It was not supposed to be like this… blogging was to flow, writing was to be creative… the river has been blocked. The path strewn with debris…
The recent exhibits have been a success and I coasted on the praise and excitement of those of days, have step out into all forms of creative opportunities, art shows, faerie event, fellowship with recovery friends, yet still the shadows have fallen across my path…
“Sometimes we have to surrender to the not knowing. At other times, it is helpful to adventure outward & explore new possibilities. Like swashbucklers of the spirit, we bravely seek out any experience that might inform our path. When we are afraid of something, we live it fully and see what floats to the surface in the doing. We participate in our own revealing. We have faith in the shaping of what we cannot see.” Jeff Brown
Each moment of the year has its own beauty . . . a picture
which was never before and shall never be seen again.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Nature is the art God.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains
of nature – the assurance that dawn comes after night,and
spring after the winter.
– Rachel Carson
Some of nature’s most exquisite handiwork is on a miniature
scale, as anyone knows who has applied a magnifying glass
to a snowflake.
– Rachel Carson
the reluctant bloger 
Jeff – each photo has its own flavor. I can’t pick a favorite flavor because they all taste delicious!
laurie,
Thank you, I was not sure whether this went out!
Jeff, I love your blog and your photojournalism!
Jeff, thank you for showing me a part of your world that I would otherwise never have a chance to see. Though you are many miles from here, it’s like you are showing me my own backyard through your eyes.
Sandi
The whole idea of my photography at this point is just that… local, nothing grand…
Thank so much!
Nice shots. I like the shadows on the path photo. The next to last photo reminds me of the sky here this morning at sunrise. Just as the sun was rising over the tree line, the sky was beautiful shades of lavender. I went to grab my camera, but had to change from the macro lens. In just a few minutes it took me, the light changed and was back to the greywhite snow sky that has remained all morning.
Anne,
There are many shots of that path, as there are of most of this little wood, thank you!
Yes the light changes that fast in the morning and sunset. being always ready is the key.
I’m afraid I really don’t know anything about photography, Jeff, but I do understand feeling blocked–like your path is covered by debris. Hang in there. This will pass and magic will reemerge.
Kathy
Kathryn,
Yes, we tell ourselves, this too shall pass. I only know this too well. The situation is finding time and space to create, write…
Thank you for coming by!
Your pictures say a whole bunch of words, Jeff. As I was looking at them, I first went through the vision impact. What am I seeing? and then, I looked at the impact the picture had on my feelings. Then, judgment and discernment looked at the pictures. Finally, the writer in me wanted to tell a story about each one. Your photography moves me like words cannot, yet my impulse is to translate that movement, those feelings, that story within me into words. I wonder if you are simply skipping that step and instead letting the photos tell your story. They are beautiful, raw — moments in life captured and stilled for reflection.
Barbara,
I have to breathe into and through your comments here! AAHHH! I am extremely touched by your words, your experience of viewing the photographs!
In a way this process of photographs with quote is inspired by your suggestion, way back…
Finding quotes that will express “my” idea of what the photograph could or would suggest.
I love the long shadows of winter, Jeff, and love the way you captured them in the first photo. Sometimes people have a way with words and even if you don’t thin that is your strong suit, you definitely have a way with a camera! Your images “speak” for themselves, they flow. The quotes you chose to go along with them resonate with me, too.
Er… I meant “think,” not “thin!”
Barbara,
It seems I am in the long shadows more often than the light? Or my fear of who I am in the light chases me back to the shadows?
My own words ring false in my head so using others that resonate offers a place of safety, to share with the photographs.
Oh we humans and our “supposed to be’s”! I am working on eliminating my own “supposed to be’s” and just more fully accepting what is. I know you are, too… Your shadows are lovely and that half-view of the Queen Anne’s lace. Did you ever think of posting blogs just with photos, no words? That would be an interesting one to see. The photos would have to talk and you’d be “off the hook”.
Supposes are almost as bad as shoulds, yet I keep trying to move beyond those frames.
Yes a photo blog would work or at least give the opportunity for more photos to be shared, when the words just don’t seem to want to flow.
Jeff, these are beautiful, photos and words! Your photography always moves me in ways that aren’t easily put into words. So honest and real. I feel like I am seeing into your deepest heart and what I see is beautiful.
Colleen,
Thank you thank you for joining us here! It thrills me that you have been following me and
my work. Your words and expression are welcome warmth on this cold frosty day!
I love your blog Jeff and your photojournalism!
Thank you Albert!!
Wonderful photos. You captured perfectly, what I see almost everyday in my neck of the woods. Thank you for sharing.
Debra,
I am grateful for your response! The everyday is what I seek to capture… Your most welcome, thank you for viewing and commenting!
Reminds me of the winter in Holland exhibit I saw at the art museum while at the Schipol Airport in Amsterdam. I love forlorn beauty.
Wow! Thank you so much for this response! “forlorn beauty” I like that a lot!
Dear Jeff
I hope you are well 🙂
I am using the quote my Jeff Brown in a speech that I am writing but I cannot find any reference as to where it came from. Have you the source information please?
many thankx for your help
regards,
Dr Marcus Bunyan
Dr Marcus,
Most of the Jeff Brown quotes come from his book “Soulshaping” which you can find on Amazon.
Many thankx Jeff = much appreciated 🙂
Marcus
Everything is very open with a very clear explanation of the issues. It was really informative. Your website is useful. Thank you for sharing!
bradford,
Thank you for your response! I am glad to read that you gleamed some information from my blog!
Love this post 🙂
Anne,
Thank you ! It is the first time I have looked at it and read through this blog in some time. Thank you for that gift.
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Great images and hope winter will be over soon.
Lou,
Thank you! I think winter is about over yet it is still telling us it is in charge!