, 2024

    Childhood means simplicity. Look at the world with the child’s eye – it is very beautiful.

    Kailash Satyarthi

    The colors, the shapes, and the patterns of nature in the summer are amazing if we stop and look. This morning I stopped and looked with the child’s eye. Now at Coffee House 29 to meet Eric for coffee and conversation. It’s gonna be another hot day.

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  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  Avian,  natural areas,  quotes

    Wishing Happiness for Others

    June 8, 2024

    All the joy the world contains
    Has come through wishing happiness for others.
    All the misery the world contains
    Has come through wanting pleasure for oneself.

    The Way of the Bodhisattva

    I drove through Arapaho Bend Natural Area on my way back from my coffee and conversation with Eric. I saw three Golden Eagles but they were out of my lens range. A couple minutes later I watched and listened to this meadowlark sing. I want to believe the meadowlarks song is offering joy by wishing happiness for others. Now sitting outside enjoying the cool wind and lovely clouds! Enjoy your Saturday!

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  • Candid Portraits,  coffee life,  musings

    Sunday Smiles

    April 14, 2024

    Smiles… they are the simplest gift we can offer the world. There is an unending supply within each one of us. Each one is unique, no two are alike! They can be repeatedly given throughout our day. They are extremely contagious. They are free with no monetary value placed on them. They are not to be hidden but need/must to be set free, released, given, and received.

    Emma
    Keera

    They lift the spirit of both the giver and receiver. They may unknowingly offer healing to anyone who may be silently suffering. They are a sign of our inner joy and happiness, that life is good. And they can be an invitation to return a smile, begin a conversation or make eye contact. They break down all barriers that separate, isolate or reject. They express what words may not be able to say. They enhance our external and internal attractiveness and beauty. And, in my world, smiles are what keep me returning to coffee shops! Seems the world would be at a better place if each of us offered more smiles. We for sure will feel better!!! Thanks to my baristas, Keera and Emma!!

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  • clouds,  landscape,  quotes,  silence,  snow,  sunsets,  trees,  winter scenes

    My Wishes for You…

    December 25, 2023

    When we live as if everything is sacred, which it is if you really think about it, we relate to the things in our environment in a much more responsible way.

    Jane Reichhold

    Not sure I can adequately list all that I wish for you but here is a short one… Wishing you oodles of joy, happiness, peace, good health, Dove’s chocolates, the miraculous gifts of each new day (sunrises, sunsets, rainbows, butterflies), a heart bursting with love and hope, a heart of gratitude, family times, new adventures, DQ Blizzards (at least the small size), the gift of the songbirds morning canticle, innumerable hugs, moments of silence and stillness, listening to your inner voice or the sound of the wind or the quiet voice of silence, more time with nature, a book or poem that nurtures your heart and soul, the lyrics of a new or an old song that touches you at some new and deep level, new friends, times of quiet prayer and meditation, and to live as if everything is sacred!!! ❤️

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