I’m planning to merge my love of downhill mountain biking, and bicycle touring so I visited the Santa Cruz bicycle headquarters in Santa Cruz, CA.
Category: blog
“Poetry is Nature.”
Poetry is nature, infinite in age.
“Sacred spiritual site for all.”
A sense of reverence is experienced as you pass the enormous Coast Redwood Trees
“Pacific Crest Trail hikers.”
If you stop moving, you will die
PCT 2019 people and animals
Among the thousands of people hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2019, there are also animals, and photographer, Andrew Burns. He is not hiking the trail,
“Chipmunks Everywhere!”
I was taking a short day hike around the campground in Collier Memorial Park in Oregon when I met another camper/traveler and our conversation turned
“Cozy Confessions.”
My thirty plus years of travel destinations are filled with photos and encountering people who are the inspirations for some of my creative writings ideas.
“Sparkling at any age.”
The word “age,” is a noun, defining the length of existence from the beginning to any given time of life. Existence is the sparkle of
“Atmospheric; A Short story”
Three months ago Jill and I decided to take a break with a tropical island weekend getaway. On our last evening, I dressed adorned in
“Droolling mushroom hunters.”
Hiking in the great northwest of the US brings you into contact with many types of people. My first encounter with mushroom hunters began with
“Temporary photos.”
Landscape photography changes minute to minute, hour, by hour and daily at the White Sands National Monument in New Mexico. In these photographs, I capture a temporary
“Centenarian love, passion, marriage, and dancing.”
The annual sweetheart’s dance has become a coveted gala event for the 190 residents at the “Living Years Village.” And again for the third year
“Faintly simmering and being beckoned.”
I stood in the doorway of the kitchen watching my mother cooking and preparing the Thanksgiving dinner as I drooled with excitement wanting to sneak
“Halloween Neighborhood-Lessons.”
There was a time in the 60’s, and 70’s when the mystery of keeping your home secure during the Halloween season was something you passed
“Ghoulish.”
I have never really liked Halloween since the horrible calamity of 1975, for which my father tells the story with the smiling gleefulness of a
“Autumn Fluffy.”
The end of green summer leaves leads to the transformation to various bright colors. During an October hike with crisp, breezes blowing red, yellow, purple,
“Mirrored Gratitude.”
With their annual Halloween party two days away, Erica stood in the mirror admiring her Cleopatra costume. She adjusted the black wig with a gold
“Identifying Trademarks.”
The identifying trademarks were visible when the border officer lifted the tarp to reveal the cylindrical barrel. This story began after my best friend Charles
“Cacophony: A band parents story.”g
My next door neighbors, Clifford and Joyce Ingram’s raised 6-children, who were born two and three years apart. When their eldest child Cynthia began playing
“Enlighten.”
Enlightening moments in time brings life into focus. (M. J. Leake) After thirty-nine years of marriage, three adult children, one hysterectomy, and a husband I
“Expected Release.”
After 9-months, of preparation, which included doctors visits, painting a nursery room, assembling baby furniture, storing diapers, infant clothing, and installing and securing the infant
“Express.”
Do you love to dance, sing, write, sculpt, paint, or debate? What’s your favorite way to express yourself, creatively? I use words creatively in sentences,
“Brave, heroic, courageous, and daring.”
The above words are used to describe acts done by a person that if given a moment of thought many people would not perform for
“Risk?”
What would your daily life be without risk? Most people try to avoid risk and some at all cost while many people take a calculated
“Loyalty.”
Loyalty is determined and measured by who you interact with over time. Loyalty and friendships are determined by time. Loyalty can be a long-term commitment
“Ascending.”
Life is like ascending a mountain one foot after another to accomplish what is desired. Standing atop of an accomplishment is a personal goal and time
“Succumb.”
Succumbing to life’s temptations keeps you from being your best. Succumbing to the bitterness of life closes your mind to reconciliation. Succumbing to the
“Cloaked in darkness.”
A 5-year-old girl in a playground stops to look at the flight of a butterfly. She runs around mimicking its movements to understand the butterfly’s
“Fraud”
The fraud you do. The fraud to deceive. The fraud to trick and cheat. The fraud for your personal gain. The fraud committed in darkness
“Inflated elastic beauty.”
The elastic balloons cover the grounds as far as the eye can see. Ground crews hold lines as the balloons are inflated reaching heights towering
“Fashionable Beauty.”
Hiking a forest or desert trails with only the sounds of your footsteps crunching the ground quiets your soul to experience a believable sense of
“Carousel of Life.”
The carousel of life cycles through many stages hopefully surrounded by family, friends, culture, and an environment shaping your life forever. Along the way you develop
“Dare-Devil Great Grandmother.”
Six months ago, I was with twenty-one of my family members to watch my youngest great-granddaughter tandem parachute from a plane 12000 feet above the
“Good Morning Foggy Haze.”
I awake with a foggy haze, covering my eyes, I stumble to my bathroom to begin my day. When I reach out for my toothbrush,
“Crisp proud parents.”
Julius and Doretha Jefferson drove seven hours from Pittsburgh PA to West Point NY, to attend parents day at the US Army’s Military Academy. After
“Distances and Images.”
A tragedy brought us together, but serendipitous events spawned our meeting. My heart beats slowed in response to your beauty my eyes witnessed My voice
” The Band; Brass, Drums, and Reeds.”
Every band member in the marching and orchestra bands maintains a solidarity based on the instrument they have played their entire lives. Those who play
“Portion.”
To excel in what ever you want you must have desire and ambition to separate from those who wish to succeed utilizing a trace
“Bitterly exposed, where is Edgar?”
Mother, I’m so upset and angry with Wilbur, this is the third time this month he has been naughty. What did he do? Well, when
“Instinct.”
I’m no hero. I acted upon instinct pulling Mrs. Harris from her car after she collided with the fence. Everyone says I’m a hero, but
“Mirror.”
Capturing photographs of reflections on a lake is what sprung my amateur photographers imagination. Since the early morning bicycle rides into Lakes Regional Park
“Fragile.”
The tone of words are interpreted by those listening. Dreams, hopes, and beliefs are broken with words. The egos of humans are broken with words.
Melody yes, Sing No!
Everyone may not be able to sing with the voice of their favorite or greatest singers, but everyone can hum the melodies. You know
“Sing”
The voice is an incredible musical instrument when used correctly soothes the soul of many listeners. So, sing a song of love, sing a song
“Bricks”
The building foundation of dreams begins with individual cobblestones and bricks with curves leading to smooth pavers of a loving life. WordPress Daily word prompt
“Hope and the Westward Expansion Memorial”
The city of St. Louis is home to the 19-Acre Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, it is home to the Gateway Arch, the site of The Dred
“Beach”
The sight of seabirds above Listening to the waves Smelling the ocean mist The beach is an essence I desire. WordPress daily word prompt.
“My First photo competition and A New Beginning”
Last fall I entered the above photo in The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel photo contest, and my submission won! 🙂 On April 30th,
“Misplaced”
After weeks, of purging and decluttering, I found many misplaced items of my past with surprising and shocking astonishment. Each discovery provided many hours of
“Closet”
Closets can store memories in plastic containers and cardboard boxes. Purging these containers ignites a review of a past life and the emotional memories some good
“Stairway”
I’m climbing the stairway northward along the interstate from southwest Florida peering into the rearview mirror I see my last morning sunrise of Fort Myers Florida.
“Contrast”
Response to WordPress word prompt “Contrast,” The contrast of the seasons, rain, snow, summer or winter, is witnessed daily in nature around the world. Nature
Purging for a New Journey
Viewing a sunrise can reveal how significant purging and decluttering provides the clarity to appreciate the importance of memories. It has been three weeks since
“Handwriting”
My response to the daily word prompt “Handwriting,” is a revised and edited version I posted less than a month ago. Enjoy 🙂 My handwriting
“Object”
WordPress daily word prompt response to “Object.” My recent attendance at a sea shell show peaked my interest in these objects covering the shoreline during
“Misstep”
WordPress daily one-word prompt “Misstep”  Stumbling to the ground because you failed to recognize your shoe is untied. Leaving a restroom, with toilet paper
“Contrast”
Response to the WordPress word prompt “Contrast” The world commercial market is focused on the youthful between the age of 0 to thirty-five. The majority
“Flow”
WordPress daily one-word prompt “Flow.”  The one-word prompt “flow” brings to mind many provocative thoughts surrounding men of a certain age, and women before
“Sentimental”
Response to the one word prompt “Sentimental.” Most humans develop a sentimentality with inanimate objects, and I like many people have developed an attachment to
“Screens”
In response to the one-word prompt “Screen.” The power of suggestion is shown in today’s prompt with the silhouette of a head in front
“Connection”
The one word daily prompt “Connection” response. A connection to life. A connection to love. A connection to a friend. A connection with nature. A
“Inevitable”
The one word daily prompt “Inevitable” response. Everything in life is inevitable. It is inevitable the sun will rise, and a sunset will follow. It
“Legacy”
Write a response to the one-word prompt, “Legacy.” The writing prompt “Legacy” causes me to consider humanities legacy of how writing tools have evolved. The
“Longing”
For the past ten months, I have expanded my blog beyond a daily prompt response, to include short stories, flash fiction, photography, and poetry. I
“State of Mind”
This week, let your inner world and the outside one converge in a photo. The photos layout of local birds enjoying a cold sunny morning
“My Quirky Habits”
Which quirky habit annoys you the most and what quirky habit do you love for yourself or others. I have a quirky habit to clean
“Key Takeaway”
Give your newer sisters and brothers in WordPress one piece of advice based on your blogging experiences. There are many adjectives I could use
“Life Line”
You’re on a long flight, and a palm reader sitting next to you insist she reads your palm. You hesitate but, agree. What does she tell
“Pick Your Gadget”
Your local electronics store has just started selling time machines, anywhere doors, and invisibility helmets. You can only afford one. Which of these do you
“Pour Some Sugar on Me”
What is your favorite sweet thing to eat? Bread pudding? Chocolate chip oatmeal cookies? A smooth and creamy piece of cheesecake? Tell us about the
“Strike-a-Chord”
Do you play and instrument? Is there a musical instrument whose sound you find particularly pleasing. Tell us a story about your experience or relationship
The Wanderer
Tell us about the top five place you’ve always wanted to visit The word “Wanderer” is the name I gave my motorcycle nine years ago.
“Teach Your Bloggers Well”
We all know how to do something well — write a post that teaches readers how to do something you know and/or love to do.
“The Outsiders”
WordPress Daily Post Prompt Tell us about the experience of being outside, looking in — however you’d like to interpret that. During the summer of
“The Great Pretender”
WordPress Daily Posts, “The Great Pretender.” Are you full of confidence or have you ever suffered from imposter syndrome? The imposter syndrome describes a feeling
“Million-Dollar Question”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Million-Dollar Question.” Why do you blog? This is a great question and my only response is, I
