Yesterday I picked up a bunch of tulips when I was grocery shopping at the Food Coop. There were three different bunches to choose from. One bunch was bright red, another bright yellow, and the third bunch was rather pale looking peachy shade. I chose the pale looking bunch because they looked a little more varied in their colors and a little frillier than the others.
Falling in love with my photographic subjects
I was not disappointed. Once I arranged them in a vase these blowsy beauties have been fascinating me with their frilly petals and subtle colors. When I first start photographing flowers I am almost always unhappy with the images I make. It takes time, study, and familiarity before I start seeing how to really see them. I have to fall in love with them a little.
The poet must not only write the poem but must scrutinize the world intensely, or anyway that part of the world he or she has taken for subject. If the poem is thin, it is likely so not because the poet does not know enough words, but because he or she has not stood long enough among the flowers—has not seen them in any fresh, exciting, and valid way.
When I am photographing flowers and when I am walking in the woods I often thank the flowers or trees. I find myself whispering, “I love thee. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”
Trees and flowers are never “you,” to me always “thee” or “thou.” I’m not sure why. Perhaps it is because I feel more connected to the divine when I behold their beauty.
When I Am Among the Trees
When I am among the trees,
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness.
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, “Stay awhile.”
The light flows from their branches.And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,
“and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine.”— Mary Oliver
This morning I took a walk outside knowing that tomorrow brings a weather change. The forecast predicts that much colder weather will move in tomorrow for the foreseeable future. I tell myself I shouldn’t complain because it’s been a pretty mild winter so far. But I hoped we might luck out and have the milder weather continue.
I’m not sure if I’m going to brave walking in the below normal colder temperatures. So far, with my Kahtoola nanospikes on my shoes I’m loving my regular winter walks in the neighborhood. It doesn’t matter how icy the path or the street is, I feel sure-footed and stable walking. Perhaps I’ll brave the colder weather with my fleece lined winter pants, long down coat, Stegor mukluks, and a scarf around my face. Time will tell.
How are you faring this early February day my friends? What brightens your days this time of year?
May you walk in beauty.
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