• horizons,  landscape,  mountains,  quotes,  silence

    Solitude

    April 2, 2025
    An afternoon along Weld County Road 90

    Solitude is a state of hospitality, a welcoming of all that needs attention. Solitude offers a ground that is embracing and inclusive. Everything can be made welcome in the broad arms of solitude, even fear. For as long as humans have sought counsel with the sacred, much of it has happened in a space set apart from others. Here, in silence and nourishing aloneness, we can become receptive to the influence of soul…

    Francis Weller

    Even more so since Covid I intentionally seek out times and places for solitude. I also am now prone to shun away from large crowds, being more comfortable with one on one situations for coffee or lunch. I am more welcoming to those broad arms and hospitality of solitude.

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  • landscape,  quotes,  snow,  winter scenes

    Blue Sky

    February 20, 2025

    Now is the season to know
    That everything you do
    Is sacred.

    Hafiz (translation by Daniel Ladinsky)

    This is a ridge along Horsetooth Reservoir after the night’s dusting of snow. And, it was bitter cold. And, I see that it is cold on the east coast and cold up north, also. Please stay warm!

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  • coffee life,  latte art,  quotes,  silence

    Ordinary Life Experiences

    January 21, 2025
    Latte art (rosetta) by Dean

    The most ordinary life experiences become transcendent when you offer them your reverent silence, your mischievous laughter, your sacred rage.

    Mirabai Starr

    Another frigid morning below zero, where my car groaned when I turned the ignition. Almost like it was saying, “Do you really want to do this?” Clear blue skies and sunshine now bring some warmth. My morning included quiet time, a breakfast scramble, then a trip to the coffee shop filled with wonderful conversations and a mocha. I did not journal until after I came home and began laundry. Some may consider my life dull, boring, ordinary but for me there is nothing ordinary about this life I live. My life is full as long as I stay present, my eyes open! I must admit I live the good life! I see that everyone is dealing with this cold weather so I hope you are staying warm.

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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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  • clouds,  quotes,  sunrises

    Sacred Conversations

    December 14, 2024
    A touch of pink over CSU campus just before sunrise

    Imagine how different life would be right now if Christianity could become a place for sacred conversations; a place to explore possibilities and express doubts and disagree and encourage voices on the edges.

    Victoria Loorz

    I was told yesterday I have a very active social life.
    But maybe it’s really a multitude of sacred conversations.

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  • landscape,  sunsets

    Sunset Colors

    November 29, 2024

    “Honor the sacred. Honor the Earth, our Mother. Honor the Elders. Honor all with whom we share the Earth: Four-leggeds, two-leggeds, winged ones, Swimmers, crawlers, plant and rock people. Walk in balance and beauty.”

    Native American Elder

    My Thanksgiving dinner was roasted vegetables and a piece of blueberry pie. It was 20 degrees this morning so no bicycling but when it warmed up to 39 degrees I went on a 7.7 mile bicycle ride to Spring Creek Park. Later just as the sun was setting I drove to Fossil Creek Park to see about sunset colors over Portner Reservoir. I love the pastel colors in this image and also enjoyed being photobombed by a flock of Canada Geese coming in from the fields. Not the best photo because it was handheld at 1/25th of a second.

    Today is Native American Heritage Day. It is was setup to celebrate the vibrant cultures, traditions, and heritages while recognizing Native Americans’ many contributions. Seems to me the Native Americans knew how to honor the sacred, who we share the earth with, and live in harmony with it. While we are arrogantly destroying the sacred and arrogantly still considered them less than us. Our arrogance keeps us from being students of life. And, we have so much to learn!!

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