I noticed today that our friend Bede van Dyke's painting made a very nice, if somewhat serendipitous, backdrop for for this lovely bouquet.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Fortuitous Juxtaposition
January 31, 2013
I noticed today that our friend Bede van Dyke's painting made a very nice, if somewhat serendipitous, backdrop for for this lovely bouquet.
I noticed today that our friend Bede van Dyke's painting made a very nice, if somewhat serendipitous, backdrop for for this lovely bouquet.
Eau de Vie
January 30, 2013
Strictly speaking, of course, this isn't really eau de vie, although if one takes seriously the biblical admonition of Paul to "drink no longer water but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and for thine often infirmities" then perhaps it is. In any event, I was attracted to the pattern and some days are simply a bit more challenging than others.
Strictly speaking, of course, this isn't really eau de vie, although if one takes seriously the biblical admonition of Paul to "drink no longer water but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and for thine often infirmities" then perhaps it is. In any event, I was attracted to the pattern and some days are simply a bit more challenging than others.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Optimism
January 29, 2013
In these days of everywhere sodden gray it's cheering to find a spot of perky color. It's grounds for optimism.
In these days of everywhere sodden gray it's cheering to find a spot of perky color. It's grounds for optimism.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Desuetude
January 28, 2013
I'm not certain desuetude is precisely the right word here, but it just popped into my head and sounded good to me, so I'm going with it. The one thing I AM certain of is that that window pane has been missing a very long time.
I'm not certain desuetude is precisely the right word here, but it just popped into my head and sounded good to me, so I'm going with it. The one thing I AM certain of is that that window pane has been missing a very long time.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Discipline
January 27, 2013
The trees in Westlake Park are now blue. I don't know why. Presumably it's for their own good.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Pleasant Surprise
January 26, 2013
I am still surprised when I walk down the street and see something that was always there, but which I had never seen before.
Friday, January 25, 2013
While Walking Through the Mall One Day
January 25, 2013
Today I had lunch at Alderwood Mall with my photographer friend, Michael. During lunch I took a few truly terrible photos of him, and he took a few markedly better ones of me. As things were winding down, I mentioned I needed a photo for today, and if I didn't get one soon I might have to post one of him, an idea neither of us liked. So, off we went to take mall photos. My expectations were low, very low. But not only did I get some photos, I decided, perhaps in celebration of the slightly more than six month anniversary of this endeavor, to publish three of them. I have no idea whether this is a permanent change. Perhaps it is, more than anything else, a celebration of the fact that at a time when I expected nothing, I found much.
Today I had lunch at Alderwood Mall with my photographer friend, Michael. During lunch I took a few truly terrible photos of him, and he took a few markedly better ones of me. As things were winding down, I mentioned I needed a photo for today, and if I didn't get one soon I might have to post one of him, an idea neither of us liked. So, off we went to take mall photos. My expectations were low, very low. But not only did I get some photos, I decided, perhaps in celebration of the slightly more than six month anniversary of this endeavor, to publish three of them. I have no idea whether this is a permanent change. Perhaps it is, more than anything else, a celebration of the fact that at a time when I expected nothing, I found much.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Ceci n'est pas un Cochon
January 24, 2013
Of course, Rachel is not a pig, but she was modeled after a pig, also named Rachel, who once lived on Whidby Island. She is, no doubt, more valuable than the original, real, Rachel, bringing in several thousand dollars a year through that slot on her back. And she's certainly better known than the original, real Rachel. If someone says "I'll meet you at the pig at the Market" this is where they will expect you to be.
Of course, Rachel is not a pig, but she was modeled after a pig, also named Rachel, who once lived on Whidby Island. She is, no doubt, more valuable than the original, real, Rachel, bringing in several thousand dollars a year through that slot on her back. And she's certainly better known than the original, real Rachel. If someone says "I'll meet you at the pig at the Market" this is where they will expect you to be.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Portrait
January 23, 2013
On babysitting days there's not much opportunity for photos other than of the grand kids. Not that that's a bad thing. I've had several photos of Alec in the past months and relatively few of Evynne. Today's photo will help reset the balance.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Symmetry
January 22, 2013
Denny Park is Seattle's oldest park. I had never set foot in it so today, being in the neighborhood, I decided to see what was there. I found a lovely little park with amenities which include a dog run, complete with faux fire hydrant, and this example of serendipitous symmetry which is, in fact, a little zip line.
Love
January 21, 2013
While driving home with our friends Julia and David we chanced to see a boy carrying a baby goat. We stopped down the road a bit and walked back. By the time we got back, the boy had long since put down his goat and gone on to other things. But we had a lovely chat with his mom, Frances, and she was kind enough to ask her son to pick up the kid again. And he was gracious enough to do so. Frances asked me to mention in my post that the farm is called Spring Hill Farm (360-535-9404); that they have rabbits, lambs, and beef in addition to goats; and that they're transitioning to non-GMO feed and pasture. So, if you're within driving distance of Kingston and want ethically raised meat give them a call.
Monday, January 21, 2013
While Strolling through the Park
January 20, 2013
Actually, I was strolling through the Arboretum on this particular day when I cam across this young man. He was all dressed up in suit and tie and walking back and forth through the underpass. He would intermittently stop, gesture, and emote all the while being filmed by another young man using what appeared to be a cell phone mounted on an upturned crutch. Perhaps I should have asked what they were doing but did not, reluctant to disrupt Art at the very moment of its creation.
Actually, I was strolling through the Arboretum on this particular day when I cam across this young man. He was all dressed up in suit and tie and walking back and forth through the underpass. He would intermittently stop, gesture, and emote all the while being filmed by another young man using what appeared to be a cell phone mounted on an upturned crutch. Perhaps I should have asked what they were doing but did not, reluctant to disrupt Art at the very moment of its creation.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Self Portrait
January 19, 2013
My photography today consisted of taking photos for my step-brother, Roger, for his corporate website. I took photos of equipment he invented and manufactures, and of his facility. In looking at the photos I suddenly realized I'd created something really quite unusual -- a photo of me.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Artist!
January 18, 2013
Helen Skowronski was a Seattle weaver, nationally known, who used a technique in which threads are twisted. This allows for open patterns which are stable and for the incorporation, in the weaving, of objects which will then stay in place. My friend Peter Hallock, in his weaving days, knew Helen and owns one of her creations. Peter asked me to photograph it. I'm showing a tight crop so you can see all those little twists holding the pattern open and the metal bar in place.
Artist?
January 17, 2013
It's not really art, of course. But for me, at least, the result of giving Alec cooked beets and a chance to feed himself definitely shows creativity.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
I Left My Heart
January 16, 2013
Seattle is certainly not San Francisco, but there are certainly similarities. We're on the West Coast, for example. And we have lots of hills. We have bridges and even the occasional fog bank.
Seattle is certainly not San Francisco, but there are certainly similarities. We're on the West Coast, for example. And we have lots of hills. We have bridges and even the occasional fog bank.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Jesus Saves
January 15, 2012
I was in Fremont, self proclaimed Center of the Universe, wondering when that special photo would appear when suddenly, there it was! A gift from God, you might say.
I was in Fremont, self proclaimed Center of the Universe, wondering when that special photo would appear when suddenly, there it was! A gift from God, you might say.
Monday, January 14, 2013
The Other Mountains
January 14, 2013
A while back I posted a photo of Mt. Ranier in all it's glory, lit by the setting sun. But wait, there's more! We are blessed with mountains not only to the east but also to the west. The Olympic Mountains are closer than the Cascades and get a lot more snow. On a clear winter's day they are magnificent.
Compline
January 13, 2013
Yesterday's photo was of Jason, the director of the Compline Choir at St. Mark's. Today's photo is of the choir. Our services are broadcast live on KING-FM, our local classical music station. They needed a publicity photo of the choir, and I got to take it. We're pretty much all in the photo except, of course, for me.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Jason
January12, 2012
Nearly every Sunday night I sing Compline at St. Mark's. The choir is under the capable direction of Dr. Jason Anderson, who kindly allowed me to take this photo today as we shared a cup of tea.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Sculpture
January 11, 2013
On this brilliantly, exhilaratingly sunny day in Seattle I went to the Sculpture Park where, as it happened, my favorite photo was not of the art.
On this brilliantly, exhilaratingly sunny day in Seattle I went to the Sculpture Park where, as it happened, my favorite photo was not of the art.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Really!?
January 10, 2013
We, the citizens of the good ole U.S. of A. like to think of ourselves as living in the land of second chances. But every once in a while we find an obvious exception to the rule.
We, the citizens of the good ole U.S. of A. like to think of ourselves as living in the land of second chances. But every once in a while we find an obvious exception to the rule.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Trust
January 9, 2013
There may some things better than having your granddaughter, casually comfortably and trustingly, holding your hand. I say, there may be some things, but at the moment I can't imagine what they might be.
There may some things better than having your granddaughter, casually comfortably and trustingly, holding your hand. I say, there may be some things, but at the moment I can't imagine what they might be.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Reminder
January 8, 2012
The plasma globe is a toy, really, a diversion. But it's also more than that, at least for me, offering a reminder that reality is far stranger than I generally realize or can even imagine.
The plasma globe is a toy, really, a diversion. But it's also more than that, at least for me, offering a reminder that reality is far stranger than I generally realize or can even imagine.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Lily
January 7, 2012
Today Nancy and I visited Christine and her beguiling daughter, Lily. Lily is a serious sort of girl, not inclined to smile for no particular reason. But, apparently, playing with her mom is reason enough.
Today Nancy and I visited Christine and her beguiling daughter, Lily. Lily is a serious sort of girl, not inclined to smile for no particular reason. But, apparently, playing with her mom is reason enough.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Ozymandias
January 6, 2013
This statue of Lenin, emblematic of the once mighty Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, brings to mind Shelley's poem Ozymandias
I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: "Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown
And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed.
And on the pedestal these words appear:
`My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings:
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!'
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away".
This statue of Lenin, emblematic of the once mighty Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, brings to mind Shelley's poem Ozymandias
I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: "Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown
And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed.
And on the pedestal these words appear:
`My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings:
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!'
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away".
Hazard
January 6, 2013
Living in Seattle in generally a benign experience. Except for the odd earthquake little catastrophic happens. An exception to this general rule is the troll who lives beneath the Fremont end of the Aurora Bridge. Fortunately for the rest of us he seems to have a taste only for original generation Volkswagons recognizing them, apparently, by the sound of their exhaust.
Living in Seattle in generally a benign experience. Except for the odd earthquake little catastrophic happens. An exception to this general rule is the troll who lives beneath the Fremont end of the Aurora Bridge. Fortunately for the rest of us he seems to have a taste only for original generation Volkswagons recognizing them, apparently, by the sound of their exhaust.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Family Reunion
December 4, 2012
While walking past the garden I noticed all the garden birds had somehow managed to come together -- a sort of family reunion, apparently. The two chickens appear to be steadfastly ignoring their goofier relatives behind them.
While walking past the garden I noticed all the garden birds had somehow managed to come together -- a sort of family reunion, apparently. The two chickens appear to be steadfastly ignoring their goofier relatives behind them.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Bellwether
January 3, 2012
I love visiting the Hiram M. Chittendon locks, so when a visitor comes to town, as my nephew Tias did today, that's one of the places I try to get to. Beside the locks is the fish ladder with it's viewing windows and signs explaining the life cycle and importance of the salmon. Salmon are of enormous importance to the pacific northwest ecosystem. However, despite all efforts at preservation their numbers have declined dramatically and likely will continue to do so.
I love visiting the Hiram M. Chittendon locks, so when a visitor comes to town, as my nephew Tias did today, that's one of the places I try to get to. Beside the locks is the fish ladder with it's viewing windows and signs explaining the life cycle and importance of the salmon. Salmon are of enormous importance to the pacific northwest ecosystem. However, despite all efforts at preservation their numbers have declined dramatically and likely will continue to do so.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Mountain Majesty
January 2, 2012
There are many things to dislike about winter in this part of the world. The days are short, very short. It's cold, and wet, etc. But one of the good things, on one of the rare clear days, is seeing Mt. Ranier, shrouded in snow and lit by the setting sun, reigning majestically over all.
There are many things to dislike about winter in this part of the world. The days are short, very short. It's cold, and wet, etc. But one of the good things, on one of the rare clear days, is seeing Mt. Ranier, shrouded in snow and lit by the setting sun, reigning majestically over all.
Home Again
January 1, 2012
Today was our day to fly home. It was good being together, good in ways it's hard to appreciate until you've done it. By the time we were home the sun was setting. Nancy and I went out for dinner at Toulouse Petit, just the two of us, and relaxed into that feeling of gratitude that comes with knowing how very, very fortunate we are.
Closed
December 31, 2012
Today we drove up to Berkeley for fabulous pizza then onward and upward, up and up, to Tilden Regional Park, high in the hills. There are a carousel and a steam train and a botanical gardens and miles of trails. As it happens, while the trails are open, all the good kid stuff is closed on Mondays. No carousel ride. No steam train ride. But some spectacular views.
Today we drove up to Berkeley for fabulous pizza then onward and upward, up and up, to Tilden Regional Park, high in the hills. There are a carousel and a steam train and a botanical gardens and miles of trails. As it happens, while the trails are open, all the good kid stuff is closed on Mondays. No carousel ride. No steam train ride. But some spectacular views.
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