My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, spirituality and asking deep questions.
“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.
We have our first frost warning of the 2018 fall season tonight. Good-by summer. These daisies are located on the median strip at the north entrance of campus. I walk by this spot each morning I walk to Mugs coffee shop. I like how the school landscapers change these flowers throughout the summer season at this spot It is never the same. I posted an image of tulips earlier in the summer that were in this same spot. Feels like I have a personal gardener.
Now I know. It’s a 1.8 mile walk across campus to Mugs coffee shop for a dollar cup of Java. If I wanted to wait an hour or so I could have caught the bus to the transit center then walked a block or two. I’ve never checked the distance so this morning I checked it with my new Fitbit. I didn’t think that was right so I checked Google Maps and sure enough, both said 1.8 miles.
I bought the Fidbit since I’m doing a lot more walking in my attempt to match Paul. I used to walk more but I have slacked off the past 3-5 years. Well, I walk but not for the distance Paul goes for nor do I get my heart rate up to high. Working on that.
I am so much more aware of all that is around me than during my thirties and forties. Much more present to life. Life has more fullness, more meaning and so simple. It is precious!
Cold. That pretty much describes the weather for the past week. We had a couple inches of snow on December 30 and with the cold it’s still on the ground.
Since I’m not a party person I was under the covers with a book by 9:00 pm on New Years Eve. However, I was up early on New Years day, put on a crockpot of chicken tortilla soup then met a longtime friend for coffee. Later in the afternoon, even though it was still cold, I ventured out for a walk with my camera. I might as well start my new year with camera in my hand. And, it’s the same camera as the past 3 years. Hope everyone enjoyed their holidays. And, stay warm!
As I arrive at Mugs coffee house there are about six large trees along the sidewalk. Some of the college students who live along here will put food out for the squirrels. I have seen as many as 4 and 5 chasing each other around the trees making it fun to watch. Needless to say they are more than comfortable with humans and will come quite close. This one paused long enough to make sure I kept my distance and did not cross the line they had drawn.
Took a walk this past Sunday along the Red Fox Meadows nature trail. Mostly cloudy day but so enjoyable and much needed time in nature to clear the thinking. It also provides the exercise my body and spirit need. I find it fascinating when scenes appear that catch my attention and become an image for me. I feel like a child discovering something new. Processed this image with one of the presets in Silver EFEX Pro. Made a tone curve adjustment then posted it.
“Nobody can discover the world for somebody else. Only when we discover it for ourselves does it become common ground and a common bond…” Wendell Barry
They tell me down here that they are liking this beginning of winter and the cooler temperatures. Yes the 65 degree mornings are nice but, man, it quickly gets up to 95. This Colorado lad has to rethink this. Since, I am somewhat intelligent, and please don’t listen to anyone who says otherwise, I try and get my walk in before 10:00 am. In doing so those shadows I discover are spectacular. So, again it was shadows I was seeing this morning.
“What is at the core of my work is, in essence, a mediation on being a human being.” – Eli Reed