• clouds,  horizons,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area

    Showing off the clouds

    October 15, 2026

    I had my first Mohs surgery today to remove one of two spots because of basal cell carcinoma. I will have the second one done next week. It was a pretty simple procedure. They needed to take a second tissue sample to get it and about three hours of surgery time. I now have 10 stitches just below my left ear. I am a bit sore around the incision due to the trauma.

    As I mentioned earlier my car is also sick and is in the hospital for surgery. I am having a couple of oil leaks taken care of which requires them to pull the engine. I’ve been without a car for a couple of weeks now. On Monday I picked up a loaner car because I had something to do on Tuesday and Thursday. On Tuesday morning I drove their loaner car to the coffee shop before going to my luncheon in Loveland. When I went to leave I had a parking ticket. I did not know what violation I had committed until I got home and read over the ticket. Turns out the dealer plates were expired. I then drove to the dealership where Conner embarrassingly took the ticket, said he would take care of the ticket and got the license plates current. I’m good to go.

    It has been raining for the past three days. About mid morning the clouds finally broke and the sun and wind came out. I made a quick run to Pineridge Natural Area for the above photo of the clouds this afternoon. I am now in for the night. I have some catching up on your posts to do.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  sunrises

    Their Noise Machines

    August 4, 2026
    Sunrise at Pineridge Natural Area – August 2025

    “There are some places so beautiful they can make a grown man break down and weep.”

     Edward Abbey

    It has been a rather cool day, a pleasant change from the past three weeks. I had blood draw last Friday and met with my hematologist this morning to go over those numbers. She was pleased with my numbers because they are stable. So all is good. They are working on the parking lot so we have had constant noise now for two days. The email said they will be done tomorrow. Seems man sure does enjoy their noise machines.

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  • coffee life,  fountain pens,  journal,  quotes

    Keeping a journal…

    June 19, 2026

    Keeping a journal has taught me that there is not so much new in your life as you sometimes think. When you re-read your journal you find out that your latest discovery is something you already found out five years ago. Still, it is true that one penetrates deeper and deeper into the same ideas and the same experiences.

    Thomas Merton

    When I journal I write about my thoughts, questions, dreams, fears, and journal about what I see around me in this world. But I also journal because I believe there are words to discover within these fountain pens when I penetrate deep enough. So I am learning to not spend time trying to analyze or criticize what I write. I just write them down in my journal because they may be seeds for other ideas to write about and I desire those seeds. Journaling is a gift to and for me. And, yes, I do reread them to see what I have relearned. May you enjoy your weekend!

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  • flowers,  insects,  Plants,  quotes

    What is needed for life.

    June 10, 2026

    An organism that is too greedy and takes too much without giving anything in return destroys what it needs for life.

    Peter Wohlleben, The Hidden Life of Trees

    When I read this quote from Wohlleben I instantly thought of the organism as mankind. I doubt if this bee will take more nectar than is necessary. Which then lead to the question, “What would we learn if we were to read and study this book of nature?” It has been a warm sunny day. Spent some time in the park today and listened to the music made by wind and trees. I hope you had a good day!!

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

    To be a listener

    June 2, 2026

    No writing on the solitary, meditative dimensions of life can say anything that has not already been said better by the wind in the pine trees…or the silence and peace that is “heard” when the rain wanders freely among the hills and forests. But what can the wind say where there is no hearer?

    Thomas Merton, THOUGHTS ON SOLITUDE

    So maybe our task is to be present and listen or what Merton refers to as the hearer.

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  • nature,  quotes

    The web of all life

    May 1, 2026

    My God is too vast to be contained by theology, too mysterious to be defined, too holy to be personified. My God neither punishes nor rewards, but invites me into a living relationship that unfolds in the heart of all that is. My God belongs to everyone, and this belonging connects me to the web of all life.

    Mirabai Starr

    It has been a beautiful day with clear blue skies, sunshine and a gentle cooling breeze. I used yesterday and today to recover from the traveling. I got some grocery shopping done and made tuna salad. This afternoon I spent time at Pineridge Natural Area for the silence, solitude, and journal time. I believe my time at the coffee shop and in these Natural Areas are places where I do connect with the web of life. They are essential in my life! And hope you had a Happy May Day! Enjoy your weekend!

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  • haiku,  quotes

    … the work of being human

    March 17, 2026
    Waiting area outside the Lory Student Center Theater

    “Really all we have to offer the world is the gift of our individuality. We can never be just like any other person. Our journey through life is an extremely personal contribution to the work of being human.”

    Jane Reichhold

    In my experience when anyone tries to force their opinions and their rules as the norm for everyone, they are no longer being a gift. We see this evidenced in our attempts to use war as a way to create unity rather than embracing individuality. There is enough historical evidence to prove war is not a gift and has never brought unity! So maybe our task in life is to encourage and nurture those around us who need to offer their personal contribution of being human. Who knows, maybe their contribution will enrich everyone’s lives. I find it sad that so many world leaders arrogantly deny others the opportunity to be the individual gift they are, this work of being human. And, it is a gift!

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