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Friday, August 31, 2012

The power of photos...

Grandkids fishing


I love this picture.  It was taken about 3 or 4 years ago in the hill country around San Antonio.  We had so much fun that day catching catfish... and this shot just seems to bring it all back to me.  It's funny how a picture or a word or even an odor can do that.



Night blooming cereus




This plant is another of my favorite things.  It's not a beautiful plant... a bit stringy and sad looking when not blooming, but I find it makes the most fantastic flower with the most indescribable alluring scent (if one could only 'capture' what we smell as well as some cameras capture what we see...) When it blooms (which is usually in the middle of the night), it gives off this euphoric scent that causes even my cats to gather round it. And the bloom only lasts a few hours, dying slowly with the soft grace of a wilting dove.  Amazing...

Talking about capturing 'what we see'... 


Sometimes I'm so disappointed in the photo taken as it simply doesn't do the scene justice.  I guess our eyes 'see' things the best... or our minds and hearts enhance the scene internally?  Not sure, only that occasionally the camera does capture 'something'.... like a moment of happiness.  I find my favorite photo of my parents is not any of the formal ones taken for posterity, but a simple snapshot taken while visiting us in Texas that captured 'something' I can't describe... all I know is that the photo makes me happy to look at it.



my mom and dad in the sixties






This is not at all what I planned to blog about today, but my muse seems to have a mind of his/her own.  I was going to talk about something I read regarding retirement and happiness, but will save that for another day.

BTW: My family in New Orleans have all checked in and are OK.  Thanks for your prayers. We are forever thankful that the levees held, but please continue to pray for those who live in those areas devastated by Isaac such as Plaquemines Parish, La Place, etc. as well as all those affected in Mississippi and surrounding areas. 

12 comments:

  1. First, I'm glad all of your family members are okay. I've seen some coverage on the news, of course.

    Second, I think you've the right of it in that our hearts and minds add to what we see with the eyes. And most of us can't quite capture that with the lens alone. Except for professional photographers who have both talent and tech knowledge and create Art. Those are few and far between, though, in spite of so many people thinking they're "Photographers" just because they have a DSLR. Following photographic rules and taking a good shot isn't the same as photography as art, IMO.

    Other artists, like painters, sculptors, etc. can create what our hearts and minds see, too, sometimes.

    And of course this is all very much an individual thing, as what moves one person won't necessarily move another. :-)

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    1. "...what moves one person won't necessarily move another". You are 'right on' there. What gets me the most is when I look at something (say a scenic view that is amazing), and then look at it through the lens of a camera, it loses something. And of course there have been times when something is captured on camera that wasn't noticed while viewing through the lens. So I guess it's a two-way street.

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  2. All those pictures make me smile, too. Well done.

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    1. I love it when something makes me smile. And as I age, I find more things do.

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  3. Dear Rian,
    They are such beautiful photos, especially the kids and your parents. They look so happy.
    Enjoy the Labor Day weekend.

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    1. Thank you, John. I guess that's why I like the photos so much.

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  4. We have a number of great fishing pictures in our family--great in the sense of kindling fond memories when we see them. We have so many photos that we could really bore neighbors and friends, but even the bad shots remind us of something worth our remembering.

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    1. We had a fishing camp on Grand Isle that my dad and uncle built. So fishing with my dad always was a treasured time. Now fishing in general brings back fond memories.

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  5. Thanks for visiting. My archive blog is mainly for me to keep track... and find things that I may want to retrieve. It helps me see how things have changed... and amazes me at how cyclic (is that the right word?)we are (meaning we tend to do the same things at the same time - year after year). But everyone is welcome!

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  6. Thank you for stopping by my blog, and leaving a comment!!!

    You are in TX and we are in the NE. Where Autumn comes sooner. And when I say "open windows," I mean, with screens on. I never, never allow windows/doors/anything open, without use of screens! I hate all flying bugs, and mosquitoes think I am the "most delicious" person, in the area!!!!!

    My heart goes out to you, with the West Nile worry!!! I worry up here too, because although not as bad, this general area is getting them too. I constantly am worried-about both Ticks, and Mosquitoes.<---Which of course, drives my husband and extended family *kinda'nuts.* But! That's me!

    My husband does what I say, about protection. He has learned, over 53 years of marriage, that it is easier to do-as-I-say. And, I have been proven right, so many, many, many times, that he doesn't even complain. -gigggggles-

    Gentle hugs,
    "Auntie"

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  7. Your photos are precious!!!

    Re: Photos bringing back memories, and just-a-snap-shot being the most purrrrrfect photo op... If you would please go back to my blog and look at my day-before-blog entry. It has an example of one of those wonderful just-a-snap-shot pics in it. :-)

    Oh Dear Me... You make your Dear Readers do the Word Verification Setting, in order to leave a comment here. Do you know that this Setting is on? I ask, when I see the *dreaded* Word Verification Setting on in a blogger's Comments. Some people do not, not, not want it to be on, but do not, not, not know it is on. Unless someone tells them.

    Please don't be upset with me, for asking. I'd rather ask, than simply choose to go away and not read a blog any more, without telling the blogger why I have difficulties with commenting in their blog. (The *dreaded* Word Ver. Setting)

    Gentle hugs,
    "Auntie"

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    1. I did go back and looked at your day-before-blog and the photo... and isn't it wonderful how you can capture happiness (to some extent)?

      As for 'word verification', I'm not sure that I know how to turn it off... but I'll check it out.

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