Topsy-turvy...

More evidence of what Irene left behind.  There are stumps like this all over our neighborhood.  The walk to and from school is all about counting them and seeing when they will be cleared. You can just imagine how scary it was when the tree that was attached was down in power lines and worse.  September12th

With the lens cap on...

Today I couldn't bring myself to pick up a camera.  I didn't even try.  10 years ago beauty was obscured by the dust and rubble of a mad man's plans carried out by others believing they were seeking a higher calling.  They saw self righteous retribution but their eyes were shuttered by hatred and intolerance and a blind belief in their need to purify the world.  I think that the masterminds weren't so pure in their motivations but preying on the minds of those that seek to find a pathway to eternal salvation can sometimes be too easy.

On this day, 10 years ago, over 3000 people lost their lives as a handful of people sought to use them to further their cause.  As the planes struck their targets, or thanks to unprecedented bravery, struck a field in Pennsylvania, the lives of so many were ended including the lives of those that set the course for destruction. My men spent this anniversary day watching shows that played video and displayed the images that others took during the darkest hours. I couldn't watch.  I too vividly remember.  

I thought about creating an image series of a slow burning candle or of children at play, something that speaks to the resilience of life, but I didn't.  I couldn't see how to create something of beauty that day.  I will say though that in the hours after the towers fell, still feeling shell shocked and finding it hard not to cry, I remember seeing beauty.  I saw beauty in the images of people throughout the world in the streets praying for the souls of those who left us that day, in the stories of people rushing to the site to help in the rescue work, in the messages left on machines of the people they love from those trapped in a burning building or an ill fated aircraft.  In those brief days, before the politics and me focus reemerged there was a world united in its collective shock and grief.  It is in the hearts of the people who strive to better this planet that we find true beauty.

May we never forget the atrocities that befell us that day so that we try our best to ensure that they never happen again.  With my heart breaking all over again...  September 11th

When good gardens go bad...

It is not the garden's fault, the gardener has been very neglectful.  I love the sole morning glory clinging to life as it valiantly defies the abuse and blooms in spite of me.  Even the rake looks like it had a rough night.  The weeds have squatters rights on the property now.  I need to do a full eviction process to get them to move out.  I really do love when my garden looks lovely, I just don't have the time to make that happen.  I know, I just need to find weeds that look like plants!  By George, I think she's got it!  September 10th

Even the

Fancy colors...

Sometimes my day job has a nice perk or two.  Helping to scout out a location for an upcoming event, I got to indulge a little.  I mean really, it was all in pursuit of the perfect setting and we had to make sure that the amenities were up to snuff.  My pampered hands were quite happy to take on the task, after all, someone had to do it.  I took these before the beautifying began. The ladies in the salon were wondering what the crazy lady was doing with the camera.  Actually, I get that a lot.  September 9th

Cast in stone...

I pass this shop at least once a week and I have always wanted to stop and take a photo of the cherubs playing.  Don't ask me why, I just love them.  I had stopped once before but the lighting was awful and the resulting images did not make me smile.  This day, though, the light was sweet and the cherubs had a friend.  Maybe she is their babysitter.  She doesn't look amused.  Now these images are smile worthy.  September 8th

Small reminders...

It was a really wet summer in our part of the world.  When so many other places were longing for water there were too many times when we were praying for a little sunshine.  Irene came and went and in her wake lay the remains of so many peoples lives.  My thoughts and prayers go out to them and their families.  For those of us who can offer more, the Red Cross is ready and waiting.  Now that would be truly beautiful.  September 7th

Through the rear view mirror...

It is always easier to leave when it is grey and rainy.  I hate packing up and heading home when the sun is shining and the lake is inviting.  It isn't difficult to move on when the world is saying stay inside, we don't want to play today.  The line of clouds hanging low over the lake as we left was leading us home.  September 6th