• Family,  flowers,  gratitude,  love

    Thank you!

    December 18, 2025
    Flowers from Christine and Cody on my dad’s casket

    I dropped off both Monica and Sheree and was home by 8 pm last night. It was a good trip with lots of car time that offer good conversation time. We left early Tuesday morning and had a wonderful family gathering on Tuesday evening with lots of sharing of memories with cousins. We had dad’s Celebration of Life on Wednesday morning at the gravesite where we had warm sunshine, more sharing and our shared tears mixed with laughter. I would like to thank everyone for all your thoughts and prayers you may have offered up for my family.

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  • Family,  quotes

    Touching Hearts

    December 14, 2025

    “The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise.”

    Maya Angelou

    It has been a lovely Sunday, sunshine to warm the soul and journal outside in the sun. The sun has set as I write this and the darkness descends upon us. But I wanted to update you on a short trip we will make. My dad’s graveside service will be on Wednesday morning the 17th at 9am in Follett, Texas. Sheree (my sister), Monica (my youngest daughter), and I are going to drive down leaving early on the 16th and stay one night in Perryton at the Quality Inn. We will visit with cousins and eat that evening at Clay and Jill’s house. At 9am the next morning we will gather around his grave site for a Celebration of Life and share individually something about how dad touched hearts, ours and many others. We will head back right after the service on the 17th. So, it will be a short trip down and back. I hope you had a wonderful Sunday!!

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  • a gift of life,  Family,  Portraits

    I found it healing…

    December 9, 2025
    Mom and Dad sometime around 1948
    All smiles on his 80th birthday

    I watched a spectacular sunset show last night from about 4:45-5:05 pm through my bedroom window. The show was an unusually long and wonderful experience. For some reason I felt no need to grab my camera but just wanted to experience the beauty of its gift. About fifteen minutes later, while I was journaling about the sunset, I received a message from my sister that dad had died peacefully about 5 pm. I cried, have continued to cry and expect to cry more! It’s all part of the grieving process. An hour or so later I awakened to the realization that the sunset we were experiencing was happening about the same time as dad was saying goodbye to Colorado or Colorado was saying goodbye to dad. And then this morning’s sunrise was just as spectacular, which I received as a message that they are both still present in our lives. Today I have been going through old photos to put in a small book to give to all the grandkids, which we did when mom died. So, I have been deep in memories today as I go through photos. I found it healing for me.

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  • Family,  Travel

    Back in Colorado…

    November 23, 2025

    My sister and I returned from Phoenix about 5 pm yesterday. It was a good trip for us. The only hiccup was realizing on the shuttle ride from the parking lot to the terminal that I left my phone in my car. I had no time to go back for it so I was without a phone from Wednesday morning until Saturday evening. Without the phone I had no ability to call, text message or check email. I think I handled it well. But, I did get some ribbing from my siblings and it provided many opportunities for bantering and teasing. All good stuff!

    Somewhere over southern Colorado

    We also had overcast skies and some rain while there so it was much cooler than past visits. We have made it an annual thing to get together every Thanksgiving, or at least the week before. During this family gathering time we pass around a wood Santa carved by all of us which you can read about here. This is my year to have Santa at my place. And, of course there was an abundance of wonderful food to go along with conversation and laughter.

    I loved seeing and visiting with my dad. He is still as sharp as a tack for being 96 but I could see the physical aging of the body. He is slow and unstable getting up and getting around, needing to use a walker or a cane. He tires quickly due to the congestive heart issues and the edema. However, I would expect these things with anyone his age. We also never know when will be the last time all of us will be together. It makes each visit and the family time even more precious.

    Family!! (The Gang)
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  • Candid Portraits,  Family,  Travel

    I’m back

    November 25, 2024
    My dad, who will be 96 in January

    I arrived home Sunday afternoon about 2:30 pm. We had mechanical problems on the flight out to Phoenix on Wednesday and needed to return to the gate. That delayed us by an hour and a half. The trip back was smooth except for turbulence coming into Denver.

    I enjoyed my visit with my dad, my sister and brother-in-law. I ate more sweets than I have in a while and have no one to blame but me. I felt my pants had shrunk by the time I got back on the plane. But my wise father suggested it was due to altitude changes, having nothing to due with eating two pieces of my sisters Lemon Meringue pie, or a piece of chocolate cream pie, or two sugar cookies each with a quarter inch of frosting, not to mention the turkey, ham, beef brisket or any of the other trimmings …..

    Today is a rest day. I like this photo of my dad as he has that mischievous look.

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  • Candid Portraits,  Family,  Portraits

    Thursday’s Lunch

    November 1, 2024
    Christine

    Yesterday morning began with overcast skies, a heavy fog and a light mist. I was able to take a few images of some of the weather conditions but my favorite image of the day was yet to come. My oldest daughter and I had scheduled to meet for lunch a couple weeks ago. By the time we met for lunch the clouds had begun to break up and sunlight would peak in and out. We were able to have a table near a window and talk about our enjoyment of the fall season. After lunch we enjoyed a latte, rather than a dessert, and continued our conversation. I could not help but notice the diffused light from the window as it accentuated how beautiful a woman she is. So, I asked if I could take her photo and now proudly share it with you.

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  • Family,  leaves,  quotes

    Presence of the Divine

    November 17, 2023
    Frost on leaves last week

    Meister Eckhart said that nothing in the universe resembles God so much as silence, so if you think about silence in that sense, then to come into silence is to come into the presence of the Divine.

    John O’Donohue

    I head back to Colorado tomorrow and have enjoyed my time with family. We have had overcast skies and a couple of light rains while down here. Right now I am sitting on their huge patio and enjoying one another’s presence, while quail and cactus wrens offer their songs. Will finished the day with ice cream from Handel’s.

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  • clouds,  Family,  gratitude,  musings,  prayer,  quotes,  writing/reading

    Thanks Mom…

    August 19, 2023

    Perfect does not mean perfect actions in a perfect world, but appropriate actions in an imperfect one.

    R.H. Blyth

    Two years ago today my mother died in her sleep after a couple weeks in hospice. So, of course I’m thinking about her today, as are my sisters and dad. There are moments of sadness but there are those good memories mixed in. I must say I am grateful for the foundation she laid for the person I have become, although I’m far from being perfect. Hopefully I live with appropriate actions and words, seeds she planted. Thanks mom!! I miss you!!

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  • Family

    Congratulations Daryian!!!!

    July 13, 2023
    Daryian and I

    I was excited and proud when I heard that my oldest grandson, Daryian, was now a manager of his own PF Changs restaurant in Denver. However, I am going to confess that I also stepped into my fears and imagination as a grandpa. My first fear was for his safety in the big city. Next came the fear the store would fail, or they’d work him too long and hard, causing burnout, or having to handle difficult employees, or having a demanding manager above him. Then my imagination went the other way where the restaurant would be successful. He’d then permanently move to Denver, getting caught up in the success, venture into alcohol, drugs, and loose women. I wouldn’t be there to protect and guide him in any of this, as if I could. After a few deep breaths and some quiet time with prayer, meditation and my journaling, I was able to laugh at myself. What I learned from this is that as a grandparent it’s difficult to allow grandchildren the experiences and all the lessons they need in life to become healthy adults. We have no capacity to control another’s life or to interfere in their lives. I do wish him all the success he deserves. I couldn’t be a prouder grandpa! Congratulations Daryian!!!!

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  • clouds,  Family,  landscape,  sunrises

    Awesomeness!

    December 31, 2021

    Rather than pick a favorite image(s) from this past year I decided to post one that sums up what my year behind the camera has been like and what my inner eye saw. I spent a lot of mornings and evenings at local natural areas as a positive way to start my day. I also made sure to spend ample time on the eastern plains and those wide open space, embracing the experience and quiet of nature. For me this image encapsulates what my year in photography was like: clouds, sunrises, sunsets, nature, silence, solitude, bird songs mixed with the wind. It also reminds me how small a part I am in this universe but yet an integral part of it. Awesomeness!

    The past year also included upheaval in our world. The pandemic continues to disrupt our lives. Climate change evidence abounds. Yet, I am not giving up hope for this world. I feel there is something each of us can do to bring about positive change in the world. Seems I pray with this creator of the universe more often, and that’s a good thing.

    At home, I’ve made changes to my condo with new carpet and vinyl flooring and a splash of new paint. Well two coats. My parents moved into assisted living in May. Soon after mom went into hospice and died on August 19th. It’s been a tough year for my 92 year old father. He lost a spouse of 72 years, tested positive for Covid-19 a week later, then his whole facility went into lockdown for the next couple of weeks. Not to break a family tradition my sisters, brother-in-law and myself spent the week prior to Thanksgiving with dad. It was good for him and for us! My youngest granddaughter married in September so we officially welcomed Brandon to the family!

    Not sure this is a New Years resolution but in this coming year I wish to cherish life, all of nature and respect it, love at greater depths my neighbor and all of creation, myself, God and hope in the healing of this broken world. For me that’s really not asking much, is doable and begins with me. I’m hoping, wishing, praying your coming year is full of good health, dark chocolate, laughter, joy, milk chocolate (if dark is not available), wonderful family time, the making of new experiences and whatever you can add to this list. Happy New Year!

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