• Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  sunsets

    Reflections

    December 21, 2023
    Sunset over Longs Peak

    Thoreau understood that wildness is not dependent upon a vast, unsettled track of land. Rather it is a quality of awareness, and openness to the light, to the seasons, and to nature’s perpetual renewal.

    John Elder, Introduction to Nature Walking by Ralph Waldo Emerson

    Needed a Natural Area fix yesterday so I drove out to Arapaho Bend Natural Area. I wanted to get in some steps so I walked along the ponds with camera and tripod. I had no real goals. I just needed to be there. My time there was healing. just what I needed. Beautiful clouds directly above me and over the Front Range. A touch of color after the sun had set. And the water was calm providing inspiring reflections. Nature does that!

    My fix was needed because I have felt a bit down. I do that once in awhile. But, I am grateful for the gift of this awareness of feelings. I’ve come to know my feelings are not my reality, they point to something deeper. There is no need for me to worry, or be fearful, or greedy, or resentful, since those are just thoughts. My life is good! Heck we just got a 3.24% increase in our SSA check. My IRA made money this past year. Although I spent part of that on car repairs. The reality is I have everything I need. I am privileged. One year ago I was a very sick man and in the hospital which let me know of health issues that have since been addressed. Today I meet with my cardiologist for a nine month checkup after the TAVR procedure they did last March. I enjoyed a taste of the Christmas season Tuesday evening as I dressed up as Santa for the baristas at Starry Night’s employee party. What a gift that I would be asked to be a part of their celebration. It was way kool! I’m aware I’ve drifted off course with my eating during this season but eagerly accepted a gift box of almond truffles. No, I’m not sharing them!!

    I’ll end with this by applying the words of John Elder to my life. I have a quality of awareness in my life, what is reality and what isn’t. I am learning to be open to the light of new tomorrows, new horizons and venture towards them for as long as I can. I am also aware that each season of life is always preceding another season of renewal. So, my fix in nature lifted my spirits. I do have a desire to live the brevity of my life the best I can. Hope you have a great day. Thanks for listening to me ramble or is it babbling.

    And, Happy Birthday to my youngest granddaughter, Madie!!!

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  • Food,  lifestyles

    Pizza Party

    December 9, 2019

    Sylvia and her calzone

    My friend, Joan, invited me to a pizza party offered by her co-workers. Interesting idea because they have a brick wood fired oven on their back porch. They provided the pizza dough and cheese. All we needed was to provide the toppings. No anchovies!! So, we rolled these 7 inch size pizza, added your choice of sauce then laid on the toppings of your choice. The pizzas were ready in about 3-4 minutes. This is Sylvia who decided a calzone would be better. She claimed it was good although she did not share it with me. Have a great day!

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  • architecture,  Documentary/Street,  Humor

    Spring Break Aftermath

    March 24, 2018

    Spring Break Aftermath
    Spring Break Aftermath

    Students were back in class this past week after having the previous week off for spring break. I took this image yesterday. So, I’m thinking they had beer left over and just continued to party into this week or there were no survivors from spring break. 🙂

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  • landscape,  People/Portraits,  sunsets

    All Things Blue Party

    August 5, 2015

    Front Range Sunset
    Front Range Sunset

    Some friends put on an all things blue party this past weekend. The idea was have a potluck but all the food must have the color or word blue. We were also asked to bring a blue bottle which they will use to border their garden. Quite an assortment was had. Green salads with blueberries, enchilada casserole with blue tortillas, blueberry pie, guacamole with blueberries and mangos (darn good), blue margaritas for those who imbibe, blue cheese stuffed olives, blue cheese dip, blue cheese stuffed deviled eggs and more (they looked nasty but weren’t bad). It was hot until around 6:00 then clouds settled in, a slight breeze arrived and cooled things off. And to top it off, those clouds offered some nice colors as the sun set. A good time was had by all!

    Eating and conversation as the sunsets
    Eating and conversation as the sunsets

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