Still Life – Lorin Duckman Today

Wash Your Hands

Have you ever noticed the sign in the bathrooms of public places which reads, “Employees Must Wash Their Hands.” Leaving said the issue of how many do, DO YOU?

Oranges and Jay Pirka

So, picking up where I left off. Been sick. Recovered. Back to still life from the Golden Age in the Netherlands.

Oranges. Make you smile. Symbols of good fortune. Skulls to remind us all we are mortal. And some flowers to lighten up our lives. But without a targeted medication, DEAD.

Ikebana at Morikami

Well, I started an Ikebana course at Morikami. This is my first creation. I didn’t do it all by myself. Instructor helped, showing me the form and beginning the message of the medium.

The 7 core principles of Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) are Silence, Minimalism, Shape & Line, Form, Humanity, Aesthetics, and Structure, emphasizing conscious restraint, natural beauty, and a connection between the creator, materials, and space, often using a symbolic scalene triangle for Heaven, Earth, and Man. Perfect practice for my addled state of mind.

Martin Parr, Photo, Dead

Martin Parr died, leaving the photo world short two eyes. https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/dec/07/martin-parr-obituary

I am guessing he took the same meds as I take. This blood cancer shit is pretty scary. You don’t know how well you are or how sick and then you die.

I have 100 or so photo books. One of my favorites on many levels. Wish I had more of his work. I could be inspired.

Halloween Treat

Not big on tricking or treating. Not sure why Halloween became such a bid holiday.

Not for me or Sharon. No candy. No apple dipping. Just a little fun.

Standing Time’s Test

Still alive and cooking. Avoiding boiling water and oil. Having fun. Enjoying life.

Grounded

So, sometimes creativity rises up and bites your brain. No need to introduce itself; it’s just there. A ginger flower stuck into a bunch of carnations as an after thought. Dwarfed them. On its own, it found a place to show its colors with friends blue and green.

Born To Live

Well, I am putting on some weight and building muscle. Not much cooperation from my body which has sprung a hernia (operation scheduled for January 13, 2025). Lots of doctors still on the list and not a lot of options. Have adjusted to the new cancer meds and my blood has been storing oxygen. Go Hemo, Go!

So, I keep walking and talking. Put here to live and then die. Walk and talk. No need to worry about what the future holds. The sands on the hour glass trickle at an excruciating rate, which, for me, is just fine. More time to do what I do and more time to play with Sharon.

Bok Choy

So, last night as I prepared dinner, I noticed how beautiful the Bok Choy looked. Slated for a stir-fry to accompany lamb chops, baked potato, and creamed spinach, I decided to take a picture of it and then cook it.

Alas, I got the shot ready by putting the Bok Choy on a stand and left the kitchen to grab a camera. During the trip, I forgot about the shoot and went on with the rest of the meal prep. Its write-offable as a senior moment or pills + a glass of sparkling wine.

Upon arising this AM, there on the kitchen counter, stood the noble Bok Choy.. Its expression? What happened to the fridge, it asked, throwing up its arms, looking for divine help.

Me? Not a believer in my own prayers helping out. I just looked for someone to blame. May it taste as good tonight with dinner.