My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, spirituality and asking deep questions.
Care for the soul needs to include care for the sacred, for without it we will become lost without even knowing that we are lost. And care for the Earth needs to combine these two, so that the real music of creation can be heard amidst all the noise of today.
Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee, Seasons of the Sacred
Photography is the easiest art, which perhaps makes it the hardest.
Lisette Model
There is some amazing hidden artwork in the alleys of Old Town Fort Collins. Every so often I enjoy taking my camera down these alleys and see what images I might discover. My camera does not have to stop and pee or sniff like a dog would which makes it easy. My light on this day was soft diffused light from overcast skies. I am learning to stand before scenes like this with awe. At first I was drawn to the colors, but after a while, the intricacy of all the lines pulledme into it. I’m glad I took a walk down the alley. We awoke to a couple inches of snow and it still snowing. Again, it looks like everyone is dealing with winter conditions. Stay warm and enjoy your day!
I think “the meaning of life” is something we have to formulate for ourselves, we have to determine what has meaning for us… It clearly has to do with love — what and whom and how one can love.
Oliver Sacks
We had another beautiful day yesterday, beginning with an orange sunrise then blue skies and sunshine. In the afternoon I headed to Old Town to walk the streets with my camera. I found a few images then did some journaling at Starry Night, enjoying an Earl Grey Tea. I believe so deeply in what Oliver Sacks suggests that the meaning of life is about love. So today I ask myself what and whom and how I can love.
In 2004 as a collaboration between the City of Fort Collins Art in Public Places Program and Utilities Light and Power created The Transformer Cabinet Mural Project. Serving as a graffiti abatement program, the murals help lower maintenance costs while adding bright colorful art in unexpected places. The program also helps keep the investment local by utilizing local artists and non-profit groups to paint the cabinets. Since the start of the program, 20 years now, over 400 transformer cabinets have been transformed into works of art.
I don’t want to overwhelm anyone with all the cloud images l’ve been posting lately. So thought I’d post this rusting staircase in Old Town Fort Collins. Unlike clouds that constantly change every second, the stairs seem motionless and rust very, very slowly, making them easy to photograph. Happy Friday!
Sunrise is the space where nighttime fears move aside for hope, where we feel peace about our mortality in the scope of the universal truth that love abides.
Becca Stevens
So, the question is multiple choice. Were the boots left on the porch because they were.:
a. wet.
b. muddy
c. rank as hell
d. All the above.
I was awakened about 4:00 am by the lovely sound of rain tapping on my bedroom window. Weather app says we can expect rain throughout the day and cooler temperatures. May you have a wonderful day!
“In the universe, there are things that are known, and things that are unknown, and in between, there are doors.”
William Blake
The sun has melted the morning frost. There is still a thin layer of ice on the pond. And we never got above 40 degrees today. Gray skies now dominate so it both looks and feels cold.
In reference to Blake’s quote, I believe that each day does offer us doors to open or close. Today I both closed and opened doors. Due to exposure yesterday to Covid I changed my travel plans to spend an early Thanksgiving this week with my dad, my two sisters and brother-in-law and instead will celebrate his 94th birthday with him in January. There is no need to put my dad in any danger at his age. I feel a sadness. I want to be with my family.
I understand we cannot totally isolate ourselves from covid or any other virus or anyone who is indifferent to another’s safety. Nor can we protect others from any danger. I’m aware people are gathering again in large groups as if things are okay or they will be okay. I’ve heard there is now a cruise ship in Australia with almost 800 cases of COVID detected. And, I have moved back into the coffee shop routine. Aware that I am taking a risk for exposure, or worse yet, exposing someone. Yes, we have doors to choose, to open or close. I’m rethinking my stance on all this and may open fewer coffee shop doors and close a few. Just thinking out loud.
This morning as I approached the bus transit center I noticed this red Coca-Cola truck and it reminded me of an image of a red Coca-Cola truck posted on the blog of the well known photographer Joseph Smith. He claims he borrowed the idea for the photo from another photographer. But I’m claiming I borrowed the idea for this image from Joe. Interestingly a woman walked by the truck without noticing it. She turned to see what I was taking a photo of and then said, “Oh the red Coca-Cola truck.” She must have seen Joe’s image also. Thanks for the inspiration, Joe!