Rebel With a Cause

This little yellow flower *burst* her way out of the pink and purple fuchsia plant basket. I don't know how she got there or where she found her moxie - but there she was! As strong and confident as if she were surrounded by nothing but a field of other yellow flowers just like her. Instead of worrying about being the oddball, the little flower assumed she was as "routine" and "typical" an occurrence as anything else in that plant basket - and in that way she could grow and blossom to her full potential.

The little yellow flower didn't trip herself up on the fact that she was the oddball. Instead she made a choice to allow for her difference, honor her difference, and embrace it. This little yellow flower accepted herself and so presumed that her sense of belonging, among the very different fuchsias, was nothing but inevitable. She expected and projected the acceptance she gave herself and wanted from others, and so she received it....

Soul-Swaying

I'm learning that part of the trick of growing into my authentic self is to go with the flow. To allow life to unfold for me and to be open to the detours it presents for me -- for those are the opportunities of growth, and eventually (hopefully), wisdom. I am not to be daunted or discouraged but patient, trusting and steadfast....

ArtCares Cleveland

Thanks to a good friend I was made aware of an upcoming art auction benefit to which I have donated these three images as matted and framed prints:

The proceeds of the event and auction will go to the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland to help them to continue their important support of persons with HIV in Cleveland. I will be attending the event and am looking forward to seeing all of the donated artwork. If you are interested in attending the event too here is the official information and maybe I'll see you there!

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"ArtCares Cleveland will be held at the Battery Park Power House (in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood on Cleveland’s Near West Side) on Saturday, April 16th at 7:00pm for VIPs, and 8pm for the public. All proceeds from the event directly support the AIDS Taskforce.

 This year’s event will honor the Zone Family for their unwavering support of the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland, the arts, and the City of Cleveland. Councilman Joe Cimperman will serve as auctioneer, and the event chairs are John Farina & Adam Tully, and Noelle Celeste & Jon Benedict. Honorary Chairman is Howard Lake. Entertainment will be provided by the always irreverent and fun, Lounge Kitty, and DJ MisterbradleyP.

Ticket prices are $50 for General Admission and $100 for VIP. Please contact Rebecca Strong at rstong@atfgc.org, or 216.621.0766 x232 for more information.

Initiated by the Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) in 2003, ArtCares is now an established collaborative tradition between the CIA and the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland. This event arose from awareness of the devastating impact the AIDS epidemic has had on individuals involved in the creative arts community, and from a consequent awareness that artists are uniquely positioned to contribute to the fight against HIV/AIDS. ArtCares celebrates contemporary art with both a silent and live auction of donated work."

 

No Rush Toward the Inevitable Farewell

I find this image to be quite sad but hauntingly lovely and dignified at the same time.

At first I see what was once a lovely Queen Anne's Lace bloom that is now, not only dried up and past her prime, as she is trapped among the bars of the rusty fence, but she is also frozen in this untimely moment of capture. I'm guessing that the regal flower would not want to be seen caught in this way.

But, in looking further, when I concentrate straight into the heart of the image, I also see a quiet, meditative stillness. I imagine that the spirit of the old bloom is still going strong and the cold and ice of this day, as well as the stabilizing structure of the fence, only serve to help the flower as she slowly moves closer toward her final farewell.

It is a fact of life that the bloom will eventually break down and return to the elements of the earth but on this day she is hardened and solid in time as she is helped by the fence and ice and, in no pressing rush toward the finish line, the queen flower is standing still and strong.

On my daily walk this morning, just for the heckuvit, I made a snowball.

Then, to continue down my path of whimsy, I made a snow angel.

I’ve been missing whimsy in my life lately. It’s much easier to get bogged down in all the “musts” and “should” of life. Those things are all clearly explainable as to why I do them.

But why did I make a snow angel? I don’t know. I don’t have a clearly obvious answer for that. Because I wanted to? Yes, but it was more than that. It made me feel good. It was simple but it was a tiny adventure in my otherwise sober hour of exercise. It made me feel childlike and simple and free.

I don’t know how else I can pursue a path of whimsy in my life but I know that I will try. If a detour that small and nearly insignificant can make me feel so good, then I want to try to find more of that…

Winter Stumblings

I am smack in the middle of winter here in northeast Ohio with no clear signs of the season letting up (in spite of what the little groundhog had to say) and I am stumbling between hibernation and exploration. Although I am staying as much inside as I am able I am also ready to get out again with my camera and investigate my world!

So yesterday I ventured out a bit and saw what beauty the ice can bring. This old and dead flower bush that is left over from a late summer blooming has become nearly immortalized as it is frozen in the drippings of a melting icicle higher up. It must be very weighted down by the heft of the icicle but it is mustering through and waiting for the thaw.

 
That is how I feel. Winter is always heavy for me but on some days I see the bright sun and know that it is coming back again soon and strong. Like this old bloom knows that even as I am taking the picture of its frozen existence the icicle encompassing it is slowly melting away...

The Young Family

Waiting for Spring

First Light

I've been walking very early in the morning when it is still dark (and cold!). I am very much looking forward to when the sun will start peeking out as early as I begin walking.