My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and asking deep questions.
wrapped in my blanket in the predawn darkness 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
True creativity does not need an excuse. It is its own motivation. It is spontaneous. It need not win public recognition, and its aim is not success.
Brother Paul Quenon
Sorry for posting another leaf image and quote. It has been another beautiful day in Colorado. It was 52 degrees when I took my camera on a walk this afternoon. Nature knows how to be creative when we look and see.
…the care of the earth is our most ancient and most worthy and, after all, our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it, and to foster its renewal, is our only legitimate hope.
Wendell Berry
We did not get much snow in Fort Collins but we definitely have the cold. It was 5 degrees when I left the condo to catch the bus. Sun came out of hiding around 9:00 so the ice crystals in the air were sparkling, glittering, and twinkling. Ice crystals form when it’s cold and the humidity is high (90% this morning). And, in case you don’t know what an ice crystal is, they are solid ice exhibiting atomic ordering on various length scales and include hexagonal columns, hexagonal plates, dendritic crystals, and diamond dust. Now, aren’t you glad you asked what an ice crystal was. I tried to capture a couple images of them in the sunlight as I left the coffee shop but not happy with them. Definitely need more practice. I saw where we reached 22 degrees but the high humidity makes it feel colder.
I read about great hope this morning in my meditation time and then found this quote by Wendell Berry. Had to post it because I do have hope!
According to DIA we had our first measurable snowfall yesterday and through the night. They showed 4.5 inches at the airport while Fort Collins had maybe an inch. Still lovely and refreshing. Roads are clear so I easily made it to the coffee shop. As expected a few regulars there braving the weather on their bicycles. Not me! The sun was shining brightly by 9:00 am which allowed the more hardy souls to shed their jackets. Not me! I tell you this white stuff sure pulls out the fall colors.
I received word this morning that my cousin, Kevin, died of a heart attack yesterday evening. No details on a service but if anyway possible I would like to attend. So, I could be making a road trip to the panhandle of Texas.
I took a drive up to Cameron Pass yesterday. I had not been up there since the fire in 2020. With rain and snow the past few days and overcast skies in town, I thought I would find some wintery images. I really don’t venture into the mountains much anymore, preferring the open prairie to my east instead. However, I enjoyed my morning drive up there and back. Wonderful weather up there on the pass with blue sky and temperatures around 40 degrees. The above image is on the way up and shows the Poudre River near its headwaters. The melting snow was a dirty brown at lower elevations where up here it is still clear sparkling water.
This is the open meadow at the top of the pass. You get some idea of the height of those peaks in the distance as the pass I’m shooting from is at 10,249 feet. Plenty of snow so you would not think it was June 1st. Not all that familiar with this area but think the peak in the distance is Mt. Mahler. What a beautiful sky we had that day! There were some cross country skiers enjoying themselves up there.
This area was devastated by the Cameron Peak fire in the late summer of 2020. The fire began on August 13, 2020, and was declared 100% contained on December 2, 2020. In that time period the fire burned 208,663 acres (326 sq mi.). The wildfire was the largest to ever burn in Colorado’s history, and became the first wildfire to surpass 200,000 acres. Not the kind of bragging rights we want. The fire is thought to have a major impact on the wildlife, habitat loss, tree population, and many more elements over the next several years. The burn scar from the fire is expected to last and will take years to recover properly. Many areas within the burn scar burned intensely and will take many years for the native Ponderosa Pines to regrow. The cause of the fire is still unknown. Here is a link to information of the fire. The above was shot taken near Chambers Lake from my car.
Springtime in Colorado includes snow in May in case you didn’t know that. This was taken at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area about an hour ago. Rain began about midnight and is slowly turning to snow. Snow is already on the foothills at probably 6500 feet and the higher elevations are shrouded in clouds and snow. Forecast this morning says 4-12 inches of snow will accumulate throughout the day and end tomorrow by noon. My weather app says it’s 37 degrees. The meadowlarks were singing as I took this image. Seems each day is a day to be grateful to them. We can learn from them. I’m now having a bowl of hot Irish Oats with blueberries. Seemed appropriate. Turned the furnace on, too. Meanwhile Phoenix and Charlotte will be in the 90’s.
It has been another beautiful day in Colorado. It was 52 degrees when I took my camera on a walk this afternoon. Nature knows how to be creative when we look and see. 
