No matter the location, memories on the day to remember those who died in battle, ring true for me, everyday. Faces of those I knew 48 years ago during the Vietnam War remain young and fresh, unaware of what was to come next. Cpl.Robert Bruce Tufts who grew up a few miles from me has a place on the internet. He hasn’t aged.
A ceramic “note” has been hanging on our brick wall for seven years or so. I’ve never really paid attention to “Lucky Me” until this morning. The sunrise coming from a skylight struck the “note” in dramatic fashion for a few minutes. Yes, the sunlight, as it should, drifted south, sending “Lucky Me” into obscurity. But for a moment I considered the message. Good fortune is fleeting and I am thankful for having it and for understanding the conditions. In 24 hours the sunlight will return and I may or may not see it strike “Lucky Me.” No matter, I appreciate the reminder.
To me the above photo is more than a honey bee in a rose. It’s about the instinctive focus that makes bees so important to the growth of crops. This photo is posted in response to the insane bluster of political leaders who are blind to the focus needed to save humanity from itself. That’s the buzz! It’s also one of the bees from our hive.
Everyone gets to enjoy a limited number of sunsets. Even someone on his way to a drive-by shooting may take in the wonder of sunlight exploding on the horizon. If only the brilliance of a day’s end could pacify the anger and hate that lead to violence.
The significance of this photo: a murder/robbery occurred near this area. I was part of the jury selection process–I was eventually dismissed. Listening to the judge explain the
“facts” was sobering. Two gunmen were already in prison. This trial concerned the man who drove the getaway vehicle.
We live somewhere between the nerve gassing of Syrians and the estimated 93 Americans killed by guns each day. A sunset as a photo opp does nothing, but the sanctity of each passing day as symbolized by the setting of the sun provides hope for those who want it.
I was hiking along the coast last week when I saw a lone bluish flower. There was something special about how this flower stood out with its white center almost glowing in the low light. This is one of those “stop and smell the roses ” moments.
I was reviewing some photographs I had taken in 2015 when I noticed a lunar eclipse from January. I cropped it this time to enlarge the viewing area. While I was in a “postaday” mode two years ago, I often didn’t take enough time to dwell on the outcome which, in this case, is the shadow lights produced by the sun behind the moon.
I am in a much slower posting mode these days, in part, brought on by facing the same landscapes for a second or third time. So, I’m going to spend some time reviewing old captures to see if I missed a perspective of interest. Life is like this.
My granddaughter Cora’s parents took her to San Francisco this weekend where she sat in front of Grace Cathedral with a smile and a critical message on her shirt: “I love who you are.”
I came here often in 1971 and 1972 after I was honorably discharged from the Army. Back then it was a time of healing over a country torn apart by its involvement in Vietnam. Today, we face more division, especially over our core values. We will always be a nation of immigrants–that’s what makes us strong.
This photo was taken by my daughter-in-law, Vina.
