BE STILL...a Way of Life!!

When I think about "IT"/The Element - Ken Robinson's concepts that I hve been sharing, I have tended to go into a black/white dichotomy - either you find your Element or go through life without passion.  I have been thinking that there needs to be ONE driving factor in my life that is the be all and the end all that makes me want to spend indeterminant hours pursuing.  The past day has given me pause to step back and look at me, somewhat as an outside observer.  When we went to Meadowbrook Garden/Nursery yesterday, I totally found my heart dancing with glee as we drove up and saw the amazing wildflower garden - planted with care yet a riot of flowers and colors.  I had to get right out of the car with my camera and go close - stop to smell the flowers and see their riot of colors.  There is a passion! 
   There were lillies - over 6 feet tall - awesome and stunning.  We decided to go and see what was for sale to bring home - found this Stargazer with her friend the black swallowtail.  Jodie, the garden guru, shared that this flower was the favorite of this butterfly.  Guess the butterfly has found its Element?!?  Still thinking, do I have to settle for one passion??

Bill took the time to stop and smell the flower.  Gave me pause again to realize that this is what life in retirement is all about.  Giving ourselves the joy and yes the permission to go out and see what the world has to offer us without a time schedule that causes us to be frantic and/or stressed.  (Good thing, because the traffic getting to and fro Abington,PA is abysmal). 
   During the day, I got a text from friend, Lillian about the tomatoes from our garden and the food I had prepared for our shared dinner.  She said that she could feel my energy in the food!  I thought about that too - it's another passion - food and nutrition - discovering what ingredients are healthy and how to prepare them.  This too is a BE STILL moment - preparing food takes conscious thought and a loving heart.  Then we are nurtured by it and life is good.  When we rush and pick up the processed 'stuff', well, it's pretty dead energy.  Thanks for the insight.

There is yet another insight...my photography and how I do it.  Last night, Friend Bob was one of the artists at a local gallery with photos on exhibit.  Bill and I joined the group of supporters and got to see so many expressions of people's visions.  For me, it started me thinking about the "being good enough" theme.  Oh how did I compare with what they were all doing?  I could see my work and relate it to what they did.  I felt good about that.  I even talked to Ed, the gallery owner, about putting some of my work in the show next month.  He said, "Sure I have been hearing about you from Bob!"  In conversation, Bob and another guy, shared info about another photographer who does the flowers/nature/macro work that I love best.  I came home and looked him up.  UH OH...the comparison/good enough demon showed his ugly head again.  Then I had a talk with self...IF I had the arm long list of equipment that he had - including a few dozen software programs used to manipulate pictures, then maybe - oh maybe my work would look like his.  Then, well, it wouldn't be mine would it??  So I am coming to think about who I am and what matters most to me about my photography.  It is still the BEING STILL and seeing - nature that brings joy to my heart.  This morning I said to Bill that I wondered if I had to learn some software programs so I could 'play in the sandbox".  Bless my husband, this is how he responded - and I leave you with his thought - so fits with my be your own unique individual.....  I have to paraphrase...
     If you

MAYBE YOU HAVE TO FIND YOUR OWN SANDBOX TO PLAY IN!!    
      Stop and reflect on that - be your own individual - fiind your own sandbox...be a purist and present yourself as you choose - the goal is not to enter contests and be chosen for prizes by the 'experts' - the goal - the Element is to do what briings JOY and FREE SPIRITED Exuberance to my heart and to live each day to the fullest.  IF I compare myself to others, there is always the chance tht I won't feel good about SELF and life is to short to dwell there.  So happy day...I am going to discover how to make a wonderful wheat free bread that tastes good.   It's a passion - nurturing ourselves with goodness  - BODY, MIND and SPIRIT!!

Hungry for Change...and Self

Here is the Hungry for Change quote that I couldn't get into the blog yesterday.  If I type continuously and don't at all try to edit this, it will work.  That takes perseverance and determination.  Someone recently called me stubborn - I suppose that word could be synonymous with the others but not as positive to me!!
   "When you take care of yourself, something powerful happens.  You realize you're precious.  You fall in love with yourself and that love shines through you and overflows to others.
   YOU GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO LIVE HOW YOU WANT TO LIVE!!
    Lovely.  When I think about change and all that has happened over the years, I think about the birth and life cycle.  In a few days, it will be 23 years since these little girls were born into our lives.  It was a total joy and blessing to be engaged in their lives (as much as they would allow!) and watch them thrive, grown and develop into the talented and loving young women that they now are.  Happy Birthday to Rebecca and Kathryn.
   Now the cycle has begun again with the birth of our grandson.  There will be constant changes daily as he is loved and nurtured and he thrives!  Yet another blessing.
    I go back to the quote from Hungry for Change - WHEN YOU TAKE

Taking Care with LOVE and COMPASSION!

Meet Book Woman by Kiki.  She has been hanging on the wall in my office for years and well, she is me!  It's fun to sit and look at my alter ego - also fun to have the balance of the window to look out to the garden and see the beautiful flowers!!  I have purged so many books over the years and many of my early childhood ones more recently, but there are always more to buy, borrow and read!  The challenge is to look at the collection and ponder which direction to go first?!  Funny I was reading an article in Scientific Mind last night about boredom.  I just can't conceive of being bored!  There is so much to learn, so much to read and so much growing to do.  What I have to do though is admonish myself to Sloooooooooooooow down and let them be.  What I have to do more is realize that after all of my years on this earth plane, I have within me more info than I can even begin to process.  What I have to realize is that I have to learn to TRUST MYSELF to know that so many of the answers are within!!  Trust...balance...and a love of learning. 

   Here's a quote I wrote down from one of those books - Hungry for Change cookbook (p.77

To See Ourselves As Others See Us!

BOTHER!! I WROTE THIS POST YESTERDAY AND THEN COULD NOT GO IN AND EDIT IT AT ALL...SO HERE IT IS AGAIN
 Yesterday I got distracted...by the garden...I was on my way to the pool for warm water exercises and just stopped for a second to look at the cutest little white flower in the front garden.  It was all soft and furry and fuzzy and I wanted to capture it for the Garden album.  I tried and nothing I could do could get a clear picture of her.  All I heard was "I WANT TO BE INCLUDED IN THE PICTURE TOO!!"  It her neighbor the bright orange marigold and she was talking to me loud and clear.  WHAT???  OK...here you are...a together portrait.  It's a lovely combination - bright - vivid - warmth - exuberance and soft, gentle, peaceful.  As the day went on, I ketp thinking about those two flowers and their differences and realized that they had chosen to be together in the garden and share in my visions.  OK.  As usual, I reflect on that for more meaning and relate it to a message for my life!!
  Here is my very early morning take.  It's about me - the issue I often write about - self acceptance and belonging.  It's not just about me but probably resonates with most of you too - truth???  There's an old issue that keeps surfacing - wonder howmany of us have the same experience - over and over again until we 'get it right?"  This is who I am - or who I think I am.  This is how the world sees me - or how I think the world sees me.  Then there is yet another reality.  There is another way to see myself and to understand how the world truly sees me.  The amazing thing is that the other way is much the more positive wayand in my subconscious that give messages of 'not so good' yet I hear loud and clear, "When can we get together?"  "I need my Martie time"  "You know so many people"  "You have so much to share"  "Your work is so creative and beautiful"  "You are talented"  I continue to look over my shoulder and wonder who these people are talking about?  I need to come to the realization that she is NOT over my shoulder but within.   Am I the cute frilly white flower or am I the marigold.  Do I need to compare? Or do I need to choose which one I am cause I am NOT one or the another but both are a part of me!!  Does it really make a difference?  NOT AT ALL...the challenge is to know that within lies the pot of gold - not over the next hill or in make self look "better'in relation to others. Within is the pot of gold and the rainbow - the gentle spirit that is full of zest and life and love.

  Now consider the hydrangea - we could think it strange that there are both purple and pink flowers on the plant and no blue!  For a few years, this plant gave us nothing but green leaves.  Bill was about ready to take it out and I begged for another year.  Now, she produces and is prolific and gorgeous.  Another lesson huh?  Mom always called me a late bloomer - is the hydrangea too a representation of something within me?  Maybe so.  So I am multifaceted and brightly colored and gorgeous like the hydrangea.  These are all BE STILL moments and on reflection, there are sooooooooooo many lessons that come from the flowers and other plants in our garden.  How to really recognize,learn and pay attention to that?!?  Simple, just stop and PAY ATTENTION!!   (NOTE: for those of you who read the original - these words were just blank white lines...now they are real)
   Now it is time to go and settle in and read The Element by Ken Robinson - friend Bob just sent me "IT" and a laundry list of possibilities as I discover my Element and begin to manifest it.  Hey - think about it - aren't I already engaged in the process with this blog and facebook page.  Fancy that!!

FREE SPIRITS Emerging!!

She was born a looooooooong time ago, Barbara Martie.  She was bright and curious - talked really early, wanted to know and explore everything and just full of life and spirit!  Early on in life, she lived with folks who didn't know what to do with her.  She was very different from them.  What's a girl to do?  She wanted love, acceptance and approval, so she tried really hard to be just like "them".  It made her sad and her spirit went into hiding for a long time.  She learned to be the 'good girl' and for 'creative' activities, she did paint by number and jigsaw puzzles.  Something was missing but who was she to know about that?  Who was there to be her role model or guide her into real expression??  Sometimes snippets showed when she moved away from the tribal environment but often she was just shy and didn't really know her strengths, skills or capabilities.   Twenty one years into her life, she became a kindergarten teacher and realized in many ways that if she had to engage 38 five year olds, shyness was NOT a tool that worked with that lively group.  Then there was another group - same size - in the afternoon!!  Come out and play Barbara Martie.  She tried and was successful in many ways, but something was missing.  Going back to the tribe, she was too loud, too energetic and yes folks, too emotional!!  BOO HOO!! 

   One day she was riding down the road and heard this voice say, "I'm Filaree!"  HUH???  What?  I am Filaree; your guardian angel.  How fun was that thought - and a vision of Filaree?   In the meantime, Barbara Martie took another step toward freeing the spirit and just became Martie - legally too!! She started being creative and crafty and opening up to her spirit - slowly because she didn't quite believe she had it in her.  Her quilt group decided to create crazy quilt Guardian Angels and Filaree came to life with the face of little Barbara Martie, complete with the long blonde curls!!  The vision - long blonde curls, flowers in her hair, long skirts and peasant blouses - was everything free and spirited.  Martie was growing into Filaree and into accepting herself in all her beauty - still is to be sure!!

MEET FILAREE/AKA Martie

Then life begins to expand in so many ways!  Martie walks away from her work of 11 years in 1996 (about the 50 year old mid-life crises time) and wonders what's next?  She discovers Early Head Start, the Program for Infant Toddler Care, being a consultant and  then an Infant Toddler Specialist with Zero to Three.  It's here where she begins to meet true like minded souls - people like her who are open to reflection, communication and experiencing life through the eyes of the children and caregivers with whom they work.  Several of this group are still dear friends even though their work together has been over for three years.  One of the friends, rather like a daughter in so many ways, has a daughter of her own and this is where the FREE SPIRIT emerges in yet other ways for Martie.  This little girl, Ivy is her name, has an imagination and a spirit that is so alive, energetic and exciting.  For Martie, well, it's life at its best to spend time with this child and her mom.  It's a wide open way to look at the world - and here is Ivy at her latest FUN -

                               International Mud Day at

Dimensions Early Education Programs @ First-Plymouth

FREE SPIRIT discussion...to be continued...getting messages about Sir Ken Robinson, The Element - discovering your passion, spirit, element and creativity.  Also going to explore the issue of Creative Self with Transition Network peers.  Let's look at this discussion as the next steps in being present and discovering SELF!  More to come!!  Will it be photography?  Will it be quilting?  Will it be writing?  Will it be a combination of many things?  WHAT?!?!?

And remember too, this new grandmother will explore all over again how it is to be a developing child!!  Welcome Sean Edward - 5days old.

Perfection...or not...Acceptance...YES!!

The only perfection we have in life is the imperfection and beauty of Nature that we are gifted with daily.   Recently, a quilting friend and I were gifted with a weekend stay in Villas,NJ.  We were spending our days at a Quilt/Fiber show at Cold Spring Village.  After a full day of fascinating conversations with most interesting people - adults and children alike - we were relaxing with our Key West Tacos and watching a Hallmark movie.  I looked at the clock, looked outside and realized that we knew how the movie would progress and end - so predictable - but would never be in this space and time again with a beautiful evening to watch the sunset on the Delaware Bay!  Hey, want to come?  And my mid 70s friend had her shoes on and tied before I finished my question!  Off we went.  We found a path to to the beach amidst all of the big private houses with their private walkways.  This view is what greeted me as I walked the path tothe beach.  I could have stopped there and headed home but I just knew there were more gifts over the ridge and down the steps!  Onward!!

Careless abandon!!  These flip flops said just that to me!  The sun was shining on them and agreeing with me.  I sat on the step and watched the families come down to the beach and immediately kick off the shoes.  That's more of the perfection of imperfection.  They wanted to romp in the sand and feel it between their toes and they had to be barefooted!  Just did!!  I love what these shoes represent to me - the life lesson they shared.  Just do it - don't think about it - just do it.  Kick off your shoes and go for it!  The sand, the water and the freedom were so there for the taking!!  WOW and if we had sat and finished watching the Hallmark movie, we would have missed out on so many of the synchronicities of life's learninig laboratory!  As an aside, we watched another one when we got back after dark - yep, we could have written the script for that one as well!!

Nature, beauty, sunset and now a QUILT?!?  It's connected folks and that the beauty of life - everything is so connected - you just have to have a mind like mine that creates those scenarios all the time.  A few years ago, I found these hearts and flowers patterns on the Internet (always a great source of inspiration) and decided to just stitch/embroider them.  There were 12 - monumental task to be sure, but in the spirit of life and Lao Tzu, I decided to take the first step and JUST DO IT!  Wow - I finished them and had them at a quilt meeting.  "Friends, what should I  do with these?"  Oh crazy quilt to be sure, Martie was their response. Then I asked the group to share pieces of red materials for me to use and they did!  With the combination of my stash and theirs, forward momentum continued.  Then I finished that part of the twelve squares.  Again, back to the friends - what to do - and since we were meeting at Quilted Treasures in Atco, NJ, Lynn just happened to have the perfect fabric to pull it all together! 

   Why am I sharing all of this?  Well it is about ACCEPTANCE!   I do some crazy quilting because I like to stitch.  This past weekend at the quilt show, I received so many compliments and affirmations for my work that it totally gave me pause and filled me with lots of amazement ...and gratitude.  I reflected on some of the work I have done over the years and realized that I have my style and I do nice work!  Why does that surprise me?  Well...it's about acceptance - self acceptance huh?  The realization that I take wonderful pictures and love my photography and now the knowing that I have some really great and creative quilt work as well - all hand stitched.  One ending to the story, although the chains of connections could well be never ending.  My friend Pat was working on a red,black and white quilt as she lay in the hospital last Fall.  I loved her and her work.  We did a tribute to her and her work at the quilt show.  As we set out the quilts - finished and unfinished, we realized that her last pieces were both finished and unfinished.  The unfinished squares - can you believe there are TWELVE of them - just the same amount as my red work squares and the same size too ?~?  Now, they will be the back side of my quilt and my memory/connection to a dear friend.  Isn't life amazing in its perfection/imperfection and our acceptance of it all??

Intensity...or Flowing with Life?!?

It was a HOT day as my "Little Friend" and our friend "Little Light" explored the U of PA campus yesterday before an appointment.  Hot days make for slow walking and quiet times.  This creates lots of BE STILL opportunities IF one slows down enough to pay attention to everything around us!  The fascinating thing is that we each have our own BE STILL...or not...style and what we see comes from our own hearts and perceptions of who we are...and where we are.  Case in point.

I had never seen calla lillies as totally awesome as these - selectively planted for our viewing - the first thing I saw was NOT the plant and all of its leaves but Little Light tickled my heart and sent me right for her dance and the patterns of one leaf!  When I showed the picteure to "Little Friend", she just hadn't seen the flowers.  She's not sure what else she was looking at, but there we are in our unique differences!!  Fascinating to pay attention to that as well.  Bill and I often rediscover the same thing when we are out and about.  We are in the same space physcially but NOT in the same head/heart space.  Just is....

Then our wanderings took us to a little plaza with a half dozen or so food trucks.  My eyes were immediately connected to these fruits and the soft, gentle colors.  Felt like it would be really refreshing to bite into one of the mangos.  "Little Friend" was immediately attracted to a young couple and their DOG.  Oops I don't have a photo op of that!  She talked about the dog and the heat and did they have any water - yes, the dog was panting and his tongue was hanging out - did I say it was HOT?!?!?  My point - you guessed it already - we SEE different things based on our perceptions and our  interests.  "Little Friend" has 4 dogs and does dog rescue!!

     Here are a few things we saw exactly alike...and one of them gave us pause - have you heard of someone losing their head - well, this person lost all of her hair!!  As we stood looking at the bicycle rack, the shadows disappeared...and then reappeared.  "Little Light" was playing with us!!

One last thing we both feel LOV in our hearts  Robert Indiana has been to the Penn campus and there, sitting on the grass and framed by trees was one of his LOVE statues.  Wonder how many of them are in Philadelphia, let alone around the country.  After all, isn't this the city of  brotherly love??  So much to see...so little time.  "Little Friend" as alike and different as two people can be, realized that we are good traveling companions who just want to set out to see EVERYTHING we possibly can!!  Watch out world...here we come!!  BE STILL and we can always see what we are meant to see from our own hearts and eyes!!

Intentions...and Reality!!

My intention is to write on the Photoschmoozer blog daily - but we know what often happens to intentions...reality sets in - or a different kind of seeing.  When I drive to the pool for warm water exercise ( a perfect event in itself) I pass a big pond and there is a fake swan and a fountain oh and a rowboat on the shore.  The other day, I noticed the pond was full of lily pads.  I never quite noticed them before so I made plans to stop by.  I finally did and just got lost in the stillness of the environment (even though I was right next to the busy road!)  Often makes me wonder why people don't just stop and see - they are too busy getting somewhere?!? for something 'important'.   Hey I am retired - whatever that means - and as I say, this state of being is somewhat like a permanent vacation.  The lily pads and the yellow buds make me relate that to life.  They hang out, look pretty, and float along with the currents.  Not too shabby huh??  Now if we could only be more like the lily pads, the water and the blossoms.  BUT for so many of us (me often included) we want to KNOW what is going on. We want to know what we are MEANT to do - and we forget that a big piece of us is MEANT TO BE!!   It's a BE STILL thing, friends - we have to be quiet and go within to find out what is to be...all of the answers are within us - it's just tough to believe in and trust that!!

   Recently, related to life and relationships, I have tried to look at the days and people differently.  For me it is all about EXPECTATIONS - and the possibilities.  I just said to someone that if I could pick a middle name, it would be Possibility!!  I dream about the what ifs and that brings me joy.  The challenge with that is that when my expectations are not fulfilled and reality sets in, I become disappointed and even though Don Miguel Ruiz tells us in The Four Agreements not to take it personally, well...another of life's learning lessons.  What is wrong with me - what did I do wrong - that responsibility comes from the oldest child and needing to make things 'right'!   So many challenges and lessons to be learned and don't you know, we get those lessons OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAINI til maybe, just maybe one day, the aha will really come and wisdom will be achieved.  To be wished! 

Then the other day, I got drawn into this beauty in our garden!  We visited and I was still with her...and she shared her splendor.  Friends, IF I had worried about the technicalities of the camera and photography, I would not have been still enough to see the magnificence of this gift.  HEY - a thought just crossed my mind...all related to the BE STILL and SEE stuff.  Isn't life the same way.  I just shared with a friend that we can't seek the answers/solutions from anywhere but the stillness within us.  So life...my photography...learning...they are all intertined...there are only synchronicities, lessons and possibilities!  We have to be still and NOT seek  out answers in a determined, planned way.  Just brings so much more peace when we can BE!  So today, I am taking a friend to the doctor's in Philadephia and we are meeting early and heading to the city just to BE and SEE!  Hmmm wonder what is across the bridge for us?!?!?

Wholehearted Living: Life is the Learning Laboratory

"Pure fun happens when we are fully engaged with ourselves and our world in each moment. It is the spontaneous delight that bubbles out of us when we let go long enough to bring it through; it is the experience of natural, organic pleasure that springs up from our bellies, through our souls, up through our faces, and down to our toes. We’ve naturally known how to have pure fun since we were babies and the flicker of lights caused us to jump to attention from the sheer enjoyment of being able to see. Approach your life today with the knowledge that pure fun isn’t something that is given or done to you; rather, it is something that you allow yourself to experience. "  (This message comes from my OM horoscope yesterday)

Pure Fun...what does it mean to me?  Living Life to Its Fullest in the simplest of ways.  Why the dragon fly?  Because one day I was out and about at the Grounds for Sculpture on a very hot day and sat to gaze at the giant water lillies and then saw this bug.  S/he came gliding in on the gentle breezes and just stayed to visit.  JOY!!  I had my trusty friend the camera,  and we recorded the moment.   The process came with a gleeful heart - the product was a bonus!!
     I find that when I go out and about with my camera with nothing but pure intentions, then my heart is light and joyful.  When I struggle to get the 'perfect picture' - as I did last night listening to The Real Imposters - a wonderful new band, I delete many more pictures than I choose to save.  WHY??  To me, last night was a struggle filled with technical moments.  I saw the blue lights shining down on the band members but what my eye could see and my heart could revel in, my camera could not capture.  Struggle...the operative word - what setting?  What f stop - could I alter the ISO or th shutter speed?  YEEKS!  I shut off the camera and listened to the music - what a delight!!!
    Bill and I talk every day about Life's Learning Laboratory and Lessons Learned for us.  We do this in a positive way finding the lessons and the messages that show up - the synchronicities I say - to guide us on our journey to a healthy, joyful and peaceful life. 
    Yesterday I was in a store and my friend picked up a key chain saying something like you can change your life and be all you can be.  My final thought...why aren't there many that say YOU AND YOUR LIFE ARE PERFECT EXACTLY AS IT IS.  Living wholeheartedly is about acceptance of life and yourself AS YOU ARE IN THE MOMENT!!  YES!!!

Where will the journey lead? 

Simple follow the path and be open to discover!!

 

Transitions on Life's Journey

Strong roots - calming waters - and a place to BE STILL all come together to make life's transitions flow as they are meant to.  Sounds rather pensive huh?  I suppose I am in that space now, thinking about life and all that is happening within me and around me.  As the years have progressed, my formative years have brought about lots of personal searching and reflection.  I have been a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother ,a friend, an early childhood educator, a team member, a group member and now a 'retired' woman, discovering more about personal identity that is not measured in roles but in relationships.  Let's not forget that the new role of grandmother is soon to come!! 

     All through the years, the relationships have been with others, often at the risk of not paying attention to self.  Now that has changed - self knowledge and self acceptance is a grand piece of who I am...who I choose to be and it is good!!

   Yesterday, I decided to be still in a different way and in the middle of the afternoon, I laid down on the couch to rest and read a novel.  I looked over at the other couch and there was my husband taking an afternoon nap.  I had to chuckle to myself as this thought came into my head.....RETIRED LIFE IS LIKE A LONG AND WONDERFUL VACATION!   I never had that thought come so clearly into my head before.  It gave me pause and made me realize the truth to what I was hearing!!  The thought still brings me lightness and joy - though I do have to admit that all of this self motivation can be challenging at times!!

  

As I was considering what to write today, I looked through the album of my photographic self - the history of who I am and where I have been.  This picture again made me chuckle.  I like that word - chuckle - it's a gentle laughter and a lightness of spirit!  Here I was 7 1/2 years ago, taking a creative photography class with friend Bob and he challengd us to do a self portrait.  I looked at my earring collection and figured they expressed so much of me - so I sat on my bed, put on the earrings and took pictures!!  Funny thing - I just took pictures of some of my earrings I have 'outgrown' and plan to sell on Ebay - many of these are in this collage and on the way out.  I have changed - in so many ways, I have become simpler and more peaceful and that is totally wonderful.  Being on "vacation" causes a girl to stop and think about what matters in life - and I am back to the relationships again.  Stuff can come and go, but people and connections are truly what make us who we are and create our history. 
   So is this blog entry about photography?  Everything for me is about photography and seeing - I have been on a journey of self discovery  and as I look back at all kinds of pictures I have taken, I have seen a difference in content, composition and style.  My pictures are often more reflective and STILL - well there you go!!  Photography for me has been and continues to be and my camera is my friend.
   Every day I have gratitude for the gifts in my life and all of the warmth, beauty and love that surrounds me.   Wonder what today will bring??

  

Who is Your Picture For???

This rose presented herself one morning - just standing alone and peaceful on the vine.

When I am out and about with my camera - engaging in photography you might say - WHY do I go out and whom are the viewers of my photos - where do they fit into the picture of my photography??  That's an interesting question and has recently presented dialogue from several different perspectives!!  When I think about BE STILL and SEE Photography - contemplative photography - I think about seeing the gifts in my world.  Although I do often post pictures on Facebook and on this blog, my real reason for taking the pictures is for my peace, stillness and enjoyment.  It is rather mindful for ME!  If others enjoy them, lovely but not primary.  Another photo buddy recently posted on Facebook about using Light to take pictures.  My comment - it was rather technical - and I will admit often an issue for me.  I think that the technical takes away from 'seeing from the heart'.    That brought another photo buddy to say how she loves the technical - actually there were two of them!!  I came back and said that if we get into the technical, then we are not into the BE STILL mode. 

   Then she said, "Learning the technical stuff creates BETTER picures!"  My rebuttal - who/what defines better or well done?  Her response - "the viewer will have a deeper experience looking at a 'well done' image.  Again - how would you define well done?  And my other question - who is the picture well done for???  Then I would have to ask - would every viewer define a more technically precise picture as more 'well done'?  OK - I could beat this horse for a long time but what I have to learn from it all is that each of us has his/her own perspective and philosophy.  We have to learn to listen and respect one another - and neither person is right!!  Lesson learned with wisdom and maturity.  I ended the dialogue because in my mind's eye - there couldn't be a concensus.  Maybe an understanding...maybe...

    In our BE STILL discussions, I strive to share that what matters in being mindful or contemplative - to me at least -and it is the ability to NOT have a preconceived notion of what I am going to shoot or HOW I am going to set the camera up to take the 'perfect picture'.

      Another friend calls this picture a 'belly up' photo.  He gets down on the ground and views from below.  My Canon camera with the flip screen allows my non-working knees to see the same thing in a different way.  There are so many angles to enjoy and a picture like this allows me to see what I might not have been able to do otherwise!! 

Still thinking about the 'how to use light' article.  My last comment about that - IF we are still and see, then my best friend Little Light just comes out to play and we use her natural light to expand our perception of the beauties of nature - and again the flip screen is a valuable ally!! 

It's gratifying to be able to share my thoughts and would love to have a dialogue with some of you about what you might think is 'the perfect' picture.  Talk to me and Thanks.  martiemol@aol.com

Rainy Day FUN...and Memories

Yesterday we had some really torrential rains - feels rather like we are living in the tropics with a daily thunderstorm.  The upside is that the garden is lush and for this we are grateful.  Hopefully there will be no drought this year.  Just talked with friend, Beth , in Iowa and she said they have rain daily for months - almost to the point that farmers can't plant because the ground is so wet.  Somewhat of a blessing because they have been in a drought for a few years now.

   For Photoschmoozer and 'Little Martie'- the rain is a gift for SEEING - a new view of the world through the lens of the car windshield.  I was driving home and splashed through a huge puddle - that gave me pause and brought back a memory when son, Jon, was young.  He loved for us to out driving and splash through the puddles.  So for Jon, I did just that!!  It was great fun though a bit challenging.  I had to create the splash and hold the camera up to capture what I could.  SUCCESS!  

   Then I just sat for a minute and saw what the world looked like through the heavy rains on the windshield.  I felt like I was in the midst of an Impressionist art gallery - distorted but still capturing the colors.  I had to move slowly because I was choosing to drive along the road (no cars in sight) without the windshield wipers to get the full effect.  The rain and the driving created some amazing BE STILL moments for me.  I was so into the PROCESS of what I was doing and that was the joy of it.  It made my little girl's heart jump with joy!!  And I had just finished an acupuncture treatment, so the chi energy was really flowing!!  Here are a few more of my favorite 'paintings' from yesterday's rainy day adventure.  Have you ever done this?  It's no fun to stay in - except maybe when there is thunder and lightening.  Then it all brought me back to growing up 'down the shore' in Wildwood Crest.  When it rained, we put on rubber boots and slickers and went out and played in the puddles.  Oh the joys of childhood...and memories!!

YOUR CAMERA, MY FRIEND.  NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT.  Oh and one other thing - Make sure you have extra charged batteries!!

What I See and What I Share with GLEE!!

 We are all unique individuals and when we go out and about in the world, what we see is totally our own visions.  I have been challenged to think about my philosophy of photography and how I see and share the world.  What better place to do it...for now...than in this blog!!  First of all, I will have to say that my camera is a best friend in my life - a traveling companion - a lifeline - a tool to cause me to settle and see my world in my unique way!!  Simple...and not.

   The other thing I know is that I just SEE rather than saying to myself - "Oh there is a duck.  Take a picture."  When we label something, we shut out all kinds of possibilities about what we are seeing and what is in the world around it.  My photography comes more from an open heart and a child like vision and curiosity.  In future columns, I will share the infant's way of seeing and being and relate it to me.  Sounds like fun to me!!  Maybe it will resonate with you?!?

I was wandering the grounds at the Highlands the other day and my curious little girl was drawn to this open door.  There was  padlock hanging on it, so I knew there must be lots of treasures within!  Funny thing here - I took the picture of the open door and thought about pursuing it...but never did.  Instead my eye was drawn to this...

I saw color...I saw design...and I just took this picture - rather a favorite of the day.  Why did I do it?  How can I describe what I saw and what attracted me?  For now, I just have to say that I got a gleeful feeling in my heart as I looked at it!  I know - can't help you take a picture by talking about a gleeful heart but often, that is what motivates me.  I clear my head and open my heart and see anything that fascinates me and brings me joy!

   Funny story - Bill and I were talking about this later.  He too saw the open door and glanced at the window.  But in our differences - he is practical - I am whimsical, we saw and explored totally different pieces of the same world.  He saw the window but then had to open the door and see what was inside.  Once there, his practical self began to see all of the repair work that had to be done!!  Never crossed my mind!!  My guess is that is what has created our teamness for more than 40 years and why we complement one another.

      I would love to have conversations with readers about HOW you see the world and take your photographs.  What brings you joy and aliveness??  Write to me and let's 'talk'   martiemol@aol.com   Enjoy your day and open your heart and see the gifts all around you.  It's the precious present!!

More SELF Discoveries

Yesterday, Bill and I went off on one of our mini-adventures - criteria...out to explore the new and different in the world; spending time together; having FUN and being open to the synchronicities that come to us!  Another day...another success.  This visit was to the Highlands mansion and gardens in Ft. Washington, PA.  We have a list of gardens in the area - tri-state - and only begun to chip away at discovering them.  There is time. 

    We had tried two other times to visit this one and the rains came down.  When it was overcast and a bit drizzly early in the morning, our decision was to go anyhow and we did!!  The gift of the day - perfect weather, amazing clouds, a fascinating house complete with a mini-tour from a woman who worked there, and formal gardens surrounded by stone walls - several acres of flowers and trees.

   What did I discover?  First of all, I realized that when I am out amongst the flowers in nature, my heart fills with love and I connect with the diva energy of each flower.  It's my BE STILL peace of mind...me, my camera and flower energy!!  Yesterday I discovered an iris - the likes of which I had never seen.  I tiptoes through the plants to get up close and personal - awesome.  You can see that from all of the different shots in the collage.  Total gratitude.

    Then Ms. Echnicachea was revisited - same healing plant in a different location and of a different magnitude.  "She" was large!!  Got very up close and personal with her as well.  I am really attracted to this flower.  Her 'heart', the orange center is spectacular!

On and on through the gardens - so much to share!!  Just one more - a vivid yellow flower - let's just call her sunshine because that is so what she reminded me of!!  Good morning Sunshine!!

Bill discovered the greenhouses and was curious about some of the ways the gardners we starting plants.  When we asked the woman in the house about it, she shared that they had entered into an agreement with a CSA to farm a piece of their property and they were using the greenhouses.  Yet another discovery for the day.  We went to the CSA area - met the women who were running it and he got answers to his questions.  We also saw how they ran their CSA - each week - and they are open for 24 weeks - people come and get six types of produce, predetermined by the organizers.  We also came home with a fantastic book written by a CSA group from Wisconsin - Vegetables from Asparagus to Zucchini.  This treasure trove has information about each vegetable and many favorite member recipes.  It will be close by as we explore our garden's gifts and those of our own Muth Farm CSA this summer.  YES, we brought the book home!!  Check it out!!

http://www.csacoalition.org/cookbooks/from-asparagus-to-zucchini/