The Car With Three Messages

"Crying is all right in it's own way while it lasts.
 But you have to stop sooner or later,
 and then you still have to decide what to do."

~C.S. Lewis

The Silver Chair

While on our way to Lake Tahoe, last Monday, I spotted two very distinct vehicles, that caught my photographers eye. Both of which contained very different messages. This was the first one, so in that we had an election day on Tuesday, I thought I would share it first, and give give my regular blog visitors, a much needed break from the autumn overdose I tend to engage in this time of year.

Of course, now that I think about it, it does have a connection to autumn, just not this one. It was all about the election of autumn 2016, and the sentiments are still baring witness to the insanity of nearly one year ago to the day exactly. Decisions, decisions.Would it be Hillary or Bernie in the primaries? We already knew that Trump had locked it all up for the GOP as he set about destroying  the field of establishment Republican candidates will bombastic rhetoric and frankly, character assassination.

Alan and I debated, for about 25 miles, about what this person was actually trying to say. He and I never came to an agreement about what it was, the combination of possibilities was too great, and we began to dwell on the depression of the reality that the far right candidate actually won, but that depressive/oppressive thought gave me what seems like the most likely possibility about the message. 

Hillary. Bernie. Trump.

Was it as simple as Hillary Clinton was the actual Democrat, Bernie was an Independent, and Donald Trump was a Far Right candidate? Could it have been NO deeper than that?

Now lately, and by lately, I mean in the past couple weeks, I have gone through a bit of a political awaking of sorts. A while back, I told a pal of mine in the Twitterverse, that I believed we needed to pay attention to the Democratic side of the mess we find ourselves in, because this doesn't belong mainly to the Republicans.

 If Putin was planning on doing a thorough job of invading and disrupting out democracy, like the brilliant ex-KGB agent he was, we need to pay close attention to both sides, no matter how painful it might be. If we find ourselves as a divided nation, it's because there is one more mole burrowing in the garden of good and evil. I paraphrase myself there, but you get the idea!

I never thought I would lose so much respect, for so many of my Democratic party heroes, as I have in the last week.

Donna Brazile. Elizabeth Warren. Bernie Sanders.

Now, I gave up on Bernie Sanders a long time ago. At times, his "Bernie Bros" have seemed as bad as the far-right Trump supporters that attack anyone who doesn't walk in lockstep with the Nazi or Nationalist beliefs and propaganda nonsense that was well on it's way to destroying what America was built on. We weren't perfect in the beginning of our democracy, and we still aren't, but we have evolved in logical ways that furthered out reputation on the world stage, and in society, so selfish agendas for personal ambition, are not something I take kindly to.

Where was Bernie Sanders, when his "bros" were trying to degrade the Democratic party after his loss to Hillary Clinton? Nowhere! Accept maybe off pouting somewhere about his loss in the 2016 primary, and plotting his next move in his attempt at relevance, as a viable presidential candidate in 2020, or perhaps preparing Elizabeth Warren for her rise to the presidency. Don't know. Don't care. What we needed last year was less... ME... and more...WE. Or is that asking too much in the fast food information age?

I have NO idea what the person who owns that car is really trying to say, but I know it provoke a reasonably passionate discussion between Alan and myself, and I did a lot of thinking about my expectations politically and socially. Are there heroes anymore? Did I fail to grow up about that? When "Deflategate" happened a few years ago, it was easy to think of it as a one off. A stupid situation of blatant cheating, that Tom Brady got away with. It was sports. Who cares... right? Stupid shit happens in sports. Who could imagine that it would flow over to the most important thing in our American existence... our democracy?

And if all this going on this week hasn't shaken me enough, Anthony Weiner is officially off to prison this week for engaging in an illicit communication with an underage Trump supporter! The idiot had a brilliant future in the Democratic party. He passionately worked for his constituents, and stood up for health funding for 9/11 first responders! Then he took a road he should have been smarter to not take. He will have 21 months to think about how HE was his own worst enemy, and how he gave Breitbart news not just relevancy, but, indeed, in his case, credibility. Hey, at least he pled guilty, and owned it! Thanks hero, I'm older and wiser now! I hope you are too!

So, if you care to speculate on what the person with, the car of three messages means, feel free to leave me a respectful response. I would love to hear some ideas! As for me, I think I have finally grown up about heroes, and villains, maybe they are simply the shortest route, to the easy way out of thinking it all through, when deciding what the hell to do!

#9 Leaf Of The Day

November 9th, 2017

Carson City, Nevada

Mood: Introspective

~Me

Stare, Pry, Listen, Eavesdrop

"Stare. It is the way to educate your eye, and more. Stare, pry, listen, eavesdrop. Die knowing something. You are not here long."

~Walker Evans

I love today's quote. I try... try mind you... to put all of my senses to work when I am taking photos. I want the full feeling to dictate how I approach a subject. Touch is usually the most difficult to use, because obviously, you can't always be in a position to touch the subject of the photograph! But when I can, I do.But when I can't I try to make some sort of contact with the subject. That usually means a smile or wave. Sometimes eye contact fills the moment just fine.

I took this photo way back in February. It is a bouquet that a lovely young lady was holding, while posing for what I think was her engagement photo. She and her man were at the Queen Wilhelmina garden in Golden Gate Park, and they were posed, on a blanket, sitting next to the emerging tulips and multicolored California poppies.

It was a very cold day, but with his arms around her, she was perfectly warm. He had a smile of a man who had found perfect happiness. All was right with the world on that cold, slightly drizzly day, for him it was bright and sunny outside, and just watching that much happiness, made me happy and warm inside as well. I felt warmer, just by witnessing their happiness. 

After the photo session was over for the couple, the young man helped his lady up, and they moved to another part of the park. I didn't want to disturb them when the photos were being done, so I didn't photograph them, but when the young lady placed her bouquet on the cement while she got up, I took a quick snap of the flowers. When I lowered the camera from my face, I saw the groom-to-be looking at me, patiently waiting for me to take my photograph of the bouquet, with the sweetest smile on his face. His expression seemed to say...

I know... right? :)

It was a good day to STARE, PRY, LISTEN, And EAVESDROP!

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

To Thine Own Shoe Be True

"If you were to ask me what's under my bed, I'd tell you shoes. They're brown, and they're still attached to the body that's been decomposing there since I hid it three days ago."

~Jarod Kintz, This Book Is Not For Sale

I came across this pair of tan deck shoes, hanging on a pole, in Haight Ashbury the other day. I named this photo "Pole Dancing" for obvious reasons. LOL. If you are in a creative mood, feel free to leave your own caption for this photo in the comment thread. I would love to see what you come up with.

And Now A Poem...

No red, Yes no?
In out, up down,
Do, don't, can, can't?
Choices sit on the shelf of life
New shoes in a shoe shop
If the crowd are squeezing into must-have shoes
And the one pair left are too tiny for you
Don't feel compelled into choosing them
If you're really a size 9, buy that size.
While everyone hobbles round with sore feet
Your choices should feel comfortable
Or they aren't your choices at all.
Why limp, when you can sprint?

~David Baird, Fiesta Of Happiness: Be True To Yourself

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Blue Heron At Crissy Field

"Birds know themselves not to be at the center of anything, but at the margins of everything. The end of the map. We only live where someones horizon sweeps someone else's. We are only noticed on the edge of things; but on the edge of things, we notice much."


~Gregory Maguire, Out of Oz

I wish I could have done better with this photo, but I was just so in awe of this Blue Heron that I wasn't ask focused as I should have been with the camera. Pun intended. Sometimes you have to miss really good moments, in order to capture the scene in front of you. Sometimes it's better to just enjoy the moment as and accept the memory rather than trying to make the moment immortal. It's always a split second decision. Good. Bad. Or otherwise. Over all I am happy with the photo as is. But the moment... it was a moment of unbelievable beauty.

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Hey! Shoes Don't Grow On Trees You Know!

 

Yes, No, Yes, No?
Red or Blue?
Yes Red, No Blue?
In Out, Up Down?
Do Don't, Can Can't
Choices Sit On The Shelf Life
New Shoes In A Shoe Shop.

If The In Crowd Are Squeezing Into A Must-Have Shoe
And The One Pair Left Are Too Tiny For You
Don't Feel Compelled Into Choosing Them
If You're Really A Size 9, Buy That Size.
While Everyone Else
Hobbles Round With Sore Feet
Your Choices Should Feel Comfortable
Or They Aren't Your Choices At All.

Why Limp When You Can Sprint?

~David Baird, Fiesta Of Happiness: Be True To Yourself

Shoes
By Shania Twain



Mood: Silly

~Me :)

A Photo A day For 6 Months: Day 151~ A Tale Of Two October Cities

"There is something in October that sets the gypsy blood astir. We must rise and follow her, when from every hill of flame, she calls and calls each vagabond by name."

~William Bliss Carman

City One: Half Moon Bay

Pumpkins from Apple Hill. This years crop looked especially colorful, and a bit larger than last year. I keep expecting to see an Apple Hill pumpkin win biggest pumpkin in the annual Half Moon Bay Pumpkin weigh-off, but alas the official pumpkin this year was grown in Oregon, and weighed in at 1,775 lbs. The Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival is next weekend, and we haven't decided if we are going yet, but we will be in Half Moon Bay sometime before the end of October, and I am really looking forward to seeing the winning pumpkin in person. I will have to try adding pumpkins to my garden next year, we'll see.

:)



"A house is never still in darkness to those who listen intently; there is a whispering in distant chambers, an unearthly hand presses the snib of the window, the latch rises. Ghosts were created when the first man awoke in the night."

~J.M. Barrie

City Two: Zanesville Ohio

About 18 years ago, Alan and I flew to the east coast to spend October with family. His parents had moved back there about a year earlier, and we missed them terribly, so what better way to spend our favorite month than by spending our favorite month with them. The autumn in Ohio was amazing! Crimson, deep gold and hints of purple filled the landscape. I took a lot of pictures with my old film camera, and each one told a tale all on it's own.

One late Sunday afternoon, Alan and I went out for a ride. It was just the two of us, looking for adventure with our cameras, when sure enough... we found it! We came to the end of a road near Zanesville, Ohio, that gave us a choice. Would we take the safe road, or would we continue our journey down a road that at least hints at it's own possible evil ends?

Someday I will share what we decided, but for now, tell me, how many roads have you been on in life that gave you such an honest choice?

Possibly Safe?

Possibly Evil?

What to do... What to do?

~Bwahahahahahahahahaha

~Me :)

Today's Link is from my pal JR. Thanks JR for your continued participation! You're the best!

JR
http://jrclinephotography.blogspot.com/2012/10/apadf6-149.html

Guest Starring Connie As Herself...

"When you take charge of your life, there is no longer need to ask permission of other people or society at large. When you ask permission, you give someone veto power over your life."

-Geoffrey F. Abert

Yesterday, I told you about an extraordinary journal post that I found on my pal, Connie's AOL Journal. In that post Connie asked us to consider the question, "What Would You Do If You Only Had 37 Days To Live?" There is a lot to think about, in terms of how I might want to live, but I also wanted to consider if I would share with others that my time on earth was suddenly limited. Connie remembered some really good people, Lahoma, and Pam, who both suddenly had to deal with watching the clock tick their life away. I didn't know Lahoma well, but I do I remember Pam's brave battle with Lung Cancer.

I was lucky enough to have spoken with her on the phone on numerous occassions, we were both Bay Area gals, and it was like speaking to my neighbor next door. She sounded exactly like I heard her in my head. Exactly. I didn't comment much on her journal, most of the time I simply couldn't find the right words, but she knew how much I cared about her, and one of the last conversations we had ended on a fun note, she asked me to have a scoop of peach ice cream for her. Whenever I have peach ice cream now, I always smile and remember my friend Pam. I will never forget her, and I visit her journal from time to time. Thanks Pam.

As I told you about Connie's "37 Days" entry, I forgot to mention that her journal is private. Actually, I am so used to going over there that I completely forgot, but she has given me permission to cut and paste her original entry into this entry, so you can read it. Please do. Please read it and consider how the knowledge that you will only have 37 days left on earth would affect your life. Would you change anything? Would you want to travel? Would you want to be alone? Would you tell someone off? Would you tell someone, who you haven't told before, "I Love You!"

What Would You Do?
By Connie

There is an author named Patti Digh, who wrote a book called Life Is a Verb: 37 Days to Wake Up, Be Mindful, and Live Intentionally. It's written to enlighten, and build a person up by making you think about what you would do if you knew you only had 37 days left on this planet to live. She also writes a blog entitled 37 days.

I haven't read the book, but I intend to. I did however read an excerpt from the book, and found it uplifting. I realize that a person is only human, and can't possibly live life 100% of the time in pure bliss. Life does tend to get in the way, and there are some things that make us sad, overwhelm us, make us angry, etc. But I really think I can take away a valuable lesson from this book. I encourage you to read an excerpt from the book and decide for yourself if you think it might be beneficial to your life. I'm willing to do just about anything for some clarity, and joy in my life, and if this book can help me do that then I'm going to be a sponge and soak up everything I can from it.

Now the question. What would I do if I knew I only had 37 days left on this earth to live?

I would tell everyone in my life how much I love them, and what their presence in my life has done for me.

I would worry less about what people think about me, and consider more what I think about me.

I would go outside and spend time brushing, petting, and playing with my dogs. I would hug them, and give them each a special chew treat. I would scratch my cats backs, and pet them, and give them each a can of really good cat food...not that hard stuff.

I would call my Aunt who I have hated in some ways for things she did while my Father was alive, and young and dumb, and try to forgive her for all the things she's done.

I would try to see as many beautiful things that I could. The Grand Canyon, Hawaii, The Metropolitan Museum Of Art, Yellowstone. So many places that I've always wanted to behold, and yet never could.

I would see the ocean, and let the sun beam down on my face, and feel the wind in my hair.

I would go to the cemetery and have a talk with my Dad, and forgive him.

I could go on forever, but you get the point. There are so many things in our lives that we think are important, and yet in the grand scheme of things, they are so small in comparison to the big picture.

Pam never thought in a million years that she wouldn't live out all her dreams. She fought cancer to the bitter end...most days thankful, some days beaten down and extremely sad. I still miss her, and I know many of you do also.

Lahoma never got to see her son grow up, get married, and become a Father. She never got to live out her dreams because cancer stole her life as well. I still can't believe she's gone.

We aren't guaranteed tomorrow, all we have is today. Hanging on to hate and resentment only drags us down. Forgiving is so much easier...and it doesn't matter who is wrong, and who is right. Even though we are all human, and we all ask "why me" I truly believe that everything happens for a reason, even if we never find out what that reason is. Always feeling sorry for yourself just keeps us beaten down, and sad.

I'm trying. That's all I can do. And I'm not going to quit trying.

So I ask you...If you knew you only had 37 days left...what would you do?

*Connie*

-Used by Permission Of Connie

-OndineMonet
"Emerging Water Lily"
San Francisco, California
Summer, 2006

My Continuing Adventures With Diabetes: Week #1 "Choices"

"My own prescription for health is less paperwork, and more running barefoot through the grass."

-Leslie Grimutter

The title of this entry is a bit misleading, actually it was 7 weeks ago today, that I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, but I want to start writing about my adventures with diabetes because I am learning new things every day, about myself, and about my condition. I hope by sharing I can help and inspire others with it to feel a little less alone, so, I have made a decision to update my blog with an entry devoted to what I learn, as I continue on, looking for knowledge and skills for living well with diabetes.

IHOP Garden Scramble Under 600 calories and 15g Fat

A dear friend asked me the other day, "How have you been doing... with your diabetes?" I had to think for a moment, and consider, what to respond. It was a perfectly legitimate question, and it felt good to have my friend ask about me, but the thing is, I am really, really OK most of the time. If it wasn't for checking my glucose readings several times a day, I wouldn't know anything was amiss. There are NO symptoms of Type 2 diabetes, especially early on in the disease. I was even told, by my health education leader, that she once worked at a health fair, in a booth devoted to educating the public on diabetes. One of the ways they did this, was to offer free finger tip testing.

On one of the days she worked the booth, a gentleman approached the booth to learn more about the disease. It seemed a friend at work had been recently diagnosed and he was interesting in finding out some statistics. She gave him some pamphlets and then offered to check his blood. Well, the man scoffed, "I am in my late 30's," he said, "and I am not overweight, and I feel fine." "Then why not see, what your random reading is?" said the health educator. He laughed, but finally said, "sure, okay." His reading was 410 mg/dl. Sigh. He found out that day, that he was also, a diabetic, and had more then likely been for quite sometime.

There are a lot of myths about diabetes that are mistaken for truths. Diabetes is an equal opportunity intruder. Skinny people get diabetes, fat people get diabetes, elderly people get diabetes, children get diabetes, and people who feel just fine, get diabetes. There are high risk lifestyles that may increase your chances, but it doesn't guarantee you will be afflicted. I am not sure why more isn't being done to educated the public about diabetes, but I know one thing, I didn't bother to educate myself on it, until I was diagnosed with it. Sigh. Why would I? I felt fine. Sigh. Truth is, even if I would have done extensive research into risk factors, and statistics, I wouldn't have been able to have stopped myself for contracting diabetes. It's just a fact. What I could have accomplished, however, was that I would have known right away that blaming myself, or trying to figure out just exactly how I had failed, would have been a waste of time, energy and emotion.



Mixed Fruit Approx 250 Calories, 0 Fat, 14 Carbs

I have good days, and some not so good days. I feel good when I get to tell someone, that the old myth about sugar being evil, simply isn't true. I don't have to give up anything, with diabetes, I just have to account for what I put into my body, and plan for certain things. I am eating pretty much what I always did, only in more reasonable. I haven't give up my love of fast food, I simply figure it into my daily intake for maintaining my weight maintenance.

So far, I am finding it to be challenging at times, but far from impossible. I am more hungry for knowledge, then a taco. LOL. It's OK, if I blow it once in a while. I keep track of what foods to do my blood, and act accordingly. As an example, if I want to go and have a meal, which might not be so good for my readings, I have it at lunch, and then take a long, moderately paced walk to help regulate my glucose numbers. Exercising after meals is good for bringing those numbers down. So far, the highest number I have had, 2 hours after a meal is 148 mg/dl. My before meal average is 117 mg/dl, After Meal is, 128 and Overall is, 121. My doctor says I am off to a good start, but there is always room to improve. I try to keep my stress level down, so Alan no longer allows me to watch the news during dinner. LOL. Yep, we are a George Bush free house during meal times. LOL. What can I say, he brings me stress. Sheesh. :)

One of the nice things about taking a long walk after a meal, is that you can discover the most amazing things. For instance, yesterday, I discovered autumn, sneaking into the woods of Tilden Park. :) I will speak more about my visit to the Botanic Garden up here in the hills of Berkeley, this weekend, for now enjoy the lovely leaves I found yesterday, and just think, we are only about a week away from autumn, the most beautiful time of the year, the season that brings every part of me to life. I would rather have a bouquet of autumn leaves, then roses any day, and yesterday, I was treated to just that, and diabetes didn't stop me, one little bit. :)

Website of the Week: Diabetes Mine

-OndineMonet
"Autumn Prelude"
Botanic Garden
Tilden Park
Berkeley, California
September 12, 2007
Afternoon