• leaves,  quotes

    Happiness comes from…

    October 17, 2023
    Leaves from my morning walk

    What fills the heart with happiness, ironically enough, is not what we get out of the world; it’s what we put into it. Being about something worthwhile, spending our lives on something worth spending a life on is what, in the end, makes us happy.

    Joan Chittister

    My barista this morning was Stephen. I hadn’t seen him for a while and discovered he’d taken some time off while his father was out here visiting. It sounds like their time together made them happy. 😊

    I consider myself a happy person. My greeting by Stephen this morning enriched my happiness. Having said that it seems to take more to upset me than in the past. However, I must admit that drivers can test my peace, serenity and happiness. At this stage in my life happiness does not come so much from what I do as when I was pursuing a career, gathering the things the world told me I needed and so on. For me happiness comes from the lifestyle I attempt to live, a spiritual lifestyle which includes starting my day with prayer and meditation. I call this quiet time, center myself for the day. Happiness comes from how I treat and respect all of life that shares this world with me. Happiness comes from what creative acts I offer as a gift, such as photography or my blogging. Happiness comes from listening and being present to a friend or stranger. Happiness comes from times in nature, watching the sunrise or sunset or the changing colors of the fall season. Happiness comes from building relationships with my family, friends, strangers and the natural world around me. I could go on but instead I invite you to share with us some things that bring happiness in your life and the life of those around you. I told you there would be more leaves! 😂

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  • coffee life,  quotes

    It’s a Lifestyle

    October 10, 2023

    “… spirituality is not a thing or a feeling. Spirituality is paying attention. Spirituality is being present to what is happening around and within you. Spirituality is living in the world with compassion and justice. Spirituality is making the world a little better for your having been born into it. Spirituality is meeting God in the ordinariness of our everyday lives.”

    Reb Yerachmiel

    Third morning in a row where I needed to scrape light frost off my windshield. Yep, fall is here. Made my way to Mugs for a mocha latte and was greeted with a big smile from my barista, Jess. Morning was a success. Had my monthly lunch with high school classmates today. Another success.

    Seems to me spirituality isn’t anything I can define or physically touch but something I experience. I just read where Spirituality is a lifestyle. I sorta like that. It has no connection to any religious faith and doesn’t define it. Spirituality just is, something we live. The quote above is more about sharing the experience. I find it is much like the coffee life. Life needs to be experienced not defined.

    I was reading an older blog post on someone’s perspective to beginning a blog, offering our views, where that might lead and the stories written and read in these blogs. I found it interesting, quite profound and wanted to share it with you. You can find it here.

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  • fall season,  leaves,  Plants,  seasons,  trees

    Prefer Solitude

    October 12, 2021
    Fall colors from my walk

    “Some people prefer solitude. They say their peace of mind depends on this. Others say they would be better off in church. If you do well, you do well wherever you are. If you fail, you fail wherever you are. Your surroundings don’t matter. God is with you everywhere — in the marketplace as well as in seclusion or in the church. If you look for nothing but God, nothing or no one can disturb you. God is not distracted by a multitude of things.
    Nor can we be.”

    Meister Eckhart

    I have lived alone for many years. During that time I have owned my own place and at times invited others in when necessary for short periods of time. That changes this week as I will be staying with friends in their spare bedroom while mold mitigation is done to my condo. So my surroundings are different. My lifestyle will be different. My solitude will be different. To top it off my car is in the shop for a couple days so I’m not as mobile. We will see if I do well in my new situation and temporary surroundings. 😁

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  • bicycles,  Documentary/Street,  lifestyles,  Transportation

    Orbiting the Earth

    January 25, 2020

    Bicycles on campus at Recycled Cycles store

    I saw this row of bicycle tires while waiting for the bus at the CSU Transit Center this past week. I found it interesting so I knelt down and took a couple of images. They were commuter bikes the students can easily afford because they are stripped down with one gear and one brake in the rear. They were white bicycles and white rims. Gotta get the shot.

    I now find that getting back up after squatting is more of a struggle than 10 years ago. It take me longer to get back up and I’m noticing a strange sound emanating from the left knee. Right now I’m just ignoring it. I’m suspecting it to be due to aging, getting older, passing of time or gas or I’ve done it way too many times.

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  • architecture,  Candid Portraits,  Cityscapes/Urban,  coffee shops,  Documentary/Street,  lifestyles,  People/Portraits

    The Dark Heart Coffee Bar

    March 25, 2019

    I met up with my sister on Sunday morning and tried out a coffee shop we had not visited before, call the Dark Heart Coffee Bar. There was a distinct difference in coffee flavor and probably because they use a coffee roaster out of Portland, Oregon neither one of us had heard of before, Coava Coffee Roasters. We both thought is was on the pricey side but we are also tight with our money, so we are not likely to make them a daily coffee shop but a special occasion place. It’s ambiance was light and airy, with lots of window light. The decor was nicely done, had plenty of room and did not feel crowded due to its open feeling. All the seating was located along the walls which was one continuous bench with separate tables and chairs, except the small high top table this young lady was sitting at. A big plus for me was the quiet, even though they were busy. They also had a nice porch area that would be enjoyable during the warmer weather. I will go back!

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