Taking Wing With The Spirit

Monday, February 3, 2014

February 3, 2014

February 3, 2014

Photos can be viewed full frame by clicking on any image.

All photos are mine unless otherwise noted.

After two weeks I can report that I have new eyes. The surgery to replace the lens and correct the astigmatism in my left eye has been wonderfully successful. I have new sight, 20/20 for everything beyond 5-6 feet and drugstore reading glasses for reading and computer viewing. All the glasses prescribed over the years are now to be donated to an organization that I believe uses the frames to help those who can't afford glasses to have a pair or two.

I have what is called a Toric Interocular Lens implant which as a treatment for astigmatism became available only in 2011, so there are no regrets about not having this done sooner. Enjoyment of clarity of sight begins today, this hour, this moment and it is a delight to have crisp vision. My first visit to the local supermarket, a huge place, was startling as the vegatable and fruit displays are lit with greater intensity than the rest of the store to highlight the colors of the produce. I got a little dizzy with the intensity of the view with this new implanted lens.

Also the clarity of the computer screen is equally amazing. It's almost as if I was practicing my photography with a blind man's cane. This is not to say I could not see just that I always had a somewhat difused view of the world. My old friend and mentor Tad Mosel used to say that he hardly used his glasses as the world looked better without them. I agreed with him as I could not see things with perfect clarity and learned to deal with that in the creative and work dealings I spent most of my life around.

What a joy! I now have the opportunity to improve on my creativity through photography in a new way that promises to shift some of my viewpoint around photos in a slightly different direction. This involves some change in technique and that is good as it is the nature of the ever changing world of digital photography. There are always new things to learn along with old ways of doing this work that can be improved. In so many ways I am awed by the world we live in and what is available to learn from.

The first image is difused and those that follow can be an example of my new vision.

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Here is a photo taken on Saturday that is difused yet still a good impression of the day at a Nordic ski center in Waterville, Maine. I have been moving somewhat in the direction of impressionism for awhile now and will continue to develop this side of my creative seeing in the future.

Best seen full screen - click on the image to bring it up -

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The storm that caused limited visibility is passing through

and the heavens that are always there

show their face to those who look up

with new eyes.

Winter scene in Acadia.

My plans are to spend one day a week in Acadia to see and photograph all that I love there with a different perspective and some new techniques that presented themselves this last week. The image above is an example of small changes that are gratifying for me - perhaps not obvious in general yet I know they are there.

The Nordic Center in Waterville, Maine

Walking the dog under the grandeur of Maine scenery

Young Beech trees do not lose their leaves in Winter

as they offer color to enjoy while waiting for Spring to explode.

Taken outside the front door I go out of every day.

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I reworked this photo with my new eyes to test the doctor's work.

I am pleased.

Taken last Summer at a garden in Southern Maine.

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Two views of dangerous ways to live ......

No matter where we are in the world,

a box to seclude ourself in is ever available.

Hidden in seclusion, some sit in dark corners

and pick at the wounds that may never see

the healing light of day.

Living on the edge over the Androscoggin River in Brunswick Maine these ice fishing enthusiasts are in danger as the temperature is around forty degrees and the river is moving beneath their shacks. Why do they put their huts so close to each other when so much space is available? Well, perhaps it is the herd instinct, or is it the beer and not wanting to drink alone. Both Photos taken on Sunday.

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Some Humor:

Until next week,

Peace, Bill Lagerstrom

Friday, January 17, 2014

January 17, 2014

January 17, 2014

Photos can be viewed full frame by clicking on any image.

All photos are mine unless otherwise noted.

Lee and I went on Sunday to the section of Acadia National Park located on the South arm of Mount Desert Island adjacent to the town of Bass Harbor. The main section of the Park is on the North arm of the Island. The seas were up somewhat to 10-12 feet giving a different view than ordinarily seen as the Continental Shelf tends to keep all wave activity to a minium. The day was magnificent with Winter temperatures rising into the high 40's, and there was no need for hats and gloves making the trip even more enjoyable.

I have added location comments to give a sense of where they were taken for those who may be familar with the area.

I will not be able to offer a post next week as I am having eye surgery on Tuesday to replace the lens in my left eye due to a cataract that is finally a problem with having clear sight. This is something of a Grace for me as the problem I have had with astigmatism my whole life will be corrected at the same time. Since the new lens will only correct distance issues I will have to get new glasses for reading, photo and computer work. I am told that this is a walk in the park but at this side of surgery have a problem believing that. The replacement will be done in hospital which tells me something about how seriously the opthemologist takes the proceedure. If she is cautious I will also be cautious and wait until next week before I may be able to echo the experience of others that say it was no big deal.

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Three photos at "Seawall" adjacent to one of the campgrounds in Acadia:

Some music to watch the ocean with:

Click here: https://app.box.com/s/de61644ac73fa7caf396

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Three photos take at the Bass Harbor Lighthouse:

If I were to live at the edge of the sea,

there would have to be no barriers

between God's ceaseless calling from the waves,

and my answer everytime I looked out at the Vast Expanse.

Lee, pondering the ocean below.

Very few can go to Water's Edges and not be ....

It is the Present Moment spoken with a Universal Language,

understood by all who see and listen.

Like the rocks slowly giving up their resistence to Love's constant caress,

so we as well are enveloped by our Creator's touch as we are told,

"I am here. Look no further."

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Lee on the Ship's Harbor trail near Bass Harbor taking on the job of traffic control so the birds could land safely. (The truth be told I think I heard, "Take that picture and you'll get both of these on your head.)

Waiting on Spring

This dog rushed over wading through a pool of sea water,

said hello, got a quick pet and went back to work

after plowing back through the same wet stretch.

(The two pictures above taken at Seawall.)

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Some Humor:

Why geese are rarely seen in Maine

Peace,

Bill Lagerstrom

Friday, January 10, 2014

January 10, 2014

January 10, 2014

Photos can be viewed full frame by clicking on any image.

All photos are mine unless otherwise noted.

On Sunday Lee and I along with friends went showshoeing on the trails set up by the University of Maine at Orono on their property which is available to everyone. Umaine manages 13,000 thousand acres of forest in Maine and we were on a tract of some 1600 acres. The day was one of those rare ones where sun, snow and trees came together and Nature performed a wonderful symphony with a beautiful coordination of every view on every foot of trail we were on.
Days like this are the domain of postcards and it is only after our years here in Maine that I come to expect them to happen even though I am always surprised when they do. It was a day for memory to permanently implant God's brushwork for vivid recall at any time in the future.

The following song is about Christmas, and since each new day is an echo of birth in us I offer it as a reminder of today, and every tommorrow that brings new life to us. I thought it fitted Sunday's experience well. The words are below the third photo.

Click here to listen: https://app.box.com/s/y1k3scnxpmt5x3613xu6

Lee and Lynn

- The Spirit Of Christmas Past –

When tears are in your eyes

it's time to look inside

your heart can find another way.

Believe in What I say

don't throw this time away

tomorrow will be Christmas Day …

So let the shadows go

and drift away like snow

tomorrow will be Christmas Day …

So, dream until the night

becomes the morning light

tomorrow will be Christmas Day …

Sung by Enya

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Two weeks ago Lee and I went to Jonesport, a small town up the coast about two hours from where we live, and spent several delightful hours with Helen Beal who continues to take care of and run the model railroad she, her husband, nephew, and friends spent the last 25-30 years putting together. It is a legacy story as Helen's husband died in 2112 after a long marriage. Harold's presence was felt in the work he left for our enjoyment and in the wonderful way Helen talked of their remarkable relationship over their years together. Helen is a remarkable Maine woman in every way, and it was a pleasure to meet and talk with her about what was created in a building just a few feet from her house.

Helen's nephew came by to run a few of the many HO scale trains on the layout he helped build and run as a working railroad when he, Harold and friends spent many a Sunday evening enjoying what they put together. Helen did not say she was there on those Sundays, but I suspect nothing would have kept her away. Helen built all the buildings, trees, mountains - all the scenery for the layout with a truly talented pair of hands in the project she and Harlold spent countless hours putting together while growing closer in what Helen called, "A marriage that never had an argument."

Thank you Helen for our time together. We will be back soon.

Here is the website for the railroad:

http://www.mainecentralmodelrailroad.com/

The site has a slideshow showing much more than I could capture. Please take a look.

Nephew, Helen and Lee talking in part of the layout

No detail was left out anywhere on the HO scale layout

One of many bridges beautifully handcrafted

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Train Tracks are pathways taking us to places

known and unknown, always an adventure

as we in essence follow those who have gone before,

who have made a way for all of us who come after,

traveling the vast stretches life before us.

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An Angel dictating the Gospel to the Apostle Matthew, by Guido Reni.

We got a copy of this circa 1600 painting at the Vatican some years back.

It has hung where I sit and write my poetry for a dozen years now.

I offer no comment other than a question -

How does God speak to you?

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Some humor:

In Brewer across from Bangor, in the most heavily treed State in the country, this sculpture was erected, perhaps for those who are tired of real trees. (Shot from my car window stopped at a light)

Peace until next week,

Bill Lagerstrom

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