What If There Was No Water?

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Rhetorical, yes.....but just image. No, you can't - everything living depends on it! Precious - Premium - $5 a bottle, at an airport. I wouldn't be without it. I love it.

I was sad to see Johnny Brook at Fays Corner not running this fall.

Johnny Brook at Fays Corner - dry PhaseOne IQ 180 80mm 1sec f7.1 ISO 35

Johnny Brook at Fays Corner PhaseOne IQ 180 80 mm 120sec f14 ISO 35

Johnny Brook at Fays Corner PhaseOne IQ 180 80 mm 120sec f14 ISO 35

The image, without the falls, is scary - I show it here for affect only. The image has no "flow" without the falls - it's a reject, as a photograph.

Huntington River Falls 2 Drought PhaseOne IQ 180 30sec f12 ISO 35

Huntington River Falls Hasselblad Stellar10.4mm 1/20sec f4 ISO 100

Water levels, in the Champlain Basin, are low, very low. Lake Champlain hasn't been at these levels since 1941. There is such a delicate balance in nature. I remember, and treasure, my shooting of the floods in 2011 and then, unbelievably, the drought of 2012 - How can it be so drastic from one year to the next?.......and then this, in 2016. One expert commentator said, "it's not the droughts I worry about, it's the floods - since the 60's it's the high water levels that concern me". God only knows - That's for sure rain-man. We deserve to keep every bit of the gift of water we get CLEAN!

Unruly, Enigma

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Some referred to me as the enigma, while us CPA partners at MHA & Co. were struggling with issues in the early 90's. I am proud to be called an enigma - mystery, puzzle, question, .........well, maybe not "problem". (I googled the word). Enigmas are different, unique, aren't they? That is how I interpret enigma - unique. Since the 90's, I have ran with - celebrating uniqueness.  In fact, I made it centerpiece in my mantra - "Love in the Moment .... contribute my uniqueness; accept my uniqueness, as well as that of others, with respect, patience and a sense of humor".

Nurturing and planning to one's uniqueness became a major thrust of my financial planning practice, culminating in my treatise ADVOCATE PLANNING; To Do What You Love To Do (free download from this blog site www.MySCGpriorities.com.) We all should be so lucky to know, nurture, and celebrate our uniqueness!

I was keenly attracted to Sieur de Monts, at Acadia National Park, both, last year and this, while photographing in the park. I didn't really understand why, until recently, when I processed Unruly, with the help of David and Shannon, my mentors at Light and Landscape magazine members group. 

Unruly PhaseOne IQ 180 120mm 1/3 sec f16 ISO 35 Topaz filter

Last year I attended a PhaseOne Photo workshop, with mostly professionals, and everyone walked though the swampy boardwalk area, without capturing an image, accept me. 

Sieur de Monts Boardwalk PhaseOne IQ 180 120mm 1/6 sec f16 ISO 35

I was uniquely attracted to the area - to make sense of the unruly birch and brush. I am attracted to the birch and brush going, uniquely, every which way. Might I be personally identifying with the stubbornness to naturally "fall in line"?

My favorite image of the year may very well be Birch Berries and Brush, captured just yards away from Unruly and Boardwalk. (I presently have 15  candidates for favorites of 2016. I have little over a month to add to the list, before I post my selections. I hope you will view my choices.) I Love it!

Birch Berries and Brush PhaseOne iQ 180 1/3 sec f16 ISO 35

Translucent

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I want to share "Translucent".

Translucent PhaseOne IQ 180 35 mm 1/40 sec f22 ISO 35

I was driving home from "the land" one stormy day last week, fall colors still strong, and the sun peaked through, back-lighting the scene above, I call it Translucent. I braked, turned around, and captured the wonderful light passing through the brilliant Maples, during the five minutes the sun lit up the trees.

It's been a great fall for photography. As I mentioned in a previous post, I tend to favor more muted colors in my images, www.mesipe.com, (see new prints or trees) because they have, for me, more staying power, printed big and hung on the wall. Translucent is no exception, but it caught my attention, for now - present impact. I love it.

A week and the the leaves will be down, ready to receive the beautiful white rain. 

The Best Fall....ever!

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I had a chance to photograph, thank God, a lot this October www.mesipe.com. I do not remember an October more spectacular than this for photography......and I'm 70. Maybe my appreciation is heighten, having lost (and mostly regained) my ability to walk, with my June 10th stroke now in the past..

Field of Dreams PhaseOne IQ 180 120mm 1/25th f12 ISO 35 stitched and filtered

I love to walk the woods and photograph in Fall. I focused on rivers and streams of the  Champlain basin this year, knowing that is a element lacking in my images for Lake Champlain, Our Basin of Relations - a culture of clean water, a forthcoming coffee table book that environmentalist, editor and lead writer, Trevien Stanger will bring real value to. A book website has recently been launched at www.champlainbasinrelations.wordpress.com. I have 50 of so images I have preliminarily identified for the book at www.mesipe.com at the menu - Lake Champlain Project/book fifty?

I love the image (above), Field of Dreams, It is where the family photo studio is planned.....and (just to tie it into the river thing) Johnny Brook is just beyond the trees in the foreground. Johnny brook leads to the Winooski River, which is a major tributary for Lake Champlain. 

 

Acadia Fall

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Birch Berries Brush PhaseOne IQ 180 120mm 1/3 sec f16 ISO 35

No, I didn't fall while at Acadia National Park in Maine last weekend - thanks to Bridget, who stayed close to my side and nurtured me over any questionable terrain. Fall, the season, was like last year - I was there at the same time of the year, for a photo workshop - not very much color. However, the color driving home through western Maine, New Hampshire and north eastern Vermont was spectacularly colorful.

River's Edge PhaseOne IQ 180 80mm 1/3 sec f16 ISO 35

Bright fall colors are nice to see, but hard to capture for lasting viewing - at least for me. I tend to like more monochromatic scenes with subtle versus vibrant colors. See www.mesipe.com, New Prints, to see a few more images I like from my first, post stroke, journey back to Acadia National Park.

It was unbelievably special to walk, see and capture natural beauty last weekend, with Bridget, Robin, Melissa and the two Light and Landscape professional mentors - Shannon and David. I got to tell you, if you like to take photos and want to learn more about photography, you need to check out Light and Landscape magazine (free digital magazine) and their member group. I was one of the founding members of the photo group; it is a new group. Being new and early on allows me to have great access to photo help, inexpensively- from basic stuff to detailed how to's with Photoshop, Lightroom and valuable plug-ins. See wwwLightandLandscape.co. It's a real value for beginner hobbyists to professionals. 

The Value of an Argument.

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NONE, as I see it. Oh, there may be value to one or the other to be able to vent anger to a another person, but let's call that expressing anger......and I would think that the other(s) would actually be listening - a place for anger to land is likely to have some value, as the ability to get it off your chest has some value. An argument though is just people yelling at each other, sometimes simultaneously, with no interest in listening to the other side - unlike a debate, where at least you have a third party listening, where maybe, with open minds, someone learns something. When I hear people with opposing sides, yelling at each other, at the same time, I throw up, change the channel or move away...and escape with my photography..

I hate arguments, simultaneous yelling. We must think the louder we yell the more we are heard. Really? It's a turn off to me, maybe stemming from hearing my dad yell a lot. I guess that is a little different then an argument, though - you didn't dare yell back at my dad, with your disagreement, without expecting a major consequence. Yelling is the sign for me to move on....unless it is me yelling: then I want someone to say - "It's ok Mike, you are always right". 

Vase Full View PhaseOne IQ 180 120mm 3 sec f18 Photo Painting 75%

Arguing is a waste of time, making no connection, especially the louder you yell. I am not going to waste anymore  time talking about it. I am up for more and better connecting, though. 

I love to connect with my photography. I took this image a couple hours ago and it connects with me. The vase was a gift from our son Michael. I appreciate it more with this capture. It's beautiful and so are the flowers. I  don't have to go far to find beauty. Although, being able to drive, after having my stroke in June, will be a special treat, I hope to have the privilege to do in October. Here i come, my New England.

Balance

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How long can you stand on one leg?

Black Crested Night Heron Canon EOS IDS Mark III 600mm 1/500 sec f16 ISO 320

I suspect not as long as the Heron above. I was surprised when I googled the subject. I am curious because I am just now finding some, post-stroke, success with standing on one leg or the other. I found that on the average, the ability to stand on one leg or the other diminishes dramatically after your fifties - It goes from about 40 seconds, with eyes open, in your fifties and below 20 seconds, on average, in your 70's. And, with your eyes closed, you can divide those numbers by 3!

Wow. I hear this diminishing result is not necessarily destiny - it is the result of sitting much more, on average, after your fifties. Maybe it is time to take up Yoga......that is, after I get through Rehab. By the way, I am shooting to get to about 20 seconds before the end of Rehab and 40 seconds with much personal challenge after formal rehab.

Change

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I hate change. I love change. Which is it? It depends.....on my mood at the moment! Maybe it is about attitude, and with a little help, I can decide on the attitude I have. I know this to be true.

Thunderbirds 2 Canon EOS 1DS Mark III 400mm 1/1600 sec f16 ISO 400 

On August 14th I had my first, post-stroke, photo outing, assisted by my sister Elizabeth. It was an air-show over Lake Champlain. The clouds were great. The Thunderbirds were impressive. I scared everyone around me, including myself, when my excitement got the best of me as the Thunderbirds flew directly over head, and I wobbled crazily when I stood without aid and panned the camera, with a 400mm lens attached, trying to catch the expert flyers with a great back-drop. I could have sat in my "stroller" and watched the show, but I loved the moment by "going for it", instead of being perfectly safe, as some of my OT's would have suggested. Elizabeth was great, allowing me to risk a fall to capture an image I could get excited about. She did keep me clear of the nearby rocks and water though, and I know she had a sigh of relief when the show was over. She said more than once, while here to help over the last two months, "not on my watch" - an obvious statement of responsibility for my well-being.

In the last few years I lost my planning position, moved twice, had a stroke and Patty's presence  is passing. Expressed differently - I received a nice severance from a good acquirer of my practice, with a great four year employee contract. I had time to write of book of appreciation to clients, about thoughts over a long career, dedicating the book to my great life-time advocate - Patty. I have more time for family and fine-art photography in my new wonderful New England surroundings. I can now love each moment I have with Patty with what is, while I recover completely from a short-term inconvenient stroke! 

I choose the love priorities - self-realizing, connecting and giving - to the extent I am given the ability to do so. Life is good!

 

 

Trust is Tricky

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I had a saying with associates - Without Trust there is Nothing - Meaning mostly - why would anyone what to allow us to handle their money without total trust in us? In client surveys Trust always popped to the top as our most important attribute that attracted Clients to us. Trust is a value of character near the top of the list of values for me. 

Fair Trade. Cantania Fish Market. Trust.

The tricky part of trust is - how do you balance trust with reasonable risk, worthy of your taking, to advance your interests. One doesn't want to 'Howard Hughes it' and trust nothing, while sitting  naked in a sanitized room, with nothing but "clean x" to connect with. 

I don't want to mention names, but I am beginning to believe that politicians and the media are the antithesis of trust - saying whatever their particular listeners want to hear, or whatever is necessary to get votes/readership! I think I am changed forever.....I am only looking at collective positions on issues now. knowing that in the long-run people (collectively) will solve the obvious problems  (debt, social security, medicare, social justice, legalities....oh, so many), one way or another. I trust in people - in the long-run, like I trust that stocks will have the highest returns - in the long run. And, I believe we are all dead in the long run and, mostly, I Trust in God.

I asked Nick (the name I gave the imaged person above) if I could take his picture, while at the Catania, Sicily Fish market. I loved the face, the character. He agreed to 2 euro - a fair exchange, I thought, for the second I took to snap the image with my compact. I pulled out all the change I had in my pocket and he said I'll take it all. I said 2 euro - we agreed. He didn't kill me....maybe too many people around for the 15 or so euro I had in my hand - A reasonable risk of trust?

Ripples and Patience

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All ripples matter - regardless how small each seems, seen alone, by oneself....or another. 

Ripples Canon EOS IDS Mark III 420mm 1/60 sec f14 Topaz Painterly

Together, with repetition, in the same direction, ripples chisel stone, and reshape mountains over time. Unbelievable. Wind turns ripples to waves, even hard to navigate sometimes.....but a powerful source, generating energy quicker than one imagines.

I can take this analogy in many directions that come to my mind....and you take it where ever you wish. However, it came to mind, for me, after listening to my great PT person, Jason, talk about repeating and pushing my balancing activities "thousands" of times to be able to walk well again. 

Patience is necessary...and I am focusing learning it, to help me with "things" I am facing. The WIND in my analogy is you, giving me great energy for greater impact - you - who have phoned, texted, emailed, sent cards, or have thought well wishes and encouraging sentiments.

And, I can not thank my sister Elizabeth enough, and my other siblings, who helped sponsor Elizabeth to come from Italy, for two months, to help me stand again, and do the necessary things to get around.  The movie - One Flew Over The Cockoo's Nest, has not been mentioned too many times. Patience Mike - you'll get to the Champlain tributaries again, with your camera, before you know it! I love you. You are the wind behind my wings (trite, I know....but well meant)

Letting Go of Planning Passion - My Mind Set

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It makes sense - letting go of what I can't control....and letting go of wishful thinking about possibilities that can't be supported by my present resources - health, wealth and time, anyway. It is going to be helpful for my healthy Mind, Body and Spirit to let-go of my Principle-based Priorities Planning (PPP) Passion. Be honest. Holding on to the possibility of starting a new chapter of my life-wealth planning profession, by influencing how professional planners relate to client priorities, after abruptly and surprisingly, being terminated from the firm I started, was a way for me to continue how I defined myself - a life-wealth planner with a great new idea - SCG, - Love of self and love of others, by Self-realizing, Connecting, and Giving.

I came to the importance of SCG, for me, late in my career - too bad - I did not have enough time to employ in practice what I  now feel is the most important part of personal financial planning. It is only fair, and right, to note, at this time, that I did sell my practice in  2008, had a great four year employee agreement through 2012, and a severance package thereafter. - I wanted three more years, though, and assumed it would be a no-brainer, with what I had to offer. I planned to retire from practice at 70 (now, in fact - I'm 70 August 8th)  - What was I thinking?  Let it go, already.  

Lake Cloud Canon EOS 1DS Mark III 420mm 125 sec f4 ISO 100 Topaz Painterly 1 75%

FFF - I referred to my passions as the 3 F's - Family, Fine-art Photography, and Financial Planning. I made a big deal out of doing passions as a primary theme of the priority planning process. I talk of passions frequently in ADVOCATE PLANNING; To Do What You Love To Do. No wonder I am having a hard time letting go. I suppose it doesn't  help, either, that I am a border-line planaholic! I frequently made my planning practice a top priority - and, accordingly, frequently was out of balance, in my life. How ironic - now at planned retirement age of 70, I am forced to work on balance, to walk again, and do freely my remaining, Family and Fine-Art Photography, passions,  Re-group Mike.. let go.

I pray to God, that I have the patience and strength to be as good an advocate for Patty, as she has been for me. It is her time to have my focus. The light has clearly been on me - out of balance, most of the time, I suspect. All though, who to say what is to be for why? She nurtured me to learn about balance, even write about it, while encouraging me to do my passions, probably at the cost of her doing some of her passions. And, although I no longer have  the time and health to do all 3 F's properly (after all, I want to capture my image of a life-time), I hope I am dropping my Ffinancial Planning passion for love, for better SCG and not just because I no longer have all the resources I need to do all 3F's - It time to let go of my professional planning passion.

I would like to say that during this next, and maybe last, stage of life, I am no longer a professional financial planner, but a Lover, and a photographer of that which I love. I told someone that and they laughed. I laughed. But, I always wanted to be a good lover, and even though I am thinking a little broader than where your mind may go, I am serious. My passion is still SCG and me (no longer a profession aspect) - the words have always been there, in my mantra......"love people, the process, the positive , the pristine and my passions." May I learn, serve, mentor, explore, relate, play, protect, contribute and transfer, in my own way to be,  as well as I am able, over as many years as I am given. And....I wish for your fulfillment, in your own way to be.

I let go, herewith- There is a cloud over the water, and beyond there is sun light.

Scars -Serenity

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I am being dramatic - I guess that is me now - lying in this damn hospital bed, 25 days out from a stroke that has me queazy, light-headed, and worrying about falling left with every step I take with my walker. I am not feeling sorry for myself, I am mad and know I need to act to heal my scars and to get to serenity.. 

Scars

I am going to let go of that which I have no control. I am not going to change my beliefs, I am going to change my expectations. First to go and Big for me is SCG - Self-realizing, Connecting, and Giving - What I call the Love Priorities. I decided to let go of thinking I can change the planning world, or at least my little professional planning world at my former firm, regarding the planning process with clients, to help them do what they love to do, while  making the best next life-wealth decision.

It's over. I'm retired from private practice. I no longer have ownership, control of the practice, influence on the planning process. No matter how strong I feel about the propriety of "my" planning process, I let go of expecting others to jump on board with focusing on Self-realizing -learning, serving, mentoring, Connecting- exploring, relating, playing. And - Giving -protecting, contributing, and transferring. 

My focus will be for me to SCG. Accordingly, I will continue to blog -It feels good, fulfilling -self-realizing. For now, I will continue blogging, while risking expecting others agreeing, with a deliberate effort of self-awareness, self-growth, self-sharing and serenity.

serenity

I know there are other areas of control I will benefit by letting go, For now, letting go of PPPP - Principle-based Priorities Planning Process, for everyone in the world, is all I can deal with - Let go man. It's more important presently letting go of my constipation!

Stroke of Luck ?

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It has been 16 days since my stroke. I would't wish it on my worst enemy . It will be two more weeks of in-hospital rehab.....and who knows how much time after that to get back to 100%, or as the doctor says 99.9%.

In looking for an image to parallel my health issue I turned to fog, because that is how I feel - in a fog, It is clear to me now though - Without health there is nothing. - our most important resource,

I love to shoot images in the fog. The details in the scene are gone - it is easier to focus on a center of interest, ending up with an attractive image, holding attention. 

Sunries Dingle Canon EOS 1DS Mark III 70mm 1/250 sec f9 ISO 200

I feel like I am in a fog; not catching all the details, focusing on my center of interest (balance) - tying to stay upright, not falling off to the left, like the skit on Laugh-In with  the tricycle falling over to the left, after a short ride.

It was just a couple of months ago that I added the word patience to my mantra - ..... "contributing my uniqueness. Accepting the uniqueness in myself, as well as others, with out judgement, with respect, patience, and a sense of humor." Is it possible this stroke is a wake-up call, a lesson for patience? A gift to me and my family connections to be more in the present, loving each precious moment  and enjoying, loving, what is right in front of me.

 

 

 

"I am the Greatest"

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I loved Muhammad Ali - what he stood for for me - pure passion, athletic ability (albeit boxing), entertaining commentary, and a strong committment to his personal convictions. I suspect he will be immortalized, like Elvis Presley, or maybe even Martin Luther King.  

Blue (one of my Greatest), Canon EOS 1DS Mark III 400mm 1/200 sec f7.1 ISO 100 www.mesipe.com

Very few of us, could get away with constantly claiming "I am the greatest", but what a great driving affirmation. I think of the www.values.com video about optimism called The Greatest - we should all delight in such optimism.

Separate and Together

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My heart bleeds for all the people who fought in the Military and lost their lives, or became disabled, for my and others freedom. May they be eternally honored guardian angels of peace and love. 

Separate and Together, from The Devil's Bridge, Chividale, Italy  Canon EOS IDS Mark III 90mm T/S 1/8 sec f6.3 ISO 100 Painterly 1 75%

I don't understand - We are all in this together - life on earth, that is. Right? We are each separate from the next; unique and beautiful pebbles, if you will, going with the flow and making our own way, as best we can - a cause for celebration, I would hope. Why do others want us to be like them or die? Why do we want others to be like us? How boring. Is it deeper connection we thirst for, and alikeness bestows a comfort of belonging? Maybe we should try seeing the beauty in the collective difference and know the comfort of all of us are in this together. 

I herewith affirm, this Memorial day, my mantra, part of which states: I contribute my uniqueness - I love and accept the uniqueness in myself, as well as that of others, without judgement, with respect, patience, and a sense of humor! Now only if I could get it right!

Light and Landscape

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I love a painterly look in a photograph. And, I love paintings that have such great detail that you wonder if it's a photograph, on first glance. Light and Landscape Member's Group helped me with some tools to add a painterly affect on my images that need a little help to get the affect that I desire.

Fayes Corner Johnnie Brook PhaseOne IQ 180 80mm 120sec f14 ISO 35 Photo Painting 1 75%

If you are interested in improving your photography and having a little fun in the process, I recommend you do a free download of Light and Landscape magazine from the Apple App store.  (I was featured in issue 12 - A Clear Focus). Secondly, join the Light and Landscape Member's Group, which you can read about from a current issue of the magazine or just google it. Contact me if you wish to talk about it. I have spent a lot of money on photo workshops over many years and the small monthly fee to join the members group has been the best buy I have ever made to learn more about photography.

Water Worry

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Water is wonderful - I love to photograph water - moving, still, in different light. My website www.mesipe.com is loaded with water images. I hate to see it polluted. It is pleasing to see water pristine.  More important then viewing the beauty of light on water is the fact that water sustains us; pure water to drink, eat fish from, and connect with others around swimming, sailing, sunning or whatever pleases our senses, while relating with the vital resource.

Burlington Bay in May 2016

Burlington Bay in May 2016

Population pollutes. It is ironic that we push the envelope of producing one resource, like grain or grass, at the cost of another; excess nutrients from the land flow swiftly in to our tributaries to our lakes. It is dangerous playing with the delicate balance of Mother Nature. 

Millions of dollars are spent each year employing professionals and engaging processes to counteract the negative impact of our advanced living habits. Is it a losing battle? Some days it seems so. What can we do in taking personal responsibility for controlling our actions that pollute?

Johnny Brook Richmond Vermont April 2016

I'll mention a few. I'm learning too. That's a good place to start - explore and learn about the problem and what you can do to control your polluting. You can plant native vegetation along shorelines and riverbanks to hold soil in place and reduce erosion. You can test your lawn and garden soil before you fertilize. You may need less than you think or none at all. When mowing, set the blade high. Use your grass clippings as mulch on your lawn. This recycles nutrients and decreases the need for watering. Redirect your gutter downspouts to the lawn, plant a rain garden, or install a rain barrel. Wash your car on the grass instead of the driveway to help prevent detergents from washing into water basins; or take your car to a carwash where the water is treated after use. 

Slow the flow of water down, When we bought our land, to build on, in Richmond, Vermont, a year ago, I hated the fact that we had two holding ponds at the bottom of the hill, and a new storm sewer, close to the building site. After learning about the benefit of slowing the flow of water, to capture nutrients in the soil, before entering rivers and lakes, I thought, great - we are helping control the flow of nutrients to our valuable water basins. I love the fact that I am now participating in cleaning up the water....or at least not making it worse. 

A Protiree's Catch-22

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Life is good for me - I am perfecting my protirement by performing my passions and producing and playing as I please. I am involving myself in all three of my big F passions of Fine-art photography, Family, and even Financial planning; not as a paid practitioner any longer, rather, through my book ADVOCATE PLANNING, To Do What You Love To Do, and The Love Priorities blog. My book and blog are founded on the premise that doing the next best step in the process of living your passions is the ultimate in financial planning.

Champlain Rainbow Canon EOS IDS Mark III 160mm 1/20 sec f14 ISO 125 B&W and color

The Catch-22 relates to funding passions while you no longer have "earned income" and you have to dip into investments. The Catch is having near-term (5 to 7 years or so) cash needs in stable investments so you don't take needless investment market risks on investments that you are going to use soon. Markets in the short run can go anywhere, like the 50% declines we saw in equities in the early and late 2000's!. Short-term bonds are usually the investment of chose for stable fixed income, however there has been no yield to speak of on short-bonds for quite some time now, and they carry the risk of losing value as interest rates rise. In other words - the safe investments are risky and provide little yield. Where are the times when a retiree could put there money in an interest bearing vehicle and expect a return of a couple percentage points above inflation?

I have been thinking about this no-win situation for a long time. As a practicing planner I struggled with this asset allocation dilemma for retirees. Following is how I am now dealing with it for my situation. Mind you, this is how I am dealing with it for me. Everyone is unique. You need to talk to your advisors regarding your situation. Don't follow my thoughts without knowing applicability to your situation and committing to the process. 

To maximize my fixed cash flow, I am taking individual stocks managed by an independent money manager and putting them to work in private rent producing real estate (a photo studio) established to produce a 6% return and a return of principle over 20 to 25 years. This accomplishes minimizing the cash needed from marketable investments and involves my passions of photography and family. I will also get a chance to use the property to print images! Certainly, it carries risk, but I feel comfortable with the investment risk and personal involvement.

Secondly, I am investing, an amount equalling roughly six years of cash flow needs from investments, in stocks when the S&P is higher than it's 10 and 12 month moving average and in Cash equivalents when the S&P is lower than the 10 and 12 month moving average. Past experience is no guarantee of future results, but this approach was very defensive and useful during the major declines in the 2000's. Defensive in down markets and return in up markets is what I am after. It is not a perfect answer to the Catch-22, or no-win situation for the retiree that needs cash from investments. For me, it is an approach that I can live with, until fixed income rates can more predictably result in returns that will beat inflation by a couple percentage  points.

SCARS - a matter of perspective

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I don't create images, they pass in front of me, as gifts from nature. Many photographers create (originate) images and are very good at it. Not me, and that's my intent - I put myself in a place of possibility and watch for something that "delights" me, sometimes capturing an image, not even knowing why the image delights me. I may capture a passing instant in nature, not to be seen again, or the image may be something that only changes, from natural elements, over a very long period of time; maybe even hundreds or thousands of years.

My image SCARS is an example of the later. I almost discarded the image, as a possible print, until I let myself linger on the image. I now love the image SCARS - I can't image I originally delighted in what I delight in now, as I take the time to let my imagination run and see things I only subconsciously could have seen at the time of capture. 

I walked passed this old wall in Teraomina, Sicily, returning to our Home Away, with groceries in hand and my touring companions at my side, and only my compact camera in my pocket. I had to stop and capture what I saw and felt. I took a few images with my Stellar Compact and stitched together the image you see. I never did go back to capture the wall with more pixel power. Maybe it was meant to be this way - the hand-held compact camera produced more than I could have imaged possible.

SCARS Hasselblad Stellar Compact 1/2000's sec f3.5 ISO 400

I like the overall abstract look of the image, but what gets my imagination running with varying thoughts and emotions, are the faces, figures, objects and familar forms that I see in the image. Maybe that is why I like to use the word image, for a photograph - to get to my weird world of  imagination and dwell in the delight. In this image I call SCARS, I see life-experiencing scars, healing, community, beauty, love, and even a comforting angel with my face in her wing......but that's just me now! What do you see?