Parrot Tulips in different stages of opening - The sensory experiences are so strong from these two images
that I invite you to simply be with them, without further descriptive words from me.
Story of Today's Photos-
I was thrilled with how these
photographs turned out and simply wanted to take some time to luxuriate
in them. Then so you could see more of the Parrot Tulip
photos and others, last year, I uploaded them onto my Flickr pages. See TULIPS
set
Almost immediately I received an
email inviting me to add each of them to the Parrot
Tulips Group on FlickR. I went to the group and was in awe of
many of the photos. I had never before paid attention to the beauty
of this particular variety of tulips, though I've photographed them
in the past. It makes me happy to share them with you.
Self-Reflecting Queries -
(Note - This is a repeat of
the Queries from last year. Internal conversations do seem to
linger at times.)
Part of putting together today's issue of Picture to Ponder had me
looking at my own issues around money, asking for it for my services
and asking for it for someone else, or for a charity to which I'm
committed in supporting (see APDA Story below). I would assume that there are many of you
out there who have neither of these issues around "asking"
or "inviting" and that there are those who do.
As I write, I'm reminded that the same
emotional issues are not even always about money. I'm recalling times
that I did not invite someone to do attend a party I might be giving,
go with me someplace, or into a myriad of other situations.
I make the prejudgment that they would not be
interested in my invitation, so I don't put myself out, take a chance
on a refusal. The bottom line result is that ultimately neither of us
benefit as I stay stuck in my "fear of rejection."
I invite you to look and see if you find yourself anywhere in
the above scenario. If so, I invite you to take one small action
forward in possibly a new direction. To do this, what might you have
to give up?
Keep in mind, the action may be something as
simple, or perhaps for you not so simple, as saying "Hi"
to, or smiling at, a stranger.
I also invite all of you to
take a few moments to acknowledge yourselves for strides you've taken
in your life where none of the above fits for you, or where once some
of it did and you've moved past those strangleholds.
For what
accomplishments can you, or will you choose to, acknowledge yourself
today?
As always, when you're finished, I invite you to share your
experience with today's photos and writing on the blog.
The APDA and Walk Story -
The TULIP, a pink-edged one, is the
symbol used for Parkinson's Disease and April is Parkinson's
Awareness Month. Thus in March/April, though not always the "correct"
tulip, I have featured two to four photos in Picture to Ponder and
created special Tulips pages with more, since 2006.
Starting with TULIPS
2006 you can follow links to the issue that year. Links for
Tulips 2007 and 2008 can be found at the bottom of that page.
PD is the second
most common neurodegenerative disease experienced by man, Alzheimer's
disease being the most common. See Overview
in the Pharmaceutical Journal for some detailed information. For
those who like videos, check out VIDEO,
for a short one with good information from a Georgia APDA
chapter.
Each year, the American Parkinson's
Disease Association (APDA) holds fund-raising walks throughout the
United States. All MONEYS raised goes to RESEARCH for a cure for
Parkinson's Disease.
Given, as mentioned above, that my
beloved husband Sam (see Remembering
Sam), despite the Parkinson's Disease with which he was
afflicted, was an integral part of how I initially approached Picture
to Ponder, I have been moved to support APDA walks here and on the
above-mentioned pages. I appreciate your understanding.
Sam was the original photographer in the family (see B&W
photos) and also a large part of who I am as a photographer. Thus
I feel comfortable in sharing this with you in Picture to Ponder. I
do remain active in support groups, and will continue to acknowledge
April and and the importance of the walks.
I am inviting you also, if you are so
moved, to support research for Stamping out Parkinson's Disease by
contributing to one of the walks. For those in South Florida, the
Walk this year will take place in Lake Ida Park in Delray Beach on
Saturday, April 10th. Registration starts at 9:15 AM, the walk at 11
AM. For more information and scheduled walk locations in your area,
if you are in the United States, scroll down the page on APDA
national site.
If you wish to make a
tax-deductible donation, 100% going to research, go directly to the
South Florida
"Make
a Donation" page. Simply type "WALK" in the
"Person's Name" space, and/or in the "Special
Instructions" box, before your final payment submission. Or,
certainly, if you do wish to donate, feel free to make a donation to
your local chapter, if that be your preference.
Programs I recommend:
For Bloggers and those interested in blogging -
Starting Monday, April 5th, Bea Field's has a 3-week jump start program for people who are newbies interested in learning to blog. Then her 12-week
Blogging Maniac Program starts again on April 26th.
I have participated twice in Bea's courses, always picking up something new. There is no one on the Internet whose work I've experienced who delivers as much content as she does for such a minimal investment.
If you have any interest in learning more about blogging and/or integrating it with other Social Media, I strongly recommend that you check out what's available in the program. Simply click on
Blogging Maniac and when you get to the page scroll down the page, near the end to get the info links to both courses.
Again, Happy Holiday to you.
