DAY NINETEEN

MARCH 21, 2013  Day Nineteen

Daily I think about life and death. Mostly about life, but recently a friend has lost relatives and friends and so mortality is on my mind.  My friend, Emily, has a view from her hospital room at UCLA and is struggling with stuff that young people should not have to deal with.  I've known her family since before she was born.  Her granddad has been a close and trusted friend since the seventies. 

Her mom, Gloria, has taken some cloud photos for me. I like the contrast in this one between the sharp lines of the buildings and the sky.

As Emily slogs through all this crap, I send daily good wishes to her.  

Whether or not I believe in prayer, per se, these days is questionable, but regardless, I do believe that it makes ME feel connected when I ask the Universe for health, happiness and wholeness for her.  For Emily.

In the scheme of things, I don't think that long and involved supplications mean much.  It's just that moment every day that I think of Emily and Gloria and their family and invite anyone who likes clouds or kitties or pie or laughter to dedicate a cloud or a kitty or some pie or a laugh to them.  Okay?

Thanks Gloria for the neat photo.    

DAY EIGHTEEN

Day Eighteen

Emily's Window photo by Gloria Gunn Hobson

My friends, Gloria and Emily, are at the UCLA hospital.  This is a view of clouds from their window.  Emily's battle with health issues have been been problematic and frustrating.  That Gloria and Gene and Lennon and all their family and friends are steadfast in their support of Emily remains ... well... steadfast.   

I started these 'thoughts' as an exercise in my own photos and observations.  Today I'd like those few of you who may follow these writings to take a moment to just think a good thought for Emily and her family.  Whether our good thoughts are for others or mostly for ourselves, I'm still working out.  I do know that the daily thought I send to Emily makes me feel good.   

Pass it on.  Be well. and as Garrison says, "Do good work."

thanks, m  

DAY SEVENTEEN

Day Seventeen

The Triangle Motel has been here at Verdugo and Eagle Rock for well over twenty years.  I think it may be more a residential business than a motel in the traditional sense.  I see big rigs parked on Verdugo, just around the corner from the Triangle now and then.   I love this sign that states the obvious.  There's a driving school and an air conditioner business right next to the motel as well as some apartments that face directly onto Verdugo.  The 2 Freeway rumbles by almost directly above.   I like the contrast of the angles of the freeway in the frame and the introduction of the alien creature from War of the Worlds (1953).

The walk home the other day yielded several photo ops.  I wonder what it is about the simplicity of the sky that is so appealing?  It was clouds and a bright blue sky that got me started back in October, 2012.

Spring was in the air. Today a little winter sneaks back in.  

Today, I was reminded of a quote by Nietzsche:  "One must still have chaos in oneself, to give birth to a dancing star."  I first saw that quote several years ago in a thrift store on 8th Avenue in Greeley, Colorado.  I'd found a copy of Richard Bach's Illusions. As I flipped through the familiar pages, two cards were discovered.  One had the Nietzsche quote. The other had this by Picasso:   “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” 

Suddenly, there was a little commotion at my feet. An Hispanic kid about seven literally slid on his knees excitedly up to the book case where the kids' books were on the bottom shelf. His parents didn't have English as a first language, but apologized for the kid being so excited.  I looked at the two cards in my hand and handed them to the parents saying that I thought they should have them for their son.  They didn't quite understand the reference, but took the cards anyway.  

To see a kid excited about books is a joy. I hope this guy (who may be in high school by now) has retained his love of reading and may be making art as well.