• gratitude,  poems,  window,  writing/reading

    expressing gratitude

    morning sun enters through my window
    warms my soul with its abounding grace
    grateful and blessed for this life I live
    filled with love of family and friends

    solitude and silence the foundations of my life
    it’s the staff I need to walk through life
    raises me up when I fall, again and again
    where I discern my chatter from your words

    prayer and meditation my daily practice
    a lifeline to grasp when I begin to wander
    lifting the spirit when life weighs heavy
    opens a door to knowing beyond thinking

    it’s been said that if the only prayer we say
    is thank you, that would suffice
    so I’m thankful for this wonderful life
    happy thanksgiving to you!

    mws
  • architecture,  coffee shops,  journal,  lifestyles,  poetic journal,  writing/reading

    They’re still open

    Morning sunlight on tables outside of Cups Coffee shop

    Before going to bed last night I decided I would go to Cups Coffee this morning and buy a latte. I ache inside for the small businesses struggling to stay in business so it was my way of supporting them. When I bought some food supplies yesterday I noticed they were open. They now have the shop completely quarantined, primarily taking call in orders only. I was able to step inside the front door, order my drink then step outside and wait for them bring it outside. That’s when this image was seen. Drink for the day was a matcha latte with lavender syrup. Much prefer honey rather than the lavender. I heard a new for many of us yesterday, we’re now called quarantiners. And, yes, Websters has that name in their dictionary. 🙂

    I started working on a photography book well over a year ago where I intended to include excerpts from my journals along with some of my favorite images, primarily to leave for my children and grandchildren. About three months ago I read what I’d written, thought it was sh*t, told myself I’m not a writer and put it down. Well, this quarantine time beckoned me to look at what I could do with the writing. I’m not sure what but something happened. A clear mind maybe, but it began morphing into a style of writing I’m not used to. I’ve read several names and styles of writing called prose, poetry, haiku, poetic prose, poetic journals, and a bunch more. Anyway, I’m having fun with it. My last post had my feeble, and first, attempt to write in some form of poetic prose on this site.

  • architecture,  poems,  shadows,  window,  writing/reading

    In the Silence…

    Diffused morning shadows from overcast skies

    With prayer and meditation I begin this day
    and words from within are heard in this silence.

    I sit at my desk looking out the window
    and a gust of wind intrudes in the silence.

    Sunlight begins to peek through grey clouds
    now shadows move across the wall in silence.

    I open a book to a favorite page
    where words speak to me but in silence.

    My pen moves across the blank page
    and I notice, there’s much to hear in silence.

    mws
  • architecture,  Black and White,  quotes,  window

    Our Real Journey

    Late afternoon sunlight casting patterns on the floor

    “It may be that when we no longer know what to do,
    we have come to our real work
    and when we no longer know which way to go,
    we have begun our real journey.

    The mind that is not baffled is not employed.
    The impeded stream is the one that sings.”
    Wendell Berr

    Wendell Berry
  • Creativity,  grass,  lifestyles,  natural areas,  Plants,  quotes

    Snow is in the forecast

    Backlit grass on my walk along Fisher Nature Area

    “Recently, photography has become almost as widely practiced an amusement as sex and dancing – which means that, like every mass art form, photography is not practiced by most people as an art. It is mainly a social rite, a defense against anxiety, and a tool of power.”

    Susan Sontag

    Interesting to note that she wrote this back in 1973. 

  • shadows,  sunrises,  window

    Color and Vibrancy

    The new vision, since the cataract surgery, is amazing. I now see 20/20 out of both eyes. I do need reading glasses but those are cheap and found almost everywhere. The color difference, the brightness and clarity of the simple everyday things have just been life changing. I became aware a couple years ago of how my condo seemed to not be as bright and airy to as in the past. Now I understand it’s because my sight was deteriorating due to the on coming cataracts. The light of morning sunshine has more color and vibrancy. Enjoy the coming week!

  • Black and White,  gratitude,  lifestyles,  shadows

    Gratitude for Memories

    Morning sunlight on my kitchen table -2019

    I also feel gratitude this morning for all my family. I have memories of times past with them. My cousin Linda died yesterday from brain cancer. So, this morning I have memories of times spent with her as a child and as an adult. No more pain and suffering in her life. In my own way I pray for her husband, children and grandchildren.

  • Anthony de Mello,  Black and White,  quotes,  shadows,  window

    Waking Up

    Morning Shadows and my Desk Lamp
    Morning Shadows and my Desk Lamp

    “Spirituality means waking up.”

    Anthony de Mello

    Good morning! Hoping you’re awake. And, if not, then I’ll let you know this is my desk lamp with shadows coming in from my bedroom window. Another one of those surprise scenes that was given just as I was about to leave the house. Had to be awake though.

    Seems I have lived most of my life with a thinking cap that believed the best time to start a project and put the work in to move towards finishing the project, was tomorrow. At this stage of life I approach each day with new attitudes and a trust in myself that was missing in the past. I attribute this change to some healthy maturity, some inner work, authors who have helped me, photography, journaling, unclouded thinking, accepting failures as a part of life, finding a spiritual path, putting in the work and chocolate. Having a network of fellow photographers has been essential also. Those of you who follow along on this blog, sharing your insights with me can pat yourselves on the back. I now have on a new thinking cap. Hope you have a great Friday and weekend!