The end of a month...and the lawns are blanketed with 'spent' pink tabebuia flowers. Despite the finality of those blooms, the knowledge of the cyclical process makes it okay. It is difficult to find optimism when in the midst of despair and depression, but positive thoughts can play a constructive role. ("I think I can, I think I can!") Bougainvillea Dr, Naples, FL
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
08.30.11
Transformation: green apple to bird! One of the culinary students shared her 'food art' creation today - not bad for her first try! :) Displayed at the front desk, it stayed in the spotlight for most of the day...with just a little bit of browning. Though relatively short-lived in physical form, the experience, the results, and the compliments are much longer lasting. Such the transformation! :) Lorenzo Walker campus, Naples, FL
Monday, August 29, 2011
08.29.11
Easy, right? State legislators seem to think so when they dictate educational policy. The 'public' often think so when they express governance issues. So many service workers are caught in the middle, where it is rarely easy! On a Staples delivery truck on US 41E & Goodlette Rd, Naples, FL
Sunday, August 28, 2011
08.28.11
Peeling paint cracks along the edge of this pavement curb allowing the concrete to peek through...looks like city maintenance is overdue! Maintenance is a commonly neglected activity - it is often hard 'to catch up' with such needs when there is always something new to discover. :) Well, guess that's a good reminder to resume my own weekly maintenance chores... 4th Ave N & Gulf of Mexico, Naples, FL
Saturday, August 27, 2011
08.27.11
Yellow lily blooms opening up for a new day...and if you look closely, you'll discover a sleepy frog likely hoping for continued sanctuary.
Sanctuary, on a personal level, is where we perform the job of taking care of our soul.
~ Christopher Forrest McDowell
My sanctuary can be a good book, a visit to the Naples Botanical Garden with my camera, or a conversational lunch with a great friend. Today, I experienced all three - I'm very lucky! Naples, FL
Friday, August 26, 2011
08.26.11
Silhouetted palms at sunrise - a lovely sight! Every morning marks a refreshing new opportunity and that's why I relish the dawns. They are especially rewarding on the last day of the work week! 3rd Ave S & 6th St, Naples, FL
Thursday, August 25, 2011
08.25.11
The white bird of paradise always impresses me - who would have thought the plant would have such a hidden bloom? It is somewhat 'secretive' in that regards - not unlike so many elements in nature (both human and otherwise)! Naples, FL
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
08.24.11
No hurricane - just the typical afternoon summer thunder bursts. Thankfully, Florida is out of the 'cone' for Irene's wrath...though they predict we will still get some fringe effects. My thoughts are with those in the path now - hoping they are preparing and/or evacuating, as appropriate. This one looks like a 'doozy'. Neapolitan Way and US 41, Naples, FL
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
08.23.11
This barricade signal light was the original focus, but really got distracted by the metal stake and the interesting placement of the round bokeh! Sadly, it is only Tuesday, so my perspective can't be blamed on the end of a stressful week! :) Nevertheless, it was a fun diversion. Airport Rd & Davis Blvd, Naples, FL
Monday, August 22, 2011
08.22.11
Turn lane symbol looks a bit misleading from this view - you really don't want to drive into the fenced landscape! Working hard to avoid these mixed signals, but it can be a challenge! Solana Rd & Goodlette-Frank Rd, Naples, FL
Sunday, August 21, 2011
08.21.11
The Alligator Flag blooms into a zigzag stem and pretty purple petals this time of year - the unique zigzag intrigues me! Of course, there is always a bug of some type or another hanging out - looks like there are three in this photo - can you spot them? Freedom Park, Naples, FL
Saturday, August 20, 2011
08.20.11
A pop of orange fungi and green weed sets of this scrub - fun to see the color and texture. Naples, FL
Friday, August 19, 2011
08.19.11
After an exceptionally long hard week, my package from Wyoming was a warm and welcome reminder that there remain some beautiful places of quiet refuge - just need to 'escape' there more often! :) Naples, FL
Thursday, August 18, 2011
08.18.11
Soft texture, neutral space and a little DOF - kind of soothing (and for some reason reminds me of pasta - lol)! Naples, FL
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
08.17.11
Gentle breezes help create a semi-blurred photo of these fluffy ornamental grasses...Somehow that matches my day today, as well. A steady stream of information in all-day meetings...and they expect students to learn sitting down watching PowerPoint presentations for six hours??!? Naples, FL
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
08.16.11
Beautiful dawn with salmon and inky colors in the sky ... an irresistible drive-by shoot! And not a bad start to the day either despite its early hour. :) The addition of tree silhouettes, lampposts shining bright, and the evident perspective & vanishing point makes this shot interesting to me despite its 'busy-ness'.
Though there is definitely an interest and appeal to monochrome views with the shadows, textures and hues, nothing brings full joy and fascination like a natural palette immersed with color. Such enhancements are really the 'icing on the cake' and alone have little value. The same thoughts extend to so many things - it really isn't the 'bells and whistles', the enhancements, that create success...instead it is the structure, the basic foundation. Davis Blvd & Commercial Dr, Naples, FL
Monday, August 15, 2011
08.15.11
Fresh summer tomatoes ripening on the vine - a lovely red fruit with the added antioxidant benefits of lycopene...among other nutrients. These three juicy looking samples are just begging for some fresh basil and buffalo mozzarella with little drizzle of olive oil, balsamic vinegar and freshly ground black pepper. I will soon oblige!
Nutrition for the brain is back in gear as well. The new challenges of 2011-12 are kicking off under multiple changes in our school district. Lofty goals have been set and here's hoping the resources and support will match. Enthusiasm abounds (for now), providing the impetus for forward movement. Naples, FL
Sunday, August 14, 2011
08.14.11
Soaring...and on the hunt for breakfast!
With the onset of a new school year around the corner, the opportunity for students to successfully 'soar' is facilitated by a community of learners - be they peers or adults. 3rd Ave N & Gulf of Mexico, Naples, FL
Saturday, August 13, 2011
08.13.11
Back to swaying palms, but an 'attitude adjustment' is needed before the work week begins! Naples, FL
Friday, August 12, 2011
08.12.11
Wind farms dot the landscape outside Medicine Bow...taking advantage of the plentiful resource and producing energy for regional as well as high density populations. Medicine Bow, WY
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
08.09.11
The amazing majesty of the Grand Teton mountains from the wildflower drenched summit - a breathtaking view, especially as it seems to emerge from nowhere! Togwotee Pass, WY
08.08.11
Ridge entrance to the Lazy L&B Ranch - originally the Kite Ranch homesteaded by my great grandparents, Gilbert & Sarah Muir, after immigrating from Scotland in the early 1900's - located off East Fork Road outside of Dubois, WY
08.07.11
Dogs are most definitely part of our family reunions - and there were two more who didn't make it into this photograph as well as two others that didn't make the trip up from Denver! Casper, WY
Sunday, August 7, 2011
08.05.11
Laramie Peak, visible companion on the drive from Denver to Casper...barren and beautiful wide open spaces!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
08.04.11
Another one of those days that failed to allow for decent photography time...and coincided with the last day of summer session with those never ending deadlines! Tired and 'spent' with few reserves, so the focus is getting re-charged for a new day. So weary that when this was shot, I actually thought they had provided too much change - tomorrow is another day! Naples, FL
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
08.03.11
Alkaline batteries headed to the recycling box after 'powering' up our campus student response clickers...we go through so many batteries trying to keep all of our tech tools working. Cursory research, though, indicates that these batteries no longer recycle and are put in landfills like other trash! Some of our devices use rechargeable batteries and though that may be better for the planet, they come with their own problems. It is so difficult to balance our electronic expectations and other modern world conveniences with the need to reduce the carbon footprint and protect the extraordinary planet on which we live. Lorenzo Walker campus, Naples, FL
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
08.02.11
The shopping has begun - one of the favorite parts of my job! ;) These books are for the campus Media Center...most of them by student request - a few recommendations gleaned from my professional reading. Budgeting for titles has become more difficult as dollars have decreased and interest for diverse and increased reading has grown (ironically!). Despite the issues, the commitment to getting books into the hands, hearts, and minds of students is a priority. Unlike traditional 'school' where students may not have a choice, freedom to select a book from the library is truly a personal one. Empowerment! What a powerful concept! Lorenzo Walker campus, Naples, FL
Monday, August 1, 2011
08.01.11
Random and multicolored, striped and tapered, these little candles will adorn a cake one day. They will bring joy to the birthday girl or boy as their flame is extinguished with a breath and a wish! No trick candles here! :)
The package of thirty six birthday candles would need to be more than doubled to represent the 88 years my father would have been in celebrating his special day this year. We've missed eight birthdays with him but he is thought of often. So much has happened in that relatively short amount of time - some impressive and significant events, other tedious and mundane. It is so tough to measure the meaning of history and seems much more interesting to 'be' in it and to cultivate the future. The past, however, is always treasured for what it was and what it can teach us about ourselves and our culture. Happy Birthday JEC! Naples, FL
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