In the times of COVID-19: 01

Barnyard with black angus cows.

I don't know who owns this property, but I found it quiet and soothing in a random drive by kind of way.

We are now in something like week three (really its more, its just that our current government downplayed the situation) of quarantine, self-isolation, stay at home orders.  I've worked from home for a large part of two weeks.  In 30+ years, this is a first.  This is a first for our country.  Other countries have dealt with pandemics (yes, it is a real pandemic) but not us.  Not us the privileged, Americans, our biggest problem being fighting amongst ourselves regarding ideology ... red, blue, right, left ....  

Very few words and a lot of feelings here.






Flâneur, from the French noun flâneur, means "stroller", "lounger", "saunterer", or "loafer". Flânerie is the act of strolling, with all of its accompanying associations. A near-synonym is 'boulevardier'.

Just Read: Green River, Running Red & Loving What Is

Green River, Running Red:  I placed this book on my library queue after being absorbed by I'll be Gone in the Dark, the story of the Golden State Killer.  I was temporarily obsessed with real crime books.  It took me some time to get back to that as I can be quite mercurial in my reading.  The book was interesting for me in that I live in the Pacific Northwest, the region in which this serial killer did his worst / (best ?) to terrorize women.  I'm glad I got a piece of history in my head about this.  I'm not sure I really need to read any more real crime books though.  Time will tell.  One of the most interesting pieces, for me (obviously) is the author wrote the book about Ted Bundy and somehow knew him, but didn't know he was a killer.  If you like real crime, this was a good book.  Not for the weak hearted.

Loving What Is:  I didn't think I was going to get much out of this book and yet I did.  I find myself coming back to its Buddha-like principles of I am in charge of what I think and get to choose how I feel about each and every situation, etc.  Some of the ideas didn't sit with me, and I feel that's ok.  I took what I needed from this and believe I will keep learning from it.

Les Flâneur - Week Ten | Grace

Grace: Hailing from a place with a more simple lifestyle is a double edged sword. As soon as I could I jumped. I ran, got out, saved myself. Headed somewhere, bigger, better, fuller, more. Time, effort, desire and distance are what it has taken to realize life is where you take your stand, eat your meals and in the people you love. It’s true what they say, size doesn’t matter. Living small or large or near or far, it is of our own making.

I am joyfully learning about grace, understanding, compassion, acceptance and everything in between and beyond and am grateful for all of it.








Flâneur, from the French noun flâneur, means "stroller", "lounger", "saunterer", or "loafer". Flânerie is the act of strolling, with all of its accompanying associations. A near-synonym is 'boulevardier'.

Les Flâneur - Week Nine | Affirmation

Affirmation: From the outside, luscious. From inside, daunting. My truth lies somewhere between light and dark, near and far and, fortunately, is in flux.


Eternally finding my way and learning to embrace this journey.

Flâneur, from the French noun flâneur, means "stroller", "lounger", "saunterer", or "loafer". Flânerie is the act of strolling, with all of its accompanying associations. A near-synonym is 'boulevardier'.

Les Flâneur - Week Eight | Seasons

I was lost with this word.  The images I attempted to capture, mundane and ordinary.  These are the times digital photography is most appreciated .  Then comes Chama.  Inordinate amounts of inspiration sank into me from your twist on the many levels of meaning hidden in plain sight.    After days of coming back to your image in my mind and on the screen, my Self broke open. 

Why did I have such a time responding to the prompts?  Did I have nothing to offer?  Why was that?  And then two words seared themselves onto my soul; Loss & Fear.  With those two prompts, zero held me back.  I was nearly propelled to respond and with my most open, vulnerable Self.  My Self had found its Season.  This is where I am right now given what my world is right now.  Right now those words are where my heart lives.  I don’t find it sorrowful or maudlin.  It just is and I am joyful in the recognition and the process.  My Self needs to get through and this is the path.  I may as well get to it … this path won’t walk itself.

Thank you for the prompts and thank you for your interpretations and personal take on them.  I will endeavor to ride the wave of it all and come out joyous on the other shore.

Flâneur, from the French noun flâneur, means "stroller", "lounger", "saunterer", or "loafer". Flânerie is the act of strolling, with all of its accompanying associations. A near-synonym is 'boulevardier'.

Without Shame or Fear

It would be so amazing for us to show our weaknesses and also show how we don't crumple beneath them, that we can face them, deal with them and learn to live along side them without shame or fear.

Les Flâneur - Week Seven | Fear

Fear. Some time ago, in a safe space, fear, as I knew it to be at that moment, was placed it in a box. The metaphorical box was locked and wrapped in enchantments. The key and spells to release in my possession. That next year was spent with a newly minted no-fear attitude. I began to learn about real joy and contentment. It was an amazing lesson and opportunity offered to me which I am grateful I embraced.

Since then, new fears crop up and are faced, one at a time. Confronted for what they really are, and then packed up to continue on with me or left where they were discovered. Releasing fear, seeing it for its reality, have been life altering. I know I will spend my life doing the same, recognizing, confronting and deciding how to move forward.

Despite fear of writing and allowing others to read the (my) words, I’m here, in this space, writing, struggling with letting the words flow. Will they be in the right order? Will they make sense once they are out of my head in black and white? Will they be judged worthy? My guess is, sometimes yes, sometimes no. Despite my life-long love of photography, I’m here, sharing, exposing myself as it were. Hoping others will see a glimpse of my vision.

The vulnerability of allowing others in on this level, daunting. Nevertheless, I am here. Ready for it, whatever it is.













Flâneur, from the French noun flâneur, means "stroller", "lounger", "saunterer", or "loafer". Flânerie is the act of strolling, with all of its accompanying associations. A near-synonym is 'boulevardier'.

Les Flâneur - Week Six | Loss

Loss, embodied for me in morning fog. I often wonder the why and the how this became mournful to me. The quiet, the cool, the mist which accompanies the rolling in and the settling around. The immediateness, the fully encompassing suspicion of what may lurk within.

In this time of impending and inevitable loss, reimagining the meaning has become, is becoming a must, a need, a headlong rush. Discovery, fear wrangling and acceptance are the short list.

The why and the how may never be available. Becoming lifelong companions with unknowing seems the best course. Walking the walk through the fog, grasping hands for support while reciprocating the same. Together, patiently waiting for the lift, the breath, the relief which comes with the sun’s full rise. Knowing the sun’s warmth is on its way eases, but does not fully remove the chill of now.

These are the pursuits.












Flâneur, from the French noun flâneur, means "stroller", "lounger", "saunterer", or "loafer". Flânerie is the act of strolling, with all of its accompanying associations. A near-synonym is 'boulevardier'.

Les Flâneur - Week Four | Gift

Morning, its the gift I give myself at every opportunity.

I am and have been a morning person for as long as I can recall. The luxury of sleeping in feels like wasted time to me. A night owl, not me. Give me the morning and all the possibility it harbors.

I feel the most alive during this time. The most energetic. The most real, for lack of better words.








Flâneur, from the French noun flâneur, means "stroller", "lounger", "saunterer", or "loafer". Flânerie is the act of strolling, with all of its accompanying associations. A near-synonym is 'boulevardier'.

Les Flâneur | Welcome

Good morning, Opportunity. May our collective glow be wondrous. I am looking forward to this unfolding. Cheers







Flâneur, from the French noun flâneur, means "stroller", "lounger", "saunterer", or "loafer". Flânerie is the act of strolling, with all of its accompanying associations. A near-synonym is 'boulevardier'.