• haiku,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  sunrises,  writing/reading

    After Sunrise

    May 1, 2021

    after sunrise
    dropped by a coffee shop
    morning mocha

    ms

    My parents made the decision to sell their house in Phoenix and move into an assisted living facility. So, my sisters, my brother-in-law and I will help them clear out a 1600 sq ft home and move into a 650 sq ft, 1 bedroom, 1 bath apartment. This is something they have talked about for a while and been a concern with my sisters, my brother-in-law and I for awhile. My parents finally asked my sister, Marcee, if she would check on everything, the facility and the money. She did a wonderful job of presenting them the options of staying in their house or living in an assisted living facility, then letting them make the decision themselves. It seems we all agree it’s a good decision. I fly out tomorrow for Phoenix. Not sure how long I will be gone so my posts may be sporadic or nothing at all. Enjoy your weekend! Oh, and Happy May Day!

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

    New Journal Today

    March 17, 2021

    Thirty degrees and overcast skies. They finally cleaned the parking lot yesterday, so I found my car. One of the hazards of having a white car in Colorado. Wanted to catch the bus but the city plows covered the sidewalk making it almost impossible to reach the bus stop. Opted instead to drive to the Bean Cycle.

    I was taken back by how much tree damage this storm brought on. The tree trimmers are going to be busy over the next couple weeks. There are piles of snow everywhere, tree branches scattered everywhere. Front End loaders and dump trucks are busy hauling it somewhere. I had the coffee shop pretty much to myself. So, it was a mocha latte, some easy listening jazz and journaling time for myself. Started a new journal today. ❤️Got a haircut on the way home so I’m looking dapper again. 😁

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  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  sunrises

    Enjoy Your Saturday

    January 16, 2021

    There was no sun cresting the eastern horizon this morning due to clouds. However, it was an amazing 43 degrees with a steady breeze from the north. In the above image you can see the wind reshaping the clouds continuously. Stopped and grabbed a mocha on the way home and did something unusual for me. I walked in, greeted the baristas and then ordered without realizing I did not have my mask on. I ran back out to the car and put it on. It’s moments like that when I know I’m not doing a very good job of staying present to life but somewhere else in my head. I’m going to enjoy my Saturday and hope you do as well.

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  • clouds,  haiku,  landscape,  sunrises,  writing/reading

    What My Soul Needs

    December 21, 2020

    horizon of colors
    with quiet and solitude
    pre-dawn on the farm

    ms

    I am blessed to have the natural areas so close and with easy access. Yet, this morning I felt the desire to drive eastward, into Weld County. For I can also experience the quiet and solitude my soul needs out here. Taken this morning near Weld County Road 15 and County Road 78. And, I talked myself into stopping at the Bean Cycle on the way back into town for a mocha latte to bring home. This retirement life is pretty exciting!

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  • Avian,  Canada Goose,  haiku,  landscape,  sunrises,  writing/reading

    words rising

    December 3, 2020

    inhale deep breaths
    journal and pen in hand
    words rising within

    ms

    It was 17 degrees at 7:33 am when I took this image. I was bundled up while the geese, well, they seemed to be singing a song of joy while drifting in frigid water or sleeping on thin ice. Pure insanity to us humans! After taking this image, I headed to Pineridge Natural area to bask in the sun’s bright warmth and journal. Picked up a mocha on the way so it took me about 25 minutes to arrive at the natural area parking lot. It had already warmed up to 18 degrees. Not toasty yet but an increase nonetheless. Some will think I’m insane for starting my day this way but both the geese and I say to heck with them. I enjoy these gifts of silence, the clear blue skies and the warm sun shining on me. To make it complete, when I got home I enjoyed a rather dry day old donut. 😁Do I know how to live or what?

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  • coffee life,  landscape,  natural areas,  Plants,  quotes,  sunrises,  trees

    Laugh at Ourselves

    November 29, 2020

    “As soon as we think we know what’s going to happen, life shows us that we don’t.” Adyashanti

    It’s good to laugh at ourselves, especially at start of the day. After an enjoyable quiet time I decided to grab my camera and tripod with the anticipation of capturing the morning sunrise at Pineridge Natural Area. Before I left the house I ordered a mocha from the nearest Starbucks using my phone app. I was surprised to arrive and find the store was closed. Dang! I was afraid I was going to miss out on the predawn colors. About a mile away was another Starbucks with a drive through so I decided to try them since I’d already purchased the mocha online. But, they were not opening for another hour. So headed to the Human Bean and their drive through and now had my mocha. You don’t suppose I have a problem and need to find another 12 Step program? 😁

    Anyway, the sun was up by the time I arrived at the natural area but all was good. Clear blue skies and a bright sun shining on me. Magpies loudly greeted me while silence was heard between their squawking. I journaled, sipped on my mocha and enjoyed the quiet. I also laughed several times at how my morning turned out. Happy Sunday! 😍

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  • coffee shops,  haiku

    An Attempt

    September 11, 2020

    Mocha latte from the Bean Cycle this morning

    The cool morning and overcast skies convinced me to have my latte at the Bean Cycle and sit upstairs where there are fewer customers. Seems everyone else thought the same thing as it quickly got crowded. Anyway, I enjoyed my mocha while I could. Here is an attempt at a haiku.

    green willow branches
    robed in winters white vestment 
    now genuflects

    ms

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  • coffee shops,  lifestyles

    Getting Better At It

    August 18, 2020

    Mocha latte from the Bean Cycle

    Last week I visited the Bean Cycle in Old Town. As I’ve mentioned before I don’t go down there much due to the pandemic and my budget can’t afford a mocha latte everyday. But, sometimes you just have to venture out. In the background is Penny, one of the owners and who made my drink. I like to go upstairs where I can find a bit more quiet and a soft cozy chair. She filled it to the brim with her latte art which makes it difficult to carry up stairs without spilling but I’m getting better at it.

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