Today our extreme cold was irrelevant as I ventured out to Navy Pier to watch my little brother graduate from the Chicago Fire Academy (YEAH T!). A view of the harbor shows the steam rising off the lake.
01.15.09
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Scrubbed Clean
Snow
by Anne Sexton
Snow,
blessed snow,
comes out of the sky
like bleached flies.
The ground is no longer naked.
The ground has on its clothes.
The trees poke out of sheets
and each branch wears the sock of God.
There is hope.
There is hope everywhere.
I bite it.
Someone once said:
Don't bite till you know
if it's bread or stone.
What I bite is all bread,
rising, yeasty as a cloud.
There is hope.
There is hope everywhere.
Today God gives milk
and I have the pail.
01.13.09
Snow
by Anne Sexton
Snow,
blessed snow,
comes out of the sky
like bleached flies.
The ground is no longer naked.
The ground has on its clothes.
The trees poke out of sheets
and each branch wears the sock of God.
There is hope.
There is hope everywhere.
I bite it.
Someone once said:
Don't bite till you know
if it's bread or stone.
What I bite is all bread,
rising, yeasty as a cloud.
There is hope.
There is hope everywhere.
Today God gives milk
and I have the pail.
01.13.09
Monday, January 12, 2009
Friday, January 09, 2009
January 8th -Subjects
One of the most challenging aspects of this project is getting out into the world enough to find subjects to photograph. It is as if my office has become a prison. I found the following image on my drive home. The softness suggests the look of the actual windows through fog, but what is missing is an eerie blue cast to the glass that it attracted me to it in the first place. I need to get out more...
01.08.09
One of the most challenging aspects of this project is getting out into the world enough to find subjects to photograph. It is as if my office has become a prison. I found the following image on my drive home. The softness suggests the look of the actual windows through fog, but what is missing is an eerie blue cast to the glass that it attracted me to it in the first place. I need to get out more...
01.08.09
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
January 6th - Epiphany
As the Christmas season (blissfully in many respects) draws to a close, its last gasp is the celebration of Epiphany. It is not much of a “celebration” in the traditional sense, but this year I’ve been tripping over references to the idea of Epiphany, the Three Kings, Three Wise Men, and even Three Wise Women. It’s as if I have missed some elemental aspect of this particular holiday season and the cosmos doesn’t quite want to let me off the hook just yet. And while I generally relate to and identify more with the idea of God (Spirit, Nature) than Jesus (probably a byproduct of the religious extremism of my community), in recognition of the fact that regardless, I’m obviously still searching for something, here is an excerpt from a one that actually touches on that very thing (plus the reference to Robert Frost doesn't hurt either)
From a reflection by Martin B. Copenhaver, the author of To Begin at the Beginning: An Introduction to the Christian Faith.
“But perhaps the most important reminder in this beloved story is the seemingly throw-away line at the end: after leaving the infant Jesus, "they left for their own country by another road." Matthew says that they did that to avoid the vengeful king Herod. But, in another sense, isn't that what an encounter with Jesus is supposed to do to all of us? We can leave changed. We can find another way. After encountering him we can choose a road less traveled by. And that can make all the difference.
Prayer
Dear God, may I leave my encounter with the Jesus in this season as a changed person, returning to familiar places by another road. Amen.”
01.06.09
As the Christmas season (blissfully in many respects) draws to a close, its last gasp is the celebration of Epiphany. It is not much of a “celebration” in the traditional sense, but this year I’ve been tripping over references to the idea of Epiphany, the Three Kings, Three Wise Men, and even Three Wise Women. It’s as if I have missed some elemental aspect of this particular holiday season and the cosmos doesn’t quite want to let me off the hook just yet. And while I generally relate to and identify more with the idea of God (Spirit, Nature) than Jesus (probably a byproduct of the religious extremism of my community), in recognition of the fact that regardless, I’m obviously still searching for something, here is an excerpt from a one that actually touches on that very thing (plus the reference to Robert Frost doesn't hurt either)
From a reflection by Martin B. Copenhaver, the author of To Begin at the Beginning: An Introduction to the Christian Faith.
“But perhaps the most important reminder in this beloved story is the seemingly throw-away line at the end: after leaving the infant Jesus, "they left for their own country by another road." Matthew says that they did that to avoid the vengeful king Herod. But, in another sense, isn't that what an encounter with Jesus is supposed to do to all of us? We can leave changed. We can find another way. After encountering him we can choose a road less traveled by. And that can make all the difference.
Prayer
Dear God, may I leave my encounter with the Jesus in this season as a changed person, returning to familiar places by another road. Amen.”
01.06.09
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
A.S.
January 5th - said a final goodbye to A.S. A woman who was probably far more complex than people gave her credit, and probably suffered far mor than she (or anyone) deserved. Still, the gathering seemed to be a healing circle for the estranged - especially G. Hopefully seeds of reconciliation were planted.
01.05.09
January 5th - said a final goodbye to A.S. A woman who was probably far more complex than people gave her credit, and probably suffered far mor than she (or anyone) deserved. Still, the gathering seemed to be a healing circle for the estranged - especially G. Hopefully seeds of reconciliation were planted.
01.05.09
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Friday, January 02, 2009
ResolutionsAfter 40 (YIKES!) years (give or take a few when I was blissfully young, innocent and not at all worried about what other people thought of me) I have basically come to accept the fact that the only thing I should resolve for New Year’s is not to make a New Year’s Resolution. In fact it was quoted in the New York Times this week that the average person’s New Year’s Resolution is abandoned by Valentine’s Day – I probably beat that curve by a month.
And I don’t know if I have simply decided that I don’t have the energy to make myself prettier, younger, hipper, funnier, or any other adjective that describes some sort of societal deficiency that I should strive to overcome (which I could), or to lose those last 15 pounds (which I should), but this year I am categorically refusing to undertake any Quixotian quests for shallow media-motivated disenfranchised self-improvement.
That being said, since I do believe that there are many areas of my life in need of a tune-up, I am rather resolving to turn my attentions inward and ramp things up emotionally, intellectually, and creatively. Being that sounds pretty daunting just looking at it (let alone doing it), I have devised a plan to break it down into manageable steps using a“One per …” formula. So with the caveat that the resolver reserves the right to substitute any or all resolutions for ones of equal or greater value, here is the plan for 2009:
- Take at least one picture per day – keep a digital and print record
- Read one book per week – keep a log of titles and authors
- Plan one outing per month – preferably with someone new each time
- Work on one project for the whole year (considering bodhran or Italian, but the jury is still out on both)
To show that this resolution is made in good faith, below are the photos for 01/01 & 01/02…
Felice Anno Nuovo!
01.01.09 & 01.02.09
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Note to Self - Don't Forget to Look!I will say that in the final days of the election I became something of a crazy (OK, maybe not crazy, but definitely crazed!) person. An unquenchable thirst for information threatened to take over my day to day activities. And while I am ecstatic at the outcome (!!!) I will freely admit that it took a while for me to re-integrate living into my previously obsessive existence. Hence, no photos, no blogging, and in fact, very little of anything that constitutes personal creativity…
BUT, today I received a gift, and was lucky enough to have my camera on me at the time. So while the photo quality leaves something to be desired, the viewing experience bordered on the spiritual (and I am assuming that since I was the only one stopping to look, meant just for me - so thanks!)
Following are pictures of two coyotes playing in the field at Indian Knoll & Geneva Road.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Yes We Cans!So I was driving yesterday morning (mostly ‘cause I felt so guilty that I didn’t even have a dollar to put in the basket at church that I didn’t go) and I was thinking about the photos of the Obama rally in St. Louis with 100,000 people. And then, seemingly out of nowhere, but not quite because it had been talked about at the DGAAN meeting, but not that much, so still pretty much out of nowhere, that the Obama campaign should ask people to bring donations of food to their rallies to donate to local food pantries. That St. Louis rally could have brought in almost a quarter of a million cans of food!
I’m not sure where this idea came from, because in fact, it id not feel like it was mine. I ruminated over it all day, but it still felt like it was plucked from thin air and plopped in my head. So while I would normally then just drop it, I instead emailed the Obama campaign and told them my idea. I’m not sure if anything will come of it, but if they all of a sudden start collecting food at their rallies, I’ll know that it was a pretty special idea.
I hope it happens!
Today's Election Advent Calendar Message:
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power. "
- Abraham Lincoln
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Autumn ReprieveAfter yesterday’s angst, today brought a modicum of relief as the need to immediately pack up shop has receded ever so slightly. The floor seems to be littered with eggshells, but at least it is not moving boxes (I think).
Providing a welcome distraction (as well as a couple of hours away from work) was two great lectures that were part of a conference called The Language of Nature. The first was “A Natural History of the Chicago Region” by Joel Greenberg – an author and naturalist, his discussion focused primarily on the history of prairies in the Illinois area, and “Restoring Kinship with the Land” by John Price – a Professor of English at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, he offered a very engaging talk about finding ways to connect emotionally and physically with one’s own landscape. The second talk was “The Nature of Story” by Donna Seaman. A literary critic and editor for Booklist, she spoke about the influence of the natural world on fiction and non-fiction writers.
Both excellent presentations that made the world feel a little wider on a day when it was feeling pretty small.
A second welcome distraction was today’s weather. In a word, GLORIOUS! Trees seemed to turn overnight and a warm breeze sent leaves dancing to the ground. Following are pictures from the KlineCreek Farm, which looked just too pretty not to stop for at least a couple of minutes.
Today's Election Advent Calendar Message:
"Voting is one of the few things where boycotting in protest clearly makes the problem worse rather than better."
- Jane Bowles
Monday, October 13, 2008
What Now?
Such sadness (yet all truth, I know) following yesterday's interaction - I hesitate to call it a conversation in that it was more a wandering through emotional minefields with the hopes of inducing the least possible carnage...
I feel like we are living in the middle of the quote by Anaïs Nin: “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom”
Things are pretty painful.
Today's Election Advent Calendar Message:
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
- Benjamin Franklin
(If I stay, am I giving up my own essential liberty to purchase safety?? Will everything now seem like a prophetic sign?)
Such sadness (yet all truth, I know) following yesterday's interaction - I hesitate to call it a conversation in that it was more a wandering through emotional minefields with the hopes of inducing the least possible carnage...
I feel like we are living in the middle of the quote by Anaïs Nin: “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom”
Things are pretty painful.
Today's Election Advent Calendar Message:
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
- Benjamin Franklin
(If I stay, am I giving up my own essential liberty to purchase safety?? Will everything now seem like a prophetic sign?)
Friday, October 10, 2008
Found Art
Many, many thanks to the wonderful individual(s) responsible for these beautiful mini environmental art installations found this morning on the Geneva Spur of the Prairie Path in Winfield. I LOVE that someone would take the time to do this!!!
Many, many thanks to the wonderful individual(s) responsible for these beautiful mini environmental art installations found this morning on the Geneva Spur of the Prairie Path in Winfield. I LOVE that someone would take the time to do this!!!
Today's Election Advent Calendar Message:
"It may be necessary temporarily to accept a lesser evil, but one must never label a necessary evil as good. "
- Margaret Mead
"It may be necessary temporarily to accept a lesser evil, but one must never label a necessary evil as good. "
- Margaret Mead
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Muddling Through
A dreary day, of which the highpoint has been my walk with Dougal. Bad political karma all around, a debate I don't think I can stomach (will watch Charlie Rose for spin though - keeping my fingers crossed for Doris Kearns Goodwin!!), rain and just general malaise...
Today's Election Advent Calendar Message:
"The right to be heard does not automatically include the right to be taken seriously."
- Hubert H. Humphrey
A dreary day, of which the highpoint has been my walk with Dougal. Bad political karma all around, a debate I don't think I can stomach (will watch Charlie Rose for spin though - keeping my fingers crossed for Doris Kearns Goodwin!!), rain and just general malaise...
Today's Election Advent Calendar Message:
"The right to be heard does not automatically include the right to be taken seriously."
- Hubert H. Humphrey
Monday, October 06, 2008
Helping the Digestion
Because I can become naturally politically combative (not necessarily partisan, but more often railing against the lemming-like tendencies of the populous to decry profusely and/or wax poetically about individuals and issues of which they possess neither the inclination to understand nor the ability to articulate that have become “all the rage”) I generally do not engage in full-contac
t political discourse with my family. This is mainly due to the fact that we all never FULLLY disclose our political leanings and the desire to respect each other’s opinions far out-weighs the need to drive home a point, no matter how passionately it is held.
That being said, it was a sheer delight to sit around the table this weekend and hear a collective cry (OK, mine was more of a wail) of concern regarding the scariest possible outcome of the November elections. Even if we differ on baseball teams (mine not having fallen just yet!) it is comforting to know that those from whence I came share my belief that the unique values that formed this country should not be sold to the highest bidder or distilled to the lowest common denominator…
Today's Election Advent Calendar Message:
Because I can become naturally politically combative (not necessarily partisan, but more often railing against the lemming-like tendencies of the populous to decry profusely and/or wax poetically about individuals and issues of which they possess neither the inclination to understand nor the ability to articulate that have become “all the rage”) I generally do not engage in full-contac
t political discourse with my family. This is mainly due to the fact that we all never FULLLY disclose our political leanings and the desire to respect each other’s opinions far out-weighs the need to drive home a point, no matter how passionately it is held.That being said, it was a sheer delight to sit around the table this weekend and hear a collective cry (OK, mine was more of a wail) of concern regarding the scariest possible outcome of the November elections. Even if we differ on baseball teams (mine not having fallen just yet!) it is comforting to know that those from whence I came share my belief that the unique values that formed this country should not be sold to the highest bidder or distilled to the lowest common denominator…
Today's Election Advent Calendar Message:
"The only title in our democracy superior to that of President is the title of citizen."
- James Madison
- James Madison
Friday, October 03, 2008
Peace Fest 2008
In just a little over 30 days, as we come dangerously close to letting the uninformed and/or easily swayed hijack, once again, the constitutional right (not to mention the Constitution itself) of American individuals to a government by the people and FOR THE PEOPLE, it leaves one just slightly more optimistic about our future to see a little group of people so committed to the idea of Peace that not only do they choose to celebrate it but they ask their government to celebrate it too!
Following is the Mayoral Proclamation declaring September 21st, 2008, West Chicago Peace Day.
West Chicago City Council Proclamation #487:
Proclaimed, September 2, 2008
Declared an official holiday by the United Nations in 1981, Peace Day is celebrated worldwide in over 200 countries. The historic U.N. Peace Day resolution calls for an international day of global ceasefire and nonviolence. All nations and individuals are invited on this day to cease all hostilities and join in a worldwide celebration, reflection, and one minute of silence for inner and world peace. The hope is that more and more people will be inspired to carry the commitment of nonviolence forward into the days beyond, until everyday is a celebration of peace.
Recognizing that in 1981, the United Nations officially declared the twenty-first day of September of every year to be Peace Day, calling for an international day of global ceasefire and nonviolence;
WHEREAS, citizens of West Chicago, Illinois understand that peace is an active process that embraces the deepest hopes of all people, and remains humanity's guiding inspiration; and
WHEREAS, we recognize that an enduring peace is our most important national interest, as well as a core value; and
WHEREAS, peaceful unity, understanding and cooperation among individuals and nations is essential to the freedom of all; and
WHEREAS, we share the vision of a day when humanity knows only peace among all nations and in every heart; and
WHEREAS, we are proud to join the rest of our nation and people from around the world in avowing our deepest commitment to peace in our homes, our communities and across the globe;
NOW, THEREFORE, I Michael B. Kwasman, Mayor of the City of West Chicago, do hereby proclaim September 21, 2008 as
WEST CHICAGO PEACE DAY
Photos from Peace Fest 2008
In just a little over 30 days, as we come dangerously close to letting the uninformed and/or easily swayed hijack, once again, the constitutional right (not to mention the Constitution itself) of American individuals to a government by the people and FOR THE PEOPLE, it leaves one just slightly more optimistic about our future to see a little group of people so committed to the idea of Peace that not only do they choose to celebrate it but they ask their government to celebrate it too!
Following is the Mayoral Proclamation declaring September 21st, 2008, West Chicago Peace Day.
West Chicago City Council Proclamation #487:
Proclaimed, September 2, 2008
Declared an official holiday by the United Nations in 1981, Peace Day is celebrated worldwide in over 200 countries. The historic U.N. Peace Day resolution calls for an international day of global ceasefire and nonviolence. All nations and individuals are invited on this day to cease all hostilities and join in a worldwide celebration, reflection, and one minute of silence for inner and world peace. The hope is that more and more people will be inspired to carry the commitment of nonviolence forward into the days beyond, until everyday is a celebration of peace.
Recognizing that in 1981, the United Nations officially declared the twenty-first day of September of every year to be Peace Day, calling for an international day of global ceasefire and nonviolence;
WHEREAS, citizens of West Chicago, Illinois understand that peace is an active process that embraces the deepest hopes of all people, and remains humanity's guiding inspiration; and
WHEREAS, we recognize that an enduring peace is our most important national interest, as well as a core value; and
WHEREAS, peaceful unity, understanding and cooperation among individuals and nations is essential to the freedom of all; and
WHEREAS, we share the vision of a day when humanity knows only peace among all nations and in every heart; and
WHEREAS, we are proud to join the rest of our nation and people from around the world in avowing our deepest commitment to peace in our homes, our communities and across the globe;
NOW, THEREFORE, I Michael B. Kwasman, Mayor of the City of West Chicago, do hereby proclaim September 21, 2008 as
WEST CHICAGO PEACE DAY
Photos from Peace Fest 2008
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