Photography Thinks
Why do people adore these flowers? They hang peacefully and then droop when it is time to go. The viewer wants to know their relationship, but cannot. Venus, the goddess of love, sex, and beauty, felt so threatened by their beauty that she cursed the flower to decrease its appeal. They exude beauty and spread passion, even with their indifference to one another. Standing somewhere between lust and jealousy, no one can know how they really feel.
So, when you go to the Lynn Cancer Center, you have many options. You can walk in or roll in. Lined up at the door and ready to use are chairs for those too weak to get in by themselves. Every time I leave after seeing my doctor or leaving a few tubes of blood, I turn those assembled in the waiting room and, after getting, attention, give a blessing: “Do as best as you can.”
Sometimes driving requires so much attention that you miss what is going on around you.
Having flowers around stimulates the creative cords in my brain. How restful and mindful. No time to consider what wasn’t or could have been. Negativity interruptus.
Mystery woman is a mystery to the photographer. “Carravaggistis in literature use psychological fiction (also psychological realism); theirs is a narrative genre that emphasizes interior characterization and motivation to explore the spiritual, emotional, and mental lives of the characters….” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caravaggisti
Bruce Harden died. Had I ever met him, I would have asked me to teach me how to see. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/10/arts/brice-marden-dead.html.
Lost a favored plant yesterday, a Bromeliad Imperialis. Very sad. It graced our simple, humble garden, providing class and style. No post mortem, yet, could have been water or insects. Doesn’t matter why; just too bad we lost it.
So, these bromeliads just sit where we place them. They are from the air plant family, too big for household entertainment. Some of their beauty lies hidden within, protected by layers of leaves. The flower once. In the end, bromeliads sometimes kill themselves trying to multiply, leaving a legacy, but no history. They are indigenous to Florida, withstanding the changes in weather and temperature, while lending exotic flavors to outdoor spaces.
Our gardner, Richard King who designed our simple plot with Sharon, lost one too, recently. We both will be finding replacements.
Don’t miss the chance when you visit a museum to pose with the art. Gives the art life and you life. Adds to a photogs understanding of the greater garden of artistic endeavors. I learn new ways to look at myself, pose others and be a subject of a photo. Besides, Sharon is a great photog and it’s fun.
So, here I am, alive at 76. Complicated year health wise, not all resolved. Travelled extensively. Made a few new friends. Kept old enemies. Still no family on my side. Won’t reconcile with any.
Improved creatively. Read a lot. Saw some movies. Learned a few things, but no new tricks. Overall, a good enough year to make me want more.
Gotta live with the hand dealt with. No reformation or rehabilitation on the horizon. Nothing I can do to help anyone or myself.
Just need to stay fresh and interesting enough for Sharon. We all know what a headache I can be. Then we both will deal with aging and our end game.
This bear cub was hiding out in my front yard. Maybe it isn’t a bear cub? Could also be a seeing eye rock!
So, last night Argus visited me during sleep. He never closes his eyes, looking into the future and remembering the past. Both for me seem pretty scary.
I have never gained control over the remnants of my past trauma or regained any sense I had control over the smashup that stole my career and adulthood. Even my understanding wife has had a tough time living with it. So it goes.
The future remains dim, too, now that I face a multitude of physical problems: blood, skin and spine being the most pressing. But I forage on, trying as I might try to live in the present, always valueing what I have, rather than what I lost which will never again be within my reach. No more dreams or long range plans.
Florida is the kind of place where many leave behind their real lives.
