Steve Martin’s An Object of Beauty reads at first like a fable about taste: a slim, gleaming novel in which the currency is looks, and the marketplace is Manhattan. Scratch the surface, though, and his book reveals itself as a careful, often savage study of perception and performance — of how beauty is produced, packaged, … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review – An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin
Reimagining Sustainability: Yukio Mishima’s Critique and Alternative Paths Beyond Colonialism, Nationalism, Imperialism, and Capitalism
Yukio Mishima, a prominent Japanese author and nationalist, explored themes of identity, tradition, and the clash between modernity and traditional values in his works. His philosophy, particularly his critique of modernity and Western influences, provides a lens through which we can examine the interconnectivity and unsustainability of colonialism, nationalism, imperialism, and capitalism. Interconnectivity and Unsustainability … Continue reading Reimagining Sustainability: Yukio Mishima’s Critique and Alternative Paths Beyond Colonialism, Nationalism, Imperialism, and Capitalism
Seeing Through Grateful Eyes
As a counterbalance to negative thoughts, I've decided to continue the practice of looking for what brings me joy in the world around me. This joy feels like gratitude to me and helps me get back on track as I navigate my father's final journeys with us. With every hard thought, I have a clear … Continue reading Seeing Through Grateful Eyes
The Beauty of Death: A Sophoclean Discourse on Coping with the Loss of a Beloved Parent
Dealing with loss (even pre-emptively) has turned me to what I know... to express myself creatively. I hope these words reach past me. They have helped me look at this experience as one of life's strange gifts, even if I wish its fast conclusion, I embrace it as part of my life's rich path. Characters: … Continue reading The Beauty of Death: A Sophoclean Discourse on Coping with the Loss of a Beloved Parent
A little good news (for bees) — perception is everything!
http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/leave-dandelions-alone-to-help-bees-this-spring/ Now be honest; dandelion flowers really are a beautiful and cheerful yellow, right??? Yes, they do mar that dream of a perfect green lawn, but is that perfect green so perfect after all? Lawn grass is the least environmentally sustainable thing you can plant and maintain!!! Replace it with clover if you must have … Continue reading A little good news (for bees) — perception is everything!
Revisiting Some Unpublished Photos of 2020 – Pushing Boundaries of Differentiation
Yes, I know...yet another photo of my beloved Japanese maple! What can I say? I really love it and get so much joy from the inspiration it delivers. This shot is all about textures for me. I zoomed in as close as I cool and then played with resolutions to get the distortions from the … Continue reading Revisiting Some Unpublished Photos of 2020 – Pushing Boundaries of Differentiation
Getting to the heart Of It
The entire diameter of this amazing blossom is about half an inch (1 cm). Unless you get really close it looks faded and unremarkable. Superimpose it over bright green foliage and it starts to vibrate with colour. Get closer still and you realize this flower is pink, white, orange, and yellow. The inside presents its … Continue reading Getting to the heart Of It
A Beautiful Diversity of Colours
I've made some effort to keep the garden in the pinks that my wife enjoys, but this little bush was hiding where I didn't notice it. It was a house gift from Easter 2019 and we thought it had died last year. It was mostly green when I transplanted it to a recently cleared spot. … Continue reading A Beautiful Diversity of Colours
Just So… Beautiful
It's really easy to walk by certain gifts from Mother Nature and take them for granted. Macro photography has been allowing me to, well, stop and smell the roses. There is so much beauty always around us that I can't help but feel my soul soaring in happiness and gratitude for it. The fragility of … Continue reading Just So… Beautiful
A Challenging Shelf – Before
The Challenge of Improving on Such Beauty As soon as I saw this Mid-Century book shelf, I knew I had to have it. At first, the ideas of colour schemes, stains, waxes, paintings, polishings, sanding, etc, etc, etc... All flew through my head with excitement as I drove it home and placed it carefully in … Continue reading A Challenging Shelf – Before
The New Renaissance Mindset 