Winter Wobbled, Now It's Gone

A few pictures to demonstrate that we still have winter in the northeastern United States.  But it was a strange winter, perhaps the "new normal."  We had snow; then a spell of unseasonable warm weather; then another snow.  And repeat, regularly, through early April.  Still, it was pretty !

 

The spring flowers started to bloom in the warm March weather, and then shivered and shriveled in the late March spell of re-winter.  Still, they persisted.

Photography and Politics

"Tell me what democracy looks like?" they called.

"This is what democracy looks like!!" we shouted back.

My eyes filled with tears. I think I had been hanging in with grim determination since the election of Donald Trump, trying to think forward and strategically.  Now, I was surprisingly moved, standing and yelling and waving signs with these strangers/neighbors.  Suddenly, I was feeling hope.

I believe that we have arrived at a crucial moment in American history.  Our country achieved amazing things in the last decade - the astonishing election of a black president, a national ruling requiring states to allow our gay and lesbian friends to marry, huge improvements in our health care system, and the public naming and protest of unjust police violence against citizens of color. In the face of that progress, enormous injustice and inequality remained.  But the progress we were making also wound the springs of a right-wing national movement powered by skillful demagoguery. And those demagogues have taken the reins of government, and in just a week have signaled how quickly and deeply they intend to tear down American progress - not just of the last decade, but progress our country has made since my parents were born.  

I started this blog to explore ways of seeing the world.  I have often focused my lens on the natural world, and in particular things of beauty.  I will continue to do that.  There are some things that are essential parts of a meaningful life that we create ourselves and do not depend on government.  It is ours to see beauty.  It is ours to share love.  It is ours to reflect and consider.  I hope to continue to share photographs that support our internal lives, which give us strength and meaning.

But some things must be done together.  So maybe, sometimes, this photo blog will become a little more political.

This sign was painted by a friend of my brother David.  As a child, she survived the Holocaust that killed millions of Jews in Europe.  She asked us, "How can anyone stand by and watch this happen again?"

This protest of the Trump administration's order against Muslim immigrants was one of many strong protests across the country.  It followed the previous weekend's Women's Marches that drew millions of Americans; and dozens of organized visits to Congressional offices and tens of thousands of calls to members of Congress during the week.  This is what we need to do - every week for as long as it takes - even if we "stand up" while sitting down.

If you don't already have resources to let you know what needs doing today, check out MoveOn.org, PeoplesAction.org, or DailyAction.org .

I'm with Peace Kitty.

Reflected

Plato suggested that human perception is so limited that our understanding of the world is like seeing shadows on a wall.  The modern understanding aligns with this:  we only see or hear what comes within our range, what is within our limited bandwidth, and only to the extent we are able to pay attention.  And don't even get me started about memory ...

But I am starting to think that what we really perceive is always a reflection, or the combination of what is right in front of us with what is reflected from behind us.  

And if we only see what we individually are capable of seeing, then in some sense what we are always seeing is ourselves.

By the way, I think I can see you too.  At least to the extent we are reflections of each other.

Hello !

Thankful

There is a lot to be worried about, this Thanksgiving season.
And of course the holiday has disturbing aspects in its origins.

Still -- while keeping those realities present -- when is it bad to be thankful?

For the beauty that comes with the change in seasons...

For the wonderful meals, and the skill and time it takes to prepare them...

For the unexpected skills and conversations that enliven our gathering ...

For the regularly repeated conversation, "Remind me, are you my second cousin once removed? or ....."
For health and hardiness (my cousin Gerry's visit to the hospital notwithstanding)...
And most and best, for my wonderful and quite extended family !!

May the friends and family around us provide the strength we need to make the world better over the coming year.

The Return of The View From Steve's Camera

At a wedding this fall, I met a camera enthusiast who was taking pictures with a camera that was a lot smaller than the old digital Nikon I've been using.  The pictures were gorgeous.  It's a relatively new kind of camera called "mirrorless."  With newer sensor technology, and some great lens options, these new cameras take really nice pictures - perhaps even nicer than what I can get from my old Nikon.  I rented a Fuji X-T2 to try it out; and now I've bought one.  In time for Amy's birthday celebrations last weekend ...

I'm totally hooked.  Something about this camera reminds me of why I started taking pictures -- and started this blog -- so many years ago:  When I'm taking a lot of pictures (even when I don't have the camera in my hand) I remember to look at the world.  It's really a pretty amazing place !

I'm going to try to get back on a regular schedule, posting pictures ever two to four weeks.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do !