• architecture,  Church

    St. Catherine of Siena Chapel

    This past Sunday Joan and I were able to drive the Peak to Peak highway. We had planned on making the drive this past Friday but poor weather changed those plans. We chose Sunday even though it would be more crowded. Most of the fall colors were gone, missing them by about 2 weeks. Just outside of Estes Park is this lovely chapel along the Highway 7. It is known as the Chapel on the Rock or Saint Catherine of Siena Chapel. The chapel is located on the grounds of the Saint Malo Retreat, Conference, and Spiritual Center of the Catholic Archdiocese of Denver. We stopped to stretch and take a few photos.

    There were areas of trees with color but most of them were barren. We drove as far as Nederland and returned through Lyons rather than Boulder. We spent time at a coffee shop called New Moon Bakery and Cafe to enjoy a latte and a pastry on their patio.

  • architecture,  Black and White,  Photography,  shadows,  window

    I have a feeling…

    Morning light entering my bedroom, casting shadows across the wall.
    I see this almost daily and never tire of it.

              I have a feeling
                       That through the hole in reason’s ceiling,
              In Heaven you can perch,
                      Without ever going to church!

    Courtney Milne

    I really did not know about Courtney Milne until this past week. I am impressed with his photography. I was also surprised to find he has published 12 books from the conventional to the abstract. One source I read says his photos are a celebration of the world’s “sacred places,” and a seemingly endless meditation on the beauty of the natural world. Sounds like my kind of photographer. Why didn’t someone tell me about his work? One of his best-selling books is Sacred Earth, which I just ordered a used copy of. Seeing his books makes me realize how little a collection I have of other photographers books.

  • architecture,  quotes,  shadows,  window

    Self Discovery

    Early morning light through my front-room window

    “A shadow is never created in darkness. It is born of light. We can be blind to it and blinded by it. Our shadow asks us to look at what we don’t want to see”

    Terry Tempest Williams

    There is a dark side of me I that I did not always want to see or admit to knowing about. It’s a side that can be full of hate, anger, jealousy, envy, fear, insecurity, self-centeredness, and the list goes on. I imagine everyone could also add to this list. When I was younger I avoided looking inward, always had a focus on how I wanted you to see me outwardly. I am grateful for this time in my life where I use self-examination along with prayer and meditation as the light to acknowledge and face the shadow side of myself. It is a path of self discovery.

  • architecture,  Documentary/Street,  quotes

    Peace is an inside job

    “World peace must develop from inner peace. Peace is not just mere absence of violence. Peace is, I think, the manifestation of human compassion.”

    Dalai Lama XIV

    We’re expecting another spring like day, temperatures into the 60s. So nice that I don’t need to scrape frost off the windshield.

    World turmoil is still the news of the day. Lots of prayers being said for the people of Ukraine and our world leaders. I didn’t watch State of the Union address last night but did read most of it this morning. I’m beginning to believe stronger than ever that to have peace and love in our world, to stop our negative impact on nature, to eliminate all the lies, there needs to be a manifestation of human compassion. I’ll go with the Dalai Lama’s option because it resonates with me. Have a super Awesome day!

  • architecture

    New Ball Room

    Back in June I put down money for new vinyl flooring in my condo. I used one of the big box do-it-yourself stores who use a contracted installation company out of Denver. I first needed to have testing done for asbestos in the linoleum and mold in the walls. Mold tested positive so mitigation began, slowly, very slowly. Without having insurance or HOA that would cover mitigation, companies seemed to shun away. I had to go through three companies to get one who would respond and execute. Then before mitigation started my mother went into hospice so things went on hold until that part of life was dealt with.

    I had to reschedule the floor installation twice which I believe frustrated the installation company. There were many things that delayed this project, some were my issues, some were theirs and some just life itself. I stayed calm until the installers arrived on Monday November 29th and within 15 minutes told me they could not install the vinyl because the floor was not level. They gave me no alternatives and left me living without carpet or linoleum. I had no toilet as it was removed on the 28th for their installation. I canceled the order. Later I discovered they have some very poor review scores.

    I then looked for a local company that would meet my needs. I called and left a message with one that has been in business since 2006 and good reviews. I had a return call in 4 hours. They came over the next day, took measurements and delivered a quote in my email within 2 hours. Price was higher but included leveling of the floor, which they do, otherwise they were almost the same. Two days later I went to their office picked the vinyl and carpet. If there are no hiccups they will level the floor on Monday the 20th, install LVP on 21st – 22nd and carpet on the 23rd of December. So, maybe I’ll have a new Ball Room by Christmas.

  • architecture,  landscape,  sunrises,  window,  writing/reading

    Blogging

    What honest bloggers receive in return for their blogging is what every creative person hungers for—companionship, friendship, kindness, generosity, and words of blessed encouragement.

    David J. Rogers

    The above quote is from this blog post by a writer named David J. Rogers. Not sure how I found this post but I resonate with him. My reasons are the same: companionship, friendship, kindness, generosity, and words of blessed encouragement. I’ll probably keep it up.

  • quotes,  shadows,  sunrises,  window

    Morning Light

    “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”

    Elie Wiesel

    As I walked into my bedroom the sun reflecting off the glass in the picture frame caught my eye. So, I grabbed my camera and composed this image. Another scene I was not looking for but given me. Morning light!