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It’s good when you can’t explain a picture, because that means it’s visual.
Elliott Erwitt
Let me just say, I found beauty in a boat yard….
Do you have a favourite? If you’re so inclined, let me know in the comments.
Fractured windows…
Highlights of 2015 in pictures…
When 2015 began I didn’t have any definite plans, just some directions and intentions — such as taking our boat to the Bahamas in the spring…But as often happens, unexpected opportunities popped up and so did some nice surprises, leading to a full, rich and rewarding year.
Of course there were some sad times too, such as losing our beloved Charles the Westie in December, but these were outweighed by the good ones.
Here are just a few highlights in pictures…
Attending a photography workshop in Delray Beach — February
I decided to go to this workshop on the spur of the moment when I was in Florida and am so glad I did. Contemplative photography is about recognizing flashes of perception, staying present and keeping open to what is really before you — so that you see and photograph in a fresh way. We shot texture and colour and patterns. It was enormous fun. Windex for the eyes. Read more here.
Colour
Falling in love with a litter of Golden puppies — February
These five puppies stole my heart at the marina where we were living. Their frolicking and affectionate cuddling brought daily joy. All of them lived on a boat with their parents Punkin and Fuzzy and came to shore several times a day for play time. I had such a great time capturing their antics. Happily, they all went on to find good homes. Read more here.
Sailing to the Bahamas on Windsong II — March/April
How could this not be a highlight — cruising the pristine waters of the Bahamas in a sailboat, meeting new friends and meeting up with old friends from home? We did it for about five weeks and saw new and gorgeous places this year — so much beauty I couldn’t begin to capture it all, so I had to take a lot back in memory form.
Shooting the New Vintages Tailgate Event in Niagara with my sister on her birthday — June
This was my first foray into paid event photography. I went to visit my sister to celebrate her birthday and she asked me if I would like to be second shooter for her at a wine event. Well, I thought I would give it a go. It turned out to be quite a challenge, which I knew going in, but it was also totally enjoyable. I have great admiration for my sister, who does these kinds of shoots on a regular basis as part of her marketing/communications business.
Having an image published in a spread in the LCBO Vintages magazine — June
Well, this was fun. Through my sister, the good folks at i4c (International Chardonnay Celebration) asked if they could use one of my images of their 2014 event in an advertising spread in the LCBO Vintages magazine. They offered to pay in wine. Well, that was a no-brainer. Of course they could.
Trip to the Northwest Territories to see family — August/September
A very important part of our family now lives very far away from us — way up north of the 60th parallel in the Northwest Territories. This is not an area that too many Canadians ever travel to. We don’t know how long this phase of their life will last so we decided to go visit and see what they were experiencing for ourselves. The terrain was rugged and fascinating and the wildlife was amazing — but challenging to capture with my camera. The highlight of this highlight was playing with the grandkids.
Quick trip to West Virginia — September/October
In mid-fall, we accepted a friend’s kind offer to spend time at a cabin in West Virginia. We hit some cool and rainy weather, which gave me the welcome chance to shoot some moody, misty shots.
Donating an image to the Mosaic on Mental Health in Halifax — October
My cousin helps organize an art festival to support mental health programs in Nova Scotia every year. She asked if I would be willing to donate one of my images. I was honoured and delighted. It was way too far to go to see the exhibition, but it was a huge success and a lovely lady was pleased to walk away with my piece. Win/win!
Winning the Grand Prize in a photo contest — November
Well, this was a stunner. On a whim, I entered a photo contest that was looking for images of my county — Lanark County. I submitted a barn image made near my home on Christmas Day and another one of our river. A month later, I received an email to say I had won the Grand Prize and smaller prize. Frankly, I was gobsmacked. I did put the prize money to good use though — some I donated and the rest went to camera equipment!
Let your life flow by balancing intentions with opportunities and hang on to neither with a life-and-death grip.
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The inspiring story of the Angel Oak…
A six-image panorama of the Angel Oak, one of the oldest trees east of the Mississippi.
Being in the presence of a huge live oak tree that may be older than half a millennium and has survived hurricanes and floods is awe-inspiring enough, but even more so is the story of the determined young woman who set out to save the tree from destruction.
When I was looking at images of Charleston, South Carolina recently, I ran across pictures of an amazing old tree called the Angel Oak, which captivated me. It looks like something out of a beautifully illustrated children’s fable.
I discovered that it wasn’t too far from the B and B we were booked to stay at. I really wanted to see this unique tree and pay homage to its fortitude. I thought I’d like to try a panorama shot of the tree.
But once I dug a little deeper and found out the whole story behind it, I was even more eager to make the visit.
The Angel Oak Tree stands 66.5 ft (20 m) tall, measures 28 ft (8.5 m) in circumference, and produces shade that covers 17,200 square feet (1,600 m2). There is considerable debate about the age of the Angel Oak. Some contend that it is more than 1,000 years old. Most believe that it’s probably more like 400 to 500 years. BUT STILL!
Live oaks stay green all year round and never appear to be without life, not something we see in our part of Canada. It has been said that “the Angel Oak’s branches look like they have slowly moved heaven and earth. Some are as long as a blue whale and as thick as a hippopotamus.”
Siegel: “When you’re standing at the base of the tree, you see the world through the eyes of a child again. You understand how connected the world is.”
Not only is this the story of a tree that wouldn’t give up, it’s the story of a young woman named Samantha Siegel, who also refused to give up.
Samantha had loved the tree all her young life — and had even written a novel featuring it. Angels Living in Trees: A Brief History on Roots tells the stories of the women who have lived around the tree over the centuries, from a Native American to a slave, to Martha Angel (the tree’s namesake) to a modern day woman, Sophie. Siegel wrote the book in the shade of the Angel Oak’s branches over three months in 2007.
When she found out in 2008 that the land around was slated for development she feared for the tree and determined to mount a campaign to stop it. Initially it was a one-woman campaign because although many signed her petition, nobody thought there was even a slight chance she could actually change anything.
She was quoted as saying: “Every city employee, every government employee, said, ‘It’s a done deal. There’s nothing you can do,’ and looked at me like, ‘You poor, little, young, idealistic girl. You’re not going to make a difference,'” says Siegel.
It was a long, hard, complicated battle. Samantha and her supporters spent huge swaths of time doing meticulous research, gathering supporters, and constructing road signs to oppose the development. They set up a web site and organized public meetings.
In the end, Samantha instigated enough public awareness and support that adequate funds were raised to purchase the land immediately around the tree and a parcel beyond that. Development was stopped.
Samantha says that she “went from a stagnant dreamer to a full-blown activist in a matter of days. Sometimes it takes something like this to wake you up.”
Here’s a short video of the tree and a remarkable young woman who wouldn’t take no for an answer.
Thank you, Samantha. Such an inspiring story to start the New Year.
Another view of the Angel Oak
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Where the pulse beats more…
I think everything is interesting, but at the same time you can’t just photograph everything you see. There’s some places where the pulse beats more.
Henri Cartier-Bresson
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A New Year’s Wish for all of us…
An awake heart is like a sky that pours light.
Hafiz
Parker Palmer has written a short but profound article called MyFive New Year’s Revolutions. I encourage you to have a look.
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Eat, drink and be merry…
The fondest memories are made gathered around the table.
For those of us who have a bountiful table, may this season remind us how blessed it is to give and share with others. And may we all be guided and surrounded by light and love now and always.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
I’ll be taking a bit of a blogging break as I move from one place to another. Thank you for spending time with me in 2015 here on the blog — and for offering the gifts of your encouragement and support. I am very grateful.
Til we meet again…
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At the winter solstice…
There are dark shadows on the earth, but its lights are stronger in the contrast.
Charles Dickens
so in the spirit of the year–happy solistice!
may there be ever present and growing light in your life as nature unfolds the same in the upcoming months.
George Meredith
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Homemade holidays…
Blueberry lemon loaf…
Toffee chocolate shortbread…
Candied cashews went in here..
Turtle cookies…
I sewed up some bottle bags to hold local libations…
“Homemade. Handmade. Healthy. Helpful. From Here.
The goal is to ensure that my gifts meet at least one of these criteria, and hopefully several. It’s not hard to do, and in fact, is a lot more fun in the process!”
Elena Galey-Pride, Founder, 5H Giving
Sign up to 5H Giving for lots of great ideas to add more meaning to your holiday giving…
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It needs repeating over and over…
This is a poem for someone who is juggling her life.
Be still sometimes. Be still sometimes.
It needs repeating over and over to catch her attention over and over because someone juggling her life finds it difficult to hear.
Be still sometimes. Be still sometimes.
Let it all fall sometimes.
Rose Cook
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Lurking close at hand…
From the archives…Green Turtle Cay beach
Sherrygaley.com 