My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, spirituality and asking deep questions.
“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.”
Aristotle
My ability to dream and fantasize goes way back. I could create a whole world in my head and stay there for hours simply by saying, “let’s pretend,” even when that was subconscious. I believe it’s an essential part of our young lives but there is a point where we cease pretending and begin living in the reality of life. Some of us do that sooner than others. I put myself in the later category. I’ve become aware of when to entertain thoughts without accepting them and let them go. Progress, as they say. Having said that I still find myself entertaining a thought just as this young lady seems to be doing but not accepting it as reality. Hope you had a good Monday!
Met with the surgeon this morning and everyone is pleased with what they saw in my latest echocardiogram. A couple of numbers are higher than we want but for now we are pleased with them. Now it is my responsibility to eat healthier and exercise rather than just think physical activity will do. We’ve had snow/rain most of the afternoon with temperatures in the high 30s. Tonight’s low expected to drop below freezing. I stopped in at Starry Night this afternoon to write and read and enjoyed a cortado1 a cortado is a beverage consisting of espresso mixed with a roughly equal amount of warm milk to reduce the acidity. Just after I arrived it got very busy and these three Baristas2 a person whose job involves preparing and serving different types of coffee. handled it very well. Happy Friday and enjoy your weekend!
This morning I noticed a young man in his early thirties strutting into the coffee shop1I am aware that I was immediately judgmental of him but this brought up some wonderful questions to ask myself and journal about it. His entrance was noticeable because of his tough guy walk. The demeanor offered a feeling of toughness, don’t mess with me attitude. Nor was I the only one who turned and noticed. As he ordered his drink it was then that I noticed he was packing a gun on his right side. So, the next time I see a police officer walk into a coffee shop wearing their weapons I’ll check to see if they have the same strut.
Anyway, this gave me some fodder for my journaling and also stirred this posting. What or who is he afraid of? Was his reality of life that foundationally scary and insecure? Did he feel the half dozen customers were possible enemies and that he needed to protect himself at any cost? I personally have never in my 20 some years of coffee shop life encountered a wild beast in a coffee shop. I have seen a dog or two. About the only life they could point a weapon at is another person.
My reality of life presents something different. Seems I have more fear, and am at a greater risk, from the driver who is trying to text message and drive at the same time than I do of being shot in a coffee shop. And, I also have more fear of politicians, corporate executives, and the wealthy who will do anything to attain more money, power and control due to the fear they will lose what they have or not attain what they want. And, in all honesty, I have a fear of the person packing the gun and how they will use the weapon under a stressful situation, will they use it with reactionary fear.
To end this post I must say we have no idea of the life experiences, the physical, sexual, verbal, emotional abuse and violence, others have had in life that presents their reality of life as threatening. So in my journaling and writing of this post I find gratitude for the life I have lived, the safety and security my family and community gave me and continue to give me and the innate goodness I see in this world. Reaffirms my belief that packing a gun will not prevent violence or put an end to violence and damn sure it will not bring peace.
with hands of gratitude wrapped around coffee cups they share morning time together a simple conversation sometimes without words on this day of thanksgiving
ms
Since Mugs at the Oval was closed today I went to Mugs in Old Town. Streets were busy as they were having a foot race called the Turkey Trot. Being a people watcher I noticed a couple sitting across from me with their coffees. I was taken by their hands. So, I asked for and was given permission to take a couple images of their hands. Thank you, Scott and Michelle, and may you two have a wonderful day and life together!
I have much to be grateful for in my life. I regularly journal a gratitude list and that is what I will do throughout this day. I find it a great habit and can place me in a better mood when I list what I have rather than what I don’t have (or think I need). I put on a crock pot of andouille sausage and vegetable soup that is good for a cold day as today. Have reached out to family and friends through text messaging and calls letting them know I love them and they are on the lists! The sun came out so I got a walk in and burned some calories. No pie for me this year but an apple fritter made it to my plate.
I’ve been noticing the shadows on the wall next to my chair at the coffee shop and knew there was an image there somewhere. Well, one was found this morning. But, what I envisioned required a tripod or for someone to take the photo for me. So, I asked Nate, one of my baristas if he would take a photo for me. I have very gifted baristas! They not only make my mocha but take photos. Thanks, Nate!
It was cold this morning, 11 degrees at 6:44 am and right now we are all the way up to 37 degrees. I found out I may have been exposed to COVID this past Sunday so I was able to get a test done this morning. It will take about 24 hours so I’m isolating for the day. Sure hope it is negative because my sister and I are planning on heading to Phoenix next Wednesday for a three day visit with my dad, sister and brother-in-law. This will be our early Thanksgiving.
As I’ve said before, I am a firm believer in nonviolence. We have repeatedly proven violence is not a solution for peace but a seed for more hatred. I served in the military from 1968-1972 at the age of 18. My belief at the time was that if needed I’d kill another human for this country. So, grateful I didn’t have to. I see it so differently now. I hope and pray we can let go of hatred, seek out our similarities, embrace our differences, and see one another as sisters and brothers. May we welcome the gift of peace that is ours. Yet, after saying all that, I respect and am grateful for those who offered the ultimate sacrifice for this country in war and especially for those who died in wars that were unnecessary. Thank you!
My weather app said 23 degrees this morning. So, I decided to take the bus for coffee because I didn’t wanna scrape frost off my windshield. Think I’ve done enough of that in my lifetime. Walked into the coffee shop and found this cute little devil peeking around the coffee carafes. She made a darn good mocha for me. I saw a few other coffee shop regulars all dressed up in their finest. Then caught the glimpse of a blue dragon and a black gorilla at the transit center. Just the usual morning crowd around campus.
Around midday I drove to Wolverine Farms to write and soak up the sun. Was thrilled to see tiny creature costumes all over Old Town, children hungry for candy. There were little firemen, princesses, dragons, super heroes, pumpkins, skeletons, bats and cats and more. Yea, for the businesses in Old Town to support the children. Just the usual morning crowd around Old Town.
Selfie at the bus stop
Nature abhors uniformity.
Nature not only produces species diversity but also individual diversity.
Nature produces individuals. No two days are the same, no two snowflakes, no two flowers, trees, or any other of the infinite life-forms.
Thomas Berry
Interesting how I wanted to fit in when younger then later in life wanted to be different. Now I want to become my authentic/true self, wearing no masks or costumes, belonging in this world. Happy Halloween!
“I’m a child of God, and being a child of God, I’m essential, and no one has the right to limit, or the power to limit, my ability to be somebody.”
Ruby Sales
“What would our world look like if everyone believed and were given the ability to be somebody?” Please spend a bit of time with that question. Which then leads to the next question, “Does our inability to believe we are essential lead us to think of others as inessential and treat them as less than?” I find it important to ask myself those questions and then how do I live the answers to those questions? Sorry but I actually asked three questions.
