“Knowledge comes to a warrior, floating,
like specks of gold dust,
the same dust that covers the wings of moths.
So for a warrior, knowledge is like taking a shower,
or being rained on by specks of dark gold dust.”
Don Juan
Shining Through
“Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth,
so virtue appears from good deeds,
and wisdom appears from a
pure and peaceful mind.
To walk safely through the maze of human life,
one needs the light of wisdom and
the guidance of virtue.”
Buddha
Scientific Properties: Quartz is composed of silicon dioxide and is one of the most abundant minerals in the world. Sand is mostly comprised of quartz; even the dust in the air is high in quartz content. The most well-known form of quartz is clear rock crystal, and it may be found throughout the world. The largest single quartz crystal recorded was approximately 20 feet long and weighed more than 48 tons.
Yes, crystals really do vibrate! Quartz is both piezoelectric and pyroelectric. It is used as oscillators and filters…from radios and televisions, telephone services to high-tech, industrial, and medical equipment…quartz crystal is essential! Crystals are also now grown in the laboratory using a hydrothermal process, because this process yields pure, flawless crystal for oscillator plates. More Quartz
Metaphysical Properties: “Clear quartz resonates to qualities of loyalty, fealty, equality and “one for all, all for one.” Understanding the properties of clear quartz brings new light to the Biblical injunction, the meek shall inherit the earth. Those who receive and let flow through them the Divine Light in complete and utter humility will flourish on earth, and will literally glow with goodness and light.” Crystalline Communion 2000, Collen Marquist & Jack Frasl
Quartz is ‘the most powerful, versatile multi-purpose healing stone, particular regarding self-esteem, and healing the wounds of a neglectful or abusive childhood. This stone will not allow you to wallow in self-pity over that which you can not change! This stone amplifies prayers, wishes and positive visualizations. Keeps you in touch with your spiritual side, and reminds you that you are a spritual being, having a human experience.’ More Meanings
Sign of Growth
“The growth of understanding
follows an ascending spiral
rather than a straight line.”
Joanna Field
To The Point
“Loving someone who doesn’t love you back
is like hugging a cactus.
The tighter you hold on,
the more it’s going to hurt.”
Unknown
Red-freshed
“To serve the cause of water adequately… We must get to know it in its true being. And how do we do this? Why, by treating it in the very way exemplified by its own behavior; that is, whenever we encounter it, we wash the tablet of our souls clean of all other impressions in order to allow the being of water to make its imprint on us.”
Theodor Schwenk
Water: The Element of Life
Aquatic Greetings
At the Seattle Aquarium sometimes feel forced, especially on a busy Saturday with small children all vying for the attention of the many creatures within the tanks, but this visit produced some intimate moments for myself and my daughter. The most memorable being while camera in one hand, I displayed with the other how the sea anemone will greet your finger… all you have to do is hold it close. The squeal of delight when one sticky polyp after another began investigating her finger, was priceless!
The ability to see all the legs of a starfish was also a special treat…
With the back-lighting bringing to life the intimidating urchins and ‘giant green’ anemones…
We didn’t miss the timid, ‘hello’ from a ‘fuzzy’ crab and spotted fish…
Or the salmon passing through the ladder…
Overall, we got to meet some amazing beings and the photos barely capture the experience.
Tripod… What Tripod?
OOOOOHHHH yeah, the one that never made it out of my backpack – DOH!
I really did schedule this macro shoot at a local botany research lab in order to practice using my tripod (I hear it’s a great tool and suspect when I get familiar with mine my photography will improve)… but I got lost in the textures my lens kept finding around every turn.
Before I knew it I had overstayed my 2 hour invitation and had to make arrangements to come back again for future visits… next time I will resist the excitement, hunker down, and get to know what it’s like to ‘walk’ through the world with three additional legs.
Ruffled His Feathers
after a stare-down via my lens at the Oregon Zoo.
It was interesting to watch the transformation from the regal bald eagle shown below… to one in such an agitated state.
For a split-second I actually sensed the intimidation, but as instinct have it the camera dropped several times while I couldn’t help smiling in kindness and awe at the beauty I witnessed, then shortly later much to my surprise another transformation occurred…
What an amazing portrait experience, that lasted moments!
The Birth of a Blog
Should be considered an important event, but in reality it is more humbling for me than any other form of self-expression I’ve conquered. The thought of sharing truly quite daunting, the legs of my voice weak at best, and yet I step to the challenge by sharing the moment I became a photographer.
It happened on June 9th, 2005… when intent became reality. I remember the moment that intent was verbalized clearly, I had just finished a delicious dinner of clam chowder & fresh seafood, while socializing and laughing upon the patio of Mo’s Restaurant in Cannon Beach, OR and the sun was almost done making a spectacular decent when the call came to me… I turned to my friends and unexpectedly said, ‘would you please excuse me, I need to go take an amazing photograph of our sunset?’ I don’t recall waiting for a response, in no time I was off the patio and my toes were in the sand. At precisely 8:56 pm I answered the call and my intent became this reality…
The significance of the event truly escaped me at the time, it was weeks, months, and years later that it became recognized in my mind as a birth. The writing of a blog sort of feels the same way to me. When I released the shutter, literally basking in the beauty of an amazing sunset, I didn’t think many would even notice if I did or did not live up to my word… I was doing it because something pulled me to it. It was an act of the heart. That night the call took up residence, a photographer was born, and since that day more realities have been created. Today the pull is to share my intent & the experiences that surround my captures, so therefore… I blog.