Frosted and Wilted...

Frosted and Wilted

In these frost covered and wilted leaves I see a graceful and elegant submission to the inevitable onset of winter.

Yet the the remaining green on a few of these leaves suggests that the story here is not over yet.

All members of the plant kingdom play difficult a cat-and-mouse game of survival with the changing seasons.

Some "win" and some "lose"... but these leaves seem confident in the knowledge that right now they are just settling down for a "long winter's nap" and that after this they will reemerge in spring with renewed strength to greet the warmth and sunshine of another spring.

 And the cycle of life goes on. :)

"Emmanuel"...

"Emmanuel"

Much like one of the most wonderful pieces of music I've ever heard...for me this image triggers a full range of complex emotions. Hope, anticipation, abandonment, solitude and intimacy.

It is unclear if these chairs are abandoned for the season or if in just a few minutes two people be sitting here sharing a special moment together.

Like much in life each of us will see something different here and interpret this within the context of our own emotions and feelings.

CHRIS BOTTI IN BOSTON | "Emmanuel" w/ Lucia Micarelli | PBS
https://youtu.be/m8NN4fpdm40

"Last Quarter"

"Last Quarter" 

When you visualize an image of the moon in your minds eye what do you see? The impossibly large disk of a “Super Moon”... glowing softly as it rises slowly over a silhouetted landscape? Or the crater Tycho... shining like a lunar lighthouse, the arms of it’s massive ray system extending out for 1500 km in all directions. Maybe you see the lunar mare (Latin for "oceans") that make up the so called “Man in the Moon”. 

These are timeless images. The one's everyone sees and everyone tries to photograph.

And so did I until just the other day when I made this photo. After years of trying (and failing rather miserably) to recreate those "other" images for myself... something drew me to take this simple photo instead. And as soon as I saw it I knew I had succeeded in creating something that satisfied me and finally expressed who I was... my personal views and what I felt when taking this photo. Yet I wasn’t quite sure why.

Then it hit me. This image contained a message. It was telling me that in my previous attempts to photograph the moon I had been succumbing to thinking and seeing like everyone else. I was part of "the crowd"... going for the “big glowing disk” photograph. I was focused on achieving a specific result rather than allowing myself to explore options. However now I have a photo where the moon is properly portrayed as just a small part of something much larger. In this photo I feel as though I can see right past the moon, through the blue of the sky and into the depths of space that lay beyond. For me it helps define where we on Earth fall in the grand scheme of things.

But no matter the subject matter, your political views or the country you live in... few of us ever exercise our right to think and act as individuals. We believe what we see on TV, the opinions of our friends and what we read online to be true. Without question.  We have a desire to fit in and therefore become a part of the crowd. And while comfortable and easy, the reality is that this limits our development both personally and as a society.

However to think for yourself, to consider options and to encourage others to do the same requires courage and taking certain risks. It can be uncomfortable... but the rewards are worth the risks. And this is true whether taking a simple photograph, teaching our daughters and sons how to be better people, or simply searching for the truth. In my opinion the the world needs more risk takers... and we need to applaud, support and recognize the efforts of those who already do.  Or better yet... become risk takers ourselves :-)

Simply Ablaze!...

"Simply Ablaze" - A Roadside Snapshot.

It seems every tree in New England is begging for individual attention right now. Which raises a question of how best to enjoy the beauty of fall in New England?

Like people each tree has it's own unique qualities. Yet when viewed "en masse" and enjoyed as a group of good friends... there is a completely different dynamic and feel to them. 

And in the end I guess trees in fall are like people... there is no right or wrong way to embrace, enjoy and learn from them. You simply have to be open to the opportunities that both life and Mother Nature present us to enrich our lives and nourish our soul and not let them pass you by.

Not Your Typical TBT...

Not exactly your typical ‪‎TBT‬... but a challenge to all my friends today.

Think about where you were a year ago today... look at where you are today... and imagine where you want to be a year from now. 

Then realize everything is possible! :-)

A 60th Wedding Anniversary

Don and Jo Anne Mengle
60th Wedding Anniversary
09/27/15

"Jo Anne and Don Mengle - 60th Wedding Anniversary"

State College, PA - 09/27/15

I’ve been on the fence about publishing this photo for over a week now. My parents are relatively modest, quiet and private people who have never sought or needed a lot of attention in their lives… either together or as individuals. But a week ago they achieved something very special and very rare these days which I think deserves special recognition.

On 27 September 2015 they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary together with a small group of friends and family! This is an almost unheard of milestone for any couple of any era to reach and I would like to recognize their achievement once again here with this photograph of them together.

In their 60 years together they have seen and achieved a lot. They have seen times of war and thankfully… some peace. They have seen and lived through good and bad economic times. They have seen man land on the moon and a presidential assassination. And they have raised two children and now enjoy the company of three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren as well.

And from my point of view they have been the best parents and role models I could have ever wished for. They have taught me the value of hard work and perseverance. They have taught me the value of strong personal and moral values. And most of all they have demonstrated wonderful life can be together when two people love, respect and absolutely support each other through both good times and bad.

So to my parent’s Don and Jo Anne... I once again say “Happy Anniversary” and "Thank you"!  And I hope you are not embarrassed that I’ve recognized you in this way... because you deserve it :-)

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Comments
Kelly Pinard Denmeade
Kelly Pinard Denmeade congrats! Dave I hope your parents are proud and realize what they have accomplished-love, marriage, family and more family. Thanks for sharing my old friend..
Like · Reply · October 3 at 5:47pm

Kt Partridge
Kt Partridge So great!
Like · Reply · October 3 at 8:30pm

Greg Greene
Greg Greene They should be as proud of you as you are of them.
Like · Reply · October 3 at 10:18pm

How Can This Have Become "Routine"?...

Source: The Guardian - UK
(See the complete graphic at the first link below)

A truly shocking graphic.

And while some might consider this "sensationalism" or a cheap shot that targets gun owners, the NRA and big business... we need to come to understand why this is happening and what we need to do to cure the disease of gun violence that infects our country today. And we need to do it now.

Unfortunately, this HAS become routine. In fact not one person I spoke to today even mentioned the UCC shooting in conversation. And I probably talked to at least 50 to 75 different people today.

To me this is disappointing and disturbing. It is evidence that this kind of violence has not only become routine... but even worse... it has become "normal". Not even worth mentioning in conversation with our fiends and colleagues and certainly nothing our elected politicians want to take a potentially unpopular public stance on.

But we need to have the discussion. We need to have the debate. And they both need to start now! To refuse to talk about this... or ignore it hoping it will go away is to simply not even acknowledge there is a problem.  But we need to start taking real steps to eliminate this kind of senseless and irrational violence from our society.

Of course it will not be easy. Doing the right thing and making the tough choices never is. But we need to do it and we need to do it now. For ourselves, for our children and for all of those who have already died needlessly when all they were doing was trying to create a better future for themselves... in fact, for all of us.


See the complete graphic from the Guardian here;
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2015/oct/02/mass-shootings-america-gun-violence?CMP=fb_gu

And this is an interesting article about US public opinion concerning gun control:
http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2015/oct/02/mass-shootings-have-no-impact-on-support-for-gun-rights-in-the-us

UCC Campus 01.10.15
Photo - AP

Why We Love Art...

Last week I acquired my first original painting! Hardly a Monet… this oil on canvas (in the impasto technique) was found at a local arts and crafts shop. Its colors and the artist’s use of light immediately appealed to me so I took the plunge!

Over the past year or so I have developed a keen interest in paintings… especially by Impressionist’s such as Monet, Renoir and other members of the “Société anonyme des artistes peintres, sculpteurs et graveurs”.

During this time I have also been fortunate enough to do some traveling and have viewed some of their work at the Pushkin Museum in Moscow and the Metropolitan in New York.

And although I have a few photographs by friends and photographers who’s work I admire… I have never owned an original painting. This is a new and exciting experience enhanced by the fact that I am continuing to try and learn as much as I can about the work of Monet and Renoir.

But visits to such places as the Pushkin and the Met can only be occasional. And I will never have the resources to own a Monet! )))  But this simple vase of flowers by an unknown artist also makes me happy. It makes me smile inside and encourages me to contemplate and reflect on things besides the obvious.

And whether a work by Monet, Renoir or Vermeer (who wasn't an impressionist but who's work I also like) hanging in a famous museum or by an unknown artist who's work never makes it beyond the coffee shop walls... isn't this a large part of what all art aspires to achieve?

Summit View - Mt. Moosilauke, NH

The White Mountains of New Hampshire
 as seen from near the summit of Mt. Moosilauke (4802') in Warren, NH

It was a gorgeous day for hiking yesterday (28.09.15) as seen in this panoramic from near the summit of Mt. Moosilauke!

Yesterday I helped lead a fund-raising trip for breast cancer research at Dartmouth Hitchcock Memorial Hospital in Hanover, NH.  The event... called "Climb to Conquer" (moosilauke.reachforthepeaks.org) is a 12km hike up Mt. Moosilauke on the western edge of the White Mountains of New Hampshire. 

This is a panoramic view from near the summit.

Although individual peaks are really tough to distinguish... this view shows most of the major peaks in the White Mountains... from Mt Lafayette and Franconia Ridge in the foreground 11.5 km away to Mt. Washington - about 52 km distant. The width of this scene (as measured on Google Earth) is about 88 km. Talk about an amazing view!  :-)  .  

Photo taken with iPhone5c in panorama mode.

@DailyArtApp

DailyArt Free 

I case you haven't noticed there is a digital marketplace full of millions of apps out there that promise to make your life both better and easier.  But I have found that most of these apps typically "over-promise and under-deliver"... not living up the hype and their reviews online.

Often complicated.. glitchy and with no documentation I simply end up deleting most of them from my devices after a few days out of frustration and/or disappointment with their performance.

But I have recently found one gem of an app that breaks the mold and overcomes the hype... over-delivering by adding value to my day and putting a smile on my face :-)

The app is "DailyArt" and it is wonderfully simple in concept... "Great art delivered to your phone once a day".  

Once installed this app simply sends you a reminder about the same time each day that your daily art piece is ready for viewing.  Open the app and you are usually greeted with a painting or sculpture for your enjoyment and viewing pleasure.  Along with the art piece there is also an informative... and often educational and thought-provoking write-up about the artist or the history and style of the piece.  Perfect for the budding art lover!  For me it is a 5-minute-a-day art education class :-)

I liked this app so much I recently upgraded to the Pro version which allows for archiving your favorites along with some other nice little enhancements.  It is worth every penny for the and the best $5.00 USD I have spent in a long time.

A link to the Apple version of the app is here; https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dailyart-free-daily-dose-fine/id547982045?mt=8  and it is available for Android at the Google Play Store.

Even if you don't think you like art... give it a try!  I guarantee you will enjoy it and start looking forward to that notification tone each day as much as I do!

One Hour on the Bike...

Copyright - Chain Reaction Cycles

Ok, just for the record they left out the part about the rider and machine becoming one... powering each other toward a common goal. Ice Cream!

But seriously... while on the bike I think the body eventually finds its “perfect rhythm”.  Each of the vital internal systems comes into sync… freeing the brain from the distraction of having to mange them individually... like little children competing for attention.

And as this happens you begin to enter a special place… a place where your mind is now freed to wander in different directions and engage in the kind of creative, reflective and philosophical thinking that is necessary to live a healthy, happy and rewarding life.

And on my opinion… this is the true value of exercise.

Thanks to Chain Reaction and visit their web site here to view the original graphic:
http://www.chainreactionhub.com/latest-news/2076-what-happens-during-one-hour-of-riding-your-bicycle

"A Tragedy Told in Stone"

"Tragedy Told in Stone" - West Lebanon NH

“Numbers rule all things.” -- Pythagoras 580 – 500 B.C.E.

While I'm not really superstitious... this family headstone found in a local cemetery certainly tells a tragic story and would seem to contradict the fact that the number seven is generally thought of as being lucky in most cultures throughout the world. 

However in this case it seems to have been very unlucky… although certainly important.

While I will not make any claims as to the accuracy of this information... you can read more about the meaning of different numbers in cultures around the world here: http://mysticalnumbers.com/

"Abandoned Buildings 3" - Autoware, Canaan NH

This is the third in a series of images of various abandoned buildings and structures located in the Upper Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire.

Time and the original owners seem to have forgotten most of these places... but I'm sure they all have a story to tell.

In the case of this building I know a little of the history and there is some information online as well.

Unfortunately I believe this building stands as a sad testament to what happens when people take a "too causal" attitude towards the proper handling and disposal of junk and potentially hazardous waste.  At one time this was an automobile repair shop.  And my general understanding is that no one has been willing or able to buy and develop the property since the shop went out of business many years ago due to what it would cost to have all the junk material and potentially hazardous removal done.  It is now listed as "abandoned" on at least one list of such properties online by the New Hampshire State Treasurer.

Some references are here: https://casetext.com/case/state-v-autoware-inc and here: http://new-hampshire-unclaimed.org/data/++CANAAN,+NH/AUTOWARE+INC/66313985.html


If you are a local follower and recognize any of these places please post a comment as to the former use. Eventually I hope to put together an album of these images along with a brief history of the building or location.  Thanks!

Windmills at Sunset...

"Windmills at Sunset"
Mt. Cardigan, Orange NH

Like many I have mixed emotions about the installation of wind turbines along the mountainous ridgelines of New England. But there is no question that we can’t keep consuming and burning fossil fuels at the rate we have been since the beginning of the industrial revolution. I believe global warming is a fact and we have to act now to try and roll back its negative impact on the environment.

While many will protest and try to block these kinds of projects on the basis of various environmental and visual impacts I think the tough reality is that we need to come to accept that these kinds of projects… if well managed and thoughtfuly placed… are necessary to the future well being of the planet and society.

We have seen that some early alternatives to fossil fuel usage such as nuclear power carry simply unacceptable potential dangers. Three Mile Island (TMI-2) and Chernobyl (Pripyat - Reactor 4) are just two examples of what could have actually been much greater human and environmental disasters. Thirty one people died as a direct result of fighting to contain the fires and radiation at Chernobyl… and the human, environmental and economic impact of that accident are still being felt a generation later.

And the economic impact (both positive and negative) on different countries around the world due to the volatility of fossil fuel prices can make or break economies overnight creating hardship and an unclear future for many.

So in my opinion… as individuals and as a society... we need to make some tough choices as to our energy future. Yes, wind-farms and solar arrays may be considered unwelcome intruders on the landscape of New England and many regions across the world. But I believe until we find a "better" answer... they are better than the alternative.

Summer Sunset...

"Summer Sunset" - Mascoma River, Enfield NH

For the past few weeks I have been challenging myself to try and "see" in black and white again after many years of shooting almost exclusively in color.

And so far I am pretty happy with the results.

 I know the resulting images have made me think more about what I see and how I view the world around me... and I hope they do the same for those who occasionally view and enjoy my work.

Abandoned Buildings #2

Abandoned #2 - Route 120, Lebanon, NH

This is the second in a series of images of various abandoned buildings and structures located in the Upper Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire.

Time and the original owners seem to have forgotten these places... but I'm sure they all have a story to tell.

Unlike the first photo in this series it looks like someone has come to the rescue of these two buildings... but that still doesn't tell us anything about their original purpose or history.

If you are a local follower and recognize any of these places please post a comment as to the former use. Eventually I hope to put together an album of these images along with a brief history the building or location.

Abandoned Buildings and Other Places Time has Forgotten...

"Abandoned 1" - Route 4, Enfield, NH

This is the first in a series of images of various abandoned buildings and structures located in the Upper Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire.

Time and the original owners seem to have forgotten these places... but I'm sure they all have a story to tell.

If you are a local follower and recognize any of these places please post a comment as to the former use. Eventually I hope to put together an album of these images along with a brief history the building or location.

 Thanks!

"Evening Shadow" - Craft's Hill, Lebanon NH

"Evening Shadow"

Seeing the shadow cast by an unseen fern on the bark of this birch tree reminded me that it is often the “shadow of our actions” that defines who we are and establishes our presence in this world rather than what we do while physically seen.

Signs #1

"Follow Your Heart"  :-)  

"Follow Your Heart"

This is the first in a series of new photographs I am working on... "alternative interpretations" of the signs (both literal and figurative) that we see and experience in our lives each day.

In this case it is about following your heart!

Have a great journey! :-)  

To see this and more visit: https://davemengle.smugmug.com/Inspiration/

Smell All the Flowers...

One of the problems with photographing flowers is that it is so easy to get caught up in their sheer beauty through the viewfinder that it is easy to totally miss or ignore their other great attributes.

And one of these is the multitude of wonderful smells and fragrances you experience while "nose to blossom" when taking closeups like this one.

And it was this realization the other day that led me to re-think the old expression about "Taking time to smell the Roses".

In fact we should take time to smell all the flowers and experiences life presents us with.  Often it is easy to get caught up in one aspect of something and miss a lot of what life is just begging us to experience.

So the next time you start to focus in what you think is that single most important aspect of something take a step back... take a deep breath and enjoy the rest of what life has to offer!  :-)