The sun rises and sets, oblivious to us & our endless admiration. So today we express gratitude to and honor that sun and all that makes our lives possible, including the food we eat & the fibers we wear. The sun & the earth do not have a say however, and must take whatever we give. Roads, for example, curve in relation to the topography, but still there are roads. We impose again and again. But from a hot air balloon on this particular morning, in this particular place, it was a stunning, as are the gardens that emerge in old mines & around old homes. The shapes and colors captivate & each photograph honors the play of light on the textures & forms that we create. But these scenes are all about us & the imposition of our will. This love letter is to people & the planet because Earth Day is about our relationship. For me, it celebrates those quiet places where I find and nurture peace, not alone in the wild, but in domestic places, like in an intimate garden at home where I try to be in balance with the land on which I live. Are these solar panels, for example, a blight on the landscape, or a work of modern art? As a photographer, it's all about the relationship between light, form and function. As for me, it turns out I am happiest celebrating the natural world when in close proximity to structures of all kinds that allow us to live. I am, I guess, a domesticated naturalist. I admire how light & the sun generate power in panels & reflections on windshields. I love how that same sun sets on the ocean, creating reflections on water, food for animals & enjoyment for us. My pleasure in and gratitude for the natural world are immense. And in the fifty years since we first named a day in honor of the earth we humans have learned and accomplished a lot. We pay attention to air & water quality & we make time to reflect on our dynamic relationship... most of the time. Cheers! I love how there are bags decorated with flowers that become gifts from generation to generation and I love that we can travel to far away places to buy intricate textiles for our children to use & enjoy for generations to come. The fibers, dyes, and designs on table runners & bags come directly from the magical interplay of sunlight and the earth. It's stunning and I love the all of it. So even though it snowed this morning, later today, I'll be in my protected and nurturing herb garden planting some rhubarb, most of which we will eat and some of which may become a work of art. When I look at this rhubarb in the compost, I see the playful and colorful action of the discarded stems on the surface & the discolored coffee filters & mildewed orange rind hidden behind. 50 years of celebrating the earth & I think I, like many, continue to struggle to both enjoy the beauty of what we see while also embracing & actively working with the mess we have created just below the surface. And when at the Lebanon Landfill this morning, this funny little guy seemed to say "Happy Earth Day, Lyn. I'm in good hands here. These people know what they are doing. And when they burry me, I'll still be here 50 years from now." There he was, sticking out of the molded mountain of waste on which I stood, ensuring that I not forget. At the
end of the day, the sun will set, and the light and energy that gave me life will move on, whether I am here or not. I can, however, celebrate the beauty that surrounds us while also honoring the true impact of my life.
6 Comments
Margaret Jernstedt
4/26/2020 07:58:20 am
Lyn, I love your photographs and all of your comments. I missed seeing Kew gardens, and I am enjoying all of your garden photos. Thank you, Margaret
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Judith
4/26/2020 12:01:45 pm
Your photos, the reflections they bring, and the form into which you fit them; they're inspiring. They make me want to run out into this gloomy day and think not gloomy thoughts about how special each day is. I wonder, though, why those beautiful rhubarb stems are in a compost and not made into a delicious sauce with sweet or a=savory. There are many. Also I'd be more than willing to share a rhubarb plant or two with you. That's how I acquired more than several of mine; friends shared (and with other types of plants as well).
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Judith - - Ah, the rhubarb mystery. Every year I put some out for neighbors to take. They are in a bucket at the top of my driveway. If no one takes them after 48 hours, I throw them in the compost. We have so much rhubarb around our property that we have lots to spare. Why eat days old, when you can have fresh? I am curious, though, about learning techniques for including rhubarb in savory dishes. That may be this spring's adventure. Thank you for your interest and support! Cheers, Lyn
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Réné
4/26/2020 01:59:28 pm
The way you share your world is magnificently personal. You are a gift. You make our world more beautiful. Thank you.
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Evelyn R. Swett
reframing the narrative in community and with myself, finding transformation and joy in the mess of it all Let's ReFrame!
is a somewhat regular 'viewsletter' that hopefully inspires joy & transformation. It will include links to recent blog posts & updates about my work. Oh, and I promise I won't share your information (that would be so uncool) and I don't actually do promotions, but that text is required. Archives
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