It seems to me that a life well-lived is one in which we find light in unexpected places and look long enough into the shadows that we find mystery, not fear.
David DuChemin
A Life Well Lived
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Mugs on Laurel -
Showing off…
after last night’s dusting of snow
ms
and black ice everywhere this morning
slowly made my way to starry night
ordered mocha latte and scone
grateful for steven’s latte art
showing off, again…. -
Christmas Gifts
Received my two books that will be Christmas Gifts for my children and grandchildren. I spent the past two days proofing them and then ordered copies yesterday morning. They turned out okay and are simple 7×7 inch softcover photo books. One photo on the left page and a small paragraph or poem on the left page. One book is 60 pages and the other is 64 pages. I do enjoy making these small books, like the final product as I don’t print and frame that many images. This is a good way to archive some of my images and share them. I used Blurb in Lightroom because it’s easy to do photo books. However, any text work is awkward.
Happy Birthday to my oldest daughter, Christine!!!!
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Wintery Sunday
wrapped in my blanket in the predawn darkness
ms
I read and meditate on words which
become seeds for my soul and mind
the new day offers a dusting of snow outside my window
so after my quiet time I bundle in warm clothing and
grab my backpack to venture to the coffee shop
am greeted by early-to-rise baristas as I enter the door,
they make my favorite, an Old Town mocha, extra hot,
perfect on this bleak and wet day
notice beads of water forming their own worlds
on the patio chairs warning me to sit inside
on this wintery sunday morning - Candid Portraits, coffee life, coffee shops, gratitude, haiku, Holidays, People/Portraits, writing/reading
Day of Thanksgiving
with hands of gratitude
ms
wrapped around coffee cups
they share morning time together
a simple conversation
sometimes without words
on this day of thanksgivingSince Mugs at the Oval was closed today I went to Mugs in Old Town. Streets were busy as they were having a foot race called the Turkey Trot. Being a people watcher I noticed a couple sitting across from me with their coffees. I was taken by their hands. So, I asked for and was given permission to take a couple images of their hands. Thank you, Scott and Michelle, and may you two have a wonderful day and life together!
I have much to be grateful for in my life. I regularly journal a gratitude list and that is what I will do throughout this day. I find it a great habit and can place me in a better mood when I list what I have rather than what I don’t have (or think I need). I put on a crock pot of andouille sausage and vegetable soup that is good for a cold day as today. Have reached out to family and friends through text messaging and calls letting them know I love them and they are on the lists! The sun came out so I got a walk in and burned some calories. No pie for me this year but an apple fritter made it to my plate.
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Asking questions….
Latte Art Live your beliefs and you can turn the world around.
Henry David ThoreauI read this past week that we are ‘God’s work of art.’ That is a wonderful concept and I believe there is a lot of truth in that statement. So, it brought up some questions for me to ponder and journal about. What if we are born as a blank canvas and our life’s task is to become a finished unique work of art? What if we are to express our uniqueness through how we live life, how we treat others and all of creation. What if we use our gifts and talents believing we can turn the world around? What if we need to be in union with the creator of life to become that work of art? What if everyone believed our life is a work of art and then lived it to the fullest? I’m asking questions…
Sun has set and the cold moves in. Hope you had a great Monday!
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Gifted Baristas
I’ve been noticing the shadows on the wall next to my chair at the coffee shop and knew there was an image there somewhere. Well, one was found this morning. But, what I envisioned required a tripod or for someone to take the photo for me. So, I asked Nate, one of my baristas if he would take a photo for me. I have very gifted baristas! They not only make my mocha but take photos. Thanks, Nate!
It was cold this morning, 11 degrees at 6:44 am and right now we are all the way up to 37 degrees. I found out I may have been exposed to COVID this past Sunday so I was able to get a test done this morning. It will take about 24 hours so I’m isolating for the day. Sure hope it is negative because my sister and I are planning on heading to Phoenix next Wednesday for a three day visit with my dad, sister and brother-in-law. This will be our early Thanksgiving.
As I’ve said before, I am a firm believer in nonviolence. We have repeatedly proven violence is not a solution for peace but a seed for more hatred. I served in the military from 1968-1972 at the age of 18. My belief at the time was that if needed I’d kill another human for this country. So, grateful I didn’t have to. I see it so differently now. I hope and pray we can let go of hatred, seek out our similarities, embrace our differences, and see one another as sisters and brothers. May we welcome the gift of peace that is ours. Yet, after saying all that, I respect and am grateful for those who offered the ultimate sacrifice for this country in war and especially for those who died in wars that were unnecessary. Thank you!
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Enough about my Sunday
I enjoyed the extra hour of sleep last night. Began this day with my quiet meditation and prayer time. I watched a blazing pink and red sky from my window this morning. Breathtaking gift. Then headed to the coffee shop to visit my baristas, Emma and Megan. They made me a favorite, an Old Town mocha, extra hot. When I returned home I made a bowl of Irish Oats with strawberries and blueberries. Overcast skies then dominated the rest of the day. So, it became a day for journaling and I started rereading Annie Dillard’s book Pilgrim at Tinker Creek. I started reading her book a couple years ago but for some reason could not finish it. A cold wind has blown today causing the few remaining leaves to let go of their grip and take flight where the wind chooses. The Canada Geese were sitting on the pond earlier in an attempt to over talk one another. Not sure anyone was listening, except me! Glad they settled down. My hands and feet have been cold all day, which is normal for this time of the year. Had a couple of meetings and just got home from the last one. I’m in for the night. It was a good Sunday. Hoping you had a good day.
