Dear ,

Today's issue of Picture to Ponder brings my wishes for you to have a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year, with the riches of love and joy and the fulfillment of whatever intentions you may be setting for 2011.

There is also a mixture of seemingly disparate photos and a photo/drawing. Not exactly sure why these choices, I decided to simply go with what showed up for me as I prepared this issue.

These two garlic segments evidently have some special meaning for me. I think this is the third time I am featuring them in Picture to Ponder. Perhaps there is meaning for one of more of you. (If you missed the earlier posts you can catch them by scrolling down the page that comes up for "Garlic" in the search on the blog.)

Loving the abstraction, I put the image on a year-at-a-glance calendar, purchased it from my Nature Art Gift Shop and now have it in my office positioned so I see it all the time.

I still have the original segments and discovered recently that the garlic continues to produce new imagery, fueling more creative juices. The bulb segment, you'll see below, started sprouting green shoots. At first I simply photographed the two pieces on black paper. Then, for fun, I decided to photograph them on top of the image on the calendar and then the tile already imprinted with the original photo. (Reflections from my camera bag also got picked up.)

The "why's" of the other images included today are noted below each of the photos.

for overall feeling and contrast

for size perspective - components as altered by time
placed on a 4.25" ceramic tile with first images

for color and brightness in 2011, pomegranate seeds
radiating in all directions and contained by the circle

And, reflecting on past year(s) and the upcoming one:

Photo/Drawing of the "Path to the Future" - Boardwalk in Loxahatchee Preserves in Florida, photographed over 8
years ago, the weekend Sam and I made
the decision to move here.

Boardwalk in Wakodahatchee Wetlands, December 2010

The latter two "path" photos seem not to fit AND because they popped out at me as I was browsing for some other photos, I decided to include them for the "practical" among our followers, who are looking at the past year and your path or paths for 2011.

In 2002, my path, as seen in the photo, seemed almost closed in, certainly full of the unknown on what the future would bring.

The subsequent 8 years have been full, including sadness and loss as well as the boundless bright spots and open paths suggested in the last of the photographs here today.

Again, , I wish you brightness and joy in 2011.

Self-Reflecting Queries -
You most likely have your own year-end and start-the-new rituals and, if you subscribe to a lot of ezines, as I do, I'm sure you've received several suggestions. I am not going to add to that here.

I simply invite you to reflect on whatever you wish, past and/or future. You might enjoy our favorite little blue heron reflection to do prompt you in doing that.

Given the featuring of the pomegranate and the garlic, I also invite you to observe, for the visuals, some of the fruits and vegetables you may be preparing and are most likely eating during these next few days.

What imagery calls to you? If you were to use your imagination what might your subject(s) be telling you?

And, lastly, I invite you to use your camera to take pictures of what it is that is catching your attention in the food.

As always remember to have fun with the pictures and the queries and share on the blog what comes up for you.

Reminder - TFTL Telecourse -
In the upcoming January Through and From The Lens telecourse we will be experiencing using photography to find the hidden beauty in your world, to discover and develop your own unique eye, and to connect with others, nature and your environment. You choose the subjects that most call to you, often discovering things in your life that you never knew were there.

In the telecourse participants learn how to develop their eyes by using the camera for De-stressing, Communicating and Finding the Beauty in Their Lives, in addition to taking photos they love. It is set for Tuesday nights and Wednesday mornings, starting January 18th - your choice of sessions.

Enrollment is limited to 10 participants in each session, so, if interested, check it out now. Details on TFTL - Jan 2011

If You Would Appreciate Creative Alternatives to Camera and Writing for Shifting Perspectives -
My friend Marney Makridakis is offering, as a gift, her Peace by Piece: Collage Your Way to Inner Peace and Harmony. It's over 20 pages of ideas, including step-by-step instructions.

As described by Marney, "This workbook guides you through several collage projects, each one designed to bring you closer to your true self and your powerful ability for manifesting your dreams and desires." Click on COLLAGE for the download page.

Guests - If this issue has been passed on to you by a friend, we invite you also to take advantage of a no-cost subscription. Simply click on SUBSCRIBE. You can learn more about Picture to Ponder on our INTRO page.

Inspirationally,


Sheila
sheila[a]picturetoponder.com
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