Stone, by Andy Goldsworthy

July 2, 2008 on 6:10 pm | In General, Photography Websites | No Comments

If you are a lover of nature and of man’s creative aspect within nature, then this fantastic collection of photographs is the perfect book for you. Andy Goldsworthy brings his unique perspective and relationship with nature through his photographs depicting his incredible stone sculptures.

Goldsworthy is a master at creating environments within an existing environment, blending elements of stone and form in striking patterns. He incorporates flowers, bark, leaves, steel and other formats within his stone sculptures.

His stone sculptures have been exhibited worldwide, from London to New York to Japan. To get an insight into his artistic endeavors, I highly recommend this photography book to everyone.
Stone is a book not to be missed.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, by Lisa See

June 26, 2008 on 10:22 am | In General | No Comments

“Snow Flower and the Secret Fan“, by Lisa See”, a Novel…I Give it Five Stars!

“Snow Flower and the Secret Fan” is a book that is a compelling story, written with historical fact and sensitivity, and a book of insight, intensity, and one of cultural practices, and what it means to be a woman (and a man) within societal traditions, influences and demands of the time period.

See has given us much to ponder, within the confines of the two main characters, Lily and Snow Flower. Each has taken out a contract to become “old sames”, partners in every aspect for life…even more intimate than a husband and wife relationship. We see their pains and joys, their lives unfold before our eyes, and we see their relationship grow, year by year, through the women’s secret writing of “nu-shu”, a way of communicating to each other. We see how foot-binding has given them opportunities that those who did not practice it had, and see how their husband’s status is linked to the foot-binding. Foot-binding, although limiting/repressive, is also a way that women were able to gain some power over their husbands and the world around them.

Living in 19th Century China was extremely harsh, and life was difficult on many levels. Husbands ruled over their wives, they could beat and abuse them, without fear of punishment, it was socially acceptable. There was a heirarchy, an order, within each household, that determined the authoritative pecking order. Women who practiced foot-binding were confined in the household, to the “women’s chamber”, where they spent, basically, their entire lives, with other women, each day, performing tasks like sewing their dowry clothes, quilts, linens, etc. They rarely saw sunlight, except through a window.

Lily, the narrator, takes us through the decades of her life, often filled with ignorance, even though she has high social standing in her environment, she is not emotionally intelligent. We see how her views often stick to the traditional mode, rather than the emotional aspect, and in that way she ends up not being the truly loving and empathetic “old same” that Snow Flower was (even though Snow Flower deceived her, on occasion). We see their lives filled with deceit, disloyalty, cruelty, yet, we also see that the Lily has written her story as a form of catharsis and redemption for her errors in understanding the true meaning of love and loyalty, the true meaning of compassion and caring. It is her form of atonement for what she knows she did not do, during the years that passed between her and Snow Flower.

The end brings atonement, to Lily and atonement to Sun Flower, in my opinion, and it does bring the two women together, as one Being, in a way we did not imagine.

It was a heartfelt and dramatic book, one I could not put down until I finished it. The story stays with you…long after you have read the book.

Flowery Fran

June 25, 2008 on 9:16 am | In General, Photography Websites | 4 Comments

Dearest Mommy,

Happy birthday to you! I know you are looking down on me. Happy birthday, dear mommy, my beautiful Flowery Fran.

It is a lovely morning, and I strolled out in front of my house, looking over my gardens, and finally letting my eyes rest on the rose bush that I planted in your honor the day I moved in, June 25, 2005, which happened to be your birthday.

With coffee cup in hand, I stood a few minutes, speaking to the rose bush, speaking to you, for I truly believe that your spirit lies within the branches, leaves, buds and blossoms. You loved roses, pink ones, especially. And, this particular rose bush is meaningful to me in ways only you would understand. It is a symbol of our mother-daughter connection, an umbilical chord of sorts, and so much more. I can’t begin to articulate what it means to me, for words could not fully describe my thoughts and feelings.

If I should move, I would dig the rose bush up, and carefully place it in earth from where it now thrives, and put it inside a large enough container to hold it and keep it alive. I could never leave this house, without your rose bush moving with me, without you near me, wherever I may go.

You believed in an afterlife, in angels and time’s tapestry. You believed that love binds us together in ways we can’t even begin to imagine. WE spoke on that subject often. You believed that the essence and strength of love would always surround us and watch over us. Well, I believe that, also, my dearest mommy. I believe we are all one, under the global umbrella. “Our flame is but a flicker in the candle of time” (L.M.). When one of us leaves this realm, we move to another one, and are a constant in time’s continuum. Our illumination and aura is still connected to those we left behind.

Signs are everywhere, and quite often we don’t see them. But, I try to be aware, I always try to feel the unseen life and the unknown, and try to hear the echoes of silence resound with your voice, your laughter, your song of love and joy.

I know you are there, nearby, hovering and looking over us. With your angel wings spread wide you envelope all of us, all the way down to your great-grandchildren, Anthony-boy and baby Emily-Girlie-Girl.

I speak to you several times a day, talk to the rose bush, and kiss your photo dearest mommy, dearest Flowery Fran.

I remember my birthday in 2004, your vocal chords paralyzed leaving you unable to speak, and how you hummed happy birthday to me, as Howie and I stood at the foot of your bed. It took a lot of effort for you to do that, but you did it with a big smile on your face, while tears streamed down mine. Howie even shed a tear or two. It’s a precious memory to me, one I treasure. And, now, I sing it back to you.

Happy birthday, dear mommy, happy birthday to you. I give you one beautiful, multi-colored pink rose. But, when I think about it, in reality, you brought me an illumination of you, today…on your birthday, within that one beautiful, mult-colored pink rose. As always, your selflessness shines bright. My gift to you…the rose, your gift to me…the rose…Flowery Fran.

I felt you near, it brightened the beginning of my day. I hope my prose brightens yours.

I love you, dear mommy.

Great Falls State Park

June 17, 2008 on 6:04 pm | In General | 5 Comments

The natural environment of Great Falls State Park, located in both Virginia and Maryland, is amazingly beautiful.

The natural wonders can be breathtaking, as the rushing Potomac River flows forcefully, creating swirls and waves that are awesome to look at.

Who thought there was abundant nature and loveliness just a short distance from Washington DC, where the Potomac flows into an area bordered by both states.

One can hear the falls flowing in the background, as you walk towards them, creating strong sounds within the environment.

The morning trip and hike was a nice way to start the day, and I am glad I found out about the Great Falls State Park, as I would have missed an area filled with extreme beauty.

Let Us Not Forget, 64-Years Ago, Today

June 6, 2008 on 11:03 am | In General | 3 Comments

Sixty four years ago, on June 6th, 1944, is the day the Invasion of Normandy began. This day is also known as D-Day, a day when the allies began to try to liberate mainland Europe from Nazi Germany.

The National D-Day Memorial, Bedford, VA

Let us all take a moment to reflect on, and remember, all of those who contributed to the liberation of mainland Europe (no matter what their country), whether in the military, back home doing their share, or by helping to rescue Jews from the Nazis.

Photograph: One of the windows of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington DC

The National D-Day Memorial, Bedford, VA

Those men and women who died/sacrificed their lives on D-Day and during World War II deserve a moment of honor and reflection, as well as all of the living veterans, survivors and liberators who sacrificed their lives.