I am faced with
the nicest executive decisions; Which five, or six, pictures will best
illustrate the feel, and thoughts in each particular blog post?
Sometimes a picture is the thought, and needs no additional support.
Last Saturday, this was the view I woke up to.
Naturally, I was drawn to the sunny, colorful, photo opportunities.
I was not
disappointed. I think every day delivers to those who correspond, but
Saturday was a bonanza. My in-box overflowed with affirmations of life’s
joy and wonder.
This tree has been an eye catching feature, every day this fall.
You may
have noticed, by now, that I haven’t used any of the pictures from the
slide show. Some of the subjects are familiar, but from a different day.
I ran across these pictures that wanted a place in tonight’s post, and
who am I to deny them their moment in the spotlight?
The trees
on the distant hills caught the sunlight just right to show off their
colorful fall couture. Pretty red and gold leaves shown from miles away.
Once again,
the day begins with a good breakfast. Some mornings, the breakfast
looks so good, I just have to take a photograph. Just like snowflakes,
the basic elements are essentially the same in each image, but no two
are exactly alike.
Outside
at the Treehouse, fall colors were startling in their intensity,
inspite of cloud muted sunlight. I took plenty of pictures so I would
have bright colorful images to play with during the expected days of
rain.
The falling leaves
have become an integral, complementary, part of my November
compositions. This one stuck on the rear, passenger window points toward
more mysterious chipping of the new paint on the Buick. I really need
to go get some touch up paint at the auto paint mixer place, one of
these days. I also think I should set up a motion activated camera to
see just what is causing the chipping.
There were
too many really good pictures from today to all fit individually on
this post, so, once again, I have taken advantage of the technology
that allows me to embed a little slide show. If you wish, you can expand
the slides to full page, or even follow the link to the web album and
examine the images more closely.
The pictures
on today’s post, are samples from the Picasa slideshow. I think they
illustrate just how striking the colors, textures, and dimensions appear
in todays photos.
There will be
a full moon on the 28th. The above image was taken on the night of the
26th. I am writing this post on the night of the 27th, but as I look at
the time, it is actually the morning of the 28th. Somehow, when I write
blogposts, songs, or stories, time becomes stretched, (or contracted),
and is altered beyond the linear constraints.
This is
a point of view that most of us don’t get to see. This is how it would
look if we could look at ourselves from the other side of a mirror. What
we normally see is a mirror image.
Last week,
I went looking for Christmas card imagery. There was snow on Mount
Shasta, and Mount Lassen, but the gas it would take wasn’t in my
November budget. My Journey would have to be closer to home.
The one lane road out to Digger Bay Marina
is rustic and loaded with inspirational views, so I took a drive on
that. I didn’t see visions of Christmas, but fall was making an
appearance there, last Wednesday. The drive was very pleasant.
Back
at the Treehouse, I saw some of the familiar, neighbor birds. Some of
them seem to feel comfortable with me walking around taking pictures.
They must remain alert and wary of cats and other predators that share
this knoll on which we live, so I don’t think they will benefit by
getting too relaxed.
I waved
at this couple who were out for a Thanksgiving weekend soar in an
ultralight aircraft. They were bundled up in their leather jackets,
motorcycle helmets, and the lady was wearing what appeared to be ski
boots. It looked like fun.
I found
another spot to frame pictures of Mount Lassen. It includes power
lines, but I think they add to the composition. This was from a series
of shots taken through barbed wire, chain link fences, high tension
power lines, and other objects that might distract from the natural
magnificence of the scenery. Look for the slide featurette in some
future post.
To bring us
a bit closer to the present, I have included this image I took as I got
out of the Buick after a trip to the store just before sunset this
evening. I couldn’t pass up this combination of the colorful tree
outside my apartment, and the waxing moon revolving around planet earth.
In case I haven’t mentioned it lately, I am a happy, and very thankful, man.
Thursday was a day of many gifts.
The sun shown brightly, and flowers responded beautifully.
I spent as much time as I could taking their pictures, but there were many more treasures that sparkled in the sunlight.
I took
a lot of mountain pictures throughout the day. There were a couple of
hours on Wednesday for snowy mountain picture taking too.
Our social services
coordinator, Stephanie, and her family, pitched in to complete our
Treehouse residents Thanksgiving feast and celebration. A good time was
had by all, new friendships were forged, and Stephanie’s husband Paul
brought his guitar. Peggy, Paul, and I played music after dinner. It was
great fun.
After dinner, the eastern sky and Mount Lassen put on a beautiful display at sunset.
Yes, I am very thankful for the gifts that fill the world inside and outside me.
I hope you had a wonderful and fulfilling Thanksgiving.
It has been
awhile since we have had a good soaking, here in Redding. The past day
or two has changed all that. I wouldn't be surprised if the storm we had
today gave us two, or more, inches of rain.
These images of wet flowers are from yesterday. Today the rain was so continuous, that I didn't want to go out and get the camera wet.
I took so many
pictures of wet flowers yesterday that I ended up putting them up on
Flickr. That way I could make a slideshow out of them and show them
here, today.
Dorothy's garden
still has plenty of color. These are her zinnias, (above), that I've been taking
pictures for the last several months. They brighten the backyard of
building B.
We still have plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. It's so nice to be able to eat such a healthy diet. I am thankful for this bounty.
I read recently
that the Twinkie factory was going out of business. I would guess it's
because a lot of people have stopped eating that kind of stuff, but Fox
news blames Obama.
It's all part of
a great big conspiracy to make people eat healthy food, ride bicycles,
and stop wasting resources. According to them, the agenda 21
stormtroopers are going to make people exercise and eat broccoli.
The more we learn about what we are looking at, what we are doing, and what other things are doing, the greater the experience.
Knowing the history of where you are, enhances your conscious moment in time to include layers of the past with your now.
The more
I know about the design, construction, and history of roads, bridges,
and the vehicles upon them, the more skillfully and smoothly I can
confidently transport myself from place to place.
The more
you know about anatomy, physiology, animal behavior, anthropology,
history, psychology, and sociology, the more you can appreciate, and
fully participate, in your own life.
The more
one knows about astronomy, the more magic and fulfilling is the
experience of looking at the night sky. Knowledge enriches every aspect of our brief
moment on earth.
The more we know, the more consciously and spiritually alive we can become.
I wonder if there is a graduate course in life experience appreciation and application?
I would sign up for that study.
The path of enlightenment is an available opportunity for us humans.
Today’s Illuminating Video; (Filmed with an iPhone 4s)
Light rain
arrived late in the afternoon. I had already taken a few pictures of
the newly arrived, driveway roses, while there was daylight, so there
was no need for me to go out slogging in the rain.
It is nice
to see a little color along the driveway. Even if it is coming from
just three blooming roses. In some ways, that makes their appearance
even more appreciated.
I stopped
in John’s violin shop this afternoon to replace the strings on my
Takamine guitar. The set that was recently put on there, was from the
bottom of one of my equipment bags and apparently was part of the bad
lot that I bought last year.
After John
put the new strings on my guitar, John, Al, and I took turns playing
it. The new strings played true, with solid tonality, like they are
supposed to. I am glad to have my guitar back to it’s reliable
playability.
In the picture, (Above), Al helps John as he glues and clamps a newly repaired top onto a customers cello.
I found
this freshly opened rose out on the edge of the patio by the dining
room. A team of workers have been building an addition next to the
dining room building to provide an office and consulting room for our
social services coordinator. When it is completed, there should be more
space, less congestion, and fewer scheduling conflicts.
When I looked outside my door today, I saw that the Orange Fairy had left a couple of cuties for me. It says on the sticker, “Cuties are made for kids”, but I am guessing that the Orange Fairy knows that I am a kid at heart.
So, now
I have oranges, the sound of rain on the patio umbrella, fresh guitar
strings, food in the fridge, a couple of good books, and the love of
some wonderful friends, (mystical beings, too). Life is good.
I am blessed. I am happy, and thankful. There is so much we can all be thankful for.
I wonder if there is a special day when we can all agree to be thankful for the abundance in our lives? This coming Thursday, perhaps?
