Inspired

Saying Farewell...

 

Charlane K. Griffith

July 17, 1957 - June 6, 2011

 

I just found out.  Today. 

I’m still trying to take it in.

For those of you who knew Char, her writing…her photography...

you’ll know what I mean.

Char was always open. 

She didn’t hide her fears and insecurities…

she was honest like that.

She always had an encouraging word...or two or ten...

and took the time to scatter them around the internet

like the petals of the beautiful flowers she loved to photograph.

Char brought so many of us together

(and called it, appropriately…Lens Us Together)

I was fortunate to be gathered into that fold

and though most of us never met her “in person”,

she has friends all over the world

who hold her next to their heart.

Someone like Char is to be cherished.

Always.

 

Thank you for all you’ve given us Char…

You will be so dearly missed.

 

(On June 6th…the day Charlane died, although I didn't know that then…I came upstairs to find this rainbow shining on my wall…it was stunningly bright and beautiful.  In Buddhism there is the concept of the "rainbow body", which is considered to be the penultimate transitional state in which matter begins to be transformed into pure light.  It seemed appropriate to post it in memory of her. 

 Last Valentines day, I directed my readers to her blog to read a beautiful love letter that she had written to herself.  It touched me deeply then…and now, well now it leaves me feeling beyond words with it’s wisdom.)

Shades of Grey

Grey. 

I know that life isn’t just black or white…but is it really all just shades of grey?  How about adding a little glitz, glitter and glamour to the grey?

(Shades of Grey is the theme this week at Lens Us Together…interesting challenge! I found it quite difficult not to put just a tiny bit of colour in the photograph.)

Quick post tonight…sparkling blessings to everyone.

Hope is…

 

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all

Emily Dickenson

This week’s theme at Lens Us Together is hope. As I was thinking about this, I realized that I don’t really believe in the concept of hope anymore….wait, wait…before you gasp and wonder what’s happened to Pollyanna over here at Inspired, let me explain!

To me, hope feels like a very passive energy…even a bit helpless, as in…“There’s nothing I can do, I can only hope”.   I prefer to use the word “intend” or “intent” as it feels much more pro-active to me… ”I intend that “fill in the blank” will happen”.  I usually add “if it’s in the best interest of myself and all concerned” as well.

I may just be playing with words but that’s OK if my mind feels better about it.  I believe in the incredible power of the subconcsious mind to create, so when I tell myself a strong statement of intent, it’s sounds a lot more powerful and possible to me than a wishy, washy hope. 

The “bird” in the photograph is a cast iron crow that sits in my kitchen.  I like the irony (lol) of this guy in that he’s made of such a heavy material for a creature that’s designed to fly!   I once had an artist friend who, tongue-in-cheek, made a teddy bear of cast concrete…he definitely wasn’t made for cuddling!

Mr. Crow sits here to remind me not to take myself too seriously: if we want to soar, we need to lighten up!

Sending light hearted blessings to each of you and thanks for stopping by to visit.

And Still More Green…

The theme this week at Lens-Us-Together was “green”…so appropriate for the spring season as well as for St. Paddy’s day…and was suggested by Caroline at Constantly Evolving.

There’s so much green inspiration around right now, with nature literally exploding all around us but the greens that are inspiring me these days are the greens that I’ve been both wearing and decorating with…the lime and tropical greens that I spoke of in my last post.

Just before I left on my holiday I ordered the green bag in the photograph above and ladies, you’ll love this…it’s actually a camera bag !  It’s lined inside with strips of Velcro on each side of the bag and padded dividers can be moved around to provide sections for various lenses, etc.  It was perfect for traveling as it eliminated the need for both a camera bag and a purse.  Mine holds my Nikon SLR, two lenses, a small Canon point-and-shoot, my wallet, glasses, sunglasses, notebook, pen, lipstick and various misc., quite easily.  It’s a bit on the heavy side when it's fully loaded but I find it easier than taking both a camera bag and a separate purse and it has a cross body shoulder strap.  While I was traveling, I also packed a smallish over the shoulder, smaller knit purse that I could use when I wasn’t taking all the camera paraphernalia...out for dinner etc.  It scrunched up in my suitcase easily.

(image from Jo Totes)

The other reason I was happy to have this bag was that we were traveling just as all the new regulations for carry on baggage were “in flux”.  They weren’t allowing large tote bags and were strictly limiting what could be classified as carry on, but they were allowing camera bags. 

I had been waiting to get one of Maile’s new camera bags (love them!) but they weren’t available before I left…they’re now available and look fabulous.  My bag is from Jo Totes and is very similar but not quite as stylish.

The only trouble that I can see with these bags is that once you have one, it won't be long before you'll want another…a new style or a different colour for the change of seasons!  

Colourful blessing to each of you dear bloggy friends,

Sweetness

This weeks theme at Lens-Us-Together was “sweetness”.  The photograph above was taken today at the stall of a candy vendor at a street market in Las Barras.  The cellophane bags of candy were full of colourful sweetness.

I’m writing this while listening to a ten man mariachi band play on the beach below me.  There’s a Valentine’s party nearby and the fireworks are just beginning.  It’s a beautiful warm evening and yes, just perfect for the “romantico” celebrations of love…but there’s so much more to love than this…

…each and every day…is LOVE DAY! 

One of the best ways to open our hearts and allow the flow of love into our lives is to have an animal companion.  I’m missing Molly’s sweet love while I’m away but I know she’s well looked after.  We’re very fortunate in that Molly has another set of loving “parents” who share her love while we’re away traveling.  Even when we’re at home she visits for frequent “sleep-overs”!  It works for everyone, especially Molly!

I send sweet blessings to all my dear bloggie friends, whether I “know” you or not and if I don’t…please say hello, I’d love to meet you!

Lens Us Together - A New Perspective

Gaining a new perspective can be as simple as

looking at palm trees instead of cedars

and gazing at blue skies rather than grey.

Smiles come freely, laughter bubbles easily.

and pointless worry seems, well…pointless.

Scientists say that our bodies don’t know the difference between imagination and reality…our cells respond the same to both.  Personally, I like the real thing best…but if you can’t make it to a tropical paradise this winter, hold this image in your mind, get the feeling and transport yourself!

Sometimes we need to step out of the frame in order to see the picture.

I’ve been absent from Lens-Us-Together for over a month now but I’m back with more time and a new point and shoot camera.  My Nikon 35 ml lens is still in for major surgery but I have the camera body and the macro lens with me so I’m back in the game! 

Sweet blessings to all,

Kate

Holiday Welcome

The theme this week at Lens.Us.Together is Holiday.  I thought this photograph wasn’t going to happen but inspiration hit me just as the week is ending. 

We moved into our home on Monday…it’s not quite finished yet…but WE’RE IN!

It feels a little strange.  As with any new home it takes awhile to bring your own energy in and make it yours, but slowly we’re sifting through boxes and finding places for our belongings.  There will be A LOT that won’t make the cut as we’re downsizing big time.  Strangely, one of the first things that came out of our storage containers was this Christmas welcome sign and it was stuck into in a flower bed by the front door, just to get it out of the way.  It’s perfect…and it’s the only Christmas decoration that I have right now.  (I haven’t made it to that box yet!)

For me “welcome” is what Christmas is all about.  Opening our hearts and our homes and welcoming others to share the warmth and love.  No matter what our circumstances, we can always open the door of our heart to give and receive; a smile, a hug, a cup of warmth, a meal or even just a kind and generous thought, rather than a judgement.

Swing those doors wide open this holiday season and share that generous heart of yours.  It’s a beautiful treasure and so desperately needed in the world. 

Someone, right now, is longing for even just a moment of love.

Blessings to you!

(and no, it’s not snowing here…it’s yet another texture layer to play with from PinkSherbet on Flickr)

Handmade/Homemade

Last week’s theme at Lens Us Together was “Homemade” and I struggled a bit with this topic.  If you’ve been visiting here for awhile then you’ll know that much of my “life” has been packed away in boxes since the end of April…including the contents of my studio.  It’s been a challenge for me but also very freeing, as I was forced to focus soley on photography and digital media and that has opened up new projects and new ways of approaching this media. 

The other challenge has been the difficulty I’ve had in concentrating on anything creative when my mind has been on construction decisions and living with extended family.  We’ve all had a lot of fun together and enjoyed the experience so much, but it’s definitely time to get back to “normal’ life…whatever that might be!

In the last few months I’ve been working on a series of digital work which start with my own black and white photographs.  I then add a solid block of colour and continue to add on collage layers (digitally).  I find the contrast of black and white with a bright solid colour, interesting and fun to work with.  The top picture was originally of a pumpkin patch…hence the orange, and the pink one above was of a field of gladiola’s.

 

And this one, which I’ve posted here previously, is of the ever present sea that nourishes and surrounds me! 

This is about as “home made” as it' gets around here these days!

I’m so glad you stopped by for a visit,

Play well and be kind to one another.

Morning Light

 

Mornings come very early for me.

Not that I get up early but unfortunately, I wake up early.  Waaay too early.

So what’s a girl to do when she’s wide awake and the darkness still lingers outside her window?  Well this girl get’s a cup of chai tea and brings it back to bed, turns on her computer and checks in briefly with the rest of the world. 

"Hello world!"

And then, meditation…or at least my version of it…grounding, connecting and breathing in a continuous, circular breathing motion.

The light outside begins to glimmer and there’s movement downstairs…the coffee is on and a four year old is up.

My day has begun.

This post is a contribution to the weekly Lens-Us-Together photo project which now has over 50 creative souls participating.  This weeks theme is "Morning" and was suggested by Eileen at Simon Says

I'm so glad you stopped by,

Play well and be kind to one another.

Looking Up

As I look up at what surrounds me, I’m inspired by the perfection of the world.  The few remaining leaves with their golden sheen,the plump raindrops that steadily nourish the earth and the winter wind that sweeps clean the fallen debris making way for renewal. 

I am reminded of stories of the Hindu God Shiva, also known as the destroyer. Brahma is the creator, Vishnu, the preserver and Shiva is the dissolving force in life, which is necessary in order to create.  The energy of Shiva is at work at this time of year…destroying in order to create new life next spring.

I found this beautiful “manifesto” of life at Renee’s Circling My Head, via Something. 

To live content with small means,
To seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion,
To be worthy, not respectable,
And wealthy, not rich,
To study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly,
To listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart,
To bear all cheerfully, do all bravely,
Await occasions, hurry never,
In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious,
Grow up through the common; this is to be my symphony.

William Henry Channing: My Symphony

 

The theme this week at Lens.us.together is “Looking Up” and was suggested by Elk at Red or Gray.  Thanks Elk!

Thank you so much for stopping by today,

Play well and be kind to one another.