S! Challenge #2: Snapping Turtle!!

There was just something about the distinctive shape of that neck & head & carapace — I knew: This is a turtle!!  I spotted this specimen from a distance of about 40 yards — give you some idea of its size?? Theo is the size of a tall Corgi, for comparison purposes.

And, yes, I was a bit trepidatious about the two of them interacting. After all, legend has it that if Chelydra serpentina, the Common Snapping Turtle gets hold of you with its powerful jaws, it will never let go ………. until it begins to thunder. Which I don’t really believe, but who wants to test it?!? Besides — how much would that HURT?!? So, here are several views of this amazingly placid, tolerant, silent creature ……..I’ve always considered Turtle to be a spiritual friend, & have written before of the qualities that make it so: The sense of always having all that you need, right there with you, being able to retreat if you want, & having the reputation of “getting there” through solid, determined effort. But, I imagine there is some whimsy in their reptilian souls, which this rather unfocused image suggests ……….

I love this unfocused pic — the turtle looks like she’s cavorting!

This week’s topic for our “A-Z Archive” photo challenge: the “S” archive: introduce one photo of your archive with an “S” Keyword. – I’m sure you’ll find a picture: tag with “A-Z Archive” and put a link on your page to FrizzText, so we’ll get a trackback-list including your post!

P! Challenge

This week’s topic for our “A-Z Archive” photo challenge: the “P” archive: introduce one photo of your archive with an “P” Keyword. – I’m sure you’ll find a picture: tag with “A-Z Archive” and put a link on your page to FrizzText, so we’ll get a trackback-list including your post!

Somewhere, in the neighborhood, there is a Pagan family, with little Pagan children! At least, that is suggested by this Pentacle, drawn in chalk.

L! Challenge

This week’s topic for our “A-Z Archive” photo challenge: the “L” archive: introduce one photo of your archive with an “L” Keyword. – I’m sure you’ll find a picture: tag with “A-Z Archive” and put a link on your page to FrizzText, so we’ll get a trackback-list including your post!

Lovely Lady

This hand-carved, wooden sculpture is just over 12″ high. I bought it at a yard sale, many years ago, but this is no way defines its worth to me. What I mean is this: In the event of a fire, once I had all the living beings taken care of, I’d actually grab this sculpture as I dash out to safety. I keep it near the door for just this reason!

I love the beautiful negative spaces, of her upraised arms, & between her calves.

I don’t know what culture this sculpture may belong to, if any. Or, if there’s any particular spiritual significance within that context. I am always taken with images of women holding a vase or pot: “the prime vessel holding a vessel” seems to have some sort of archetypal meaning.

The strong diaganol of her sarong-like garment demands that you turn her around, to view from all directions.

           

Look, & Love!

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I! Challenge & Mindfulness Insight

This week’s topic for our “A-Z Archive” photo challenge: the “I” archive: introduce one photo of your archive with an “I” Keyword. – I’m sure you’ll find a picture: tag with “A-Z Archive” and put a link on your page … Continue reading →

The Muses, taking turns

I’ve not written that much lately — interesting how the WordMuse comes & goes:) I’ve been caught up in, & captivated by, taking photographs; The ImageMuse asserting herself, I guess. Recently, I discovered the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge, & eagerly began participating in that. Then, I came across the A-Z Challenge & joined that one too, starting with ‘E’. Both of these are way fun to be part of. And I notice that they greatly increase the interactions among bloggers (coincidence? Discuss).

THEN, I started another blog Contemplative Eye, where I am nurturing my own emerging artist. This is also another form of a MindfulnessTool, in a way, on-going, longitudinal. AND then, I’ve started my own Personal Photo Assignment (so far: RED) just for myself, but y’all are free to join in too! (Tag: Personal Photo Assignment)

So, what I’m discovering by spending so much time taking photos, sorting them, posting them, is that my attention, my mindfulness, is both increased, & dis-increased (not exactly the same as ‘decreased’……).

 My attentiveness is increased in this way: By having an ‘assignment’ to focus on (photo pun intended , I find that I really look at things anew. For example: When I was looking for images to post for the Weekly Photo Challenge: HOPE, I had to move beyond seeing things; I had to see abstract things, as ‘hope’ is amorphous, not tangible. It was challenging, & creative too — adding a quote, or a poem, or attaching the photo to a story changed the simple image of a thing into an abstract thing. For the A-Z Archive Challenge, tangible & abstract things will work; images can be of a single item, or illustrative of a situation, or …..

My attentiveness is dis-increased in this way: Sometimes I get so busy looking for the thing, situation, image that will “work” for the assignment I’m pursuing that I miss everything else! Sometimes, I am into the assignment, but not really in the moment. And, of course, learning to be attentive, MINDFUL of Each Moment of Being is the on-going purpose of this blog (or rather, this blog is the chronicle of that purpose).

As long as one or more of The Muses is hovering nearby, it’s all good …………..