Fotografaire - Blog and Photography

Flowery Fran

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 cord 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.

Garnet Hill Jewel

Garnet Hill Synagogue is the first synagogue to be built in Glasgow, Scotland. It was dedicated on a cloudy day, September 9, 1879. At the time, Glasgow had a Jewish population of 700 people.

John McLeod, of Hope Street, Glasgow, was the architect. He left nothing to imagination, on the Romanesque-looking exterior of the synagogue, from its massive columns, to the ornate turrets and Byzantine-like expressiveness, the synagogue attracted worshipers and visitors from all over.

The opening of the Garnet Hill Synagogue was a major occasion, and cause for celebration, as the Jews previously worshipped in a rented room, in 1825, and then in a flat, before deciding to build what is now Garnet Hill Synagogue.

From the lovely scrollwork on the iron gate, one walks the path towards the steps. The rich wood of the front door is welcoming, and the Star of David is present above the door, illuminating to everyone in its quietude. Garnet Hill Synagogue stands proudly, on a cobble stoned street, reflecting past and present. and it has been a strong community force for over almost 130 years.

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National Gallery of Art Exhibition

The National Gallery of Art has a new exhibit on display: In the Forest of Fontainebleau - Painters and Photographs from Carot to Monet. It opened March 2, 2008, and runs through June 5, 2008.

There are more than 100 works by artists such as Monet, Carot, Millet, and many more. If you are in the area during this time frame, why not take the excellent opportunity to see this exhibit.
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Through May 4th, the exhibit Impressed by Light: British Photographs from Paper Negatives, 1840-1860 is on display.

Why not see two wonderful exhibits on the same day, if you are in town.

Amazing - “The Rolling Exhibition”

The Rolling Exhibition, by Kevin Connolly is a must see!

I came across a fantastic photography gallery! Not only is the young man an inspiration to so many others, but his gallery is resounding throughout the photography world, due to his unique perspective.

Visit his gallery, and you will see what I mean.

Jewish Life Photographs Catalogue

“People of a Thousand Towns” This poignant and historical catalogue of photographs is a must see, if you are interested in photographs of pre-World War II Eastern Europe. There are 17,000 photographs spanning the late 1800s through th early 1940s, documenting Jewish Life.

All the photographs I have seen on the website have given me more insight into Eastern Europe Jewish life, and they have moved me, in many ways. The photographs are varied, and deal with all facets of Jewish life and culture, traditions, employment, celebrations, shtetl life, etc.

Take a look at “Women in Communal Towns“.

The catalogue of “People of a Thousand Towns“: The Online Catalog of Photographs of Jewish Life in Prewar Eastern Europe is compelling, and it is an incredible historical look at Jewish life before World War II.

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