• street photography,  sunrises

    … my day

    February 28, 2023

    “I’m starting to think this world is just a place for us to learn that we need each other more than we want to admit.”

    Richelle E. Goodrich

    As I walked up to the door at Mugs this morning the sun was just cresting the buildings on campus, offering me a much needed good morning wink, which made my day! A half hour earlier the sky was ablaze with a red sunrise, which brightened my day! After quiet time and some journaling I made my way to meet a friend for coffee and conversation, which enriched my day! I felt such gratitude when I returned home. First, because I have a large and supportive group of friends in my life. And, second because I’m at a place in life where I need that support. And, I’m aware that allowing others to help is helping them in return. Snow predicted for tomorrow afternoon. Hoping you have a wonderful day!

    Read More
  • clouds,  landscape,  quotes,  sunrises

    Love the Gifts

    November 5, 2022

    “That is not the way it should be. Good leaders wait to be called and they give up their power when they are no longer needed. Selfish men and fools put themselves first and keep their power until someone throws them out. It is no good to have a way where selfish men and fools fight with each other to be leaders, while the good ones watch.”

    Kent Nerburn

    Drove to Windsor early this morning to meet Eric for coffee and conversation. Had to stop and take a few images of the predawn sky. Love the gifts of creation. Early this afternoon I sat at Mugs in the warm sunlight. Leaves fall and dance all around me. It is a beautiful fall day. Nature is all around us when we look. Meeting a friend at 4:30 pm then an evening of reading. Hope you are having a good weekend!

    I voted for the good ones today.

    Read More
  • coffee life,  coffee shops

    Costumes

    September 4, 2022

    I met a friend Friday morning for coffee and conversation. The couple I visited this past week are mutual friends so plenty to share. As you can tell my barista was showing off her talent on my mocha latte.

    Yesterday was the Tour de Fat in Fort Collins. It is a costumed bicycle parade followed by a party (beer) at New Belgium Brewing with music, entertainment, contests and games. What is cool about this bicycle parade is the children who dress up and ride with mom and dad. Needless to say I saw some very strange people riding bicycles. 😂

    Read More
  • Avian,  Meister Eckhart,  quotes

    Words

    July 29, 2022
    An owl perched atop a saguaro cactus in early morning light

    Every creature is a word of God and a book about God. 

    Meister Eckhart

    I journal almost everyday looking for words to take form on blank pages. Sometimes they make sense, other times they don’t and some days they do not appear. Same can be said about this blog. But I continue to sit with pen and paper in anticipation of words about life. I also embrace the words creation offers me when I listen with my ears, eyes and especially my heart. I find Mary Oliver’s poetry, and others, is about their communion with nature. There is a conversation going on. They know it. I read where many indigenous people have conversations with nature for many generations. If we were to go with Eckhart’s idea that every creature is a word of God and a book about God then what an opportunity for us to experience.

    Read More
  • natural areas,  reptiles,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    …without words.

    July 14, 2022

    I posted yesterday about having conversations with nature and then had a short but very important conversation with this rattlesnake on the trail at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area last evening. They initiated the conversation when they started to shake that rattle while I was about four feet away. Thus began our conversation. As soon as I heard them rattle I immediately stopped in my tracks. Without any words I knew exactly what they were saying to me, “That’s close enough! I’m coiled and ready.” I answered them by saying loudly something like, “Holy Crap!!”, then stepped back. I frantically looked for them. Once discovered, I moved off the trail and let them have it. After all, they were there first. I then asked if I could take a photo or two. I understood that rattle perfectly, without words.

    Read More
  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes,  sunrises

    The New Story

    July 13, 2022

    “We are between stories. The old story is no longer effective. Yet we have not learned ‘the new story.’ We are talking only to ourselves. We are not talking to the rivers, we are not listening to the wind and stars. We have broken the great conversation. By breaking that conversation we have shattered the universe.”

    Thomas Berry

    I talk to birds. I also listen to birds. The above quote made me think about my old story which said I could only talk at birds and they could only talk at me. Having a conversation was impossible. I’m realizing how that story is evolving for me. Although birds and I do not speak one anothers language, I wonder, is there a conversation going on?

    Conversation happens between humans without words. Many will attest to having conversations with their pets. So, can there be a conversation with all of creation, without words? When making eye contact with the cottontail, is that a form of conversation? Can there be a conversation going on between the wind and trees as they dance together. Is the sweet scent of honeysuckle a form of conversation with all who will pay attention? And, could it be that just paying attention and observing creation is a form of conversation? I do not have a solid answer to those questions but at this stage of my life, I am experiencing conversations with creation at new levels, a conversation that goes deeper than human words. Maybe, this is the new story!

    Read More
  • Avian,  coffee life,  coffee shops

    Annual Visitor

    January 23, 2022

    Every year a Common Goldeneye returns to the ponds. I’ve got no way of knowing if its the same bird or the birds gender. However, each winter one, and only one, arrives and dominates the mallards. Yesterday I took a few images and tried to get a video. This is the best I can offer.

    I did make a stop at Mugs Coffee Lounge on Laurel. They did not close down but remodeled and opened back up a couple days ago. Really did a nice job with making it seem more spacious and brighter. Ran into my my friend, Dan, and was able to catch up on life’s happenings. We have blue skies and sunshine and hovering around 45 degrees.

    Read More