Posts tagged as:

winter

Offseason, Westbrook, CT

January 14, 2017

The joint is jumping in the summer, but come the offseason, not so much.

Today I was talking about FL with a Tai Chi classmate (local Y, great class) who was telling stories of Key West: ” You have to bring another liver…”

It’s that time up here in New England when we start dreaming (and talking) about white sandy beaches and warm breezes (even though it was in the mid-50s a couple of days ago).

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Went out for a walk during the recent snowstorm, right at dusk, and found our neighbor Paul getting a jump on the cleanup. The rest of the walk (normally an easy stroll) was like being in the wintry wilds of northern New England: howling wind, biting cold, icy footing, and no other soul about.

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A magnificent, gently curved cobblestone pavilion was built at this CT park in the 1930’s by the WPA. This view is from the tunnel beneath it, on a New Year’s Day with temps in the 40’s.

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Peace Sign, Old Lyme, CT

December 31, 2016

One last image here for 2016 – one that’s been percolating for the past few days. Not so much a summation of the past year, but more about the way forward into the next.

It surprised me that after looking at all the images that I gravitated to this one: fiery, passionate, fierce, and decidedly not from the flowery old school. But then again, waging peace calls for every bit of talent, skill and discipline we can muster – separately as individuals and together as communities – day in and day out.

I want to thank Andrea and her family, who, like lighthouse keepers of yore, keep this flame burning bright, right there on a main road in Old Lyme. And a special thanks for lighting it up a little early for me tonight.

Happy New Year to all, and may 2017 bring you some pleasant surprises!!

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Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Merry Yule! Happy Solstice! Blessings for Everyone!

And a simple prayer for the season:

“Peace be unto all the world over, under Thy Will, O God.” (Guru Nanak, 1469-1539 AD)

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Morning Gathering, Weston, VT

December 23, 2016

Eight years ago, I had the opportunity to photograph the community of monks at the Weston Priory, for a piece that ran in Vermont magazine.

I think of them now, at this time of the Winter Solstice, Christmas and Hanukkah – the return of the Light – and how they represent our better natures.

They would probably tell you that it IS difficult to build community, BUT with effort, prayer and a conscious commitment to support one another as best as we can, something great can happen. And as difficult as those struggles can be – with oneself, with others, and with our Creator – they are well worth our time and attention.

Here the Brothers gather at their morning meeting, which unfolds in prayer, song, readings and discussion of the day’s plans.

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changes on the land-6015

The title here is a nod to a (quite readable) book by the historian William Cronon, called Changes In The Land: Indians, Colonists and the Ecology of New England, found here. Anyone interested in early colonial New England and particularly the convergence of the Native American and European cultures at that time may find it worthwhile. The book is perhaps most succinctly summarized by one Amazon reviewer, who says: “Indians hunted for dinner and not for the market.” Cronon explores the many facets of that notion, including, interestingly enough, the role of status anxiety in both the cultures. That’s one thing that hasn’t changed much over the years.

Alternate title for this image: Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes. RIP David Bowie.

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twilight birches-6059

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sap buckets-6133

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