Sunrise Surprise of a Bookish Nature

Spent part of today listing items in my new ArtFire studio to try and broaden my internet presence as an online artist. The above photo, Dawn Kindling, was the one I chose to focus on and upload to ArtFire. This photo was taken on Kelleys Island looking out across Lake Erie.

Soon after I finished uploading the photo, a coincidence two years in the making happened. Back in the fall of 2008, a lady from a publishing house contacted me to ask permission to use Dawn Kindling in a textbook meant for young adults. As my payment I would receive a free copy of the book with my name listed on the Photo Credits page.

The book arrived in the mail today. It's called "La Salle - French Explorer of the Mississippi" by David Aretha. It's part of a series called Great Explorers of the World. My photo Dawn Kindling is spread across two pages and in the lower right corner of the image is an old-fashioned-looking paper scroll with the caption: "La Salle was the first European to cross the Great Lakes by ship. The first of the lakes that the Griffon crossed was Lake Erie."

Here's a link to the book on Amazon.com:

La Salle - French Explorer of the Mississippi

And so I'm published! Life is full of surprises!

Anyone else have a nice surprise that makes you smile? You're very welcome to comment and share ...

Following the Yellow Brick Road

This photo, Wooden Fence in Munchkinland, was taken on my journey through the Land of Oz a year ago.

Adventurers who follow the yellow brick road towards their dreams are seen as bucking the system. Most people who go through the educational system are pretty much asked to set their entire career path "in stone" with their guidance counselor in middle school or junior high. This leads to things like concrete jungles and paving paradise to put up a parking lot. Students are rewarded for pursuing paths that lead to the typically corporate American Dream of climbing the ladder, and looked down on for specializing in things like industrial arts.

Meanwhile, rumors about budget cuts in schools always seem to appear, threatening to axe art classes altogether. As if art should be considered an expendable extra just because it's "fun." True enough, art has a colorful reputation for daring to be different, breaking established rules, and not always being profitable or utilitarian in the same way as cranking out consumer goods in a factory.

As an artist, the dreams that I have cannot remain contained simply in my imagination. There's that human need for self expression and communication along with my best attempts at the creation of beauty.

"Art for art's sake," as they say.

I only came to discover that I'm an artist just when the economy started to tank. But I was meant to be born and live in these times. Which means I'm meant to use my talents to their fullest in these times. Not "someday." Now!

My recommendation to you as an artist is to go out and chase a few rainbows. Follow the yellow brick road. After all, if you're a photographer like me, the trip through Oz should make for some great photo opportunities! :-)

On a Wing and a Prayer

The above photo was on exhibit at the Butler Institute of American Art as part of the 74th National Midyear Show from June 27 through August 22, 2010.

This summer has been so absolutely crazy that I was not even able to manage a post about being one of the artists participating in the 74th National Midyear Show at the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio. Until now that the exhibit is over. In any case, I was extraordinarily grateful to be included in this national juried event, and hope to return next year too.

Being the Queen of Narnia means finding summers harsh and best left forgotten in anticipation of autumn and finally winter. The dropping temperatures seem to help bring improved health and a better mood. Yes, I'm already thinking snow! :-)

I say, though, this past Sunday I had an experience worthy of note involving a son of Adam and a daughter of Eve.

Sunday I found myself in a fancy Italian restaurant, mulling over life with its most recent summer adventures, waiting to order Veal Tosca with Spaghetti. Long story short, an anonymous couple paid for my meal.

Not in Kansas Anymore - Wizard of Oz Coincidence Alert

This photo was taken on my journey through Oz last August.

This past Saturday I attended a "Meet the Artists" reception at the Westlake Porter Public Library sponsored by the Westlake Westshore Arts Council as part of the 11th Annual Community of Fine Arts Juried Exhibition.

The above photo was on exhibit at the Porter Public Library.

Before the show, I made sure to dab on some Emerald City perfume that my best friend had bought for me several months ago. Simply because for some time now, it seems that Wizard of Oz coincidences tend to happen along with art happenings that I'm involved in.

The above photo was on exhibit at the Porter Public Library.

And I have another small instance of this to document here in my blog. In the library we assembled in a room where you could partake of refreshments, enjoy a Powerpoint slide presentation of the artwork if you had trouble getting around or wanted to save yourself from a lot of walking, watch a portrait painter and a watercolorist at work, and listen to a piano player.

Well of course, one of the piano player's songs turned out to be "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." It was a personally touching moment. Just wanted to share ...

The above photo was on exhibit at the Porter Public Library.

As the weather turns cooler, I expect to be hanging around my blog ... and your blogs, more. It's been a real crazy summer. I'm looking forward to autumn ... and of course, winter.

It will be good to visit everybody's blogs again.

Splish

There's some small furry water animal that lives in the Dreamkeeper Pond. I think it may be a muskrat. It likes to play hide and seek with me at sunset, surfacing, diving, sending up bubbles from underwater. The Dreamkeeper Pond is one of my favorite haunts in Northeast Ohio. Apparently, this elusive little critter feels the same.

I've been doing a lot of running around lately, from the Wiegand's Lake Park Memorial Day Open House and Market to visiting the Cleveland Metroparks to dropping off artwork at a gallery for a show that will open later this month. This weekend I'll be on the road yet again, planning to visit relatives.

But don't worry ... Just like the muskrat, I'll be around. :-)

Climbing

Part of Psalm 84 from today's Liturgy of the Hours:

"Blessed the man whose help comes from you,

who has set his heart on climbing to you.

They pass through the valley of thirst

and make a spring there:

the morning rain will cover it with blessings.

They will go from strength to strength:

they will see the God of gods, in Zion."

http://www.universalis.com/-400/lauds.htm

The above photo is called "Upward Bound." It was taken on my nature walk yesterday at the Rocky River Reservation, one of the Cleveland Metroparks in Northeast Ohio. And on the celebration of the Feast of the Ascension, which seems fitting.

The one tree in front looks like it's about to awaken and start walking, just like an Ent going to an Entmoot in Fangorn Forest of Middle Earth, or mayhap searching for an Entwife, since it's springtime.

Climbing towards beauty, truth, and goodness is the adventure of a lifetime ... and beyond.

Hocking Hills Joyride with an Innkeeper

Well, the search for the perfect redbud tree didn't happen, as the flowering trees were all leafed out and ready to get down to summer business. However, life in the Hocking Hills held other treasures fit for discovery. The first one being this Fallen Cabin in Spring Green.

On my arrival at Painted Valley Farm Bed & Breakfast, the innkeeper Luanne invited me to join her for dinner in town and then to go out for a country joyride in her van. Her husband was going bowling that night and she had always been curious as to how exactly I went about getting photos. I was happy for the company, especially as Luanne pointed out valuable scenery that I would have otherwise missed. The cabin and root cellar, for instance. I would have driven right by both!

First thing Luanne learned was that I do not just take one shot and leave. I stand there and snap away, a dozen, two dozen shots of the same subject, from slightly different angles, hoping that one of the shots will turn out decent. She was patient and also graciously volunteered to stop the van whenever I saw something worthy of a picture.

Root Cellar on Narrows Road -- This was Luanne's favorite find. Thanks to her, I learned what a root cellar looks like. It had been filled in so neighborhood children wouldn't fall in and get hurt.

After our stop along the roadside woods, we continued on our adventurous journey. Stopped in briefly to chat with Luanne's Amish neighbors. It was nice visiting a place where the music was provided by the family parakeet rather than radio or TV, and the conversation was quiet, simple, and friendly. I would just love to live in surroundings like this.

Wild Mustard along Macedonia Road -- Had been at this spot before a couple years back, but preferred the lighting on this particular evening.

'56 Chevy -- "Oh, CountryDreaming? Here's a sight that means something to me, but may not to you. It's a '56 Chevy." Luanne glanced nostalgically out the window.

"Turn around, there are people who really like old cars parked up on lawns."

"But look at everything else there on the lawn ... "

"That just adds to the atmosphere." Watching and listening for pit bulls or other watch dogs, I got out of the van and snapped a memory.

Windshield Wonderment -- After getting back in the van from photographing the Chevy, I swung my camera around to see the results but discovered to my amazement that I'd left it on in Landscape mode. This sight above greeted me through the camera aimed through the windshield and I gasped. Luanne started the engine and was just starting to move when I yelled out, "STOP THE CAR ... STOP THE CAR !!!"

"What, right here?"

"YES!"

"Don't you want to get out?"

"NO!"

Luanne stopped, bemused at the method to my madness, while I was grateful for her patience. She wondered why I was taking pictures of treetops through dusty glass, but fully understood once I showed her the results.

While I still miss the wondrous redbuds of yesteryear, I guess there are other things to see ...

Wizard of Oz Coincidence Alert -- The Eye of an Artist

A fellow vendor at the North Coast Nature Festival this past Saturday strolled up to my table to chat for a minute, and I showed him a matted 8x10 of "Over the Rainbow." I explained that the day this photo was taken, August 25th, happened to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the Wizard of Oz movie release. Sure looked like Munchkinland in the Land of Oz to me!

The vendor, an old hippie with a white beard and a long gray ponytail who sold metal lawn ornaments such as buzzards, sharks, and wine holders, laughed a loud geezerly laugh. "That's Jerusalem Artichoke!"

"Um, what's that? Is there any special meaning behind Jerusalem Artichoke?"

The vendor got a strange expression on his face like he didn't want to hurt my feelings. Seeing that my curiosity wasn't going to just go away, he almost blushed. "They're weeds."

As he walked away I thought to myself how amazing it was that the eye of an artist could transform what others saw as a weed into a magnificently wondrous flower from a realm existing over the rainbow.

Then it was time to close down for the night, to start all over again on Sunday morning. And here I was, needing to get to Mass. I had tracked down a church in a nearby city and went there Saturday evening. Posted on the bulletin board was a display featuring the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. One of the posters was marked "Awe and Wonder" and featured a picture of Niagrara Falls, ... complete with a rainbow. Another poster was marked "Courage" and featured, of all things, a picture of the Cowardly Lion receiving a medal. Looked like I had found the right church!

Sunday morning dawned bright and sunny, and I was walking to the Rocky River Nature Center for the second day of the art show sponsored by the Cleveland Metroparks. I first heard singing and then saw ... a happy little bluebird fly ... for real. So of course that got me thinking of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."

The matted photo of Oz, since it had now become slightly embarrassing, was left to sit at the very bottom of the stack, hidden and out of sight. Until Sunday afternoon, when an art major sifted through each and every picture until she came face to face with Munchkinland in all its glory with the Jerusalem Artichoke in full bloom. I described to this kind and smiling lady about how the photo had been taken on the 70th anniversary of the Wizard of Oz, and she replied, "Yes, I see it. Isn't the eye of an artist amazing?"

After the show, I looked up "Jerusalem Artichoke" on Google. According to Wikipedia, it's a species of sunflower with an edible tuber that can be used as a root vegetable. It was also part of a pyramid scheme in the Midwest in the 1980's when speculators encouraged farmers to plant it, promising that this vegetable would soon become one of America's favorites.

What can I say? Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain ...

In Search of the Perfect Redbud Tree

The name of this photo, taken in 2005, is "Turning Home." It looks very much like being on a road that might lead to Hobbiton in the Shire of Middle Earth.

Every spring since I first started going down to the Hocking Hills of Southern Ohio, I've gone in search of the perfect redbud tree. And every spring is different. Even the same trees look different from year to year. And the feel of the air, whether it be a misty pastel oil painting or a joyously crisp warm sunshine blue. And the touch of light or shadow.

Then you realize that you are actually on a quest to dream the impossible dream, because what you are after is the memory of a moment in time whose proof physically exists only in the photos you took back then. That the road goes ever on and on ... and not back, because even though you try to go back, you are going forward in time. Such that past memory clashes with future vision in the present to form a double exposure of things as they currently are against a backdrop of things as you wanted them to be.

Last year my search led me to a dogwood tree instead.

This year is leading so far to questions. Should I drive allll the way down to the Hocking Hills on a round trip hundreds of miles long just to return to my favorite haunts where I know the redbud trees will appear however unfamiliarly? Should I even return to my beloved bed and breakfast for the occasion? (In any case, I would love to go any time of year even without an occasion just to visit the innkeepers who really do treat me like family after all these years.) Should I return to the region but purposely avoid the beckoning "tried and true" for a random roll of the dice on unknown roads? Or travel somewhere I have yet to have an inkling of?

Questions for Readers: Do you prefer vacation trips to the same well-loved places every year, or to explore something completely new? Wherever you go, do you have traditions you like to keep or things you like to see? Where would you go again wishing to find it the same as you left it before?

Unexplainable Discoveries

Several years ago in Southern Ohio, I visited a place called 7 Caves. It was an awesomely eerie experience seeing a sudden burst of sun illuminate a giant "X" formed by two crossed logs hanging in mid-air with such an unearthly glow ... Especially given the fitting color scheme of green and black. "The Truth Is Out There ... "

Came across an engraved brass cigarette lighter, too.

Awaiting Easter

This vision of April Soft Redbud appeared on a journey some years ago to the Hocking Hills of Ohio, on a painterly day veiled in diaphanous morning mist. I turned off the highway onto a small back road which led to a hidden world of beauty. So close to civilization, and yet my own discovery. You could hear the peacefulness in the drops of dew.

Horses grazed in a nearby pasture. One in particular came and stood patiently for me to get a picture. Needing to be brushed and dried with a towel, but still so cute. I simply named this one "Friend."

May everyone here have a Happy and Blessed Easter!

Terraform I, 2010

This study in transformative otherworldly geography is a new fine art photograph of mine that I'm working on together with a series of similar images. The abstract closely resembles what you would see if you were a space alien hovering above a planet to be explored for the purpose of colonization.

"I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay
Awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems."

~~ Fireflies lyrics, Owl City
by Songwriter Adam Young

Winter Birdhouse on Exhibit at BAYarts Annual Juried Show

First posted this photo with its painterly look in early January to gauge viewer reaction ... Spurred on by the encouraging comments of many blog friends, I decided to enter it in the BAYarts Annual Juried Show with its theme "I Am There: Works that address the issue of place." The place here being a birdhouse both nostalgic and expectant at the Rocky River Nature Center in North Olmsted, Ohio during a snowstorm.

Interesting tidbit to keep in mind about following your heart when you create, and creating what you love. Artists were allowed to submit two works to this show. So I submitted this winter scene out of sentimentality for my favorite season, as befitting a self-proclaimed Queen of Narnia. And then I submitted another piece which was a more modern abstract that I hoped would impress the gallery. Funny thing ... BAYarts chose the one I love and rejected the one I thought they might like.

The art show runs from March 12 through April 3, 2010. Opening reception is March 12 from 7 - 9 pm. Normally I would post a link to the gallery, however the website is undergoing renovation as far as I know. So instead I'll post the address:

BAYarts
28795 Lake Road
Bay Village, Ohio 44140

Volcanic Onion Rings, Lottery, and Life in a Japanese Restaurant

Okay, now this actually happened early in March five years ago. Going through my archives brought back memories, which led to a new piece of art as well, as you will see. Went to a Japanese restaurant and ordered a delicious filet mignon steak grilled up on the hibachi. Was amazed to see the chef create a volcano of onion rings, complete with smoke and flames rising with a steaming sizzle upwards across the restaurant.

The heat from the rising fire was so intense I thought my camera would melt. It sort of jumped around in my hands trying to focus on the light.

A wisp of hibachi smoke in jade green curled its way through the air, rich with the smell of delicious cooking. While this photo was taken years ago, I just came up with this particular rendering of it days ago. In reality, the atmosphere was smoky gray.

Now when you have hibachi cooking in a Japanese restaurant, they like to seat large groups at each table. Singles like me they simply add to an already-formed group of people.

The unknown man next to me was friendly so we struck up a conversation. Never would have guessed, but he was a lottery winner ... of quite a large sum of money. Told me he'd been in a lottery pool of nine people at work and had split the money. Out of the nine, only one had retired from his job to live off his winnings. The other eight kept the normal rhythm of their day jobs and quietly continued going about their regular daily lives.

It might have been that everyone seated around the hibachi grill with me was a lottery winner or somehow connected except for me. That said, the fiery feast with flames leaping up was what attracted the most attention on the surface, and everyone liked it that way. To merely enjoy the simple things of life.

Blue Bridge by JR Sell

J.R. Sell is the artist who masterfully painted the image above called "Blue Bridge." He had seen my photo of the Hemlock Creek Bridge and I was happy to give him permission to transform the snowy winter scene into a brand new work of art in a different medium. He has the finished painting on sale at his Etsy store, and is also offering prints of the Blue Bridge. You are invited to visit J.R. Sell's shop at the following link:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/jrsell

J.R. Sell also has a blog over at http://www.jrsell.com/blog/ ...
feel free to take a look at all his fine artwork.

The Blue Bridge is just fabulous. I was comparing it with my original photo and the secondary painterly version I came up with in Photoshop. I just love J.R. Sell's version with its tints and spaciousness, and the way he was able to see beneath the surface of the snow to the rocks below. Having been there in the springtime and seen those rocks in person, I know he did an amazing job of getting them how they look. The true sense of the waterfall really comes through too.

For comparison, here's the original Hemlock Creek Bridge photo:

I've really appreciated having the opportunity to work together with J.R. Sell and hope to do so again someday in the future.

Memories in Bronze

One of my earliest images of the Dreamkeeper Pond at Mapleside Farms in Brunswick, Ohio. This mirror of many moods reflects the nostaglic passage of time fleetingly on its icy surface even as a transformative thaw sets in. Change comes to the larger world too as snow melts along Dreamkeeper's banks and twilight dips its brush down to add a bold stroke of light to well-hidden hints of shadowy trees silhouetted within the pond.

They say March comes in like a lion. So today I will bronze what winter remains, to keep as a treasure.

Winter Crossing

One reason I love winter as a photographer is that a world of white makes an excellent blank canvas. You are free to fill the wondrous snowy white with a dash of imagination and colors of your own choosing, or indulge in serendipitous discovery.

In the midst of this whirling snowstorm, glowing background trees hint at things beyond my realm, with perhaps change to come. One never quite knows, with Aslan moving about. This pool of water near the Wood Between the Worlds holds in its waters the colors of Earth. The bridge beckons to other adventures, in whichever direction you go.

Meanwhile, I will enjoy this moment while it's still winter ...

Barn Hibernation in Late Winter

Another seasonal scene from Mapleside Farms in Brunswick, Ohio. When I'm actually out taking pictures with overcast skies, it's hard to tell what the result will be. So much depends on the weather and lighting conditions to set the day's mood. It's a matter of working with an image like a sculptor works in stone or wood ... bringing out the form hidden beneath the exterior.

Even in the deepest darkest winter, there are hints of light and beauty. These glinting hints reflect in the sky, from snow-covered rooftops, from finely-curving snowdrifts covering a sleeping land. An invitation to dream ...

Cape of Forochel

Traveled all the way to J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth for my latest winter landscape scene. Found a fierce beauty in the twilight there.

From the Encyclopedia of Arda:

"In the distant north of Middle-earth, between the far reaches of the Blue and the Misty Mountains, lay a wide icy bay of the Great Sea. This was the mighty Icebay of Forochel (the name Forochel means 'northern ice'), which extended far into the coldest regions of the north of Arda. To the north and west, the bay was sheltered from the Sea by the curve of the Cape of Forochel."

http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/i/icebayofforochel.html

"The hardy and secretive Men who lived among the snow and ice that surrounded the Icebay of Forochel. They were said to have been descended from the ancient Forodwaith, and had habits that seemed strange and mysterious to those who lived in warmer climes. The igloos, skates and sleds they used were incomprehensible to the Hobbits, so that the authors of the Red Book's¹ commentaries could only say of the Snowmen that they, '...house in the snow, and it is said that they can run on the ice with bones on their feet, and have carts without wheels.' ^"

http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/s/snowmen.html

Winter Evening at Mapleside Farms

Mapleside Farms in Brunswick, Ohio is home to an apple orchard, gift shoppe, and restaurant. It's also one of the best sunset spots in Northeast Ohio.

During the summer months, you get all kinds of people hanging out to enjoy the sunset. People who:

• have just come from a good meal inside,
  
• are driving by who stop their cars and sit in the parking lot,
  
• bring a blanket to lounge on the sloping hill,
  
• bring their kids to look at the pond at the bottom of the hill,
  
• play golf and make life challenging for those of us at the pond trying to take pictures while golf balls go whizzing past our heads (okay, so far that's only happened to me on one memorable day),
  
• take pictures when no golfers are about,
  
• enjoy an ice cream cone ... although I'm not sure if ice cream will be sold this summer or not. Here's hoping!

Come the winter months, there's only one person fool enough to venture forth into the great outdoors to enjoy the beauty of nature. That would be me, the self-proclaimed Queen of Narnia. Any sons of Adam and daughters of Eve who travel here after the leaves have gone and before the apple blossoms spring forth all head quickly inside to warm themselves. I say, they're missing out.

Now that night has fully fallen, I'm home enjoying the quiet with a cup of green jasmine tea and a peaceful and appropriately-scented candle of apple and cinnamon.

Wishing all a cozy winter weekend ...

My Business Card Background

The above photo, Winter Trees in Orange, offers a vivid glimpse of a snowstorm several years ago at Mapleside Farms in Brunswick, Ohio.

It was suggested that a softer version of this image would make a nice design for a business card background, so I had some professionally made. It's thanks to this business card that I've ended up as a featured artist at the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center in Niagara Falls, NY. I had left a supply of business cards in a display rack at the Market Street Art Center in neighboring Lockport, NY. Someone from Niagara Falls picked up a business card in Lockport so I'm now happily affiliated with both galleries!

One cool thing I've noticed is how different people perceive color based on how they react to the card. One person called it pink, another called it blue, and to me it looks mostly orange. I wonder what that says about the personality of each beholder? In the softer version not shown here, I can agree that much of the orange is faded down into shades of pink. But what fascinates me even more than the color issue itself is how people can look at the same thing and reach very different conclusions.

Anyone else have a business card success story to share? Or maybe a story of how you created your art seeing one thing, only to have other people tell you they saw something else? Please feel welcome to share your insights, adventures, and experiences.

Nobody Expects the Ruby Slippers!

Amazing! Yet another Wizard of Oz coincidence!

On Friday, February 12th I drove up to the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center in Niagara Falls, NY. The Niagara Arts and Cultural Center is hosting a Women in the Arts Exhibition: Celebrating Women’s History Month "When All the Artists are Women" from February 12, 2010 through March 21, 2010. Four of my photos are on display at this exhibit.

Seeing the ruby slippers was so stunning I was stopped in my tracks. The slippers, by the way, are the work of Dawn Exton and bear the title, "It's Miss Oz to You." For the tidy sum of $1,000, they can be yours. They're made from leather pumps, steel, silicone, and paint. Methinks I'll pass, if only for the reason that my handmade wool green Emerald City Socks are far more comfortable than these spiny slippers look!

For the record, here's a link to the Emerald City Socks.

http://countrydreaming-countrycorner.blogspot.com/2010/01/wizard-of-oz-coincidence-alert-emerald.html

You know, I'm glad I've started documenting these Wizard of Oz coincidences in my blog. Otherwise, who'd believe it? And who knew this kind of zany X-Files experience would happen so frequently? And who knows where it all may lead, and what new adventure is just ahead along the yellow brick road?

Forget the Cowardly Lion and the Tin Man. I want Mulder and Scully on the case. Now!

Flown South

This fine art photo, taken several years ago, shows a heron rookery in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Brecksville, Ohio. The Great Blue Herons have flown south for the winter, leaving behind a scene of still beauty in glimmering metallic tones of gold and aqua.

Nearby Cleveland, Ohio, just a hop, a skip, and a jump away was recently ranked number one by Forbes magazine on its list of America's Worst Winter Weather Cities?!?

Personally, I think there's some mistake, as a Cleveland winter is normally absolutely gorgeous. What the editors of Forbes * really * meant to say was that Cleveland is absolutely at the top when it comes to the best winter weather ever!

The crazy thing to me about the Forbes list is that Buffalo, NY of Blizzard of '77 fame didn't even make the top ten. Wow. I grew up in the Buffalo area, which more than likely gave me a lifelong fondness for snow.

So how do you feel about the Forbes "America's Worst Winter Weather Cities" list? Is your city there? Does it deserve to be? Do you like the weather where you live?

Enquiring minds wanna know ...

Hemlock Creek Bridge, Painterly Version

Just wanted to see how a winter photo I posted earlier would look if I fancied it up a bit. The Hemlock Creek Bridge is located at the Bedford Reservation in the Cleveland Metroparks. Another reason why I love living in Northeast Ohio. Hope everyone is enjoying this glorious beautiful season today.

March for Life January 2010, The Showdown

Notre Dame's appearance at the March for Life was itself newsworthy. The two banners in the photo above tell the story.

First you have the official Notre Dame Right to Life banner complete with the university logo and the phrase "fightin' for life." Approaching in the background you have a banner that reads, "Father Jenkins: Free the Notre Dame 88."

Who are the Notre Dame 88? A group of pro-lifers arrested on the Notre Dame University campus for peacefully protesting President Obama's presence at last year's commencement. Among those arrested was an elderly Catholic priest named Father Norman Weslin.

Who is Father Jenkins? Father Jenkins is himself a Catholic priest and the President of Notre Dame who bestowed an award on pro-choice President Obama at the commencement. Father Jenkins will not drop the charges against the Notre Dame 88. And Father Jenkins attended the March for Life!

Those interested in more information on Father Jenkins and the Notre Dame 88 may read the latest article on LifeSiteNews at the link below.

http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/jan/10012505.html

March for Life January 2010, College Roll Call

The following colleges and universities deserve to be on the honor roll for their attendance and participation in the March for Life. What a wonderful witness from the young adults of America. We've already seen in a previous blog post a banner for Franciscan University, and have noted the presence of Notre Dame . Here were some other schools that I came across on January 22:

Princeton University.

Yale University.

Rutgers University.

Northeastern University.

Christendom College.

Franciscan University of Steubenville.

Thomas More College of Liberal Arts.

The final installment of this March for Life series will be the next post, on Notre Dame.

March for Life January 2010, Signs and Banners

Members of the Ohio Right to Life contingent all decked out with signs. Love all the youthful energy!

Sometimes, unspoken words speak the loudest.

Waiting in the streets of Washington, DC for the march to get underway. The Washington Monument is visible way in the background.

Another powerful witness.

This sign showing Sarah Palin and her son Trig was carried by a member of Team Sarah. Their website can be found at the following link:

http://www.teamsarah.org/

Also pictured in the same photo above is a banner from Saint Francis University. The colleges did themselves proud ... there was quite a good turnout of students. My next blog post will feature a bunch of other colleges and universities in attendance at the March for Life. Notre Dame will not be included in the next blog post but will instead be featured separately.

March for Life January 2010, Catholic Presence

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC rises in the pre-dawn hours on January 22. The Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services USA, celebrated Mass here.

Three nuns representing Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate, Monroe NY carry a sign showing Pope Benedict with some children and the words "Hope and Trust in Life."

Images of the Divine Mercy and Our Lady of Guadalupe are carried during the march.

The Knights of Columbus from Chantilly, VA were in attendance.

Members of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family, and Property carry a statue of Our Lady of Fatima.

Next up in this series of blog entries on the March for Life January 2010 will be a feature on outstanding signs and banners. There were definitely a lot to choose from.