• coffee life,  coffee shops,  Humor,  musings

    It was different

    I went to Mugs at CSU late yesterday morning. This is probably the coffee shop I visit the most but something was different. The ambience was not the same as when I normally go. I’m sure you’re all aware that going camping in the same tent at the same location as last week is not he same if you throw in a mosquito. Don’t get me wrong Mugs is still a favorite coffee shop. So is camping. But something was different.

    They say ambience is a feeling or mood associated with a particular place, person, or thing. So what are the factors that go into the feel of a coffee shop that draw me in or out? Warning: If you don’t like lists then now may be a good time to stop reading and go eat another chocolate eclair. If you’re a glutton for punishment or need to verify my insanity, then read on.

    Here are some factors that are important and some that are insignificant that I came up with for me. The time of day, the day of the week, the weather outside, temperature both inside and outside, the season, the baristas, the customers, the piped music. I also notice the decor, the seating, is it crowded or spacious.

    The food: do they serve pastries, sandwiches, burritos, salads, chocolate eclairs (a winner every time). This morning they were cooking up bacon. Love the smell of cooking bacon! The drink: is my mocha latte hot enough, meet my taste buds preference? Does my mug dribble? Important stuff here!

    The biggest factor is me: what’s my attitude, how rested am I, where’s my emotional and spiritual condition, are my pants too tight (due to pastries)? Did I come to write or read? How well did the barista and I connect when I came in?

    And, I must confess that I’ve left coffee shops because the ambience was just not what I wanted or needed. I will end with this. I know there is no perfect coffee shop. And, if there was then I wouldn’t go or it would not be perfect anymore!! See, I am insane! Happy Sunday!

  • Art/Design,  coffee life,  coffee shops,  Humor

    A Fart Sale

    I met a friend for coffee this morning and could not pass up this sign as I walked in. So I wonder are they selling loud ones, silent ones, squeaky ones and of course the smelly ones? Maybe all the above. Kinda makes you wonder what yours are worth. Great way to advertise for a Fine Art sale. Have a super day!

  • clouds,  Humor,  landscape,  quotes

    Altering Our Attitude

    The greatest discovery of any generation is that a human can alter his life by altering his attitude.

    William James

    When I live my day with a positive attitude the day does go much better. Seems I have a better attitude when I start every day with quiet time, prayer and meditation. And, I must also add that I enjoy hanging around people who have a positive attitude rather than a negative attitude. When our attitude is selfish and self-centered then we’re not going to be a lovely person to be around. One of many reason I don’t hang around politicians.

    Had to stop and take this photo because those rows are almost perfect. Shows the differences between natures idea of perfection and man’s idea of perfection. We are expecting snow today. I can already see it snowing in the higher foothills. Stay warm!

  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  Avian,  Canada Goose,  clouds,  Humor,  landscape,  natural areas

    Random Formation

    Geese flying over Rigden Reservoir

    There was a lot of chatter going up there as these Canada Geese flew over me. Had to chuckle as I imagined what they are honking up about. Do you suppose they are just like we are when we get in our cars and head somewhere? Were some complaining the goose behind them was following too close? Were some wanting to fly faster or slower? Were some being backseat flyers? Were some wanting to land here or fly on farther? Were some trying to control the formation, shouting instructions to others because the formation is not what they wanted? Do I even want to know? Not really but I had fun with my imagination. Have a great week!

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

    Anyone else …

    … still looking for the perfect camera bag? 😂 A quick google search for “perfect camera bag” gives me 118,000,000 hits. There is always someone suggesting the best camera bag for travel, backpacking, street photography, weddings and so forth. But I’m afraid we are all going to be disappointed because there ain’t one.

    Daily, I normally carry a camera with a lens attached, a journal, my fountain pens, a kindle paperwhite, sometimes a book, a smartphone, spare battery and SD cards. I seldom carry my 13″ Macbook Pro anymore. If’n I’m going to the coffee shop with the above then all I need is camera bag A or A1 or A2. If’n I’m going to a natural area for nature photos then a camera body with two lens and binoculars are what I need and fits in camera bag B, or B1 or B2 or B3. Maybe what I need is a bag that morphs into what I want for that day. I just put in what I’m going to carry for the day and it shapes itself to my needs. And all for only $49. Or maybe I need to give up. But I’m still looking. Sigh!

  • Humor,  People/Portraits,  Portraits

    Tired of my landscapes?

    Seven years ago I attended a workshop in Denver on portraiture. This lovely woman was one of the two models we were able to work with. Technically I like the outcome of this image but her expression, that smile, glancing look, is what makes this image work for me. And, she’s beautiful! Anyway, I decided to post this image because I don’t want anyone thinking I only shoot distant horizons of sunrises and sunsets, or latte art or fountain pens and journals. 😂

  • clouds,  Humor,  landscape,  natural areas,  Plants,  quotes,  sunsets,  trees

    Pork and Beans

    The bicycle is the most efficient machine ever created. Converting calories into gas, a bicycle gets the equivalent of three thousand miles per gallon.

    Bill Strickland

    This image was taken near one of the parking lots along the bike path that follows the Poudre River. Most of this path is paved and is widely used by the residents of Fort Collins for walking and bicycling. It matters not what time of the day, there is always someone riding the path. The city of Fort Collins is bike friendly and is committed to them. We see a lot of commuters and being a college town it is also used a lot by students. This path also connects to the Poudre Trail Corridor that goes all the way into Weld county. It also now connects the cities of Loveland and Fort Collins. Something within me knows I need to be on a bicycle more than I am. If the above quote is correct, I could eat more pork and beans, maybe moving that number up to 3,500 miles per gallon. Just saying!