An online journal sharing my interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, spirituality and asking deep questions.
“There was never a dawn, regardless how beautiful or promising, that did not grow into noontime. There was never a noon that did not fall into afternoon. There was never an afternoon that did not fade toward evening. There never was a day yet that did not get buried in the graveyard of the night.”
John O’Donohue, Anam Cara
Had coffee at Bindles yesterday morning and when I got out of the car this is what I had for a view. And, the mocha was darn good! Have a great weekend!
Standing passengers on public transportation hang on to handles, called strap-hangers. They intrigued me yesterday so I played around with different compositions and framing. There are now a few people who know I’m a bit insane and give me some distance. I’d like to share a story about one of the first times I began riding the bus. Forgive me if I’ve told this before.
One morning when getting on I found it packed with students on their way to campus. There was no room to sit so I had to stand, grabbing a strap-hanger. This nice young man, calling me “Sir”, offered me his seat. After declining the offer I began to think about the generosity and concern of his offer for this older guy. I realized how much older I was than 95% of the kids on the bus. I also noticed the cute young lady he was sitting next to. So, the next time I ever encounter the same or similar situation I just may take up the offer, especially if she’s cute. 🙂
This morning we have a full moon sitting just above the mountains to the west. In the east we have a radiant orange sky between the horizon and clouds. The day begins! I’m at Bindles on the hill looking out the east window over the Poudre River flowing in the valley below. Next to me is a mocha latte. Live is good!
I watched the supermoon from my condo, having no real interest in shooting images of it. However, I changed my mind and took a half dozen shots. Since I no longer have a focal length greater than 55mm this is it. I like how it turned out, giving a view of what the human eye sees rather than the typical closeup. This tree is in my front yard so I framed the moon with it and allowed the street light to illuminate the tree.
“Most importantly, remember that “seeing” is a life journey. Even if you got the right start and are doing all the right things, you WILL experience moments of weakness, doubt and discouragement. Put away your camera and take a rest. You won’t believe how much better you feel the next time you pick up your camera.” Olaf Sztaba
Last Friday evening was to be a full moon. I forgot. But things worked out for me anyway. Friday was a day filled with clear blue skies, nary a cloud to be seen and hot. Even with that in mind I jumped in the car to drive out east on some country dirt road for some quiet and open space. I spent a good hour taking everything in, refreshing my soul, as they say. Without clouds to reflect the sun there was no red sky.
I started home around 8:30 pm, after the sun had dropped behind the Rocky Mountain horizon. My route home was to drive south south on County Road 13. Just as I crested the ridge about a quarter mile down the road, I was greeted with a gorgeous view of the rising full moon in the east. I raced ahead and stopped at a couple of places where I figured I could get a decent photo. I have one decent image but, stopping, turning off the engine and taking it all in was what I needed. I was given a wonderful gift for a short period of time, even though I’d forgotten it was to be full moon.
“… all men need enough silence and solitude in their lives to enable the deep inner voice of their own true self to be heard …” Thomas Merton