• architecture,  Documentary/Street

    The Legacy Lounge

    I made a return visit to campus the other day. I’d forgotten how serene it can be at the Lory Student Center (while students are in class.) This image was taken while sitting in the Legacy Lounge just outside the Ballroom Doors. With no piped music, it is a good place to journal or read. Hope you’ve had a good Sunday. It’s been beautiful here.

  • coffee life,  landscape,  latte art,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes,  sunrises

    There for a reason…

    “There are moments when troubles enter our lives and we can do nothing to avoid them. But they are there for a reason. Only when we have overcome them will we understand why they were there.”

    Paulo Coelho

    It is cold and the wind continues to blow this morning. Made my way to Pineridge Natural Area for the predawn colors. I watched as the wind scattered the ever changing clouds across the canvas sky. I felt within the sense of drama in nature as she constantly reshaped the clouds according to the wind’s whims. I’m now enjoying my mocha latte at Starry Night then will meet Mark for breakfast as he and I continue our fantasy quest of solving the world’s troubles. I say that with tongue-in-cheek as he and I realize changing the world always starts with ourselves. I feel I am finding that facing and overcoming troubles is much more of an adventure than just an unwanted task. In my past I had the tendency to run from them. Now there is more of a desire to learn from the lessons. Just facing them is a lesson. May you have a wonderful day, overcoming any and all problems while learning life’s lessons! Stay warm!

    Hannah’s latte art – Showing off again
  • architecture,  quotes,  shadows

    Perceive the Wisdom

    When we perceive the wisdom that is in other human beings we are less prone to treat them as objects for our own purposes.

    John Philip Newell

    I saw this scene while waiting at a doctors office last week. I loved how the morning sun was casting its light across the framed photo and the wall. I grabbed my camera but before I could take the photo a man stood in front of the window casting his shadow in the scene. It wasn’t what I wanted so I waited and eventually got what I wanted. It was a windy day yesterday but we reached a nice warm 57 degrees. Today is supposed to be the same. However, we could see snow by Friday

    As I’ve grown older matured in my wisdom, I have learned to perceive the wisdom in other human beings. I would like to believe that’s happened because I’m seeing with different eyes and with a different perspective than in my youth. And I would hope they perceive within me a wisdom. Have a wonderful day.

  • architecture,  doors,  quotes

    Choosing Doors

    “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.

  • 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,  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.