Project Athena - Day 197 (Lights)

There is Winter in the Mountains

The mountains were calling me today so Lara and I took a drive up to Rocky Mountain National Park. Thankfully we drove her 4-wheel drive truck because the snow was flying and the wind was howling. Roads were slicker than a greased hog, as my Granny used to say.

We encountered several accidents as folks were sliding into snow banks and completely off the roads. Even the ranger was having a hard time staying on her feet as she skated down the road in her attempt to warn oncoming traffic of a treacherous curb. This shot is a compilation of some of that action.

Still, it was a winter wonder land to us and we both felt merry and lighthearted. We enjoyed a brisk walk in the snow around Sprague Lake and then sat in our warm truck gratefully eating our home made vegetable soup.

The day was filled with great conversation about the keen, innate power of this solstice/new moon and how the mythical stories of old about saviors and such were born from actual celestial events. As we made our way back into Estes Park, we found ourselves a warm coffee shop where we sat and wrote about what we are willing to release, forgive and just let be. Feels good to empty out these things consciously. Then we wrote about what possibilities we are willing to open into with the coming light. That felt even better to name what our hearts desire, without putting any "demands" or expectations on the Universe.

It was a great solstice day. It has left me smiling and welcoming of the longest night.

Ranger Lights Reflecting on Hood

Nikon D3200 • Compilation Photo

Project Athena - Day 190 (Food)

Yumm!

Food week! It's going to be a technically challenging experience for me because, while I enjoy cooking, preparing and eating food, I will have a learning curve with how to make food look appetizing in a photograph. I might be calling on my gourmet friends for a little help....

Tomatoes with Goat Cheese, Kale and Pepper

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 55-200mm lens • 135mm • F/5 • 1/25s • ISO 200

 

Project Athena - Day 184 (roygbiv-r)

Ho-Ho-Ho

This shot is truly not what I had planned for the color red but I just couldn't pass this up today. Happy Holidays Everyone!

Red is such a primal color for me supporting the root chakra at the base of the spine. It is the rich color of all mammal blood and thus represent our very life force. Yes, it is also the color of this holiday season and right now red can be seen everywhere! Today while in downtown Fort Collins, I noticed that shoppers were unconsciously harnessing red's vibrational energy of spirited excitement and liveliness to tirelessly navigate the crowds or people and to keep themselves peppy in the long checkout lines. It was fascinating to observe. Red is also the color of passion and love so it will come back around in February for that other holiday.

In this culture, red is also used to warn of danger or get us to "STOP". We certainly have been trained to pay attention to the color red, more than any other color, which is why I noticed this pre-tend-a-santa driving a Chevy truck.

Red 55 Chevy with Santa Driving

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 55-200mm lens • 55mm • F/6.3 • 1/200s • ISO 200

Project Athena - Day 181 (Threes)

Cherry on Top

Pink eye has got me down today. No shooting. Not much writing tonight. Just a little Haiku cause I like it.

Three cherries dangle
On a cold December day
Shriveled fare for birds.
 

Winter Cherries

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 55-200mm lens • 200mm • F/5.6 • 1/1250s • ISO 400