Some of the book club members celebrate "Banned Books Week" by posing and/or reading books that have been challenged. They researched some of the titles to discover the controversy and created the display which drew plenty of questions and conversations regarding the 'right to read' from all library patrons! What a great group!
The freedom to express ideas is something Americans may take for granted...realistically, though, there are limits to that 'right' as well. The method of expression is often moderated to represent a non-offensive manner which may actually impact the message. In many cases, the right to express ideas is hampered by a fearful environment or one in which consequences may be negative. Nonetheless, protecting intellectual freedom, the right to choose your readings, and the opportunity to speak one's thoughts and ideas are all worth fighting for....! Lorenzo Walker campus, Naples, FL
Friday, September 30, 2011
09.30.11
Thursday, September 29, 2011
09.29.11
Some people drink from the fountain of knowledge, others just gargle.
~ Dr. Robert Anthony
Continuing my efforts to find humor in my world - stretching it, indeed, but it is the end of the week! :)
Edison State College - Collier Campus, Naples, FL
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
09.28.11
These glamorous ladies, drinking their limeade cocktails at the beach, are actually confined to the inside stucco of a residential carport which doubles as a sculptor's workshop! Whimsical and fun - a welcome scene for a creative environment. Seems we need to inject more humor in our daily lives to compensate for so many serious issues impacting the world and what better way! :) It makes me smile every time I go by. 1st Ave N & 5th St, Naples, FL
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
09.27.11
What's on your refrigerator? Isn't it interesting that these important kitchen coolers have become a gallery and/or a message board and/or a visible 'junk drawer'?! Mine appears to be an analog scrapbook from a certain period of time (that toddler is now a college student!), a repository for the Wellness class schedules, and a place for a diversified magnet collection. Whatever is on yours, I imagine there are some great storytelling prompts just waiting to be discovered! :) Naples, FL
Monday, September 26, 2011
09.26.11
"Ducky" weather today with soaking rains and the Muscovies were out and about. Most were deep into preening, but this one was content to somehow straddle the narrow parking bumper - looks pretty uncomfortable to me! This kind of weather is much more conducive to snuggling under the covers and catching up on reading, but Monday brings a work day instead! :) Lowdermilk Park, Naples, FL
Sunday, September 25, 2011
09.25.11
On a short beach walk this morning to catch a few images, but never imagined I would see this musician at solo 'rehearsal'! What dedication and...flexibility! :) Never having any musical talent nor ear for notes doesn't take away my love for that 'poetry in the air' - I only wish I had the patience to continue my early lessons. Perhaps that study will be re-prioritized in the future. In the meantime, I'll just delight in the unexpected sounds created by the love of music. 3rd Ave N & Gulf of Mexico, Naples, FL
Saturday, September 24, 2011
09.24.11
By three methods we may learn wisdom: first, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third, by experience, which is the most bitter.
~ Confucius
In our global society, that bitter experience path often impacts others, as well. Somehow, we (collectively) need to find a way to include more reflection in our journey towards wisdom. Freedom Park, Naples, FL
Friday, September 23, 2011
09.23.11
Look what I found in my water! ;) Although I try to avoid bottled water, there are times when I'm unprepared...and this is the first time I discovered a goldfish in my purchase! Naples, FL
Thursday, September 22, 2011
09.22.11
Simple bungalow Florida living is reflected in this home and landscape...a goal yet to be accomplished! Naples, FL
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
09.21.11
Prepping for next week's attention to "Banned Books"! Final plans for the display by the Book Club will determined at Friday's meeting, but thought a flyer would springboard some conversation. A week to reflect on our freedoms - not just the freedom to read, but to participate in a democracy...a time to remember that not all human beings have that freedom, nor that responsibility. Lorenzo Walker campus, Naples, FL
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
09.20.11
Tips of the Australian pine trees are delicate and wispy, an antithesis to their stout and very hard wood. Most often used as a windbreak, these trees are fairly common in SW Florida. Due to their salt-water tolerance, they do quite well here....too well! They are considered invasive - though some will defend their existence as nature's own. Pine Ridge & Naples Blvd, Naples, FL
Monday, September 19, 2011
09.19.11
A little industrial lines and shapes - spotted this trailered to a tree trimming truck, so assume it is a wood chipper of some sort. The mechanism is likely a time- and energy-saver, as most machines have become these days. Relying on these tools is expected and yet one wonders if our reliance has led to a blinding dependence?!? Sometimes I question whether some could survive and be self-sufficient without the industrial contributions...hopefully, if push came to shove, the native human ingenuity would reign. Golden Gate Pkwy & Goodlette Rd, Naples, FL
Sunday, September 18, 2011
09.18.11
Surprised to see this complete and new set of beach toys 'hidden' (only partially revealed by the array of color) in the sea oats - what were they thinking? Has consumerism become that blind to reuse and recycle? Or was someone thinking that it would be a temporary spot for them to pick up their goods later...at the expense of the plantings? Or was a parent upset with their child and decided to ditch the toys before having to argue about it on the ride home? I'm sure there are many other potential scenarios, but they all lead back to a disregard for both property and nature. This, of course, is only the tip (and a kind of pretty one, at that) of the iceberg - most discarded items are less interesting and more damaging, but the disrespectful attitude is becoming too prevalent. 4th Ave N & Gulf of Mexico, Naples, FL
Saturday, September 17, 2011
09.17.11
It is not unusual to see some wild color schemes on residences,especially with the Bahamian influence, but these color blocks are an 'architectural feature' of a business in town. Quite the attention getter! One might imagine this design being on an art museum, design center or other creative venture, but this, believe it or not, is a cancer center. Now, I'm very much intrigued to see the inside decor! Try as I might to get all of the lines and angles in proper alignment, I could not square them up, so I went for a partial diagonal. But given the building's uniqueness, it just makes sense to slant the angles! 10th Ave N & 10th St, Naples, FL
Friday, September 16, 2011
09.16.11
I first shot this because it reminded me of the bull's eye I feel I've been wearing all week, but after seeing the image out of camera, I see the point upward as a bit more prophetic (thinking optimistically, I guess, since the weekend has begun)! :) Reaching for the skies is certainly a positive influence on one's accomplishments, despite the fact that reality strikes regularly. Gulfshore Blvd, Naples, FL
Thursday, September 15, 2011
09.15.11
Blurry movement and crisper stillness are both captured here - another of life's many dichotomies. Understanding oppositional forces helps to create that desired balance - Chopra says it well, “In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you.” Sometimes the blur is within and we seek a quiet environment for satisfactory equilibrium, but the extremes are needed to build the purposeful continuum. Naples, FL
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
09.14.11
Hard nuts to crack sometimes - these pistachios....in fact, there were a couple of nails marred by attempting to open some of the more stubborn ones.
For the freshman students in today's media classes, researching was not as easy as first thought either and there was plenty of measured practice in searching, evaluating and using information ethically. As many know, "googling it" is not a magic bullet! ;) Naples, FL
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
09.13.11
A quick snap...but attracted to the lines, shapes, dark/light contrast, so decided to keep it. It also reminds me of many Martin Luther King's words and beliefs...in particular:
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction....
~ from Strength to Love (1963)
The words are both simplistic and deeply meaningful. His words always seem to capture that essence.
On a side note, teaching ninth graders about website evaluation is oh.so tough since they really do 'know it all'!! :) But in searching for this quote, it took some digging to get to the actual source - in fact, most of the top hits were from secondary sources that did not link back to book and would then be considered less than reliable. How hard is it to link back to the original and give credit where credit is due!?! Naples, FL
Monday, September 12, 2011
09.12.11
Chained (and rusty, at that!)...some Mondays just feel that way!
You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body, but you will never imprison my mind.
~ Mahatma Ghandi
Sunday, September 11, 2011
09.11.11
The dawn's light wakens the fairways at the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club - its golden hues are very momentary as the green of the grass unveils itself from under the dew. Another moment, another day - but, one with special significance marking the tenth anniversary of another moment in time - one much less serene.
The stories of 9/11 are markers in our lives that will never be forgotten. I admire those who go beyond the memorable anniversaries and create positive change as a result of the impact of that day. This blog posting was replicated in an email to me as a member of the online organizational tool - its story offers those connections, communities, and uplifting cohesion that was not lost in the events of that tragic day ten years ago. Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club, Naples, FL
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
09.09.11
Small geode slabs to remind me of my connection to the layers of Mother nature...and a little reminder to wash the windows of nature's dried rain drops, as well! Imagining the labor of polishing these rock slices also reminds me of my lapidary days...so much from one small shot! Big things come in small packages, indeed! Looking forward to unwrapping that 'present' over the weekend - oh yeah, and getting out the Windex! ;) Naples, FL
Thursday, September 8, 2011
09.08.11
Still another month away from completion, this new building on campus caught my eye. Hopefully, it is hurricane-resistant glass as it appears a bit vulnerable right now! The glass offers both a transparent look at the distant trees on the other side of the facade and a wavy reflective view of the trees in front of the building. At varying degrees, we all have qualities of both reflection and transparency - some are better at disguise than others though. Edison State College - Collier campus, Naples, FL
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
09.07.11
Seeing lots of green these days with our daily showers...this image - a staghorn fern's various elements and one leftover drop of rain! The staghorns are fairly hardy in our tropical climate and they can be seen hanging under trees in many neighborhoods. As an epiphyte, they grow on 'air' with just a bit of peat-like medium. This partial view show both types of leaves - the sterile one (veined and circular) and the fertile one (long and antler-like). A very interesting plant indeed! Naples, FL
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
09.06.11
Lemon balm on the kitchen window sill provides a nice citrus-y scent and some medicinal soothing to boot! Like most herbs, lemon balm has a deep history drawing on many cultures and uses. Beyond their culinary enhancements, herbs often have a special healing power. As the folks in the northern climates are starting to turn over their summer crops, we are beginning to think about our plantings for the balmy winter. Seasonal changes and differences - love the diversity! Naples, FL
Monday, September 5, 2011
09.05.11
An emerging water lily is invaded by bees - a fascinating scene which occupied me for several minutes (see video). Their diligence and industrious motion was so focused...unlike my free-flowing lackadaisical celebration of Labor Day. Seth Godin's blog posting today highlights the need for drastically changing our educational system from days gone by - unlike these bees (though their labor is admired), we need to establish environments that promote innovation and creativity....difficulty to do with the emphasis on standardization and compliance. Naples Botanical Garden, Naples, FL
Sunday, September 4, 2011
09.04.11
Nothing beats an intensely colorful sunrise to welcome a new day... shot just at the right moment when the sunlight was climbing over the horizon. Too bad the power lines intrude, but they add the reality of human's intrusion on nature's palette...or perhaps they, like other evidence of human nature, can truly be part of a peaceful coexistence!???!?! 6th St & 1st Ave N, Naples, FL
Saturday, September 3, 2011
09.03.11
Looks like our wonderful little French restaurant, Bleu Provence, has expanded and offers a 'Cellar' next door now...will have to investigate soon! Our town, like so many, has been invaded by larger business chains - to include: restaurants, book stores, clothing shops, and grocery stores. Though I certainly spend my share of dollars there, I often prefer the smaller, 'home-grown' establishments. They do have a difficult time competing in price, but the quality of merchandise and customer service often far outweigh the extra cost. I know the entrepreneurial spirit is tough, but I am pleasantly surprised to see the growth of small business in these poor economic times. Congratulations, Cariots!
Friday, September 2, 2011
09.02.11
This power cord is ready to recharge a very important electronic tool. :) My favorite gadgets don't function without a consistent power feed and neither do I! This upcoming three day weekend is a welcome 'recharge' time for me, too! Naples, FL
Thursday, September 1, 2011
09.01.11
After some pounding rains (due to the unnamed tropical wave fringes), the color of these berries caught my eye. Despite the heat and humidity, they remind me of the upcoming seasonal changes (for most, further from the equator, those changes may already be in the air....for us, it will be another 6 weeks or so, but still nice to think ahead!).
A fun and interesting discussion tonight with my Intro to Ed Tech students about various technologies and the impact of change. Showed a snippet from The Gods Must Be Crazy to springboard the definition, the impact (positive and negative), and the relationship to human nature...it was a perfect focal point to start the thought process about using technology in the learning process. Edison State College, Collier Campus, Naples, FL
