April 22, 2009

Stephanie from Rodrigvitz Style posted two stunning photo's HERE and included a link to a pretty cool project - Earth Mosaic.

I wanted to participate, but didn't know if I'd get a chance to take a photo ... well, work lasted longer than expected and first trip out (when the light was near about as perfect as I would get) I realized the memory card was not in the camera ... UG! Raced home to grab it and headed back out to the original spot ... sun setting ... boo ... snapped quick shots in hopes of capturing something ... *sighs* ... settled on uploading these two:



I was really hoping that I would capture some vast and beautiful water shot. Unfortunately, I missed that "good sky" window. Since I missed it, I did a complete 180 and focused on what was at my feet.

Would you believe me if I told you the shot above reminds me of the Earth? I know ... it's not round. The continental look of the algae that got me.

The one below is a shot of some exposed root system. If I had been less rushed I am sure that I would have taken a number of macro shots of this one as the wood grain is pretty amazing and there's tons of debris (in the form of sand, shells & other random bits) filling all the crevices.

Neither shot is what I had anticipated uploading, but honestly, I am pleased that I was able to contribute.

I know that many of you had your camera's out today in celebration of Earth Day ... The site is open to upload pictures until April 30th (only those taken within the 24 hour period that is April 22, 2009). If you are interested in participating, just go HERE to upload your Earth Day photo(s).

on that note, I leave you with these:

"Generally speaking, a howling wilderness does not howl: it is the imagination of the traveler that does the howling."
~ Henry David Thoreau

"Nature is full of genius, full of the divinity; so that not a snowflake escapes its fashioning hand."
~ Henry David Thoreau

"Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes."
~ Henry David Thoreau

Dia de Bloglandia

Happy Dia de los Muertos!

I am happy to celebrate this very special day by taking part in Stephanie & Susanna's Dia de Bloglandia uber-Grande par-tay extraordinaire!

I had a very strong desire to create an ofrenda (altar) in honor of the people I love that have passed, but must admit I had a hard time getting started ... I was nervous that I wouldn't be able to come up with anything worthy of the emotion I feel for those I hoped to honor ... that is until this morning.

I knew I wanted to include at least one traditional Mexican craft & realized I had everything I needed to make paper flowers (most of us do have these items on hand - tissue paper & pipe cleaners), so that's where I started ... the rest, well, it just seemed to fall into place ...

There are six people I am remembering today. The two candles sort of center right are for my Grandfather and my Omi. My Grandfather Pitcairn passed on October 12th of this year; he was 95 and died in his sleep. I can't think of a more gentle way to go. When I found out, all I could think of is that he and my Omi were finally together again. Theirs was a love that not only survived World War II (in Germany, no less), rations & two daughters that both married American men and left their home country for the United States, but thrived. They were more in love in their "golden" years than they even were in the beginning. I loved both of them dearly & was blessed to have been able to spend quite a lot of time with them considering the distance between us ... plus, there was always the letters back and forth.

The four candles clustered to the left are for friends of mine who's lives were tragically cut way too short (in my humble opinion, at least) - John, Brian, Mac & Bill - all on separate occasions. I still miss them dearly and think of each of them often. They are in a very real way responsible for the woman I am today. For that, I will forever be grateful; they will always occupy a sacred space in my heart.

I learned that it is traditional to light an extra candle for forgotten souls, so I have added the larger white candle to the left of the raised portion. See if you notice other traditional items that I included in this ofrenda.

The simple papal picado (banner) below includes "flags" with the names of those I've mentioned.

Special Message: To the lovely gals that won one of my mock sugar skulls from Vanessa's party way back when, you might see your little gems in these photo's ... my sincerest appologies for the delay, but their presence here today is very appropriate and greatly appreciated. They will most definitely be on their way to you come Monday.

Building this ofrenda was truly an amazing experience for me. I felt such a joyful peace in creating it & my heart actually new when it was complete. Once I lit the candles, I sat in silence for quite some time before taking any photographs. I offer my sincerest thanks to Susanna & Stephanie for hosting this beautiful event.

... and on that note, I am off to visit all the other participants ...

Happy Dia de los Muertos!

(ps - click on any of the images for a larger view)