Good medicine

As seen this morning after dropping off my daughter at school.  I took a quick shot from my car window after slowing down for a healthy dose of these Live Oaks.

The collection of photos below were taken during a walk through the Ford property before arriving home.  So fortunate.  :))

Slow down...

Slow down...

I'm so not ready for the bright red and green bows and decorations of Christmas overriding the pretty colors of change around us.  When our area finally reaches a visual place speaking to us of the seasonal beauty of Fall, shopping clocks tell us to speed ahead to something other.

Not me.

I'm stopping to soak it in.

Cypress LOVE

During this fall season, you can usually hear me missing and wishing for the beauty of the changing colors and cooler air of the Northeast.  Lately, our own changing cypress trees have been speaking to me with their rusted needles mixed with greens.  One tree in particular on Dalrymple Drive on the LSU Lakes is absolutely gorgeous, draped with Spanish Moss dancing with the cold, water breeze.  This morning I went out to spend time with it and brought my camera along.  Once I stepped into its shadow and looked up at the light streaming through its textures, I lifted my arms up high in celebration of its pretty ways.

Here are a few shots taken during our first session together.  I'm not there yet in terms of the light balance and feel, and hope for some future time.

Vigil for Michael Brown and Police Shooting Victims - LSU Amphitheater

The crowd gathered in peace at the LSU Amphitheater in community and support while listening to speakers share their insights and feelings.  One young man wearing a sweatshirt which read "Don't Shoot" expressed anger and frustration.  A "We are tired!" chant from the crowd followed.

During the reading of names of people killed by police shootings and the details surrounding their death, this man stood and supported himself in silence.

At the end of the vigil, those in attendance were invited to share a few words.  A number of people spoke, and one women in particular strongly urged continued meetings of the college community.  They will meet again at LSU.

More information about the vigil and meetings can be found at FB's Michael Brown Vigil.

The Advocate article  Crowd gathers for peaceful Michael Brown memorial on LSU campus

WBRZ TV report

Givin' thanks Rebirth style!

Kicked off Thanksgiving Break with the Rebirth Brass Band at Baton Rouge's Bogies.  It was my first time there and didn't know what to expect from this college bar scene.  After shocking the young man at the door checking IDs by my birth date year 30 years older than all others (he had been looking down when viewing), I stepped right in and had a fun time.  Rebirth ALWAYS puts on a great show and treat the crowd right.  The full band was there minus co-founder Keith Frazier on the Bass Drum, and Terrence Andrews performed in his place.  I really enjoyed meeting him and seeing all of the band members in Baton Rouge once again.


A special thanks to Rebirth, co-founder Phil Frazier, Tuba, and Derrick Tabb, Snare, and Terrence Andrews for letting me step into their rear stage space for a different perspective of the show.  I'm more than appreciative of the opportunity and experience.  (I took some nice photos of their instuments during the set break which I'll share in an album, too.) All of these shots were taken with my husband's iPhone 6.  I'm very impressed by how it handled the low light situation and more than psyeched to have grabbed a good set.

Be sure to check out the Rebirth Brass Band back in Baton Rouge on December 20 at Chelsea's!

(Creative Commons Irene Kato)

A healing space that knows

I peeked down my street this morning into the field space blocks away to find a mist waiting to rise with the sun.  Scooted around getting on my another layer of clothes with my all time favorite 18 year old Ecuadorian El Paca wool sweater on top.  Once this sweater comes out for its season intro, I reconnect to a strong spirit inside from years back, and it always makes me smile.  Jumped on my bike right after packing my husband's iPhone6 for the ride to the field.  Without a working camera these days, I've been in a different zone of seeing and appreciating life.  Today I really wanted it with me to keep the door of light exploration open.

Making a last moment decision, I made a left into the new development to get the whole field view instead of riding into the back field.  The mist already glowed with orange water crystals, and I knew that it would soon be gone.  Once arriving at the turn facing the open space of gold, I left my bike in the dried 'creek' bed and freed myself to walk around.

I immediately noticed that some work had been done clearing brush and young trees, and I scanned the area to see which familiar and welcoming landmarks of the past were gone.  I was relieved to see the old corner oak still watching over the span, and the "Goddess" trees remained by its side.  Without the overgrown areas, trees stood taller together and they welcomed the sun and broke the light into shadows and joy.

This was the second weekend that I had visited since I started a new teaching job 11 days ago.  It is so wearing on my spirit, and my feelings of inadequacies in meeting the needs of the teens overwhelm me.  Saturday helped me begin to recover and regain self, and this morning it was an automatic to seek the company of peace.  I feel safe in this space, as if it knows why I seek a visit.  Possibly in a way I'm its companion, too, as I've watched it change and redefine itself over the past few years.

Thank you, Aina, "spirit of the land", for what you share.




PS - I'm amazed with the quality of these iPhone6 images.  Untouched except for cropping.  :))))  Upgrading from my non-smart phone may just be what I do while I save for a pro body.

Cloud rise

Yesterday and today, I've had my bedroom window open because the air has been cooler, yes cooler, with a slight breeze.  It faces east with a small wooden stool sitting below it.  Each morning, my six-year-old has closed her eyes facing the incoming light and breeze.  Yes, a breeze, too.  She said, "Come feel this.  You'll always remember."  With pleasure I did and completely shared in her joy.

Today I was inspired to step outside with my camera for a nice frame of the clouds rising.  Their movement was so lovely and promising.  I wished in me that others would be in a good place for themselves to see and appreciate its beauty.  It was a birthday wish for a special friend, too.

#lightforafriend

Pretty roses

These lovelies were spotted in an outdoor store front display during a city street sidewalk stroll...during gorgeous weather!

Found - Fellow young photographer from days past

Photo by Darrell 2007

In the search for a teaching position, I visited an EBR school yesterday.  It was a valuable experience spending time with the principal talking about the school and peeking into classrooms as we walked up and down the one hallway space.   I loved being on the receiving end of a couple smiles and waves as the middle school aged children saw us.  There was one child in particular that I felt like I knew, and right away I connected him to my volunteer days at the FEMA trailer park, Renaissance Village.  The principal had an opportunity during a moment when he passed by us to ask where he was from.  My heart jumped when this young man, now standing taller than me, replied, "New Orleans."  "Were you in the trailer park?" Long pause and thinking face, "I think so...I was so little then."

Immediately in my mind I started digging through my mental archives of images taken while there, by myself and the children.  When I came home, I went right to the blog I used to keep of the visits with the children, "See me see new", and peeked around for the post of his photos.  Found it!  "Photos by Darrell - July 13"  I smiled viewing them, and especially remembered the moment he took his photo of the clouds.  He just wanted to look up and see.

This experience of seeing him again, the first of any of the Renaissance Village children I visited, really speaks to me of the impact and importance of shared experiences of the visual and space.  I'd like to share the photos he took in print with him one day, and wonder if he'll be reminded of looking up to the sky.  I hope that it'll be a positive gift from his days past.


Here are the photos taken by Darrell on July 13, 2007.

The Red Star 8.08.15

The Walls Project #15 - Gettin' out there with art for Baton Rouge

Through a 225 Magazine online posting about volunteer opportunities in Baton Rouge last week, I discovered the good work of the Walls Project.  This past Saturday over 100 volunteers gathered throughout the day at BREC's Gayosa Park to create a group mural painting.  I arrived mid-morning with my husband, two daughters and a friend, and stayed a handful of hours working alongside and meeting people who care about the direction of Baton Rouge's growth.  How valuable to engage in the arts and contribute to our community.  It really was a great time and I loved that my children were hands on!

I'm very excited to have met talented artists and awesome individuals with the Walls Project.  Executive Director, Casey Phillips, Creative Director of the Elevators Project, Raina Wirta, and Alexis Stephenson and Melisa Rad of the Elevators Project.

#goBR

 

The creative space of vision and action.  Raina Wirta's concept notebook.

Melisa Rad, of Elevators Project, preps an empty wall with guiding lines of tape.

Raina Wirta, of the Elevators Project, adds elements to the wall section representing a city grid.

Casey Phillips, Executive Director of the Walls Project.  He speaks so well about the efforts and purpose of the Walls Project.  Be sure to watch his interview with The Advocate http://bcove.me/qxm57kfq.

Raina Wirta stands near the "X and O" wall section.  She spoke of the value in taking an artistic concept and putting it in the hands and expressions of the community.

Alexis Stephenson, Elevators Project Artist, adds a peace sign while feeling great about the wall's progess.

Volunteers Meagan Simone and Antoinette Johnson (left to right) both discovered the Walls Project by walking into the downtown office with their curiosity on different occasions. They share great enthusiasm for the work.

Walls Project members

Eric Stewart, Elevators Project, holds painted tape guides freshly pulled from the wall.  

The collection is a piece of art in itself.

David Chemin, BREC Park Ranger, on site at Gayosa Park to assist with support.

Be sure to check out and appreciate the work done by local papers, The Advocate, and NOLA.com - Baton Rouge.

The Advocate:  http://theadvocate.com/home/9680298-125/brs-gayosa-park-gets-walls
Well done video interview with Casey Phillips by Advocate's photographer, Travis Spradling: http://bcove.me/qxm57kfq

NOLA.com - Baton Rouge, photographs by Brianna Paciorka:  http://www.nola.com/living/baton-rouge/index.ssf/2014/07/volunteers_help_create_new_wal.html

City grid evolution

Lanie Skaggs works on the wall of an abandoned garage which faces the park.