• quotes,  street photography

    Compassion

    March 22, 2026

    Compassion is the only way forward if we are to be well. Compassion for those who do not know that they are beloved. Compassion for the children and creatures who are suffering today. Compassion even for the people and nations who wrong us. Revenge has no future, apart from bitterness and the multiplication of wrong. As Mahatma Gandhi taught his people in the midst of his nation’s struggle for justice and liberation, the philosophy of revenge, of an eye for an eye, will only make the whole world blind. If what we are committed to is transformation, then the only way forward is compassion, not revenge. A passion that is with and for the other as well as oneself, a passion that is with us and for the other as oneself.

    John Philip Newell
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  • Candid Portraits

    A Productive Day

    February 16, 2026
    This is a candid photo of a member of my flight crew taken along the banks of the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge in 2008.

    I have had a productive day. It started with my prayer and meditation time then a trip to Mugs for coffee and conversation. It included getting my taxes done and sent in. Federal taxes have already been accepted, but I haven’t heard back from the state yet. I took some used and new camping gear that I will not use anymore to a used outdoor shop in town called Gearage. The money they would normally give me will go to a charity of their choice. I also made a phone call that I was dreading because many of my experiences with phone systems seldom allow me to talk to a real person. But this time I stayed with it. I had to hold for several minutes but a helpful woman had things solved in a matter of a couple minutes. I also went through a pile of papers that needed to be filed or thrown away, which took much more time than anticipated. Yes, I’m known as a Procrastinator with a capital “P” unless I’m heading out for a coffee or ice cream. And now I’m letting you know I had a good day by posting this blog and photo. I hope you have had a good and productive day.

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  • coffee life,  People/Portraits

    The Barista’s Smiles

    December 11, 2025
    Adriana and Meg

    It was surprisingly warm this morning at 57 degrees, reaching a high of 69 degrees. Even though the wind was gusting a bit I rode the bicycle to the coffee shop, taking the Spring Creek Trail just for the ride. Two of the baristas were taking photos of latte art to put on their Facebook or Instagram sites for the coffee shop. So I took a photo of them.

    My dad’s graveside celebration of life will be on Wednesday morning the 17th at 9 am in Follett, Texas. Sheree (my sister), Monica (my youngest daughter), and I are going to drive down leaving early on the 16th and drive back right after the service on the 17th. We will stay one night, the 16th, in Perryton at the Quality Inn. It will be a very quick trip down and back. We will gather around his casket and share individually something about dad. I hope you had a good day!!

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  • coffee life,  People/Portraits

    He was disappointed

    December 8, 2025

    The young man came in and setup this chess board and then proceeded to eat his muffin. While everyone else around was probably wondering what he was doing, I saw it as a photo opportunity. I grabbed my camera and walked over to ask if I could take a photo. He said yes but actully had hoped I was coming over to play a game with him. He was disappointed when I told him no. The truth is, I don’t even know how to play chess. It has been a beautiful sunny day today and right now we are getting one beautiful sunset. I hope you had a good day!

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  • airports,  architecture,  Travel

    Stay warm and dry!

    December 2, 2025
    Terminal D at Sky Harbor

    I think I have taken a photo of this scene each time I walk this terminal to my gate on my flight back to Denver. It has an appeal to me! It is another cold morning here in Colorado with expected snow tonight and into tomorrow morning. And the southern sky was breathtakingly on fire this morning as I drove to the coffee shop. I splurged this morning and bought one of Mug’s burritos to take home. Today will be a quiet day and mostly spent inside. Stay warm and dry and spread some love, joy and compassion around! It’s needed!!!

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  • coffee life,  People/Portraits,  quotes

    Top of my Gratitude List

    January 13, 2025
    Adriana and Emma

    May the light of your soul guide you; May the light of your soul bless the work you do with the secret love and warmth of your heart; May you see in what you do the beauty of your own soul; May the sacredness of your work bring healing, light and renewal to those who work with you and to those who see and receive your work; May your work never weary you; May it release within you wellsprings of refreshment, inspiration and excitement…

    John O’Donohue

    My coffee life this morning had a special perk to it. I was pleased to see Emma at the coffee shop when I arrived. Let me tell you about it. So Adriana, in the background, is one of the current baristas, a full time student at CSU and a manager at Mugs. Emma, in the foreground, worked at Mugs for many years while a student at CSU. She now lives in Massachusetts after graduation and is in town for a visit. These two were roommates for several years and two of the most beautiful people on the earth. They both have made a lot of my mornings better by their presence, offering their smiles, their morning greetings and making my mocha lattes. My life has been enriched because of the gifts they are and I believe the world is richer because of their presence. Even though I am much older, they inspire me through the lives they live! I also consider them adopted granddaughters. They are at the top of my gratitude list! Even though I knew Emma was going to be here, it was still a wonderful surprise to see her. I’m still smiling!

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  • Candid Portraits,  coffee life

    Two kool people

    December 20, 2024
    Adrianna and Curtis, two of my favorite people

    I don’t seem to get out on cold mornings like I have in the past. I attribute that to my wisdom in aging, some to my laziness, and some to the ease of venturing to a warm coffee shop, instead of standing beside a cold tripod in the wind. However, since getting back on a bicycle I am out in the cold on a regular basis as I pedal to my coffee life. Yes, a bit of a contradiction. It was 23° this morning when I left.

    Anyway, I took this image a couple weeks ago of Curtis and Adrianna. Curtis is one of the regular customers who used to work at Mugs and just graduated from CSU last week. Adriana works at Mugs, a student at CSU and wears an assortment of hats: boss, manager, barista, student, and cat owner. They both are just all around kool people. This is an impromptu candid shot and I liked how it turned out.

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  • Candid Portraits,  coffee life,  People/Portraits

    Good luck, my friend!!

    December 11, 2024

    This is Curtis, one of the irregulars at Mugs and actually worked for Mugs at one time. He’s an awesome young man with a beautiful soul which is why I like to hang with him. He graduates this month with a degree in Construction Management. He’s already had a couple of interviews for jobs that hopefully will pay him millions of dollars. I personally hope he finds a good job locally so I can still meet with him once in awhile and also so he can be close to his family. Good luck, my friend!!

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