Blog
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Dec 22, 2014 – THE FEEL GOOD SMILE – Hey kids, “Be Happy! – Smile” Sometimes easier said then done!” Grandma’s been furniture shopping for her Birthday – you know it is coming soon. While she shops, I read the books that furniture stores use to decorate their displays. I came across one on “Behavioral Techniques” to use to avoid depression- avoid the “Frumps”. Technique #1 – “Be with happy people – Smiling people – People who clown around” (I found at least 40 more techniques that I will tell you of in future Blogs) – Smiles are really “Feel Good” universal icons – Witness the Smiley Face – Hey where did it come from – well here is one version of it’s history: In the 1994 Robert Zemeckis film, Forrest Gump stumbles into the history books as he runs across the country. At one point, he meets a poor T-shirt salesman who, Gump recalls, “wanted to put my face on a T-shirt but he couldn’t draw that well and he didn’t have a camera.” As luck would have it, a truck drives by and splashes Gump’s face with mud. He wipes his face on a yellow T-shirt and hands it back to the down-on-his-luck entrepreneur, telling him to “have a nice day.” The imprint of Gump’s face left a perfect, abstract smiling face on the bright yellow t-shirt. And thus, an icon was born.
I added 5 or so photos here that I think tell you “Be Happy” – and Make you “Feel Good” – These are real Smiley Faces on Real People – They each make me feel good! So, my furniture store visit gave me the idea to tell you how important I think it is to be with happy people. I know you are one of the smiley people we all want to be with! -
Dec 14, 2014 – HUMOR OF RETIRED FOLKS AND OTHERS – Last post was on being silly – Today say I – “Try to see humor at least one time per each of your waking hours” – Sort of like Abe Lemons – Say you, “Who the h… is Abe Lemons?” Well, he said funny things such as, “Finish last in your league and they call you idiot. Finish last in medical school and they call you doctor.” Well that made me laugh a little. Read on:
Abe” Lemons (November 21, 1922 – September 2, 2002) was an American college basketball player and coach. As a coach at Oklahoma City University, Texas-Pan American University and the University of Texas, he compiled a record of 599 wins and 343 losses in 34 seasons.
Abe Lemons was known for his wit as well as his wisdom.
As one of Oklahoma’s most successful basketball coaches in history, the former Oklahoma City University coach made a lasting impression on his peers, players and family.
HE ALSO SAID “The trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off. “
Don’t get me wrong – I love retirement – but some of retirees must work very hard to make sure we do not get a day off. For example, we have no snow to shovel and no kids around to help build a snow man – what do we do? we work hours making ourselves into a snow man. I think it is a woman – at any rate you may call it silly – Just try going to school looking like that and you could not get away with it – Down here in retirement land we call it normal – so, we must try other things to be silly. 
What do you think of this silly thing – turn you whole golf cart into a snow man. and get other retirees to take your picture. 
You could dress up like a toy soldier and proceed to eat the “Snow Ladies” carrot nose – just for the camera man — Me. Are you ready for the silly folks in retirement? 
You could always make your dog look silly. You see, this all takes time – That is why we never get a day off! 
Go ahead and try this – When you are getting a serious lecture from your Mom or Dad. Better yet Mom, do it when you are giving that serious lecture – the resultant laughter will give you and your lecture the best results! -
Dec 8, 2014 – SILLY – YOU ARE ALLOWED TO BE, AND IT IS FUN – Each day, be sure to take a little time to be silly. Never, ever underestimate the importance of having a little fun each day. I know, especially when growing up, every day has lots of serious stuff in it – study, homework, cleaning up your room, lots of social stuff, being cool (that is what we called it when I was growing up), sports, just getting to be accepted for what “I” am. – Anyway, here are some quotes by some you may know: “‘Have fun’ is my message. Be silly. You’re allowed to be silly. There’s nothing wrong with it.” Jimmy Fallon — ” Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game.” Michael Jordan
Be silly – Maybe be Rudolph – see who smiles at you. 
Train your pet cow to sit in the back seat instead of the drivers seat. 
Kiss a dog – a friendly one of course! 
If you are into computers more then Rudolph and animals – Learn PhotoShop so that you can create fake photographs like this one. – or you could make some really silly ones if you learn PhotoShop. 
Or how about just doing a silly dance in front of the camera? 
Or find a statue or piece of art work and see if you can imitate it! 
Or run outside and smell a rose – or do it at the grocery store – or just walk into a flower shop and smell the roses and walk out – not saying a word! That would be silly enough! 
or Ride a sleeping horse 
or if you can not find a sleeping horse – do shadow photography – I was only standing beside this horse. 
I am not sure you should be this silly – well maybe it would be OK. -
Dec 8, 2014 (I really like short photo captions) Because, a good photo is worth a thousand words – One of the earliest known references to the expression is from a 1911 newspaper article in which newspaper editor Arthur Brisbane, speaking about journalism and publicity, says “Use a picture. It’s worth a thousand words.” A similar phrase, “One Look Is Worth A Thousand Words,” appears in a 1913 newspaper advertisement for the Piqua Auto Supply House of Piqua, Ohio, but ironically uses only words, not images, to invite prospective customers to see its products in their store. It is believed the modern use of the phrase stems from an article in the December 8, 1921 issue advertising trade journal Printers’ Ink, in which Fred R. Barnard referred to “One Look is Worth A Thousand Words” to promote the use of images in advertisements on the sides of streetcars.
“You gotta watch, they sneak up behind ya” 
“If they do – turn around and scare them” 
“Love me for my character – and of course my good looks“ 
“Get out of my way” 
“Did you not hear me? – Get out of my way” 
“What is it? – Is it safe” 
Pictures only??? I love to add my own captions. But, i will let you add your own here – Hey, kids, that is how you got here and I think you have made this world a fun, better place! -
December 6, 2014 – In the featured photo, see the fiddle player concentrating back stage. “Concentration is a fine antidote to anxiety.” – Jack Nicklaus – Grandma is a greater conversationalist – often when I am sitting in my evening chair reading she will start to talk to me – “Whoa” say I – “I was concentrating on my book.” or was I staring at the book and just day dreaming. Both are a form of concentration. You see, concentration is a unique state of mind – it tells your mind “You may be aware of secondary happenings around you, but they may not override that one point of light in your mind at the moment”. Golf advisors have told me to relax and they have told me to concentrate – how can I do both of them at the same time? Even Ben hogan says “Relax? How can anybody relax and play golf? You have to grip the club, don’t you?” Anyway, Kids, practice your concentration each day and enjoy watching others concentrate. Using my iPhone, I caught a few folks concentrating.
Back stage concentration = antidote to anxiety. 
Eyes-shut concentration = creation. 
Three concentrate – they are listening. 
Concentrate on your concentration each day – just a little bit! -
December 4, 2014 -I’ve found that life is a little like street photography – It has as little to do with the things you watch and do but it has everything to do with the fun way you see them.” At a Marquette art show, this past summer, I did look and see fun stories on the street – while Grandma visited the “Art Show” I saw stage fright like Faith Hill says “A little bit of stage fright, then I’m ready.” – The street makes me think “Do churches always tell the truth?” “What life events do funeral homes honor?”
The nice part of street photography is if no one is interesting you – Lift your head, smile, and find a character in the sky to photograph. 
Back to the Marquette art and street show. Good young performer. BUT – Street stories happen in the audience and back stage! 
Audience – All but the dog love to watch the girl in red play the fiddle on stage. Backstage – It is the girl in red, then the beauty queens, then me – “Just get into my own world – ignore them – keep the jitters away!” 
At the church – After the performance I walked the streets of Marquette. Do think the tow person is really Mr. Wrecker? Would the church lie just to scare parking violators away? 
The end – What are some of the life events honored here – other then the obvious? Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.
Jonathan Swift -
December 2, 2014 – Hey, I am not sure that you can apply what Henry David Thoreau said to the included photos – But — I can and I like what he said anyway: Says he: “It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” Henry David – So what is that little bear picture to the left – Is it a cave drawing that is 17,000 years old?
Of course, you knew it was a modern garbage can in Titusville, Fl 
What are they doing on this board walk – Could they have been doing it 10 years ago? 
They are flying a drone taking photographs from as much as 1000 feet in the air to create promotional videos for Melbourne businesses. 
Why is this friend of mine checking out the Max Brewer Bridge in Titusville, Fl. 
She is not – we are birding – Well not me – I am peopling! 
Bet you see clouds flying over I95 heading out of Titusville, FL 
I saw an angel – arms outstretched protecting all drivers! 
Looks like I am out in my golf cart just riding along looking a the beautiful lake and homes on the other side. 
Nope, I am looking for my golf ball YIPES!!! 
Is it a house? – I do not know – but – I see a goofy bird’s head? -
Nov 28,2014 – Asheville photos are used here, but – this is really a photo essay about the humanization of any city or dwelling space via public street art. I was a thinkin’ “We humanize our cities via the art we display in public space, not via the indoor art museums– the art displayed in the cities inspirational space — it is the city’s gallery of life.” Lascaux Caves are in southwestern France are located near the village of Montignac. They are famous for the Paleolithic cave paintings. These paintings are estimated to be 17,300 years old. Over 17,000 years ago they defined humanization of their public gathering places (caves) – sort of like a prehistoric city’s street art.
Art in a cave: was it a city, public place??? – The Upper Paleolithic (or Upper Palaeolithic, Late Stone Age) is the third and last subdivision of the Paleolithic or Old Stone Age as it is understood in Europe, Africa and Asia. Very broadly, it dates to between 50,000 and 10,000 years ago, roughly coinciding with the appearance of behavioral modernity and before the advent of agriculture. 
“Art of several media combined to create one – wood work, wheelwright, oil paint, wood carve, color pallet, wagon designer – where’s the horse?” 
“We love our dogs and want you to enjoy bath time with them” 
“We build outside cave walls to tell stories of our beloved animals” 17,000 years from now, humans will spend hours interrupting the meaning of the writing’s on this wall. 
What where those dwellers 17,000 years ago saying on this inside out cave wall?- Did they not have iPads with cameras? 
“We have inside out caves on rails” 
The city left a mystery “17,000 years from now they will try to find long buried seeds to try and bring this vine back to life” 
Giant tool to press the cloths of local dwellers – where did the giants live? 
17,000 years from now archeologists will search for the green giant – they will say they found records of Jolly ones that lived in gardens? 
The art of the meal. 17,000 years from now they will search not only for vines but for a plant that has such a beautiful flower 
The city is not a concrete jungle, it is a gallery of human leavings.
The Asheville gallery is a beauty because as Plato said “This City is what it is because our citizens are what they are.” In Asheville they are artists, they laugh in their Cafe’ and they welcome all.
Study a rose and you see details in it’s petals – Study a city’s gallery of street art and see details of it’s life. -
November 26, 2014 – I like to think of myself as a street photographer – Nope I am wrong – I like to think of myself as a street reader. When I read a book, I am not a writer – I am a reader – So, it is with photography. When I look through the view finder, I am not a creator, I am a viewer. Robert Capa said, “The Pictures are there, and you just take them”
Artist and Animal lovers are among the most interesting people in my life. But I am not talking of horses today – I talking of artists – That is why I love Asheville, NC. We are all defined by our personal trappings – our cars, our hair, the colors we choose, our pets, the coats we put on, and the decorations in our house ……would you hang this painting by Jonas Gerard on your wall – I just hung it in our entry hall – well only in my mind using just a few pixels.- But even that helps define me – Bright bold colors on walls pick me up – make me smile. 
But it is not a painting to put on the wall at all – It is the artists van. Found on the streets of Asheville. 
The drivers side – You know, I think artist’s are better defined than boring people – of which there are none in Asheville 
Hair, coat, shoes, jewelry all help his definition on the streets of Asheville.on. 
Oh, his hat and dog add to the definition. – In the streets of Asheville. 
In the streets of Asheville – across from the 5 and 10 cent store, I thought I would define myself with a colored hair look. I tried the silver one – I decided to save my money, do not buy the wig and do not go to the barber – Presto in two months, I will be defined in the streets of Florida – There are a lot of us silvered haired humans here in retirement cities of Florida.. 
Some artists in Asheville do not put on a coat of many colors – rather they want to be defined by a single color. – Life is simple for these type of artists in Asheville – No decisions -“Think I will wear my green shirt today” Bet she loves green pea soup – at lunch at vegetarian restaurant we tried what was advertised as green V8 juicer – This young artist most like filled her drinking vessel at the same vegetarian restaurant here in Asheville A street photographer’s – oops I mean a street reader’s – dream, each street in Asheville is like the pages in book – the individuality of artists make each street tell it’s own unique story! -
Nov 22, 2014 – To the left our Captain is concentrating. “No fine work can be done without concentration” – Max Beerbohm We photographers went on a boat trip to photograph wildlife – I think of myself as a Street Photographer – photographing people doing what they do when they are out and about – shopping, working, walking, recreating, sitting, loitering, etc. So, my boat trip focused on our Captain concentrating and I am sure I missed a lot of wildlife – but I really enjoyed my people watching.
Here we are – ready for our photo adventure – This Blog posting, though, focuses on the lady in blue, standing in the back of the boat. 
Now up close with my iPhone camera. This is our Captain of the boat, Lynn. Lynn of course is the only one on the boat that is working – The 25 photographers are recreating. – Lynn is Focused (concentrating) on her announcement, making sure that we are relaxed, safe, and ready for a fun ride – That is part of her “work”. 
Backing out – Lynn is concentrating. That is her “work”. 
Part of Lynn’s job is to find dolphins for us to photograph – There is a pod of dolphins about to surface just off the starboard bow of docked cruiser in front of us. Lynn in concentrating on positioning her boat so the we can get a good shot. That is her “work”. 
Here we are. Photographers with their long heavy lens. With my iPhone, I catch Lynn concentrating on getting the boat positioned just right for the photographers with the heavy lens. That is her “work”. 
Being a perfect host – with open water in front of us, I photograph Lynn talking with and entertaining customers like me. WOWing us. That is her “work”. She is relatively new to this Captain’s job. For ten years prior to this she says, “I swam to work every day.” WOW, what was your “work” then. I was a professional deep sea diver – working for a company doing treasure hunting – diving to ships that were sunk prior to and during the Civil War. She said that kind of “work” took real concentration. 
Interesting careers – swim to work each day, finding treasure, telling us retired office workers stories of life on the high seas – That is her “work”