Coffee Shop Wisdom #2

I just can't imagine gaining your life philosophy from some product's marketing campaigns or the latest fad of the month. Instead, think through with gusto what you believe. That said, I do pay attention to what is around me, and I am influenced by the world I live in. Yet, I'm also influenced by the spiritual world I live in- the one I cannot see but I know exists. Here's a truth found in a local coffee shop that I know without a doubt is built on truth. A notable and quotable from St. Augustine. 
 

Coffee Shop Wisdom

Here's some real coffee shop wisdom! When stopping into the local Starbucks or Caribou Coffee, I rarely expect to be confronted with this kind of real truth. But I found it in an unexpected place when I went to meet a friend in the Metro Denver area. You know, anytime someone attaches the name of Jesus to something, I have to think twice. This time, the message was so strong, I couldn't just walk by!

Disney's Country Bears and Pixar's Cars Take Over Colorado

Count this Colorado man very surprised to see Disney characters in Audio-Animatronic form outside of one of the theme parks. And not just a Country Bear Musical Jamboree bear but a "Car" as well! They both had as much motion and expression in their eyes as any of the characters in the parks. Surprising? Absolutely! Where was this whole thing? We were in Scheels Sporting Goods store in Colorado Springs, Colorado- and this was their shooting gallery. Just goes to show Disney inspiration is everywhere!

 

First Snow of the Year

This one is specifically for my family in warmer regions who think it snows here in Colorado from October through April nonstop. They hear about our 65 degree ways in November and December and even sometimes later in January, but they tend to forget it. Me, too, for that matter! So, here it is on the 19th of the month, and our first real snow of the year. I must be getting acclimated. I'd say it's about time.

Our Late White Christmas

Our first snow of December arrived early this morning. It's not a White Christmas but a few days late. That's ok, I can wait. This is Colorado, and there's always more coming.
 

Bees, Snakes, and Other Creatures

Spiders, snakes, bees, wasps, etc. They are not something I like, even if I know they play a part in the ecosystem. In the last week, we've had two water snakes in our backyard pond and a TON of bees and wasps. I've never seen anything like it! But I'm thankful for the Word in Isaiah  chapter 11, verse 6 which describes what it will all be like when Jesus returns and establishes his kingdom: "The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them." AMEN!

 

The Grandsons Take a Dive at Casa Bonita

Not in the pool, mind you! Two of my grandsons dove wholeheartedly into the sopapillas at Denver's (in)famous Casa Bonita. Once known for meals that would stick to your plate if you held it sideways, it's now known for pretty good food (yes, really!) and for being a great but expensive place to spend some family time. And it was for everyone involved!
 

A Night Out with the Rockies

They may currently be the baseball team with the most dismal record, but an evening out last night with friends to see the Colorado Rockies play was still great fun! Yes, Chicago whipped us badly, but what can I say?
 

Rock Star Secrets Beneath Red Rocks

What lies beneath the stage at the famous Colorado concert venue Red Rocks? Plenty! Everyone who's anyone in the music industry has performed here. And they've left their autographs on the walls right below the stage.  

Can you find the signatures of Paul McCartney and the rest of the Beatles? What about Sting? Perhaps Karen Carpenter and brother Richard signed their names here when the Carpenters were a hot new band? James Taylor has been here several times. And a million others. 

A friend of mine had the opportunity to go here after a concert as she knew a few of the band members. I'll withhold the name of the headliners to protect her privacy, but she was happy to pass these on.

Enjoy search for the names of your favorite musicians! There's plenty to look at!

A Birthday Without A Photo

Finally! Blogger was up to its old tricks again!  I wanted to upload a photo of our youngest daughter and her father on her birthday, but no such luck! But today, it worked. Since our birthdays are very close together, we often celebrate together. One year, she decided to take me to the Denver Zoo to sit in the sand near the manta ray exhibit and have a margarita together. What a creative and thoughtful gift! A bit of Southern California in the middle of the plains of Colorado. Anyway, happy birthday to our youngest daughter! What an amazing woman of God she is!

The Story of Casa Bonita- from South Park to Casa Bonita Mi Amor!

If you live in Denver, Casa Bonita is an institution! Known for cliff divers, a gorilla, sopapillas and inedible food, it was a must-see tourist attraction. Once it was put on South Park, it became world famous. In 2021, South Park's creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker purchased the fading gem of Denver kitsch and made it famous again. Rumor has it the food is now good but reservations impossible to get. The new Casa Bonita Mi Amor! tells the tale of the transformation. Trust me, it will be worth watching!

Meeting the Colorado Avalanche Mascot

Just hanging out with the mascot of the National Hockey League's Colorado Avalanche! Bernie's his name, and making kids happy seems to come easy. Both younger fans and adults too. My youngest son took one of his nephews to the game thanks to some tickets gifted to him at the last minute. What a fun night for both of them!

 

Summer Meets Fall

The late afternoon sun was coming down yesterday while I was flying paper airplanes with my granddaughter and playing a round or two of intense tether ball with her older brother. I noticed all the colors in our garden and was struck by the beauty God creates this time of year. The warm oranges, reds, and yellows contrasted nicely with the lawn, my flower bed, and the tiki torches of summer nights. Winter is on its way, but for now, the charms of the season make that hard to think about!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)
 

Beautiful Evergreen

Living in the Metro Denver area, it's easy to forget how beautiful so much of the state of Colorado really is. Here's a photograph of Evergreen Lake on a perfect Fall day. You could feel it in the air that winter was around the corner, but the warm sun and mild climate made it feel a million miles away.

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Deluge!

 

My photo doesn't do this justice! The heavy rains started at 3:00pm. We couldn't see the end of our street. No relief in sight yet. It is supposed to continue through tomorrow morning. We certainly do need the water. I just pray no one gets hurt and no property is damaged.

(Photograph by Mark Taft.)

Fun on the Farm

The Disney Parks aren't the only place to celebrate Fall! Colorado like many states, is filled with great locations to enjoy the sun and the harvest with your family. Anderson Farms is one of the best!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Gotta Be the Ocean

A little time on the beach, swimming, sunning, dreaming. It'd be a perfect day in California or Florida - and especially Hawaii- for me. No, I don't surf, but I do like watching folks taking waves. I'm more of a body surfer type, rolling under the crisp clean water, allowing the strength of the ocean to toss me about. There's just something so organic and natural about the beach. A pool just won't do.

(Photographer unknown.)

Inside The Science Behind Pixar Exhibit

Were you one of the fortunate ones who got to see the "The Science Behind Pixar" traveling exhibit before the Coronavirus shut everything down? We were blessed to get in while it was at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. 

A "Wallpaper" of characters.

As a guest, you begin- where else?- in a theater that introduces the process animators use to create a film. Everything from story and character development to backgrounds. Our hostess explained that before she could work there, she had to become familiar with every Pixar animated film; more than enough to be able to answer questions of anyone attending the museum's exhibit.

The variety of artwork displayed was Incredible!

A life size Buzz Lightyear greets you just outside the theater, creating the perfect photo opportunity; one of many placed throughout so visitors can get a taste of what it's like to encounter characters at their favorite Disney theme park. 

Next, it's on to the individual displays highlighting the process. How did they create surfaces? How did they make special effects? How could viewers get a bugs eyed view of the world? How did characters stretch, move, and display emotion? So many questions to answer, and the folks who bring it all together instruct the audience using film and hands on activities to teach in a very entertaining manner. All this learning going on and not one complaining kid (or adult) to be found!

Each of the different Pixar films brought unique elements that had to be created. To tell the story of each process, the displays use different interactive elements, everything from puzzles and games, to bug eyed lenses and more. Visitors are given the opportunity to create their own sound effects, change colors on background landscapes to evoke a particular mood, and more. 

The tapestry above, for Brave, is actually just a high gloss piece of very large paper with a design created entirely on the computer. I wouldn't have believed it for myself unless I was able to touch it.

On the way out the exit, the last wall displays one of the most mesmerizing pieces. A huge mural recreates Miguel from Coco as he first gazes upon The Land of the Dead. The brilliant colors dazzle your eyes! 

What will the experts at Pixar have to think up next as they flesh out each individual film? It's hard to say. But one thing is certain, it will be amazing! And it will make for even more behind the scenes stories for traveling exhibits such as these. 

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft. "Flying Buzz" right from Pixar.)

Introducing Undone Press

Lovers of Disney theme parks and Imagineering come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and ages. It's a wonderfully diverse world that we all enjoy. Today, I'd love to introduce you to a brand new blog I just discovered- Undone Press. These Disney lovers, the husband and wife team of Andy and Lauren Knuth, bring a fresh perspective to our world during this very strange time of living with the Coronavirus all around us. Be sure to check it out!

Coming Our Way All Day

Come on and sing along with me, "Ain't no cure for the Wintertime Blues!" On the schedule until 7pm tonight. That makes for 24 straight hours of snow. Brrr.