Category Archives: Blessings

Stop

May
31
2013
by IBK | 3 Comments

©IBKimage 2012

 

 

Having always been a curious sort from the time I was young, I’d sometimes get into trouble – especially if I asked people about things they’d  rather not disclose.  The phrase then was:  “Stop being so nosy”, or the firmer:  “mind your own business.”  I was always wondering how things worked and would order things like seeds to sell to the older single and widowed ladies in town , ostensibly to save them a trip to the store, but the true reward was the gift of time, conversation, and …a cookie or candy.  Most of the changes in my life were as a result of my interests and explorations and the freedom to experiment and change course.

 

Well into adulthood , I still had that luxury, but somewhere along the way, I found myself getting into trouble again because I was so curious about so many things, in addition to family and other responsibilities, that I kept  trying to devise systems to get and stay organized … this eventually became a career and I helped other people do that … and now today so many years later, I am overwhelmed by the choices that vie for my attention: travel here, try this, donate now,upgrade,download, only $2.00 for an e-book, press the button … Amazon delivers, punch your frequent buyer card and so on …  all of these opportunities can easily morph into agony of decision.

 

Today’s image of my hands  is a made on an ®iPad  in a program called ®Photo Booth, which allows the manipulation of images in a variety of ways.  Somehow it captures the paradox of the possibility  and an open handed prayer / plea for wisdom to minimize the choices that keep us bound.  I remember the gift of love, in those gifts of time and attention and treats, and want to offer that to a new generation.  To do so, I have to  hit the delete button on so many of the things that I routinely do… even if they’re great things – just not my things.  What about you?

Also posted in Aging, Courage, Letting Go, Seasons, Wisdom Tagged , , , , |

Photo Friends

May
17
2013
by IBK | 2 Comments
Callas at Lakewood

©IBKimage2010

 

I’ve been away for a photography workshop with Frans Lanting and associates in Santa, Cruz California. (www.lanting.com) I first heard of Lanting when he and two other world renowned  masters of nature photography came for a two day Denver event in mid April.  I was especially drawn in by his emphasis on the importance of telling a story with one’s images and his availability to participants attending – as well as his kindness and humility.  After a break on the last day, I heard him say that they (he and partner/wife, Chris Eckstrom) had one spot left for a May workshop in Santa Cruz where they are based.  Impulsively, and yet knowing that this was the next major transition in my photographic learning, I got a business card and signed up with Chris via e-mail that evening.

 

Sixteen came ; from the west, central, and eastern parts of the U.S. and from Germany and Japan/SanFrancisco.  Interesting, curious people ; a variety of ages, and acumen and what we all had in common was a desire to learn and to “do photography together” for 3 1/2 intense days, and become better storytellers learning  from a master and his skilled and delightful associates . How divine!

 

In the coming weeks I ‘ll share more , gleaned from my own new insights and the encouragement I received during my adventure.   There were brief times when I wondered what I was doing there, and the old sirens tried to call me back  to interrupt my journey, but thankfully those times were brief and time and tide as well as new photo friends, call out to come and see.

 

Today’s image is a direct result of learning new ways to see.  It started out as a color photo of a planter full of calla lillies, exquisite in their creme and green hues,and ended up as a black and white exercise in the use of negative space.  Less is more.  “I’m listening Frans …”

IBK

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also posted in Courage, Insight, Letting Go, Road Trip, Seeing In New Ways, Uncategorized

Morning Light

Feb
08
2013
by IBK | 1 Comment

©IBKimage2013

A quick update to last week’s post:  “Three Pictures A Story Make”.  Several people didn’t understand the point of the real estate sign.  Review the pictures:  1.  The restaurant sign welcomes people to come eat. 2. Birds fly in … 3.  Birds eat on roof of restaurant … 4. Since only pigeons are coming to eat, the restaurant was closed and thus for sale.  I laughed for 30 minutes after finishing the post … it’s a good thing I’m not in the comedy business. 🙂

Today’s image comes from the lobby of the outpatient pavilion at the University of Colorado Health Center. Beautiful glass geometric triangles are pieced together like a three dimensional patchwork quilt hanging in a four story lobby providing light and perhaps comfort to the many stories that must have been occurring there today.

My own visit was a treatment for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) ,  the most common disorder of the inner ear’s vestibular system, which is a vital part of maintaining balance. The little “crystals” behind the eardrum, basically leave their post and float into an area where they don’t belong.  Result: vertigo when turning over in bed or making sudden positional changes .  Solution:  The doctor and her assistant guided me through some assisted moves on a “tilt” table to recreate the dizziness and then, in effect, “rebooted”  the balance system in my left ear, by sending the “crystals “back where they belong.   Who knew?   I knew for sure that I was cured when I walked in the lobby, looked up and starting taking pictures … and no spinning.  Horray! More pictures in focus!

IBK

 

Also posted in Aging Tagged , , |

Dancing In The Moment

Nov
09
2012
by IBK | 2 Comments

© IBKimage 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are most anxious it seems when we think back to what was or forward to what will be.  Regrets  for actions taken or not taken;  fearful for actions to be taken and so on.  I’ve been reflecting a bit this week about why I love photography.  When I raise my camera to my eye and look through the view-finder I find that I enter a world of the present moment.  All yesterdays and tomorrows disappear and the focus is to capture ever so briefly a moment in time that allows me to repent of my  own efforts and be “graced” and humbled by what has been provided.  Many years ago I read a book entitled:  “Everyday Sacred” by Sue Bender.  In short, her thesis was to be open to the holiness of living in the everyday moments.  Seeing the familiar in a new light and searching for the beauty of the common is certainly one  way  that I love dancing.

 

Today’s image was discovered during a walk,  near a 400 year old house in Meldorf, Germany.  On my recent trip there I looked up to see the dancer in the side window of an artist’s residence and studio.

What music calls you to dance in the moment?  What might you let go off to start or continue dancing?

IBK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also posted in Seeing In New Ways Tagged , , , , , , , |

Visiting Home

Nov
02
2012
by IBK | 0 Comments

©IBKimage2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can’t go home again but you can sure visit a place that you came from, finding there a familiarity that you’ve carried with you all of your life, no matter how old you are or how far your journey has taken you away.  The image today is a small car and pedestrian ferry that crosses the Kiel Canal, at Hochdonn, in Northwest Germany near the area where I was born many years ago.  As we approached the ferry recently, to cross over, memories flooded back to a time when my mother would ride her bicycle, with me in a carrier in front, and my brother, six years older, riding his own.  Our journey was from the small village we lived in before we emigrated to America and our destination was to my maternal grandparents home, in Meldorf,  about 15 miles away. I must have been 4 years old.

 

During my recent visit, I attended a Friday morning market in the town square, where fish, and cheese, egg and vegetable vendors of a new generation offered  their wares.  That brought to mind the trips to the market with my grandparents when the fish were so fresh from the local fishermen’s overnight catch, that some still moved in their wooden crates.  The fish was wrapped in newspaper, put in my grandparents market bags, and off we went, on foot to their house, where my grandmother was soon cooking the fresh fish and vegetables for our noon meal.

 

So many years later, I realize that walking to places, buying my food fresh, building relationships with local vendors, being always drawn to and longing for the sea with it’s attendant breezes, smells and sights, is what I keep looking for in the places I have lived, but of course even the place I’ve described  now has supermarkets (albeit smaller) and fresh prawns  from the area are  outsourced to Morocco for cleaning, preserving and sent back to the area for sale.  In my grief, I can at the same time be grateful that I have experienced the gifts of the sea and the fresh offerings of the land and farmyard. Most of all though, my return reminded me that the relationships and love of family and friends can nurture in us a desire to wander.  You can’t go home again, but I can hardly wait for my next visit.

Where in your heart and mind, is your home port?

IBK

 

Also posted in Seasons Tagged , , , , , |

The Gifts Of The Table

Oct
19
2012
by IBK | 5 Comments

©IBKimage2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture this: A beautifully appointed table; napkins folded in creative ways; fresh coffee and tea in pots atop a lit warming unit; platters and plates and baskets filled with beautiful torts, cakes,breads and freshly baked hard rolls with oh so soft centers; area butter, soft boiled eggs , honey, local sausages in casings and raw; artisan cheeses, local/regional fresh and smoked fish from the North Sea; and so much more.  I experienced all of this and so many more culinary delights in my two week stay in an area of Southern Ditmarschen County in the Northwest Coastal area in the State Schlewsig Holstein, near the town of Meldorf, Germany, where I was born and lived until emigrating with my family at age 6, and where my mother and father, grandparents, aunt, uncle, cousin also resided in their adult years.  Breakfast and “kaffe trinken” (afternoon coffee) are standard practice.

We came as a family – sons, daughter-in-law,husband – to honor my late mother’s wish to have us spread her ashes on her beloved North Sea.  Along with my hosts later in the trip – dear friends –  adult children of her former best friend, we took an excursion boat on a stormy day at sea and said our final goodbyes. After a couple of days the rest of the family traveled on to other parts of Germany (yes Oktoberfest too) and then returned home.  I was the privileged guest in the home of our friends for the next ten days and that’s where I continued to be nourished by the wonderful food mentioned above. At the table of hospitality, it’s not only the body that is nourished, but through  the gracious gift of love and kindness by the hosts, one’s heart and soul and mind are also touched in profound ways.  “I was hungry, depleted, and you took me in …”  What I thought would be a final trip to my former home, is now a longing to return again to experience the healing of the North Sea air,water, wandering and of course, experiencing the love of God through his children with their unique and wonderful gifting -whether at hearth  or field; by baker, fishmonger,market vendor, hotel or restaurant owner to name just a few.

Oh, today’s image is a picture of all kinds  of  regional North Sea fish specialities prepared by my friend and hostess.  We ate it for supper after a three o’clock “coffee” where we ate two kinds of torts and other delicious things.

I’m looking forward to sharing more with you in the coming weeks.  In the meantime, think about a time when you’ve experienced the gift of hospitality and renewal.  What does that look like for you?

IBK

Also posted in Hospitality Tagged , , , |

Take Me Back

Aug
09
2012
by IBK | 1 Comment

©IBKimage2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello Dear Readers:

After a two week hiatus or possibly three I’m back at it and delighted to be.  I’ve had visits from friends; our almost 9 year old grand nephew flew in for a visit; and tomorrow our younger son returns to D.C. after a delightful  time with us and other family members.  As grand as it’s been we all are ready to get back to our normal normals.   Watching the olympics and hearing the backstories before the ascent to the medal podium, reminds us again that the steps we take every day are the ones that will come to fruition in some way or other in the next week,month or four years. The time we invest with others, or to learn a new skill or overcome a prejudice or accept a health challenge, etc. does start with just one step.

I remember the exact moment I was finally relieved of the burden of believing that when everything is right and I had  the right tools, and I’d learned enough and I had enough money and …. then I would do x.  Now I know that as I begin somewhere the joy comes from the result of the discipline of using the tools, learning from doing the thing, budgeting money for my choices and by “doing x” I’m actually  able to look back with satisfaction that where I had been was not where I was now.  One of my late mother’s gifts was the phrase: “Every age is interesting and has its own blessings.

As this very active summer begins to wind down and my body is needing to be back in touch with a new normal, I’m reminded of a commercial from my childhood for a bath salt product called © Calgon.  A tired beautiful woman in the city would get into the back of a limousine equipped with a bathtub.  After a long soak (60 second commercial) she would step out of the vehicle dressed in evening clothes and ready for a night on the town with a waiting beau.

The tagline for the commercial: ” Calgon, take me away.”  It was my fantasy for a long time to take a bath in a moving car.  Fortunately, I took up photography a few years ago and can be “taken away” by todays image in Acadia National Park in Maine.  When I need a rest from the busy the sea serves me well.

Thanks for letting me meander and offer two blogs in one.

Joy,

IBK

 

 

 

 

Also posted in Aging, Insight, Seasons Tagged , , , , , |

An English Farm Garden

Jun
14
2012
by IBK | 1 Comment

©IBKimage2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As many of you know I recently took a trip to Northern England for the purpose of hiking the Hadrian’s Wall Path. (See two previous blogs)  One of the unexpected delights was the quality and variety of food we were served at our various overnights along the way.  During our 9 days on the trail we stayed in the city, in a pub, a refurbished blacksmith shop, as well as a farm and an old manor of sorts. The trail is only about 30 miles south  of Scotland, so being that far north, it was light until almost  10:00 p.m. and again at 4:30 a.m. with the birds as my alarm clock.  I struggle to describe the “sounds of silence” and the range of colors in an English countryside in the spring.  So I won’t.

I’ll let you enjoy this image taken at a farm house where we had a delicious Sunday evening meal. I desire to have a garden like this and all that it promises, and yet the rest of the story is that  I was the guest who was blessed by someone else’s work from dawn to late night providing lodging, food and beauty for sight, mind, body and soul.  How divine.  In our noisy, rat race world, you do the same when you open your house and invite someone to sit at your table.

IBK

 

 

Also posted in Hospitality Tagged , , , |

Blessings

Feb
10
2012
by IBK | 6 Comments

©IBKimage2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sorry to miss you last week. I lost my voice and energy courtesy of a health malady that kept me close to the couch . During my seclusion I was blessed by a 20 inch snowfall that blanketed my urban neighborhood  and  gave the city a long winter’s nap. I can’t remember a time when my main focus was getting well and not much else.  I canceled all commitments and was amazed how liberating it all was despite being ill.
 

The day that I got sick a friend had blessed me with the gift of a long phone call; during the week e-mails arrived from people I had met while traveling and working at Habitat for Humanity; phone calls came from family and friends; chicken soup and prayers were offered; in short, I was well cared for and loved in numerous ways.

 

Today’s image is a photograph of a glass partition in a restaurant that has been around for many years overlooking the Denver area.  It somehow reminds me of what I  re-discovered this week.  Even though we can’t see clearly what lies beyond the glass, there are beautiful “drops” of love that we receive  and can give in “the present” that can change a life.

IBK

 

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