FORCE of NATURE

/

My planning career kept me away from nature. Like most people, I spent the majority of my time indoors. One source suggests 90% of our time is indoors. This is really unfortunate, since nature is nourishing, healing, relaxing - an inexpensive, healthy tonic.

Some say that even viewing images of nature is beneficial to one’s well-being - a benefit I have with my strong interest in contemplative photography. Nature Inspired Imaging is my passion. I am more convinced, than ever, that connecting with nature, and image reflecting, are healthy habits.

Winter Ash

I know each snow flake is different. I don’t inspect, I aspire to accept - uniqueness in all. In fact, I hope to celebrate, and learn from other’s differences. I am not a “Special Snowflake”, a relatively new derogatory term for people who can’t accept opposing opinions, without getting emotionally unwound and offensive.

We have more than enough derogatory terms. I suggest spending some time on the antonyms of our favorite new terms for each other.

Nancy Pelosi says she can’t hate - she’s Catholic, and “Catholics don’t hate” - a little super-human and offensively dualistic. I am Catholic, and know I am not super-human. My friend Francis says “where there is hate, sow love”. I love you Nancy.

A Heavenly Gathering Place

/

I am exhibiting eleven, mostly large, images at All Souls Interfaith Gathering (ASIG), It is a wonderful venue on the banks of Lake Champlain, with beautiful views of the Adirondack mountains.. I am very grateful to have this opportunity. Moreover, I am grateful to be introduced to the Vision of ASIG….” We envision a just, peaceful, and loving world, respectful of differences and united by common humanity, in which people live purposeful lives in harmony with one another, other creatures, and the Earth itself.” - I love it!

Nature and the spirit therewith is an integral part of all happenings at ASIG. I share their reverence for nature - particularly water. ASIG is the major sponsor, along with the ECHO center on Burlington Bay, of the Vermont Clean Water Network - which was my fortune of introduction to many water caring organizations.

The exhibition is a representation of images in OUR BASIN OF RELATIONS, The Art and Science of Living with Water. ASIG is helping us raise money to publish the book and spreading inspiration for clean water.

My exhibit experience with ASIG is resulting in a new path for me - one of much meaning. I attended three successive Sunday services at ASIG with a featured presentation on GRATITUDE by Rev. Don Chatfield. The talks were popular podcast worthy - not in play, though, which is unfortunate, because all should hear! I had an exceptional day following the last talk, where I experienced an exhilaration with gratitude of all I saw, touched, heard. I can’t explain it, but it is a feeling I would like often.

I sometimes practice what I learned from POM (Psychology of Mind} - Notice the feeling and do nothing. I am awed by our natural ability to rising to a a more desirable feeling by just noticing what’s going on inside.

I talked to a Board member about “joining” ASIG at the Potluck, following the third GRATITUDE service. He said we don’t have members. I thought that strange, at the time I heard it. After some contemplation, I concluded, how wonderful - no we/they, us/them - a non-dualistic approach of all welcome and part of our practice - some events will turn on and some will not, but all is good. - Being open to differences are Learning experiences. Come or not, you are welcome, whenever.

MEACH COVE - ASIG



NATURE'S TIME

/

Patty and I have Health Care Directives. I reread Patty’s directive today - death on my mind, as we start the ninth year of Patty’s diagnosis of Alzheimer's - now advanced!

Both of us choose no extraordinary life sustaining measures. The document refers to breathing and feeding. I believe the idea is not taking extraordinary measures to extent life beyond it’s natural ending.

The state of medical capabilities is unbelievable. I am grateful. It seems medical advances can extend existence forever. I recall Richard going in and out of the hospital every few weeks. The medical world worked to extend his life, finally to the point of Richard making a personal decision to let nature take it’s course - he died in hospice at home.

As Patty approaches a mere 100 pounds I struggle with the idea of the possibility of a feeding tube. I processed my feelings with other care-givers. I emotionally dealt with the idea of starving to death. I believe the directive is a good decision - one of trust in nature. I was reassured that starving to death is not painful and that the medical world is tolerate to removing a feeding tube, even given their oath to sustain life at all costs. God knows if Patty will continue with her poor eating habits. Slowly she continues to lose weight. I was counting calories - I discontinued.

Dealing with an attitude shift of “keeping comfortable from doing what is necessary to “being healthy” hit me hard at Patty’s annual physical last week. Her doctor said to Patty, “you are due for a breast exam.” After saying it, the doctor’s eyes and mine met, without words, agreeing that the exam, given the Alzheimer's, is ludicrous. She (the doctor) quickly moved to suggesting watching the PBS series The Crown, and Victoria. I thanked her indicating that we just finished The Derell’s of Corfu and were looking for the next series to watch.

Yesterday, a call came from the dermatologist - another spot of skin cancer to remove in January - the first removal executed two years ago. Do we continue the visits to the dermatologist? My new mindset says no.

Are steroids an extraordinary measure for Patty? Steroids, magically cured, almost immediately, Patty’s severe immobility from PMR two years ago… and again and again - two subsequent times - carefully adjusting the dose of prednisone recommended by my favorite Rheumatologist. Patty would not have survived without the steroids. Now what, with my new mindset?

My new mindset is to not go off the deep-end when Patty doesn't take her prednisone. I hand her the medication, with a comment on why she needs it, and that’s it, It’s been two days and she sees no reason to take the medication. Maybe it will be different if the immobility returns!

Scars

A Wondrous Challenge - CHANGE

/

Every living thing is constantly changing…. even if we can’t see it in real time. It’s amazing really. We look away for a day and the buds are leafing, or the leafs changing color, getting ready to fall and decompose, fertilizing future growth. Humans too - everything changing, constantly, without seeing in real time. Miraculous.

What’s ironic is, we are creatures of routine - we love things to stay the same. Change is often hard to handle. How boring though, life would be if it were ground-hug’s day, everyday? Is change a factor in after-life?

Spring Sprout

Fall Foliage

And then there is Winter - snow in November to April, stealing time from Spring and Fall.

First Sown

These days, I’m inclined to opt for same-o, everyday, southern California 75 degree sunny blue skies - if I had my druthers. That not being the case, I choose to cherish change I experience in weather, or in whatever.

The other day I felt good to learn to deal better with one of Patty’s Alzheimer's changes - Rather than ordering, or suggesting brushing teeth, I said I am going to brush my teeth and she followed. There is dignity in making this decision, like many others, for one self. It is hard for Patty, as it would be for me, to ask for help in brushing teeth, or other basic self-care routines. I learned to deal with Patty’s change by anticipating her needs and doing basic things like dressing and teeth brushing together - laying things out, and she takes it from there. Although she put panties over panties the other day…..as my son would say, TMI.


RARE BOOKS

/

I collect photo art coffee table books. I haven’t added to the collection in quite some time. I suppose because I am involved, and partial, to the creation of OUR BASIN OF RELATIONS, The Art and Science of Living with Water.

I stopped by Barnes and Noble to check their stock of Landscape photo art books, in particular water ones. I found no landscape photo art books, not to mention water quality art books. So, I checked the internet - better there - but still rare to find something on point. Is there no demand for water images and info, inspiration, to keep water pristine?

I will continue to collect photo art books and create photo art books beyond OUR BASIN, however, I know that if I want the public at large to purchase a book it needs to be offered digitally. Why not - it’s a great value and affordable by all.

I am really impressed that I am able to purchase Smell the Roses digitally for $2.99 and the resolution of the images are better than the much more expensive hard cover book. I expect that our larger format, higher quality coffee table book, OUR BASIN OF RELATIONS will be in digital format for less than what I pay for a extra hot, double vanilla, decaf, latte with skim milk! Even though I would like all to be excited as I am to get my hands on a Coffee table art book on the beauty of the Lake Champlain basin, I encourage you to at least try, when available, the digital format - you’ll like it.

There is nothing like a large format print though! I will be exhibiting eleven large prints from OUR BASIN during November at All Souls Interfaith Gathering, 291 Bostwick Farm Road, Shelburne with a welcoming reception and reading on November 1st from 1:30pm to 4:30pm.

All proceeds from the sale of images, during the ASIG exhibit will be contributed to Clean Water Advocates, Inc. to help spread the word and inspire to clean water. Hard copies of OUR BASIN will be gifted with any purchase. In addition to the eleven large framed images, there will be forty 17x22 inch sleeved proofs of Lake Champlain basin images at a third discount.

PRESERVE

WATER WONDERMENT - AN INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE

/

Trevien Stangler, an enthusiastic conservationist, and the editor, curator, and one of fifteen writers for OUR BASIN OF RELATIONS, The Art and Science of Living with Water, inspired me to care about clean water, with an article he published in the Burlington Free Press called Thinking like a Watershed.

I had been photographing the beauty of the Lake Champlain basin for years with an eye to share the best. OUR BASIN presents real purpose and possibility to inspire clean water to many, using art and science, in a coffee table book that has pick-up viewing power.

We are in the final stage of publishing OUR BASIN - raising enough money to widely distribute the word, image.

A number of my large, Lake Champlain basin, images will be on exhibit at ALL SOULS INTERFAITH GATHERING place, 291 Boswick Farm Road, Shelburne, Vermont during the month of November, with a welcoming reception on November 1st, 1:30pm to 4pm.

All proceeds from sales of images will be given to Clean Water Advocates, Inc., a 501(c) 3 organization, to help with publishing OUR BASIN. Contributor Edition copies of OUR BASIN will be given to all who purchase an image, including the small (17x22), sleeved, photographer’s proofs. And, images will be for sale at a gratitude discount.

Spring Sprout

Camel's Hump

/

Last week Patty and I road tripped to the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area to see Vermont foliage. The foliage was spectacular. We got out of the car once, for a short hike around Silver Lake, and missed the trail turn, ending up never reaching water. The walk was a challenge and missing our destination, frustrating, albeit a wonderful day for a walk in the woods.

After time in our back yard - in and around Camel’s Hump state park - I concluded that the beauty near-by is as great as anywhere in the state, maybe anywhere. Isn’t it odd, that we feel we have to travel a distance to get to beauty, when it is in front of our noses?

As I step back from looking for images for OUR BASIN OF RELATIONS, The Art and Science of Living with Water, I am contemplating a project capturing the beauty of and around Camel’s Hump - a highly touted local attraction.

Huntington Twilight

I no doubt will look for interesting horizons and attractive water while on this next journey - these are my photographic magnets.

The Huntington River, in the image above, is part of the Lake Champlain watershed, the focus of OUR BASIN OF RELATIONS. We are in the final stage of publishing OUR BASIN OF RELATIONS - nearly twenty years of imaging. It’s a great venture and I need your help to get it out to the public, with purpose - clean water. Please write a check to CLEAN WATER ADVOCATES, INC. for $100 or more and receive a Contributor’s edition of the inspiring clean water coffee table book! Remittance address - 60 Wolf Lane, Richmond, Vt 05477.

OUR BASIN OF RELATIONS Fund Raising Exhibit Announcement

/

All Souls Interfaith Gathering place advocates for clean water. They were the inspiration for the establishment of the Vermont Clean Water Network, which includes sixty plus water quality enthusiast organizations.

All Souls will be hosting a fund raising exhibit of Large print images from OUR BASIN OF RELATIONS, The Art and Science of Living with Water. during the month of November in their wonderful gathering place on the shores of Lake Champlain, 291 Boswick Farm Road in Shelburne. Here is their link to the event https://www.allsoulsinterfaith.org/artists-show.The authors will be on site the afternoon of November 1st to personally welcome you.

All proceeds from sales of exhibit pieces will be donated to Clean Water Advocates, Inc for publication of OUR BASIN OF RELATIONS.

Extraordinary Light

You sustain me, sustain all that lives. Water – a miraculous wonder. 

 You pleasure me. Water – a treat to be in, on, near – alluring nectar for body, mind, and soul.

 You are my camera’s lover – Water – limitless nature adornment – colors, patterns, forms – so photogenic!

Clean Water Action

/

I have taken clean water for granted! Growing up on lakes in Minnesota, using, wasting, free, clean water in the land of plenty seemed natural. I don’t feel guilty, but embarrassed. I know better now. Clean water is not limitless - rationed in areas not as fortunate as Minnesota. Toxic reservoirs from excess phosphorus use are aplenty. And free no more - Water is as expensive as a latte, at airports. City water bills are increasing. Without a change in the trend, I wonder what’s up for our water future?

What little I do to help will not change the trend. I am always impressed, though, by the power of the masses, when we unite to solve a problem. The little bit each plays, with a united front, solves big problems. Clean water issues are rising and catching the attention of many - it’s encouraging.

I am grateful for clean water - I depend on clean water….. for drinking, cleaning, fresh fish, cooking, sailing, skiing, swimming, photographing.… beauty. Water is medicine for the mind, body and spirit.

Good Night My Love

Join me as a Clean Water Advocate. For $100 ($60 tax deduction), receive a Contributors Edition of OUR BASIN OF RELATIONS. Be inspired by more than fifteen water conservation minded people and enjoy my water images (high quality coffee table book) and thoughts. All proceeds will be used to spread the word regarding clean water and for clean water projects. We are shooting for delivery of Contributors Edition by the end of the year. Checks can be mailed to Clean Water Advocates, Inc., 60 Wolf Lane, Richmond, VT., 05477.

Thank you.


Water as Medicine

/

Dr. Wallace J Nichols, who wrote the Foreword for our upcoming book, OUR BASIN OF RELATIONS, The Art and Science of Living with Water, often refers to water as medicine. He has a way of reaching people with his message on the positive impact of being on, in, under or near clean water. He has reached millions with his book BLUE MIND, and blue marbles as a gratitude reminder of our earth, and us, as primarily water.

It’s maybe obvious, but drinking clean water can not be taken for granted - it’s life sustaining and not limitless. I was medically treated for dehydration twice - a water solution was the remedy. When I came away from stroke convalescence the professionals suggested I drink a glass of water every waking hour. When I had a kidney stone, water was suggested to prevent more stones.

And, water isn’t always treated so well, mostly inadvertently. I have learned a lot about what I can do to help, from the many people crossing my path while working on OUR BASIN OF RELATIONS. I wish you grow an appreciation of clean water from the many points of view in OUR BASIN OF RELATIONS, and enjoy my accompanying water images and words.

Please consider contributing $100 or more to Clean Water Advocates, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c) organization, and receive a limited contributors edition of OUR BASIN OF RELATIONS. The book’s retail value is $40. Your $60 or more contribution will help spread the word and do clean water projects.

Thank you,

Mike Sipe,

Clean Water Advocates, Inc.

60 Wolf Lane

Richmond, VT. 05477

HEELING

The Wonder of Water

/

We are finally there - Our CLEAN WATER ADVOCATES coffee table book, OUR BASIN OF RELATIONS, The Art and Science of Living with Water, is off to the publisher, Green writers Press, for final layout and design, and production of short run Contributors Edition!

Trevien Stanger, an environmental writer, poet, educator and curator of the book’s many varied interesting water articles, has taken the lead role in producing an Indiegogo campaign https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/our-basin-of-relations-a-potent-coffee-table-book?fbclid=IwAR2jkFABGnNA4rfuO1BtIHW_25w1YcvlYONfW4EXpLSpwVsZekz1MS73lwg#/ to raise funds to produce a long run that will be distributed to the general public - regionally, nationally and even internationally.

Even though OUR BASIN revolves around Lake Champlain and it’s many mountain tributaries ie. our basin of relations, it could be anywhere - your basin of relations.

We expect the retail value of OUR BASIN to be $40. We are asking for contributions starting at $100 to receive a copy of the Contributors Edition. See https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/our-basin-of-relations-a-potent-coffee-table-book?fbclid=IwAR2jkFABGnNA4rfuO1BtIHW_25w1YcvlYONfW4EXpLSpwVsZekz1MS73lwg#/ for a list of all the contributors perks, and to make your contribution today.

Contributions are tax deductible for amounts above the retail value of books received. CLEAN WATER ADVOCATES, INC. is a 501(c) non-profit organization. All contributions will be used for the inspirationally educating book or clean water projects. The officers and employees of CLEAN WATER ADVOCATES, INC. are not paid. All articles and images are in-kind contributions by clean water advocates.

Mike and four of Lake Champlain series images, printed and framed large


FIFTY TWO with YOU - IN the MOMENT

/

It’s our anniversary - August 25th, 1967 was the original day - Our Lady of Grace, Lafayette Club, Radisson Hotel, followed by Mackinac Island, and family Balsam Lake cabin - first made meal - pizza in a box - an awakening!

Dreams. Dreams fulfilled.

Still dreaming - differently though. Looking more to the present. Love in the now is where it’s at - SMELL THE ROSES says it well (order at www.friesenpress.com/bookstore)

Emmett wakes us at 9am. He helps with the major task of raising the shades. Then… A few drawers open to fill an imaginary food cart - the office chair. Soon that ends. A 750 piece puzzle appears for Bama to help with - the pile of pieces remain. I don’t help with the time sucking task - do you blame me?

I’m more interested in our (my) Sunday routine of CBD infused honey and lemon in chamomile tea and Sunday Morning Show on CBS - watching while taking a spin on the stationary bike. A good feel show and a little aerobic high.

The hike - Early afternoon Patty and I saunter through three of the four loops of trails on our seventeen acres. I love the natural beauty, developing walnut trees, wild flowers and saunter together on perfect day. An especially long walk this special day, probably because we stopped to pick wild flowers for our table, in celebration.

Saunter is a good word for our walk - me letting my light headiness run and Patty with perspective affect from Alzheimer's. - like a hike, for us, on a more rugged path in the Green Mountains. I love it!

Wild flowers from a walk in our park

Later - We enjoyed our traditional diner of Caesar Salad, steak and fish, with Michael, Jessica, Avi, Emmett, and Olive. Chaotic - Patty and Emmett spun the romaine dry, as it mysteriously shrunk to less than needed, Marsett (Home care person) made gluten croutons that I included in the salad, expecting only gluten free experience for Avi - Avi was appreciative that I bought gluten free french bread, though. Olive cries for milk from mom. Too little food for the seven of us, so hot dogs came out to “Hara hachi bu”. I wouldn’t trade the time for a quit five-star meal with Patty, alone, at my favorite place, Nick’s Fish Market.

A toast to our anniversary - What anniversary?

I had learned earlier in the day that mentioning that it was our anniversary touched a cord with Patty, summoning a kiss or happy anniversary, with a moment of memory - long term of course. I used the strategy a number of times during the day - a successful connecting strategy, at least for the moment.

A perfect day. Connecting. Loving, imperfectly.

Fifty two years. Inn at Shelburne Farms


A Digital Deal - The best way to view Richard's trilogy of self-revealing poems

/

Three books - I CONFESS, COURAGE AT THREE AM, AND SMELL THE ROSES, contain nearly 150 self-revealing poems by my brother Richard. The poems, drafted between age 80 and death at age 85, are telling of the impact on Richard as a world renown sexually abused advocate, and being the fourth child of the Walter and Betty Sipe family.

I am honored to finish SMELL THE ROSES, in Richard’s absence, adding more Sipe family insight (I am the 8th of 10 children in the Walter and Betty Sipe family) and, more importantly, commentary about the value of the courage to care which Richard exemplified so well. I learn from Richard. We both - believers in the Love Priorities.

Richard noticed my horizon photography and asked me to supply twenty four horizon images for the book. He encouraged me to reflect, as in a memoir, with my captions. He trusted me to finish his trilogy. I am his relief pitcher for the book, and I think he knew it was needed.

Eulogies by Richard’s son Walter, Thomas Doyle, Jeff Anderson, and Reverend Homily by Edward Lambros reprinted in SMELL THE ROSES, clearly express Richard’s courage to care!

It is nice to have hard cover books for the personal library (I have over 100 photo art books) but the best way to buy Richard’s trilogy of books is digitally. I say this partially because the best resolution of my images is with the digital format. Other advantages are: cost is only $3 a book, you can change the font size, mobility, accessibility, immediate delivery, even book marking. order at www.frisenpress.com.

In any case I believe Richard is a model for self-realizing and Reaching the Sky.

Richard Reach the Sky

PARENTING

/

Parenting, in a broad view, is loving the vulnerable. It goes beyond children fathering or mothering. It is passionately learning, honorably serving, meaningfully mentoring, adventurously exploring, really relating , joyfully playing, proudly protecting, charitably contributing, and trustingly transferring - all in each, our unique way. Respectably parenting embodies, like little else, all the activities of SCG (Self-Realizing, Connecting, Giving).

I once thought success was having a large family - ten children, like my parents. What was I thinking - the cost, suffering, self abuse! I did eventually learn, though, that “it is in the giving that we receive”. And, caring for others, particularly the young and vulnerable, is a big deal in life.

My brother Richard exemplified parenting the vulnerable, being a renown advocate for the sexually abused by catholic clergy. I won’t be surprised if his legacy includes credit for playing a meaningful role in redirecting the Catholic Institution in a more healthy direction.

His passing will be one year August 8th. I am honored to participate in his final book of self-revealing poems - SMELL THE ROSES, available now, at www.friesenpress.com, coincident with the one year commemoration.

Parenting

Single Pond

SMELL THE ROSES is now available at FriesenPress bookstore - www.friesenpress.com

/

I am pleased to announce that SMELL THE ROSES, my brother Richard’s (AWR SIPE died August 8th, 2018) third and final book of poems is available at FriesenPress.com. His other two books of life revealing poems are I CONFESS and COURAGE AT THREE AM.

I am proud to be the continuing author of SMELL THE ROSES, adding my take on the book’s main theme of life, love, and mortality.

If you are so inclined, the best way to order the book(s) is directly with the publisher, FriesenPress - www.friesenpress.com.

Smell the Roses cover-.jpg

Share the Love!

Smell the Roses - coming soon

/

I am pleased to announce that Smell the Roses, feel the soil / reach the sky, the third book of my brother Richard’s life revealing poems, (I Confess and Courage at Three Am are the other two) is soon to be released by Friesen Press - the publisher of book one and book two of Richard’s touching trilogy. Go to coming soon on the following link https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000075337354 to get a preview.

The book reveals a bit of me as well - twenty four horizon images with accompanying words encouraged by Richard to “think like a memoir.”

A special part of the book is personal tributes to Richard’s life of caring, by people who experienced his love.

The book is about caring. The book is about love and the hope for more love.

Richard - a life well lived.


Smell the Roses cover-.jpg


The book will be available at Amazon, FriesePress, and, for friends and family, from me (at the best price).

Please share, since it won’t be on New York Times Best Seller’s list. Spotlight - like the academy award winning movie titled such, identifying Richard as the primary resource advancing the cause for abused children by a powerful institution gone wrong. Dealing with the truth is healing.

9 Activities of Daily Loving - pretty much gone

/

Alzheimer’s steals the recent past , then all past becomes questionable. There is no future, only the present, and that with a fair amount of confusion. I now realize that my mantra of Love in the moment has little meaning without a connection to the past and hope to the future.

The barely recognizable figures at water’s edge on Popham Beach, Maine, a foggy morning in June, reminds me of how it might be to have no past - nothing behind, while at water’s edge, thinking about the tide’s rise -overwhelming - as it will evidently be, not too long beyond the present.

Popham Beach PhaseOne IQ 180 80mm 1/50 sec f14 ISO 35

Eating, Bathing, Dressing, Toileting, Transferring, and maintaining Continence are well know activities of daily living - all eventually taken over by Alzheimer’s. Maybe first to go…. and equally, or more importantly, are the loss of all 9 activities of daily loving - Learning, Serving, Mentoring, Exploring, Relating, Playing, Protecting, contributing, and Transferring!

A Sense of Wonder

/

I spent time in Maine recently - three nights in Rockport at a photo workshop - A Sense of Wonder - and three nights with Patty, the kids and grandkids at Popham beach.

The workshop was great - my first taste of shooting the stars. Popham beach with the family was too short - what a wonderful place. I’m going back some day.

You can view a few of the week’s images at www.mesipe.com under new images to consider for printing.

Pollen Palate PhaseOne IQ 180 1/50 sec f11 ISO 35

I was not enamored with Pollen Palate at first. After a lot of play with it, I fell in love with it. Sometimes the more I play with an image the more I get attached. I’ve heard you can’t judge your own work because you’re too close! Time together gets you thinking - once mediocre, becomes great. Well, what the hell, as long as it turns me on.


Fifty Years to Stardom

/

It was fifty years ago this summer that my dad gave this young army lieutenant $100 to buy my first camera at the PX in Baden Baden, Germany. I was serving my Quartermaster Corp tour of duty in Worms, about an hour north east. It was the start of my passion for photography - actually, I had a twinge of the passion growing up watching Love that Bob, a tv sitcom about the fun life of Bob Comings, studio photographer with a large format camera… often photographing glamorous models.

My passion for photography grows and yet it took fifty years to take my first images of the stars.

Barrett’s Cove 2, Canon 5D Mark IV 45mm T/S 10 sec f2.8 ISO 6400



Barrett’s Cove 1, Canon 5D Mark IV 45mm T/S 10 sec f2.8 ISO 6400

I owe the notice of loving looking up to my brother Richard, recognizing before I did, that a lot of my favorite images included the horizon as a dominant center of interest.

I am honored that Richard invited me to show sky images for his third book of poems - Smell the Roses, feel the soil/ reach the sky. I will never forget his prodding me to dig deeper and reflect like in a memoir with my image captions. My image reflecting is honed with the process begot by Smell the Roses.. I am excited to see the book in print about the time of Richard’s year mark of passing and my 73 birthday - August 8th - Watch for it’s release - it will be available from Amazon, FriesenPress and me.

The stars have not been an attraction for me - the lighting (lack thereof) has been a turnoff, and late at night, in out of the way places, have been a factor. But oh, what a sight to capture. Because of the required long exposure the camera captures the stars better than our eyes can see - it blows my mind. I am light-years from capturing the image to print large that I envision. I will be working toward an image to print with help from night photography experts Jim Nicholson and Shannon Kalahan.

Looking up - I love it!