• flowers,  landscape,  Plants,  Plants/Nature,  quotes,  snow,  winter scenes

    Spring Snow

    May 6, 2026
    Looking out my front door
    Lilacs baring a heavy load
    Damaged tree at CSU Oval
    CSU Flower Trial Gardens
    CSU Flower Trial Gardens

    Here are a few scenes from the spring snow we are enjoying. I cleaned off 5 inches of snow from my car this morning. We need the moisture so I’m pleased with that. It is a heavy wet snow so it will keep the tree trimmers busy over the next couple of days. There are several tree branches down on along the campus on Shields and Laurel and they have the CSU Oval closed. The coffee shop was empty because CSU classes have been canceled. Meg, my barista, made me an Old town mocha and was playing oldies, so I tapped my foot and journaled. The snow is beginning to let up as the sun tries to break through the clouds and the temperature rises. I would suggest you not walk under any trees as you will most likely get snow dumped on you, very wet and cold snow. I am looking forward to meeting my youngest daughter and granddaughter for lunch today. Stay warm and dry and please treat everyone you meet today as a person!

    “Evil begins when you begin to treat people as things.”

    Terry Pratchett
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  • Dewdrops,  leaves,  quotes

    Silent Song of Happiness

    May 5, 2026

    “Every form of insentient existence – plants, stones or utensils – has its individual feelings similar to those of men. When we observe calmly, we discover that all things have their fulfillment.”

    Basho, The Essential Haiku by Robert Hass

    We awoke to a dusting of snow. Since then it has switched between a constant drizzle and snow, sometimes rather large snowflakes. It is actually quite beautiful. It is moisture we desperately need, so bring it on. And, I want to believe every plant, including these leaves outside the coffee shop, is probably excitedly soaking it all up and singing its own silent song of happiness.

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  • poems

    … and was a flower

    April 18, 2026

    once a snowflake fell
    on my brow and i loved
    it so much and i kissed
    it and it was happy and called its cousins
    and brothers and a web
    of snow engulfed me then
    i reached to love them all
    and i squeezed them and they became
    a spring rain and i stood perfectly
    still and was a flower

    Winter Poem by Nikki Giovanni

    We have clear blue skies and sunshine this morning. I awoke at about 4:46 am and said ugh, I don’t wanna get up! And, I didn’t. Slept in till 5:45 am. I loved this simple poem and wanted to share it with you. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!!

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  • landscape,  snow,  winter scenes

    Snow and Cold

    April 17, 2026

    It began snowing just after 8:00 am this morning. At one time the snowflakes were big and beautiful. It’s what you’d expect with a springtime snow and made me smile. It has stopped and this dusting is all we are getting but we so need any moisture we can get. We are not expecting to be above 45 degrees today and it will be below freezing tonight and tomorrow night.

    “I don’t think everyone wants to create the great American novel, but we all have a dream of telling our stories-of realizing what we think, feel, and see before we die. Writing is a path to meet ourselves and become intimate.”

    Natalie Goldberg

    One of the gifts of blogging has been the opportunity to try my hand at writing. It truly has helped me discover who I really am rather than the man wearing an assortment of masks, depending on the stage I think I’m on. As Goldberg suggests I also am not interested in writing a novel. However the daily practice of journaling and regularly posting on this blog has been a good fit for me. So bare with me as I continue on this path.

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  • quotes,  snow,  trees,  winter scenes

    It’s a quiet day

    March 6, 2026

    Love is the seed of life in my own heart
    when it seeks the good of the other.

    Thomas Merton

    Finally a taste of winter. It began snowing early this morning, just now beginning to let up and turning to rain. I am guessing 1-3 inches of snow. US 287 north from Ted’s Place to Laramie, Wy was closed earlier due to blizzard conditions but is now open. This is a much needed gift of moisture for us. Had a mocha early at Mugs and have laundry in the dryer now. It’s a quiet day. I hope you enjoy your Friday!

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  • flowers,  Metro Parks,  nature,  Plants

    Live this day in peace…

    February 17, 2026

    It was a cool and humid morning when I left for the coffee shop. And, when I returned home the wind began blowing and a mist is now falling. It looks like the foothills are already starting to receive snow and I understand the mountains are already receiving snow. We are about 50% below our average snowfall in the mountains so this is a welcomed gift. The only thing on my calendar today is a noon zoom meeting. I have eggs boiling now to make tuna salad today. It is simple to make and I enjoy it especially on toasted sourdough bread. May we live this day in peace and serenity. May we be a shining light in somebody’s life today. Our world needs it!!

    The best I can come with in identifying this plant is a allium ampeloprasum. It is a member of the onion genus Allium. It is commonly known as wild leek or broadleaf wild leek. Its native range includes southern Europe, southwestern Asia and North Africa, but it has been cultivated and naturalized in many other countries. Allium ampeloprasum has been differentiated into five cultivated vegetables: leek, elephant garlic, pearl onion, kurrat, and Persian leek. I took this image in 2008 at Inniswood Gardens.

    POD (Pen of the day): Blue Marbled Pelikan M205 with Pelikan Edelstein Topaz ink.

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  • leaves,  Plants,  snow

    Update

    January 8, 2026

    I returned home Tuesday evening and slept in my own bed, without a machine beeping at me, without a nurse taking my vitals every 4 hours or a phlebotomist drawing blood. Bliss, I tell you! I had a physical therapist visit me Wednesday morning to give me instructions on taking care of myself and recover quicker She thinks I doing very good and doesn’t think I need her assistance but will check on me next week. I have done laundry and made myself both breakfast and lunch for two days now. It’s a slow shift back to normal. Today’s achievements have been emptying my bladder and a healthy bowel movement. That is exciting at my age and just after surgery. I am still sore at the incision but expecting that for now. We have had a light dusting of snow today just enough to cover the ground so I am not up to venturing out. This image is from 2015. Again, thank all of you for checking on me through your comments on this blog, the text messages, and your emails. They are all part of my recovery. I hope you have a wonderful day!

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  • clouds,  horizons,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes,  silence,  sunrises

    A Cold Monday

    December 29, 2025

    Silence is the lost art in a society made of noise.

    Joan Chittister

    We were at 14 degrees this morning at about 5: 45 am. We did warm up to 42 degrees. I am not complaining as I’m aware most of our nation is in a cold spell. It’s been a good day. I made it to Mugs for coffee this morning then had lunch with my friend Duane. I’ve spent the rest of this day at home practicing the art of silence. This sunrise image was taken a year ago at Pineridge Natural Area where I go to experience more silence. I hope you had a wonderful Monday.

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