One thing I like about jazz, kid, is that I don't know what's going to happen next. Do you? Bix Beiderbecke
We always have musical performers at our local farmers market. Last Saturday despite the rain and coolness, everyone was out. A New Orleans jazz style band played on and a crowd favorite was "Sweet Georgia Brown". Babies bounced in their strollers, teenagers tried to act as if they weren't into it, and everyone's feet tapped as they strolled down the street.
Anita O'Day, "Sweet Georgia Brown (performed at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival)":
Liberty has never come from the government. Liberty has always come from the subjects of it. The history of liberty is a history of resistance.
Woodrow Wilson
Since I'm working tomorrow, I want to salute those who work to support liberty and freedom in our country. Not just the ones who have served in wars, although they certainly are the heart of Memorial Day, but those who have stood for individual freedoms, who have supported this country through their conscience of what is right.
To those who have served in wars and I have met through my work as a clinician, thank you for all you've done. May our government support all of our Veterans. Especially, the ones who put their lives on the line and whom have returned wounded physically and psychologically, to give them all that they need to recover. Finally, may this insane cost of life in the political action called the Iraq War be at an end next year and our troops returned.
It (Yosemite) is by far the grandest of all the special temples of Nature I was ever permitted to enter.
John Muir
Yosemite is my mecca. It never fails to renew me and provide me with insights/new experiences. It was Yosemite which prompted me to start photography and I continue to return regularly to celebrate it's inspiration. Today's trip was to capture a couple of the falls. I'm still not back in shape enough to do very strenuous hikes so I selected Yosemite Falls and Bridal Veil Falls which are simple to reach. Both were incredible with huge flows, but it was Bridal Veil which was my penultimate moment. When I got there I was amazed at how close I was to the base of the falls. I loved the the spray of the water and mist that swirled around, it was like entering a fantasy world. Surprisingly most people spent only 30 or so seconds looking at it and then took off. I was no where near ready to leave so put my camera under wraps (it's not waterproofed) and just looked up absorbing/feeling the experience. After about five minutes of being there, a little girl about 4 or 5 came up with her father. She posed for him for the obligatory picture and then he asked if she was ready to go. "Oh no Daddy, I love this." So saying she lifted her face to the falls and was soon enjoying the same spectacle that I was. She then decided to twirl around to express her joy of being there. She asked her father to join her, but he declined. She looked over at me and said, "Will you twirl with me?" How could I say no. So there we were two individuals twirling together in jubilation of the experience of Bridal Veil. I can't say when I've had more fun. I hiked back to my Jeep wet, dripping, grinning and full of life.
We do not grow absolutely, chronologically. We grow sometimes in one dimension, and not in another; unevenly. We grow partially. We are relative. We are mature in one realm, childish in another. The past, present, and future mingle and pull us backward, forward, or fix us in the present. We are made up of layers, cells, constellations.
AnaisNin
I don't think I can offer much more tonight then the insight AnaisNin shared. There is a good deal of growth and change beginning to happen in life. Not a bad thing, just feels somewhat rocky and I'm not sure where to put my feet next. But I'm enjoying the adventure.
This formation reminded me of Jupiter. Stable yet ever changing. Full of color and boldness, hmm, not a bad metaphor for life these days...
Holst, The Planets, Jupiter, The Bringer of Jollity:
It's hot folks. Setting records at 106 degrees hot. This was the weekend I wished I had gone to Yosemite or the ocean. That will be the next two weeks. All I can say is thank goodness for the pools at our condo, I've been doing a good imitation of a fish and living in them. I'm looking at the photos of water that I took last week in Yosemite and wishing I was there under those falls.
Emergency! was definitely a show ahead of its time because it brought the reality of rescue into the living rooms of America and spurred countless people to support, and even join, paramedic and EMT programs...
Anonymous
As a youngster I used to sit with my family to watch a television show called "Emergency!" I had forgotten about the show until recently. Through a series of circumstances I found out that "Engine 51" from the show now resided at Yosemite and was apparently still being used. I thought getting a picture and gifting my Dad with a picture of the Engine for Father's Day would be great since he enjoyed the show.
When arrived at Yosemite I was able to find out that indeed it was still in the park and just across the street from the Yosemite store. I walked to location and sure enough Engine 51 was inside of the firehouse. Finding a security person I relayed my wish to photograph the truck. She told me that they would bring it out for me (!!!) if I could come back a little later in the day. Later that day I returned and Engine 51 or Engine 7 as it is known in Yosemite was parked out in front of the firehouse. I stuck my head into the firehouse to make sure that it was okay to take the photo I wanted and was met by the manager and assistant manager of DNC, the firm that manages security, fire and public safety for the park. They couldn't have been more wonderful. Not only did they give me permission to take photos, they gave me carteblanche to take photos however I wanted on the truck and inside the small firehouse. They also shared the story of how Engine 51 had arrived at Yosemite to be used along side the National Park's fire service. Universal used to run the concessions inside of Yosemite and when the need for a Engine that could fit inside the firehouse became apparent, they contracted the Engine to the park. It was originally was going to be there till 2011, but due to a number of factors it is due to be retired any time. It will return to LA and become part of the Fire Museum there.
I spent a wonderful two hours clamoring in and around the truck and taking pictures inside the firehouse. Hopefully in a small way this pays tribute to the men and women who put their lives on the line everyday to save/serve others.
We are symbols, and inhabit symbols. Ralph Waldo Emerson
What amazes me when I'm out photographing in nature is the occurrences of patterns and symbols. Further, the meaning we put to them. Not everyone will see the same symbol in a pattern, but often there is a enough of a sharing to make it sing for the persons viewing it.
When I saw this pattern, it very quickly became a powerful feminine symbol. Again not everyone may see the same thing as I did and do. But it echoes with meaning of earthly sensuality and I've gained insight into myself from what was revealed through the light captured by my camera.
Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn, Hundreds of bees in the purple clover, Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn, But only one mother the wide world over. George Cooper
Happy Mother's Day to my Mom in Arizona and to Mother Nature who is working hard to sustain us.
Ziggy Marlowe and the Melody Makers, "Beautiful Mother Nature":
All during childhood I was tantalized by and dreamed about oceans. When I was seventeen I drove with a friend to Norfolk Virginia, dipped into the ocean for the first time and it was love at first encounter. For me the best thing about being in the area of California that I am is that I'm two hours from the ocean and the same distance to the mountains.
This past weekend we arrived at Weston Beach at high tide and various gifts had been left on the shore. I was fascinated and couldn't stop peering through my camera viewfinder to try and capture the textures, colors and shapes I could see. It was an encounter with an alien world and one I'll hope to visit again and again.
...through this photographic eye you will be able to look out on a new light-world, a world for the most part uncharted and unexplored, a world that lies waiting to be discovered and revealed. Edward Weston
I was given clearance to go on my first post surgery trip as long as I used a light camera and no backpack. Not a problem. We went to Point Lobos where Edward Weston did so much of his photography. As we were hiking we approached a cove. It was somewhat isolated. Much to our delight a set of mother seals came ashore. For a next half hour I was gifted with a magical sight of mother and pup nursing, playing and sharing tender moments. While I wished I had had a more powerful lens, I still was able to take some very satisfying photos. There were also some incredible sights elsewhere. I'll share more in the week to come.
One thing I like about jazz, kid, is that I don't know what's going to happen next. Do you?
