New York Rhythm

Sometimes life is frenetic in the south. Mostly because we let little things gain importance and overwhelm us. Rather than seek peace and quiet, I’d prefer a visit back home to New York. Sometimes I honestly miss the taxis and even the pigeons ( as long as they maintain a respectful distance).People expect New York to be fast paced and overgrown because that’s its reputation. But, though the pace in the city is the composite of emotion, energy, and possibility, it creates a pulse that lets you know you are alive and  that at any moment you might find yourself traveling in a new direction . Inspiration and wonder thrive while its sounds, sights, and rhythm revive the soul.

Reflections on the Strength of Our Nation

Last summer, I shot this photo near Boston, Massachusetts, just before Independence Day. I think I intended saving it for the next Fourth of July, but the tragic events of this week have me reflecting on our strengths and it feels appropriate today. To be able to look at fear and respond with humanity and action is what this flag symbolizes to me. There is pain, suffering and the realization that each of us as an individual can choose to do right by others rather than wringing our hands and asking “Why us?” . This is the measure of who we are as a people and a country. All those that took action, offered help in what ever way they could, and made a difference , set the example. We are a nation of individuals who can accomplish so much when we act rather than complain to and about each other.  Those that cause suffering need not be understood, just denounced and recognized as inhuman. For each negative act, a positive one will take away its power. As a people, we still have decisions to make and a course to set .

Running Away from my Blog

Last week I came across this note attached to the door of the classroom across the hall. My friend’s seven year-old son had left it for her that morning. It made me laugh and got me thinking. I realized that as a child I had never tried running away. Some people run because of anger, boredom, a desire to travel – so what was wrong with me? Maybe back then life wasn’t so bad where I was or maybe my sense of adventure was still developing. Now it would be so easy to compile a list of exotic destinations from Paris to Istanbul, dreams of the Orient Express or steamers across the ocean.Of course during the school year, it just isn’t practical or affordable.Lately though,  at least for the last three weeks, it seemed I’d run away from my blog. Inspiration evaporated, my lonely camera sat silently and unseeing on the counter, I felt caged. So , yesterday I ran away from home for a few hours .The fresh air helped to banish the stale ideas and fears.The fantasy aspect of my destination revived my imagination.The shadows inspired my camera. Running away was a healthy choice and in tomorrow’s post you’ll see some of the results.

Losing the Rust

Sometimes you just need to start moving. Stand in one place and rust starts to creep in – into your thinking and you begin to still your senses until you find yourself frozen in attitude . So I’m off on a road trip. Hopefully the person who returns will be a bit more flexible and inspired. For the next two weeks, my posts will be more sporadic because of internet connections. If I’m late with a comment, it still matters to me and I will respond. Thank you for helping me to connect with so many wonderful new friends.

 

Neglected!

Somewhere on a back road in Mississippi, time worn wood and mottled brick give this building a patina of age.No longer speaking of use and purpose, it stands in dignified silence . Simply forgotten. Neglect sneaks up so quietly that it’s easily overlooked. Relationships may be taken for granted, friends and children are put off, gardens and homes, time for personal growth- all these fall prey to the demands of careers or needs of others.Vibrant dreams and plans grow threadbare and emptied if neglect grows unchecked.Taking a moment to really see things in their current state is the first step to protecting and reaffirming what’s important to us. There’s more to say, but I need to go call my mom…

Playing with Leaves

I’m not sure we are going to have any real fall color due to the strange weather we’ve had. But it’s fall and it’s no fun if we don’t go out and jump around in the leaves. That’s how all of these photos were taken, by jumping up around, hopping on one foot and twirling the camera.They were fun to make and a surprise each time. For some readers, the images may be an acquired taste and they  will prefer my “regular “photos, but being serious can be extremely overrated. To me, these feel like impressionist paintings.I’m curious to see what kind of reception they will receive. I can almost see the images printed on watercolor , rag or vellum papers. Please let me know what you think.

A Season of Change

 

Butterflies and leaves, both change dramatically and beautifully. Change can do that for us. Sometimes even the smallest changes can make differences in unexpected ways. So many of us are afraid that change will lead to places for which we don’t have direction or experience. Without a compass we remain in place. This fall, as the colors deepen and the season reveals its mysteries, maybe its time to consider taking steps in a new direction. We can recognize opportunities and dress in garments of brighter color and texture.We can become more ourselves.

Becoming a Roadside Artwork

Along a stretch of road in the eastern part of the county, this car has rested for a number of years on the remains of an old gas station.  Scorching summers and wet winters deepens its patina as it silently sits. Vandals have broken windows and glass shards and spider work lace patterns are woven into its design. Deflated tires make it unable to run and wasps and wildlife have nested into its once proud seats. As rust grows and colors morph, its texture and presence grow more painterly. Each season and trespass add marks to the composition. I don’t pass by often, but it’s evolution into a work of art is impossible to ignore. Maybe that’s why it remains waiting while trains and vehicles pass it by , a lesson in becoming and the beauty of change.

Lessons from Photoshop About Personality : 2 Sides of the Zinnia

I shot this zinnia in color and converted it to black and white because it was less expected. By subduing the color, you notice the flower.Lesson learned: I don’t have to be the most colorful to stand out. Showing my structure and form helps differentiate me. I couldn’t stop there. I played around with inversions – showing the total opposite and that made for a strong photo also. Second lesson: sometimes doing the opposite of  what people expect from you, or what is most natural to you, creates a new vision.I never realized that I could learn so much from Photoshop!

A Cape Cod Sunset: A Reminder to Savor the Light

I took an art class. No big deal. Unless, like me, you can’t draw and find yourself in a class with a renowned artist as teacher and gallery worthy artists as classmates. In other words, outclassed and outperformed. But I don’t surrender easily and worked hard at sketching out in the midday sun and trying to work through problems. On the fourth day, an exhibit of student work was planned. I visited every other class to admire the work. When I returned, people had offered positive responses to my efforts.Not having time to think about it, I had scheduled a tour of the dunes for sunset.I hurried to the office and claimed a seat in the jeep. As soon as we entered the dunes, I could feel all those comparisons and concerns drift away on the wind. The dunes moved and changed in the wind, always to appear more beautiful and mysterious. More layers to a personality.The sunset was the reminder that the day’s trials ended and the time to give thanks and savor the light had arrived.I wanted to stand  on the beach in that tiny pool of light until I absorbed the lesson.