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in these times

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Calligraphy by Daniel Cronin

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… you never know what you’ll see.

in the works …

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New stationery available at https://www.zazzle.com/imagesbycynthia/collections

Enjoy!

“shells, please.”

Hard to believe it was four years ago that I wrote this post after my friend D. returned from Puerto Rico with shells. Thoughts and prayers to her family and all the people there trying to rebuild their lives. Here’s great link from PBS onhow to help – http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/can-help-hurricane-victims-puerto-rico/

Cynthia's avatarWords + Images

That has been my refrain of late when friends ask what they can bring me back from their travels.  Since many of the locales included beaches, I figured it would be okay to ask for shells.  Just reach down and stick a shell in your pocket.  I am quite honored that my friend D. engaged friends and family in the task.  After she showed me pictures of the black beaches of Puerto Rico, I thought it would be fun to photograph some of her shells against fields of black.

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fading flowers by the water

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the question on my mind

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nature overwhelming private property

It is important to analyze the how and the why of Trump winning the 2016 Presidential election but right now I am more concerned with the present situation. It’s Fall 2017. While there’s that whole Russian influence piece to be dealt with, there are no hanging chads to be counted. Trump is president. So my question for today is … why is this man who is technically the leader of the most powerful nation in the world being allowed to grandstand and postulate like a spoiled uneducated potty-mouthed silver spoon-wielding toddler without consequence?  Why hasn’t his phone been taken away and put in a lock box until he learns some manners?

He leads the world closer to war(s) with schoolyard taunts back and forth with other world leaders most of whom are as juvenile and narcissistic as Trump. He’s debasing the idea of the American Dream by consistently, if not systematically, instilling fear across this nation. He’s planted the seeds of hopelessness in the hearts of those most desperate, and who aspire to make it to these shores, to start a new life, and to become a productive part of what should not be a stagnant place, this place called the United States of America.

Is there no censure for this man’s juvenile behavior? Does the title of President prevent one from being held accountable for one’s actions?

I mean, really, in a world where daily scores of men, women and children die horrible deaths from violence, starvation, drugs and so many other tragedies, he spends his time (and U.S. tax dollars) and internet bandwidth taking on the NFL as an institution? Through his words and actions he taunts and bullies individually the men and women who expressed once again the idea of the American Dream, an idea that includes freedom of expression?

I think that there is no greater recent expression of what makes America great than what NFL players and owners did this past weekend … they did not all agree that kneeling during the anthem was the right thing to do … but they agreed that those who do bend the knee have the right to do so because where else but America can you do such a thing, to publicly and safely protest what you perceive to be an injustice? Linking arms this weekend, whether standing or kneeling, were Americans of every race. How beautiful was that?

I recollect from the Civics and Government classes that used to be taught in grade schools that there was this thing called “a system of checks and balances” which made U.S. government rather unique in the world. What are the checks and balances on a sitting U.S. President who is inadequate to the tasks before him?

Clearly it is in the best interest of certain individuals and certain institutions for a man like Trump to have the keys to the kingdom. Let him (and those for whom he is simply a mouthpiece) try to bar the gates and build the walls. Others have done so in the past. And over time those gates have been reopened and those walls have been taken down brick by brick. Too many people are becoming near frozen with fear and I say, even if it be easy for me to do so, remain steadfast. Put your words into actions. Keep in mind the upcoming elections. And, you know what else? Be good to your neighbor. Trump isn’t going to be building any bridges. But individually we can. We know what’s tearing us apart. So become agents of change to unite.

 

maine gallery live

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Please enjoy — https://photosbycynthia.smugmug.com/Travel/Maine-2017/

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As I walked in the woods in Maine, I thought often of photographer Eliot Porter (1901-1990) especially when I tried to train my camera on the fall of light on bared branches …

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and on shadows shifting across gray stone made colorful with wildflowers and lichen.

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And then of course as you’re focusing on light and branches you realize that there are other things being illuminated as well.

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Still sorting pictures. A wonderful work in progress. Stay tuned. 🙂

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p.s. You can learn more about Eliot Porter here:

http://www.cartermuseum.org/collections/porter/about.php

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eliot_Porter

 

allendale woods gallery

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The Allendale Woods Gallery is now available. You can view and purchase images here: https://photosbycynthia.smugmug.com/Travel/Allendale-Woods/

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Found in a field in Maine. I have no idea what this plant is but thought it rather luminous. If you know, please share.

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