• Documentary/Street,  Holiday Seasons,  moon,  street photography

    Old Town lights and crescent moon

    December 25, 2025

    When I left this morning for coffee, it was 35 degrees with overcast skies. I was gifted with a beautiful sunrise on the eastern horizon for the entire ride. As I stepped out the door of my condo I immediately noticed the quiet all around me. There was no traffic hum in the distance that many accept as normal and never notice. It was again an awareness of how much noise pollution our vehicles make. It also reminded me of when we first went into covid shutdown and the quiet that descended upon us for several weeks. On my bicycle ride home from coffee it had warmed up to 41 degrees but still overcast and cold. I stopped to observe a majestic bald eagle and held eye contact with them for several minutes along Spring Creek Trail. We just watched one another, no spoken words were necessary. What a gift that we shared.

    Old Town lights and the Crescent Moon

    The above image was taken last night when I went to Old Town to get some photographs of their Christmas lights and to watch people. It is a 14 second exposure so most of the people are blurred out. But, I want to share a special gift I received while watching a family of five. It looked to be mom and dad, grandpa and grandma, and a young girl who was in the spirit of the season and singing Jingle Bells, over and over. Everyone within hearing distance was her captivated audience! I don’t believe any person around me did not have a smile on their face as she sang. And, I wonder how many joined in, even silently. I did! And what’s interesting to me is that she may be offering this gift of song freely with no expectations of receiving in return. If only our world was focused on giving rather than receiving. Today I will cook up a chicken thigh with petite potatoes and baby carrots in my new Ninja Crispi air fryer. May you have a wonderful day, enjoy family time if possible and hopefully consume some chocolate today or at least think about it.

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  • quotes,  street photography

    A Walk Down the Alley

    January 7, 2025

    Photography is the easiest art, which perhaps makes it the hardest.

    Lisette Model

    There is some amazing hidden artwork in the alleys of Old Town Fort Collins. Every so often I enjoy taking my camera down these alleys and see what images I might discover. My camera does not have to stop and pee or sniff like a dog would which makes it easy. My light on this day was soft diffused light from overcast skies. I am learning to stand before scenes like this with awe. At first I was drawn to the colors, but after a while, the intricacy of all the lines pulledme into it. I’m glad I took a walk down the alley. We awoke to a couple inches of snow and it still snowing. Again, it looks like everyone is dealing with winter conditions. Stay warm and enjoy your day!

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  • Art,  quotes,  street photography

    The Meaning of Life

    November 12, 2024
    BirdsEye mural by Ren Burke

    I think “the meaning of life” is something we have to formulate for ourselves, we have to determine what has meaning for us… It clearly has to do with love — what and whom and how one can love.

    Oliver Sacks

    We had another beautiful day yesterday, beginning with an orange sunrise then blue skies and sunshine. In the afternoon I headed to Old Town to walk the streets with my camera. I found a few images then did some journaling at Starry Night, enjoying an Earl Grey Tea. I believe so deeply in what Oliver Sacks suggests that the meaning of life is about love. So today I ask myself what and whom and how I can love.

    In 2004 as a collaboration between the City of Fort Collins Art in Public Places Program and Utilities Light and Power created The Transformer Cabinet Mural Project. Serving as a graffiti abatement program, the murals help lower maintenance costs while adding bright colorful art in unexpected places. The program also helps keep the investment local by utilizing local artists and non-profit groups to paint the cabinets. Since the start of the program, 20 years now, over 400 transformer cabinets have been transformed into works of art.

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  • architecture,  Documentary/Street,  quotes

    Peace is an inside job

    March 2, 2022

    “World peace must develop from inner peace. Peace is not just mere absence of violence. Peace is, I think, the manifestation of human compassion.”

    Dalai Lama XIV

    We’re expecting another spring like day, temperatures into the 60s. So nice that I don’t need to scrape frost off the windshield.

    World turmoil is still the news of the day. Lots of prayers being said for the people of Ukraine and our world leaders. I didn’t watch State of the Union address last night but did read most of it this morning. I’m beginning to believe stronger than ever that to have peace and love in our world, to stop our negative impact on nature, to eliminate all the lies, there needs to be a manifestation of human compassion. I’ll go with the Dalai Lama’s option because it resonates with me. Have a super Awesome day!

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  • coffee life,  coffee shops,  Documentary/Street,  lifestyles

    Little Bird Bakeshop

    December 4, 2021

    Took my 35mm f2.0 lens and camera for a walk in Old Town yesterday morning. I mysteriously found myself sitting at a table inside the Little Bird Bakeshop with a small mocha and a bostock. Things like that are happening more often. At first it bothered me but now I’m beginning to be okay with them, almost expecting them.

    It had been a while since I was in there and what a make over the shop has gone through. They have done a very nice remodel job making it more inviting and open. I took this image to show evidence of their bakery goods and highlight the latte art by my barista, Leslie. I’ll for sure need to revisit. Loved the blueberry bostock, by the way!

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  • Documentary/Street,  Holiday Seasons,  lifestyles

    Sheesh!

    December 3, 2021

    Met a friend in Old Town when I saw this figurine in the window of a gift shop that is decorated for the holidays. I just happen to have my camera with me and shot through the window, thus the reflection. And, a better photographer would not have cropped the wolf. Anyway, holiday music has been playing for more than a week while some of us are still eating pumpkin pie. Sheesh!

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  • architecture,  Documentary/Street

    Zig Zaggy

    March 12, 2021

    This image is a “zig zaggy” alley behind a building in Old Town. What you see in the center is a mural on this massive wall depicting people from the town: local celebrities, local entertainers and more. The glare distorts the mural and along with the dark shadows gives it a mysterious feel. I thought it was a good scene given to me to enjoy and hoping you would also.

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