My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and the mystery of it all.
I believe this purple bell-shaped flower is a Digitalis Purpurea, or a Common Foxglove. It was just outside our hotel in South Carolina. I still have so much to learn about these different flowers I am seeing and at times feel overwhelmed.
We had a longer overnight which allowed us to spend some time at the beach. There is something magical about ocean waves as they move in and out creating their art. Those waves constantly reshape the shoreline. This image is at Myrtle Beach, SC where you will find many people walking the waters edge looking for sea shells and even a few sharks teeth. And, will admit to being one of those individuals. I did walk under this pier which is called Pier 14. On top of this pier is a restaurant called, you guessed it, Pier 14. The lines of this pier, along with the waves, made for an interesting image.
For the second week in a row I fell prey to another blizzard. Last week it was a Butterfinger blizzard and this time it was a Heath Bar blizzard. Why can’t I stop? I need help! First comes the overpowering obsession. After the first bite is taken comes the brain freeze and we start to shovel it. Before you now it there is none left. Exhausted the legs begin to weaken, the room starts to spin, then the blackout. We awaken full of remorse but wondering what the Cookie Dough blizzard would taste like. I need help!
This past Saturday I met with a good friend whom I hadn’t seen in quite a while. While on my drive home from our meeting, I thought back over the day and the value of our friendship. It’s a good friendship. Our friendship is relatively new, because a little over three years ago events in our lives allowed our paths to cross. Those events give us a common ground. He is half my age but his maturity is well beyond his age (or maybe mine is will behind mine.) Anyway, he is studying philosophy with goals towards a doctorate (Yes.) We have had some great discussions about life, what we think and feel, and of course women while drinking a ton of coffee during those times. I consider him and our friendship one of those special gifts in life.
So, here’s a quick snapshot of Eric at the restaurant table. Now isn’t this a philosophical looking face. 🙂
Wow, Friday is already here, another week went zinging by. For my self-portrait I did a quick setup in my hotel room. We do things like this when we’re on the road with some idle time at the hotel. I prefocused and used my self timer. I used the hotel ironing board as my tripod, just about the right height when sitting in the desk chair. This is also the first image I’ve ever processed in sepia, it’s always been color or B/W. I get home at midnight tonight and then two days off. I almost hesitate to post a self-portrait on the same page as flowers and sunrises. Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Our very brokenness allows us to become whole. “No one is a whole as he who has a broken heart.” said Rabbi Moshe Leib of Sasov. “Wholeness,” then, does not mean that the heart is not “broken.” that pain does not sear. To experience sadness,despair, tears, and howls of pain demonstrates not some violation or deficit of spirituality but rather the ultimate spirituality of acceptance.
The Spirituality of Imperfection by Ernest Kurtz and Katherine Ketcham
Today is my sisters birthday, so I want to say “Happy Birthday, Sheree!”
The last two days have been beautiful, clear cloudless skies, cool enough to wear a light fleece. This little daisy can easily be overlooked when walking by and they are quite plentiful. There are many varieties of white and yellow daisies so I’m not sure exactly which one this one is. For me that is not an issue as I think it is beautiful flower. I took this image a few days ago when it was overcast which gave me some really good light.
“The basic thing is that everyone wants happiness, no one wants suffering. And happiness mainly comes from our own attitude, rather than from external factors. If your own mental attitude is correct, even if you remain in a hostile atmosphere, you feel happy.”
The Dalai Lama
For some finding places where we can be near nature will nurture our attitudes. It is comforting to me to know we have places in our cities where we can find nature. I use them. Hopefully each of us have those places for our attitude adjustments.
“I live in that solitude which is painful in youth, but is delicious in the years of maturity.”
Albert Einstein