• Art/Design,  journal,  lifestyles,  musings,  Photography,  writing/reading

    My Life and more….

    My Essentials
    My life: a hat, journal, fountain pen, books, laptop, desk and camera

    My role as an observer of an image is much different as I practice and mature with photography. I am grateful I’ve come to see the world with new eyes when I look through the viewfinder of my camera. I contribute this with time, practice and learning to be present to life. Likewise, my role as an observer of another person’s image has changed. There has always been the draw of colors, patterns and especially the light and shadows. But, the story an image expresses is becoming a greater interest within me.

    I’m posting this image because it says something about me at this time in my life. It tells a story: it tells you I wear a favorite hat on an almost daily basis, it tells you I have established a routine of writing almost daily basis for many years using a small collection of fountain pens, it tells you I allow the words from sacred texts of many faiths, poets, mystics, and creatives transforms me as a person. And, since I’ve taken the image myself it tells how a camera is always with me and used as a creative tool and inspiration in my life. It says something about my life and more.

  • Art,  quotes,  Sculpture,  writing/reading

    Quiet Place to Read

    Reading with his Friend
    Reading with his Friend

    “What does it require to read a book?  It requires time, quiet, patience, attentiveness to the written words, imagination and emotions.” Ilia Delio

    Reading a book is experiential. The reader and writer merge within the pages. Each experience is unique. Enlightening. Transforming. Magical. Get lost in one, or found. Race through one or chew on one for weeks. And, reread one once in a while. We need books.

    Reading the book of nature requires the same time,  quiet, patience, attentiveness to its words, imagination and emotions. It is just as experiential. Enlightening. Transforming. Magical. Go for a walk. Meander through a nature area or around the block and read its words. We need nature.

    Or, go spend time in nature, bring along a book, or two, and find a quiet place to read.

  • Black and White,  lifestyles,  musings,  quotes,  writing/reading

    Love of Books

    Love of Books
    Love of Books

    It is a good rule after reading a new book, never to allow yourself another new one till you have read an old one in between.

    C.S. Lewis

    I bought a kindle e-reader about five years ago and fell in love with it. It ignited a fire to read more. Prior to this purchase I read few books, 2-3 a year. Most of my reading consisted of reading books required for school assignments, books on spirituality/religions and a few photography books in my attempt to improve at the craft. I was never interested in novels and still that way. I may read a novel every couple years.

    I now have an appreciation for books. I love spending time at the library (that’s where I’m at now) or a book store getting my hands of a few. One of the draws to the Bean Cycle Coffeehouse in Old Town is the nonprofit book store they have. Sometimes I’ll take my latte upstairs, grab a book and skim through part of one. I’ve bought one book from them and donated a few I’ve finished and do not want to keep in my library.

  • coffee shops

    While it snows….

    Writing, Reading and a Chai Latte

    … outside I find it relaxing to sit in some coffee shop with a warm fire and write, read and sip on a chai latte. I find the above image much more comfortable and warmer than standing in a snow storm to find an image. This was taken a couple weeks ago. Today I am in my yearly recurrent class to make sure I’m qualified to continue to work. My heart is sure not into it this year.

  • quotes

    The Treasure of Books

    Books

    “Books are the treasured wealth of the world and the fit inheritance of generations and nations.
    Books, the oldest and the best, stand naturally and rightfully on the shelves of every cottage.”

    Walden by Henry David Thoreau
  • lifestyles

    The Chair

    The Chair

    I acquired a new chair about 4 weeks ago. It’s a recliner/rocker and fits my posterior nicely. someone was throwing it away so I hauled it upstairs, bought some upholstery cleaner, scrubbed it down with a sponge, vacuumed it out and poof, we have a new chair for me. Looks like new! One of the things I miss about my condo back in Colorado was the bay window in my bedroom that faced southeast. I enjoyed spending my mornings sitting in a similar rocker with my latte, having quiet time, or reading, or writing and watching the sun come up. It’s a wonderful way to start my day.

    Happy New Years to all my blogging friends!

  • coffee shops,  Documentary/Street,  People/Portraits

    Morning Coffee and Paper

    Morning Coffee and Paper

    Many people start their days with routines. Some have set patterns that must be done before leaving in the morning. Some will continue their patterns after leaving, such as stopping by a favorite coffee shop. The morning cup of coffee can be found all over the world as one of those morning traditions, their day would be incomplete. That’s where I was when I took this image of a man enjoying, relaxing while sipping on a coffee, munching on a bagel and reading the newspaper. A ritual. A tradition. What are yours?

  • People/Portraits,  Self-portraits

    A Comfortable Chair

    Comfortable Chair

    I have a comfortable chair in my bedroom where I can read, pray and meditate in quiet. With the busy world around us we need to find those places of quiet. Creating my sanctuary requires I spend the time alone, I’m quiet and not doing anything that busies my mind and I do my best to relax. This is my sanctuary.