Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun, and I say
It’s all right
Little darling, it’s been a long and lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since you’ve been here
Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun, and I say
It’s all right
Beatles…1969
If squirrels had their own social media this gal would rate highly. Just look at that flamboyant tail-you won’t see many that bushy or multi-colored. And, that pose, viewed from the rear which has become so popular. Then there is that coy expression with a sideways glance as if to say, “What do you have that I don’t have?”. Let’s not forget her marbled eye, cute twitchy nose and tiny whiskers. All of this beauty while balancing steadily on a slider chair with a nonchalant grip on the iron bar. I’m surprised she didn’t take a selfie!
Seriously, this is my last photograph of a squirrel for quite some time, but I couldn’t resist such a beckoning subject. After taking a jet tour through various social media sites recently, I was reminded how much this rodent has in common with humans, social media and self-publication. I mean, how many images can one take of eating out or hugging friends; enjoying a cocktail or describing what makeup to use; vacation photos about how many places one has seen in a day, a week, a month or a year; digitized faces and places which we try so desperately to convince others that are as real as they appear. Egos get stroked and reality choked.
I’m not against sharing good looks, fun moments, fantastic locations, unusual food or exotic experiences. It’s just that we share the ‘fantastic’ so often that our images and texts all tend to blend together into one big melting pot of the same extraordinary. Where are the mundane photos such as of a motorist double-parked because he or she was late to an appointment or a couple hand picking fruit while at the grocery store? How about kids tossing rocks in a stream or dogs simply laying around doing nothing but panting? Corporate meetings where half the attendees are falling asleep or mimes losing their balance while acting on street corners in NYC?
Ordinary doesn’t sell…not on television, in videos, on social media outlets, in magazines or even within our government. And, certainly not through our ‘smart’ phones or tablets where we post and view so much of this extraordinary content. Sensationalism is all the rage and Americans lead the parade. Perhaps my optical lenses need to be cleaned so I can see Americana without the bias. And, hopefully, my perspective will change along with clarity. I really do want to be a part of the sublime-especially when framed within the daily routines of life.
“What goes up must come down.”
This is the opening stanza to the song Spinning Wheel by the American rock group named Blood, Sweat & Tears which was written and performed in 1969. As this song came to mind I casually looked for images to reflect some of the lyrics. I saw this squirrel climb to the top of our Bradbury Pear tree, eat a bit and then scamper down. Rather amusing since the lyrics really don’t have anything to do with the images, except they represent going up and coming down.
“Spinning wheel got to go ’round.”
The next day I passed by this windmill and recalled the second stanza of the song so I stopped, took aim and shot it just as the sun was getting ready to peak above the horizon.
Oh well, I guess it’s okay to do word association, even with photographs and music!
This photograph is of Thursday morning’s sunrise. Or, should I say attempted sunrise? Shortly after I took a series of photos within a five minute period, the sun didn’t shine through the clouds the rest of the day.
However, I was hoping for a breakthrough of sorts as it has been rather dreary of late.
For this photo, I zoomed in a bit closer. I liked the thin clouds intruding ever-so-faintly in front of the emerging sun…gentle waves of ethereal vapor.
As can be seen, sunlight had no chance of illuminating our region…it seemed to simply fade away. We almost had a sunny day. We almost were warmed by the sun’s rays. We almost enjoyed the pleasantness which seems to attach itself to sunshine.
Almost can be encouraging or discouraging depending on perspective. In this case, I almost did not get the opportunity to view this short-lived image or shoot it with my Canon, but I did. I’ll take that as encouragement every time!
There is something soothing about a clear mountain stream flowing steadily to its destination. Not a roaring river, or rapids, nor a trickle, but a swift movement of water which glides gently over the rock base with hardly a ripple…like liquid glass.
I love to stare at these photographs for the sheer simplicity and sublime natural beauty. The rock base with its myriad of colors and shapes, and the movement of water creating subtle illusionary effects is almost enchanting. Of course, I am biased because I vividly recall taking the photographs of the Merced River as it carves it way through the Yosemite Valley. Not far from this peaceful scene are several powerful waterfalls which reveal the force of water which cuts away rock and earth like a hammer and chisel.
Water is fascinating. When it flows it can be refreshingly relaxing or extremely destructive. It can be harnessed to create electricity, and manipulated to rise and fall to accommodate changes in elevations as with canal locks. Moving water can be lovely to behold as the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas attests to with it shooting water shows, and pleasant to be near when relaxing by a sculptured fountain. And moving water can be just plain fun as can be seen on the faces of children running through a sprinkler, descending down a water slide or bobbing up and down on breaking ocean waves near a beach.
What would we do without water? Hint; absolutely nothing!
Greetings and Happy New Year….only ten days late! I have been reading numerous short articles from a variety of sources concerning new beginnings, transitions, reflecting, pressing forward, etc. Most have been interesting and thought-provoking. Some are inspirational and some are dull and predictable. Often, they come with wonderful photographs and other forms of art. There are so many creative folk whom have so much they want to say and share. After assimilating what I’ve read and viewed, I am compelled to ask a serious question. Does it really matter? I mean, if I were to write a pithy piece of prose that resonates with countless people, would that translate into something significant? Should it? What if I were to post an awesome, awe-inspiring photograph that took your breath away? Would that be of real benefit to you? My questioning is like the song from the band, Chicago, wherein the lyrics ask, Does anyone really know what time it is…does anyone really care? Rather helter-skelter.
Sometimes all our sharing seems pointless, like we are just screaming out in our own way to be heard; to be noticed. I guess the real question is this: Do we really matter? To quote from the popular song writer/singer, Bob Dylan, when he stated in one of his iconic songs, The answer my friend is blowin in the wind, the answer is blowin in the wind. That may sound rather ambiguous, but so is life sometimes. My conclusion is this: Yes, each of us matters. We matter to the One who created us; we matter to those whom we call family and friends; we matter to our global community; and we matter to our planet (includes our pets) and we should matter to ourselves if all is right with us. And, what we contribute matters, as well. Your life is not a mistake, and your existence is not happenstance. Unfortunately, I don’t have all the answers because we are all on a journey of discovery; as much about ourselves as anything else. To keep in-sync with my out-of-sync musing, I give you several questions to ponder…Why me? Why now? Why not? What next?
So, as I have thought about what to share with you who follow me or come across my posts for the first time (as if I were some sage and important individual) I give you the following. I am significant, but not because of what I do and how I do it. My significance is a direct result of who made me (speaking beyond my mom and dad). What I do with what I have is up to me and may or may not be of benefit to anyone. The truth is I desire to be a blessing to others. I stumble most of the time, but on occasion I accomplish my goal. I believe most of us want to bless others, and do which makes me smile. So, without further ramblings, I present a short series of photographs which don’t have anything to do with one another, other than I found them interesting and wanted to share them. I sincerely hope you like them. Perhaps one of them may make you smile or think or simply enjoy. Any thoughts on the above rambling are appreciated, as well. 
This photo was recently taken with my cell phone at a boutique gift shop in an urban part of town. I simply couldn’t resist the unique shape and arrangement of plants!
Also taken with my cell phone. I couldn’t resist this painting before Christmas. So cool!
Santa Carson waiting for his cookies and milk! Kinda short, isn’t he?
Historic building in downtown Kansas City which formerly housed an Italian restaurant, and was turned into a loft condo building.
A local small lake with snow-covered ice…very serene at the time of this photo which was taken with my Canon DSLR.
I simply couldn’t pass up sharing this image; not so much because of its quality, but because of what it signifies…life giving food. I took this shot in mid-November near our home. We live on the edge of suburbia, but are still surrounded by rural areas. Shot with my Canon DSLR in low light conditions.
Thanks for joining me. Wishing you the best in 2014. May this year be the best ever for all who view this post. As Tiny Tim said in Scrooge, God bless us, every one.
Although the Winter Solstice is still weeks away, the Midwest is under an arctic air mass that has brought temperatures down into the teens (Farenheit). Because of this, and the fact that all the deciduous leaves have fallen from their branches, winter seems like it has arrived. I have yet to complete the transfer of clothing from lighter to heavier garments in my drawers and closet ! But alas, the cold is here to stay for quite some time. So, I decided to post a few warm photos to combat the effects of frigid days and gloomy nights. I like color so I have infused this post with a splash of vividness, as well. Soon, images of snow and ice will be cropping up all over our social sites, so why not post warm photographs? For those of you in the tropics, all I can say is “well done” !
With the sun setting over a tepid body of water, my heart warms right up. The reflection of light brings a sense of peace to my mind, as I hope it does for you. To be at peace is something we can all use more of. I make this statement from personal experience and observations. Our lives move at such a frantic pace, almost like a churning liquid in a whirlpool…seemingly never slowing down. But slow down we must. Something has to give if we don’t get off the treadmill-at least occasionally.
I would be remiss during my musing about warmth and peace if I didn’t insert a calm photograph of our West Highland Terrier, Carson. He knows how to relax, and he knows how to be a wild thing…the White Tornado! But mostly he shares his life with us in a calming sort of way. I can’t believe I just said that as I can hear him barking as he chases squirrels in the yard! Carson may be white on the outside, but he secretly wants to be black as he digs holes and wallows in the mud until he looks like an Oreo cookie. There will be more about Carson in the future. In the meantime, think warm, be warm and discover peaceful moments which will rejuvenate your soul. If you’ll forgive me, I need to relocate so Carson can curl up next to me and warm my feet!
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