Water and Clouds

 

 

Sunrise 2013

I’ve shared this image before but think it worth a second pass.  You see, the fascination for me is how the waves seem to creep up out of the ocean to become pink clouds, while on the other end the sea water is seeping down into the sand creating a wet reflection of the pink clouds.  Ocean and clouds – it’s all water anyway.  Water is Life.  Water is the ultimate miracle on this planet for without we would cease to exist very quickly.

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Reflections

Blue Reflection (C) 2013 by Debi Bradford

 

Morning came early after a fitful, tossy-turny night.  Tornadoes ripped up my homeland yesterday, laying it bare by frightening, extreme elements.  I’ve lived through many tornadoes which fortunately turned left or right or lifted up and didn’t hit the house where I’d hunkered down.  My family and friends along that long, long path of destruction are on my mind, in my heart and thoughts this morning.  Sending them courage and strength and lots of love.

 

Alive (C) 2013 by Debi Bradford

 

In the middle of the tornadoes a very good friend was laying her mother to rest after a long illness.  No amount of tornadoes could stop that process.  I wasn’t there because I was here but what my friend told me later will stay with me forever.  She said as she watched her mother’s life slip away breath by breath she noticed a profound difference in her face.  Lines began disappearing and her face became youthful.  The pallor of sickness left and her skin began to glow.  She turned back into the beautiful woman she was before her illness.  My friend likened it to a new birth, a new beginning, and watching this miracle brought my friend peace.  Isn’t that lovely?

 

Morning Has Broken (C) 2013 by Debi Bradford

 

Events such as these open my heart to Gratitude as I reflect upon the gifts given me.  Today, I am extraordinarily grateful for my life and that of my friends and family, people in my blogosphere, acquaintances and old workmates, musicians whose tunes get my foot to tapping, and Adam, our waiter at Nikki’s last night who gave us such great service with humor and a smile.  Grateful for my Twinnie and upcoming trip to Scotland.  Happy to find a new Soul Friend Photographer.  Thankful for the extra weight I carry because I am not hungry.  Happy for this grey, foggy morning because I can breathe it in, see it and feel the moisture on my skin.  Life is Precious.  What a Gift, what a Gift.

Reflections

It’s all in how you see things….

Recently, we shared our home with two friends; Bo from Wisconsin stayed one week followed by Al from Texas who stayed the following week.

Early in Al’s visit he and I walked the beach looking for shark’s teeth and treasures.  He remarked that the beach isn’t his favorite place because it never changes.  Imagine my surprise.  Our friend is an avid explorer with a remarkable curiosity that I admire.  All environments change daily, minutely, assuredly.  Because I photograph this beach on a weekly, sometime daily basis I have never been disappointed by its diversity of mood.  Our amazing earth delights me – desert, prairie, river, sea …. meadow, mountain, forest, canyon … grassland, farmland, tundra, rainforest.  This planet changes daily, either minutely or in grand ways.  The trick is to sit still and notice, appreciate them all for what they are without judgement.  Al has documented incredible beauty in Texas with the promise to introduce me to the luscious diversity of his environment when we visit.  I am really looking forward to seeing his world. 

The week before our Texas friend arrived we had the pleasure of hosting one of my Wisconsin blogging friends for a week.  Bo, a remarkable woman and incredible nature photographer – had shared with me through our many animated conversations her thoughts on taking that first shot in the wilds.  First, she sits quietly until the buzz and hum of nature creeps into her soul.  She listens for birds and insects and the cracks and snaps of nature.  She smells the air for subtle scents.  She journals her feelings about the place and how it makes her feel.  She begins to look closely at her surroundings, noticing the light, angles, shapes, geometry and colors.  Only then does she consider her first shot. That, my friends, blew me away. I often simply begin clicking just because it’s there without actually noticing what’s before me.  That sounds odd, but its true.  Five years ago I found Bo’s blog skimming the blogroll of another friend.  Its title caught my attention – Seeded Earth.  Well, that is just so “me.”  Over time we have become fast friends – soul friends. 

Certain people have a gift for truly living and seeing our world in all its glory.  Bo and Al’s visits freshened my vision of my beach and its various habitats – maritime forest, salt marsh, brackish river, ocean and sand – and I fell in love with it all over again.  Al eventually saw the beauty of salt marsh and beach after a week of “immersion therapy.”  He left here refreshed and fully appreciative of the beauty of this place.  Thank you my Texas and Wisconsin friends for your wisdom and your forever friendship – you both bring such joy into my life.  Each of you in your own way reassures me, accepts me, lifts me up and teaches me new appreciation for the blessings before me.