Sunrise is the space where nighttime fears move aside for hope, where we feel peace about our mortality in the scope of the universal truth that love abides.
Becca Stevens
Love Abides
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Waiting at the bus stop -
Asking you to vote again
Street scene on my walk home from coffee So, the question is multiple choice. Were the boots left on the porch because they were.:
a. wet.
b. muddy
c. rank as hell
d. All the above.I was awakened about 4:00 am by the lovely sound of rain tapping on my bedroom window. Weather app says we can expect rain throughout the day and cooler temperatures. May you have a wonderful day!
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Choosing Doors
“In the universe, there are things that are known, and things that are unknown, and in between, there are doors.”
William BlakeThe sun has melted the morning frost. There is still a thin layer of ice on the pond. And we never got above 40 degrees today. Gray skies now dominate so it both looks and feels cold.
In reference to Blake’s quote, I believe that each day does offer us doors to open or close. Today I both closed and opened doors. Due to exposure yesterday to Covid I changed my travel plans to spend an early Thanksgiving this week with my dad, my two sisters and brother-in-law and instead will celebrate his 94th birthday with him in January. There is no need to put my dad in any danger at his age. I feel a sadness. I want to be with my family.
I understand we cannot totally isolate ourselves from covid or any other virus or anyone who is indifferent to another’s safety. Nor can we protect others from any danger. I’m aware people are gathering again in large groups as if things are okay or they will be okay. I’ve heard there is now a cruise ship in Australia with almost 800 cases of COVID detected. And, I have moved back into the coffee shop routine. Aware that I am taking a risk for exposure, or worse yet, exposing someone. Yes, we have doors to choose, to open or close. I’m rethinking my stance on all this and may open fewer coffee shop doors and close a few. Just thinking out loud.
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Inspiration
This morning as I approached the bus transit center I noticed this red Coca-Cola truck and it reminded me of an image of a red Coca-Cola truck posted on the blog of the well known photographer Joseph Smith. He claims he borrowed the idea for the photo from another photographer. But I’m claiming I borrowed the idea for this image from Joe. Interestingly a woman walked by the truck without noticing it. She turned to see what I was taking a photo of and then said, “Oh the red Coca-Cola truck.” She must have seen Joe’s image also. Thanks for the inspiration, Joe!
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The Flâneur
The photographer is an armed version of the solitary walker reconnoitering, stalking, cruising the urban inferno, the voyeuristic stroller who discovers the city as a landscape of voluptuous extremes. Adept of the joys of watching, connoisseur of empathy, the flâneur finds the world “picturesque”.
Susan Sontag, 1977This morning I found myself writing the following in my journal, “I’m not a street photographer….” I immediately said, “Wait a minute dude, where did that come from?” I needed to ask what I meant by that, was that a true statement and what is a street photographer. I have over the years taken many images that are defined by Sontag’s definition of a photographer without the adjective of street or wedding or portrait or fashion, placed before it. The truth is I’m a photographer, period. When I have my photographer’s hat on, my camera and lens become an extension of me, and I am now the flâneur who finds the world “picturesque” whether that’s a street scene or sunrise on the prairie or a car show.
For any who want to know: Flâneur is a French term meaning ‘stroller’ or ‘loafer’ used by nineteenth-century French poet Charles Baudelaire to identify an observer of modern urban life. The above image of the statue of the dog was taken at a street car show in Little Rock, Arkansas in 2008.
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Peace is an inside job
“World peace must develop from inner peace. Peace is not just mere absence of violence. Peace is, I think, the manifestation of human compassion.”
Dalai Lama XIVWe’re expecting another spring like day, temperatures into the 60s. So nice that I don’t need to scrape frost off the windshield.
World turmoil is still the news of the day. Lots of prayers being said for the people of Ukraine and our world leaders. I didn’t watch State of the Union address last night but did read most of it this morning. I’m beginning to believe stronger than ever that to have peace and love in our world, to stop our negative impact on nature, to eliminate all the lies, there needs to be a manifestation of human compassion. I’ll go with the Dalai Lama’s option because it resonates with me. Have a super Awesome day!
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All is a Miracle
““People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don’t even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child—our own two eyes. All is a miracle.”
Thich Nhat HanhIt is so easy for us in our society to miss the miracles, big and small. For some there is no concept they exist. Wonder how many of us would we see the miracles if we put down our smartphones?
