• coffee life,  fountain pens,  journaling,  People/Portraits,  writing/reading

    Sacred Instruments

    August 16, 2026

    I consider my journals and fountain pens as tools that enrich my life. They provide an ongoing spiritual impact on me, seeing them as sacred instruments. I’m aware that when I pick them up to journal in a public place such as a coffee shop, bookstore or library they present an image or statement about the life I live. But the true reason I journal is bringing to life a few words expressing my thoughts, ideas, dreams, and feelings. And, I have to smile when I see people with journals and pens in hand writing words on their blank pages. I secretly wonder what they are writing. What thoughts or images are being envisioned in their minds. Are they writing a short story, novel, poetry, letter, or maybe writing about me watching them.

    A reflective moment

    This Gemini generated image made several weeks ago begs many questions for me. Are the words she is finding on her pages voicing the grieving of the loss of a parent or a spouse, or feeling the experience of a new man in her life, or the excitement of her first great-grandbaby that’s due in a month, or reflecting on her life’s journey of 76 years, or maybe a time to pause and listen to the rain while watching the world pass by? Maybe it’s all of it! But it really makes no difference what story my imagination can create because it encourages me to continue my journaling. Something I like in this photo after spending some time looking at it is how gently she holds the journal and the pen. Maybe they are sacred instruments to her, also.

    Read More
  • Candid Portraits,  Documentary/Street,  People/Portraits

    Patience

    September 29, 2014

    Reading Her Book
    Reading Her Book

    I would venture to say many of us could use some improvement on our patience. I think aging has improved my ability to wait patiently more. Life does not need to be rushed as much as I think it used to. I could take a lesson from this woman as she patiently waits and reads. You can also note she came prepared, which helps.

    Read More
  • People/Portraits

    One More Portrait

    July 26, 2013

    Sheri
    Sheri

    “The strength of a woman is not measured by the impact that all her hardships in life have had on her; but the strength of a woman is measured by the extent of her refusal to allow those hardships to dictate her and who she becomes.”  ― C. JoyBell C

    Read More
  • airports

    Gate 46

    November 11, 2012

    ..If you get an opportunity in photography you have to grab it – they don’t come along that often. When you get the chance of a great picture, you have to identify that quickly and make the most of the situation. Whatever age you are you can do that. Even with luck, you will still have to press the shutter at the right time. You need good reflexes and you need to be fit. 

    John Giles

    As photographers we are always observing how the light falls on our subjects. When I pulled out my camera and took three images it was a mix of interests. The woman’s focus, how the light was hitting her, the billboard, the gate number, all played into the making of this image. There was also a need to hold my camera in my hand and press the shutter to grab the moment.

    Woke to a temperature of 16 degrees at 6:00 am. Now up to 20 degrees but awesome to see the sun shining. Have a good Sunday.

    Read More