• flowers,  quotes

    Grateful for …

    Tulips on Campus
    Tulips on Campus

    “And the world cannot be discovered by a journey of miles, no matter how long, but only by a spiritual journey, a journey of one inch, very arduous and humbling and joyful, by which we arrive at the ground at our own feet, and learn to be at home.” Wendell Berry

    Just as nature and a spiritual life have become important to me so have words, words I read, hear, and write. Grateful for words!

    It is a nice spring day so thought I’d post this springlike image. Grateful for spring! The college does a wonderful job of planting tulips all over the campus. Grateful for tulips!

  • flowers,  musings,  Plants,  writing/reading

    Life Changing

    Tulips on Campus
    Tulips on Campus

    Fifteen years ago I had two life changing events occur in my life: one was provided in a 12 Step Recovery program and the other was purchasing my first digital camera. I purchased a Nikon D100 in October of 2002 and I stopped drinking in January 2003. Life changing because both have given me tools to begin to see myself, people, institutions, and all of creation when properly using these tools. I am grateful for both of these tools.

  • Black and White,  Cityscapes/Urban,  lifestyles

    Lunch with Monica

    Monring Shadows
    Morning Shadows

    We are experiencing spring weather but know that nature can and does change rather quickly. They have predicted temperatures in the mid 70’s today and tomorrow, while snow is possible on Friday.

    My schedule today is a quiet one. Now at the Lory Student Center to write and enjoy a mocha. Will have lunch with my youngest daughter today and then meet a friend later this afternoon. Hope you enjoy your day!

  • seasons,  snow,  winter scenes

    Our Spring Snow Storm

    The Cottonwood Tree on Fischer Nature Trail
    The Cottonwood Tree on Fischer Nature Trail

    It has been snowing for that past 24 hours, a heavy wet spring snow. Schools closed down yesterday afternoon as the snow accumulation was much more than predicted. There was no need or desire to be out in the mess, so yesterday I sat in my condo reading and writing while listening to tree branches snapping and cracking. I took down the soup from the freezer and put it on the stove. Nothing better than a winter storm outside and the smell of soup cooking inside. This storm has brought some heavy damage to our trees.

    Picnic Tables at Rowland Moore Park
    Picnic Tables at Rowland Moore Park

    This morning I ventured to Rowland Moore Park in the interest of seeing how much damage to the trees. I was surprised to see only small to medium branches were broken and no trees down. But, I also could see the amount of snow accumulation on the picnic tables. I read this morning the snow accumulation on Fort Collins was 5 inches. However, I estimated 8 inches at my condo and by looking at this table that seems accurate.

    Tree Damage at CSU Campus
    Tree Damage at CSU Campus

    The campus at Colorado State University took some heavy damage. This sidewalk is along Shields Avenue on the west side of campus. I was shocked as I drove along and needed to stop a few images of the damage. In this image you can see multiple tree branches down and one tree completely uprooted and laying in the parking lot. Just around the corner from here was a massive tree that had come done and was on top a someones car. They are not going to be happy. 🙁

  • Cityscapes/Urban,  snow

    Where’d Spring Go?

    Fresh Snow
    Fresh Snow

    A cold front has moved in and brought much-needed moisture but also cold temperatures. The rain began yesterday afternoon then became a mix of rain and snow. Some periods were just snow as you can see in the above image taken from my porch around 4:30 pm. All is well this morning as the snow accumulation was no more than a dusting. But now we live with the cold for the next 36 hours. I’m hoping the mountains received a lot more snow. 

  • Cityscapes/Urban,  Documentary/Street,  flowers,  Plants

    Born With Love

    Tulips on Campus
    Tulips on Campus

    “Love is what we are born with. Fear is what we learn. The spiritual journey is the unlearning of fear and prejudices and the acceptance of love back in our hearts. Love is the essential reality and our purpose on earth. To be consciously aware of it, to experience love in ourselves and others, is the meaning of life. Meaning does not lie in things. Meaning lies in us.” Marianne Williamson