Penning Photography Daily

Orchids

One from 2002. From my dearly departed Olympus UZ2100C which was forever wrenched from my grasp by some thief in an airport luggage handling incident (can you feel my angst?).

My mother’s favorite color was lavender or purple. I like it also if for no other reason than it was her preference.

This shimmers with life to me. What about your view?

I’m always thrilled and amazed at the orchids on display at the Washington Park Botanical Garden. It’s coming up on February 12-13. See this link for details.

Whisps of Healing

A local hospital, St. John’s, has this tall stack.

I thought of taking another steam rising picture, and spied this after work tonight.

Six photos, Photomatix Pro and a bunch of post processing – still not happy with it, but I called it quits and here it is. I may go back later to work on it some more. Digital helps.

St. John’s Hospital is a house of healing. My dad was an Obstetrician-Gynecologist here. He delivered over 10,000 newborns in his practice, most of them here. I’ve grown up and older with St. John’s playing many roles in my life. From birth, tonsillectomy, working there around High School, our son was born there, my bride, Karen worked there Summers when she was a Elementary teacher, to my arm surgery of last year. My Karen Sue does her part to keep the flow of healing in her job there.

Healing is a miracle often aided by others ministering to our wounds. I hope you experience the loving touch of healing in your life.

Steam Heat On A Cold WInter’s Eve

Another High Dynamic Range photo for today’s POTD.

Glancing out a window at work during a meeting today I was directed to take a look at all the steam coming off off the top of this building. It was in the 20′s (F) today and 19 F. when I took this. Bitter cold with a wind chill of 9 degrees F. Brrrrrrrrr.

I sure take for granted all the benefits of living in a technologically advanced society. Electricity and running water and sewer are just 3 of the basics which I’ve recently said “Thank God I have these.” During the ice storm of 1/13-14 2007, we lost power for just 90 minutes. Enough to quickly realize how dependent I am on the electrical generation grid. No lights, heat, tv, Internet (OH NO!), radio, refrigeration, etc. We’ve had problems with our sewer and not being able to use water or flush the loo, WC, toilet commode or whatever you call it, was very pointedly inconvenient.

The miracles of electricity, clean water and a sewage system were all hard fought here and in every place where they are newly wrought. I am reminded of how delicate and precious these works are, when they are removed from my easy reach by Nature or accident.

Stay warm, Friend, and remember those without.

the final word

“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become reality. I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This is a photograph of the King Statue at the corner of 2nd and Capitol Ave. in Springfield, IL. The Illinois State Library is at one corner, The Illinois Supreme Court at another and both of them face the Illinois State Capitol. Dr. King’s statue is on the lawn of the library, “walking” or facing the Capitol building which has a Statue of Abraham Lincoln facing Capitol Ave. King is depicted as walking towards the Capitol. as he did perhaps on the road to Montgomery or Washington, D.C.

The quote above is an example of the rhetorical style of Dr. King. He was a great orator, taking his Southern Baptist style and giving great speeches illustrating the need for equality for all.

On the statue itself – from the IL Secretary of State site: www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/…

This 300-lb. bronze statue of a 26-year-old Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., cost $25,000 and was first unveiled in the Capitol rotunda on Jan. 14, 1988. King is the first non-Illinois resident to be honored with a statue. Then Secretary of State Jim Edgar said King “merits this special recognition for his contributions to Illinoisans of all colors and creeds.” The statue was moved outside of the Illinois State Museum in 1989. In May 1993, the statue was moved to its current location at “Freedom Corner,” facing the Abraham Lincoln statue, and was rededicated on Sept. 18, 1993. Sculptor: Geraldine McCullough, 1988

Sunday Matt

Shameless self portrait.

Still fighting a sinus thing and didn’t want to explore outside today. So, I took a page from other Flickrites and put up a new portrait of moi.

No setup, just grab the camera, put it on macro, hold at arms length and keep shooting and adjusting until one looks ok or I get tired. One looked ok and I got tired.

A little of this and that in post processing and here I am.

Thank goodness I shaved this morning. Who knows what you would be seeing right now if I had not. =)

Enjoy.

Enclosed With Ice




This morning, I thought I would not be able to get out and about, because of an all night ice storm. It turned out that the temperature was not as cold as it could have been. The ice on my car came off easily and I was able to motor in my car just fine.

This is the second ice storm of this Winter season. Very Unusual.

I stopped by a bank to deposit some funds, and while exiting the parking lot, saw this small bush, almost totally enclosed with ice. I had my camera ready, and grabbed this frame, making the person in the car behind me only seconds delayed.

A forest of ice and tiny branches.

I hope tonight’s ice melts quickly and does not further bring ruin to Nature and man-made.

My sister was without power this afternoon. I’m going to call her shortly to see if it’s back on.

Brrrrrrrrrrrr.

Listening

A simple photo.

Can you see the concentration and attention my bride Karen has on her face?

She’s listening to a cousin. Having a long girl-talk session.

I saw the look on her face and knew I had my photo for the day.

I cropped it to just show the eyes, which are what drew me to take the photograph.

Listening and conversing are talents rare. Karen has them. I love her.