Foggy Pathway

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Nearly forty years ago, daughter Bridget gave me a CHRISTmas present - a saying that would lead to seventy or so Mantra revisions. I recite daily the saying “Love the present and the energy will reach beyond all boundaries”, with all my revisions - now about one hundred words (too many for this short blog). I knew then, as I better know now, that “LOVE is the answer”, for everything. The title affirmation has evolved from ‘Love the present’ to ‘Love the moment’, to ‘Love in the moment’, to ‘Live LOVE’, to ‘I am One with LOVE’.

I am discovering, I have, as all humans do, a powerful INNER WISDOM that when accessed reduces fear and accesses the LOVE that is in all of us. What a wonderful feeling. That is not to say, my path is clear. It is foggy at best, but continually becoming more clear. I love it!

Foggy Pathway

Light to Highlight

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I looked at yesterdays blog and I am compelled to write the following. A little adjustment in exposure, here and there, can make a big difference in how I feel about an image. With a slight adjustment in exposure on both lights and darks, I improved my feel and appeal for Up n Air.

Also, my link to MESipe.com, where you can view a few other images I took ‘running’ to the shore after being inspired by Kelly O’Neal’s work, ekovisions.com, didn’t work. Take a look now, if you are so inclined. MESipe.com Look to the tab ‘recent work’.

Up n air edit

Inspired by Minimalism

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I am walking Burlington Pine street annual Art Hop with thousands of others, looking to be inspired. I am. I meet Kelly O’Neal, ekovisions.com, with an eye-catching display of her minimalist photo landscapes. Her images grab me, and hold me. Kelly’s tag line, ‘Through Motion, I Create Stillness’, is apropos. I love it. I love Kelly’s approach even more after I view her website. I can’t imitate Kelly. I don’t want to imitate Kelly. I move to my own way of minimalism.

Inspired by Kelly, I am moved to walk to the shore of Lake Champlain from Pine street to capture a land and sky minimal like image. The sky is too complex for me - there is so much I want to capture in what I see - what I feel. I can’t do it. After I shoot a dozen or so images, I capture one that may qualify. I call it ‘Up n Air’. I post four images from the journey that catch my attention this motivating evening. See MESipe.com. Look under the tab ‘recent work’.

Up n Air

Plane Site

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As I walk the path of Black Walnut trees, I reflect: Plenty of growth this year, trees and me. Clouds are wonderful this season - have I not noticed before? My project of skyward photography is a surprising delight. I see a plane in the distance. I enjoy the planes overhead, especially the roaring f-35’s when they are low and in pairs - deafening loud. Lagging sound requires a search for the formidable crafts - impressive form. I sometimes ask myself, WTF? Why in this supposed advanced state of being we need so much military defense? Why war? I think back to the sixty’s saying, “make love, not war”. I am into the idea of LOVE now more than I have ever been. Maybe it is age. Maybe it is wisdom. My sister Bernadette is a good example of loving all that cross her path. I see her great capacity to love while visiting her in the nursing home. WOW.

Plane site

F-16

Magenta

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Fifteen - twenty years ago, I used to apply a magenta filter every time I used my 4x5 wooden film camera. I wore rose color glasses for years (inside and out). I miss the tint. It is reflective of my slant on seeing the world. I am reminded of the beauty of a little magenta tint with a recent meet. I processed the image below, that I call Magenta as a result. I love it.

Perspective is important to attitude. Years ago people lived for less than 40 years, now people live over 80 years. At one time, 90% of the world’s population was in poverty, now it is less than 10%. Famine was an issue, now it is not. There was a time when a quarter of the kids didn’t make it past 5 - yes, progress - life is better than what you hear. What a wonderful world. “ I see skis of blue, and clouds of white. The bright blessed days, dogs say good night. … I see friends shaking hands, saying how do you do, they’re really saying I love you…. I think to myself, what a wonderful world”

magenta

Spring Reflection

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On my journey home from a welcome three day Kripalu respite of nature, healthy food, body massage and yoga, my mind is calm enough to catch this gem of an image, after not seeing it’s potential, just three days earlier, on my way to ‘Bountyville’ - my busy mind, cluttered with stuff on my to-do list, missing the moment.

Spring Reflection PhaseOne IQ 180 80mm 1/80 sec f11 ISO 35

I experience stress when I am into a thing that I am getting done on my to-do list and Patty’s Alzheimer’s interrupts. I am learning, the hard way, that loving in the moment - sometimes, means dropping doing a to-do list doing to experience the feeling of the moment. And, with Patty, I fear there are precious few.

When I am able to calm my busy mind and love in the moment, by being there for Patty, stress turns to feeling of connection, gratitude, compassion, love.

When wind and waves wane I see more clearly.

It's Not All Sunshine

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I spent three rainy, wonderful, days at Kripalu Health and Yoga center in Lenox Mass. My objective - capture a little spring sprout. A long-term objective is to capture a little of each season and put together a seminar with daughter Bridget on ‘Seeing through YOUR lens’, or something like that. - It would make a great Kripalu workshop, or for that matter, a good workshop to be offered in the Champlain Valley.

I am big on, what I call, image reflecting - my version of nature mindfulness - meditation - reflecting on whatever comes to mind, prompted by a focused image capture. Also, (attest this blog) I am big on living my Love Priorities. A workshop to connect with others, while playing out passions, would be great.

I would not create this workshop without Bridget’s leadership. She offers creativity, nature mindfulness and life coaching insight. The balance offered by the two of us - yin and yang, if you will, will be interesting, fun, and a great life experience.

Nature teaches us a bunch about balance. Initially, I was disappointed with no sun at Kripalu. But thank God for the rain. After spending time in the rain, I felt much gratitude for the moisture and saw spring sprout, more so than I would have with sun glare. Sun and rain are Spring’s elixir. One without the other is like us without our daily dose of water - no water no life.

I bumped into a trail runner, also at Kripalu for a respite. She was exhilarated running in the rain, as I was shooting in the rain. I asked if she was cold, running bare armed. She said she loved it - it feels so good. I usually make a habit of staying inside in the rain. It’s a mistake - I think the rain connecting with body is like a sapling absorbing needed moisture. I love it! I embrace it!

Monk’s Pond PhaseOne IQ180 80mm 1/3 sec f12 ISO 35

I’ve posted a number of Kripalu surrounds images on www.mesipe.com under New Prints. Please visit. Kripalu is a great experience. People there are prepared to connect.


Walnut Woods

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I’m realistic - I know I won’t see Walnut Woods to maturity. But, it stretches my imagination, visualization and desire to plant a seed for future generation’s enjoyment - I love it - the miracle of living, growing, nature.

I see 100+ beautiful, big, nut bearing trees, mostly in the north east corner of Purple Lark Farm - Seventeen acres of precious land, not wasted on us.

Walnut Woods Sony RX 100VI 9mm 1/500 f5 ISO 125

I guess I planted more than a seed - I’m anxious to see the walnuts - it takes eight years before bearing fruit. I planted a eight year old Honey Crisp Apple tree for the same reason … and I have tasted the fruit already - I love it. It is never too late to visualize a fruitful future. Like our 11 month old granddaughter, Olive - growth is so visible, and exciting to watch, at the start.

Plant a tree, while you can - it may out-live you, but just image.

Winter - From Fall to Spring

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Purple Lark Farm - our newly named place of farming activity - experienced two major, picture worthy, snow dumps this Winter…. not really Winter…. The first came late Fall and the second early Spring. I got my planned, image capturing, dose of Winter snow birch bend - enough already. Winter stretches too long, beautiful as it is, in the Green Mountain state. I am now ready to capture Spring sprouting at Kirpalu in Stockbridge, MA. I love it - thank you family, for making it possible..

Winter Ash PhaseOne IQ 180 80mm 1/200 sec f11 ISO 35 2 image stitched

"Follow the trend-lines, not the headlines"

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Bill Clinton is given credit for saying: “follow the trend-lines, not the headlines”. It’s a great line - one to keep in mind for sanity sake. I watch a lot of news and never hear about what war we are not having. The nature of the news, these days especially, is to opine on the bad, ugly, sensational.

I read Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation for a little daily dose of sanity. It is good Big Picture stuff, for me. Today it spoke to me on violence - how one can feel hopeless, if you abstract the headlines. Look at the trend-lines on violence:

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Some still fall, most remain tall. Life is good. Love it all.

Who am I trying to convince - me for sure - it’s a cure.

FALLEN

CFP Board Emeritus

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I retired practicing as a CFP, March 31st, 2013 - hard to believe it’s been six years. About the time I feel really, ‘out of it’, as a planner, the financial planning industry contacts me about being a founding member of their recently trademarked, CFP Board Emeritus program. This is a great idea - maintaining contact with good-standing, retired CFP’s who have practiced as a CFP for twenty five years or longer. They have rules and fees - it is good though - I can’t practice as a CFP - not having maintained my CPE - and I haven’t. They provide volunteer opportunities and welcome industry promotion, while keeping you informed about changes in the industry.

Their invitation prompts me to reread ADVOCATE PLANNING; To Do What You Love To Do, to see how well I promote CFPs. I do a good job of promoting CFPs - the industry would be proud of me. More importantly, I surprise myself with the staying power of the wisdom of my observations and ideas - A focus on prioritizing passion activities is the future of planning. I feel bad I am not able to practice what I preach - I don’t advocate plan for others, any longer. I do however advocate plan for myself. After using the process for a number of years I know it is good.

This blog is a reflection of me living my Love Priorities. I am much better prioritizing my passion priorities doing the process I profess - I am delighted.

I invite you to reread the first and last chapter of ADVOCATE PLANNING - it is a free download on my website www.MikeSipe.com or www.MySCGpriorities.com. I know… it is tongue in cheek to think you read the book - read the first and last chapters anyway - it is a quick read… and if you want more details you will read the chapters in between.



I focus on my, now, SCG priorities - family and fine-art photography are the lion’s share. Even though I am willingly medical homebound, 2019 includes an active involvement in a CARERS group, learning more about photography, and image making, photo and print making workshops, finishing up two books - Smell the Roses and Our Basin of Relations, involvement with growing CBD - the family farm venture - and whatever else turns me on - no time to feel sorry for myself - engulfed in my love priorities. Thank God for my family and a little advocate planning.





VASE

THE BIG PICTURE

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Since I began to focus more on my photography, upon retirement from life-wealth planning in 2013, I express my desire, passion, as capturing my ‘image of a life time’ - one that can be printed BIG, displayed on walls, and hold the attention of on-lookers. I am happy to announce I have reached a point of possibility.

The Studio, with Epson 44” p9000 printer is in place. I have now printed my first, BIG, canvas print - ready for exhibit, as part of the September 2019 book release - OUR BASIN OF RELATIONS, the art and science of living with water.

Red Sail Yellow Marker

I can’t say I have captured, printed and displayed, my image of a life time - how can I - I am active - shooting, image reflecting, and playing with new processing ideas - I hope I will forever, but know I won’t be. When I can no longer capture and display beauty, a lovely time will be over, and I will choose my image of a life time, and hopefully connect with you. In the meantime, visit me at www.MikeSipe.com or in person, at the Studio Farm.

Adapting

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Tenants Harbor Adapting, PhaseOne IQ 180 240mm 1/20 sec f25 ISO 100 multiple images

I captured this image of Tenants Harbor, Maine, from our family vacation rental, sunset, early Fall 2018. It captured me - I have been reflecting on the image for months, and tweaking to my delight. I think I’m done - for now.

I call the image Adapting - Tenants Harbor adapting to change: nine feet of water rise and fall twice a day, seasons, light, temperature, fishing conditions, fishing quotas, fish - varying cycles of abundance and depletion - the world’s first CSF (community supported fishery) just a few miles down the road in Port Clyde - survival for the small guy… Are the sailboats taking over, like in Rockland and Camden?

My center of interest, with Adapting, is the island jetties, and white, harbor watch, compound on the breakwater island - the evening sun making the compound a light house, for the moment - at least from my view. Can you image the views from the compound at sunrise, looking out over the vast Atlantic, and the sunset harbor watch?

I reflect on my adapting - my changing life in Vermont with Patty, family, ventures - I quote Glen Libby of Port Clyde, author of CAUGHT, time. place. fish. “what-ever will be will be and everything is as it should be.

OUR BASIN OF RELATIONS - Blue Mindful

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Blue Mindful is the state of "clean water understanding." Integrating this understanding is essential to a healthy existence.

Feeling gratitude for the availability of clean water is paramount to taking action to protect it.

We protect what we love. We love what we need and what feels special to us.

I found the perfect book to support and build on this premise: Blue Mind by Wallace J. Nichols. "The surprising science,” he writes, “that shows how being near, in, on, or under water can make [us] happier, healthier, more connected and better at what [we] do."

Dr. Nichols' claim is lofty, but he does a great job supporting it with all kinds of statistics and anecdotes. I especially appreciate his holistic approach, emphasizing the seeming contradiction "emotional science.”

Nichols offers up observations made by the Apollo 17 astronauts, referring to OUR earth as the tiny blue planet; a blue marble in space.

Water is everywhere. In us. We are of it. Without water there is nothing.

GREAT NEWS: Wallace Nichols, author of BLUE MIND, has expressed interest in writing the Foreword for OUR BASIN OF RELATIONS.

Please consider being a sponsor to publish OUR BASIN OF RELATIONS - proceeds from the sale of the book will go to clean water projects. Details of sponsorship are at the bottom of the introduction of the book printed on this website, www.MikeSipe.com, under the tab at the top OUR BASIN OF RELATIONS.

OUR BASIN OF RELATIONS excerpt

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Stowe Stream PhaseOne IQ 180 35mm 1/10 sec f11 ISO 35

Stowe Stream PhaseOne IQ 180 35mm 1/10 sec f11 ISO 35

Splendor in Nature is wonder forthcoming.

Follow the flow, portage the passions.

Open to love and Love will be there - certain as spring time streams snow-covered mountains.

We are Nature’s gifted souls.

Hear Inner Wisdom - Love abounds.

All is precious and pristine - Reflect - Respect and Protect.

We are bestowed Free Will to love in nature.

Marvel in the moods of the sky.

Feel the touch of love from all that is provided from above.

Light, Heat, Water, Air… and Love -

All are Life’s essentials.

What’s to happen if we do not care?

OUR BASIN OF RELATIONS is ready for print

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I began photographing the pristine of the Lake Champlain region about fifteen years ago. My initial vision was a coffee table book, sharing the beauty with the world with one hundred, sharing-quality images. Since the start, I captured thousands of images, with hundreds worth a second look, and a good hundred, sharing-quality. Thirty-five images are included in OUR BASIN OF RELATIONS, the art and science of living with water.

About five years ago a weightier purpose, for a book, hit me like a brick - WATER QUALITY - the lake water quality is deteriorating with dangerously high levels of phosphorous - toxic enough to close swim areas, threaten drinking water, and maybe even, harmful to breathe! Blue Green algae is not that good to look at, either. This I know is not unique to Lake Champlain.

A few years ago I had the opportunity to get involved with the Vermont Clean Water Network - I learned much - realizing that most of us aren’t aware of the issue, and how we can help. I believe we want to help - protect what we love…. and we love…. and value, water. Knowledge and inspiration empowers - producing resolve.

A couple years ago, because of my connection with the Vermont Clean Water Network, I became aware of an article in the Burlington Free Press, called Thinking like a Watershed. The article was written by environmental teacher, writer, poet, Trevien Stanger. I loved the article and knew I had to marry my photos with his word wizardry - and do my part for clean water - albeit small.

Trevien is the curator of nearly fifteen articles by water quality advocates in OUR BASIN OF RELATIONS, the art and science of living with water. Trevien wrote the introduction - It is reproduced on this site, www.MikeSipe.com, under the tab OUR BASIN OF RELATIONS. I invite you to read it, be inspired, consider some level of sponsorship to help publish OUR BASIN OF RELATIONS, and have proceeds from the sale of the book go to clean water projects.

Book sponsorship details are at the end of the introduction. Please help clean water.

OBOR COVER.jpg

If you wish, I will send you a 16 page BLAD (Basic Layout And Design) of OUR BASIN OF RELATIONS to help you decide about sponsorship of the book. Thank you.

IT'S TIME TO STOP

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It’s January - time to start a fresh, and share my favorite images of 2018.

I shot less in 2018. I thought I would not have much to share, but I was wrong. It was a very personal year - a lot of precious family time - special personal images - and some with, I believe, artistic value.

Patty Rosebud, origin Floribunda 2007, Reprocessed Canon EOS IDS Mark iii 105 mm 1/30 sec f9 ISO 100

Richard Reach the Sky PhaseOne IQ 180 80 mm 1/30 sec f11 ISO 35

Richard Reach the Sky was taken three months prior to my brother Richard’s death, August 8th, 2018. The image was captured in Torrey Pines nature preserve, on a side excursion, while working with Richard on completing his trilogy of poems - SMELL THE ROSES, feel the soil / reach the sky. I have no idea where the seemingly supernatural colors came from - to me, a gift of Richard relevance.

A third image I share here is another gift image I received at Walden Pond - The morning light overwhelmed the view. I preserved the moment by highlighting contrast with black and white. I read (listened to) Thoreau’s Walking five times. It was a great treat to saunter the land of Walden Pond and capture the feeling this image insights in me.

Walden Pond PhaseOne IQ 180 80mm 1/20 f14 ISO 35

Thirteen more of my favorites for 2018 can be viewed at the Photography tab of this site www.MikeSipe.com.

I started my favorite of the year images beginning 2011 and now have over one hundred favorite images - It’s time to stop. Instead of showing all those images in Order Your Print, I decided to pair it down by showing only those images that have been framed and have proven Wall-life. (I have projected a little for the 2018 images). Now there are only sixty images that rise to Wall Worthy, by that definition. Take a look. I love it.

I will only add an image to the Order Your Print images, derived from yearly Best of year images, by eliminating one. I hope to pair the list down more, over time, maybe to my favorite ten. Given the personal attachment to my images, this will be quite the challenge, and hopefully an exercise in deep reflection.

Birch and Aspen

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Birch and Aspen - certainly different, but hard to tell the difference, at a glance - believe it or not, they are not even in the same family. We have both on the Photo Farm, and I love it.

As a recent Robert Frost fan, who was also a part-life Vermonter, I will refer to both white bark attracters as ‘Birches’, in honor of Frost’s poem titled the same .

Frost writes in Birches: “Earth’s the right place for love: I don’t know where it is likely to go better. I’d like to go by climbing a birch tree, And climb black branches up a snow-white trunk Toward heaven, till the tree could bear no more, But dipped it’s top and set me down again. That would be good both going and coming back, One could do worse than be a swinger of birches.”

Birch Bend SonyRX 100 VI 12.25mm 1/125 sec f4.5 ISO 125 stitched

After a recent snow fall, I better visualize Frost’s sentiments on swinging birches. I shake a snow covered, weighed down, birch over the driveway, as I plow my way to Wolf Lane. Me and my green and yellow John Deere are now white all over. What is astonishing to me is, with a little shake, the tree sprang back to nearly upright, like a catapult. I would have been pulled off the Deere, to the sky, if I hadn't let go.

A short while ago I designated a cove, on the Photo Farm, in a patch of birches, to be a proper place for a bench to rest and meditate. I am moved more to do such, with my recent visit to capture the snow impact.

Birch Cove SonyRX 100 VI 9mm 1/200 sec f6.3 ISO 125

I am now, in my mind, “Some boy too far from town to learn baseball, Whose only play was what he found himself, Summer or winter, and could play alone. One by one he subdued his father’s trees , By riding them down over and over again Until he took the stiffness out of them, And not one but hung , not one was left For him to conquer.”