Displays of Art Work to View

" Just a few last minute instructions..."

This is one of a series of photos of the Sterling Renaissance Faire photographed in July 2007.

The Cardinal is actually Michael Reilly, a software engineer from Massachusetts, and the horse belongs to the "New Riders of the Golden Age" jousting troupe, ridden by the evil knight Sir William Dudley.

I'm often asked, "How do you get a photo like that?"

The answer is, the camera has to be with you, on and ready at all times.

The other answer, is that you must be open to recognizing these images as they occur, and be willing to actually lift the camera to your eye instead of just standing there in open mouthed awe. Yes, that is a difficult thing to do at the Ren Faire.

Another way is to leave the camera at your eye continually. I would, but my wife Janet, who makes the exquisite costumes we wear, seems to think that a camera in my face detracts from our overall regal impact as we walk the faire....

But now to the actual purpose of this post - We have two brand new displays up at local businesses, Transformations Hair Salon, http://www.transformationshairstudio.com/, and at Trumansburg Optical on Main Street in Trumansburg, NY. http://www.trumansburgoptical.com/. These businesses have been supporters and clients for years, and are the best of their types.

Also, I would like to recognize the Lansing Star Online, http://www.lansingstar.com/ for being a tremendous supporter of the Lansing community. I appreciate their client centeredness and sense of civic responsibility. Thank you, Dan and Karen Veaner, publishers.

Until next time!

More thoughts on kindness

This week, my family and I are coping with the death of my Mom, Jean Payne. She lived a very full 90 years, and we are now attempting to put together a fitting memorial service for her.

If there is a perfect word to describe her, it would be "Kind". "Selfless" and "Loving" would also fit, but "Kind" fits best.

Six years ago, she had a brain "incident", which caused her to be hospitalized for two months, then moved to a nursing home for three more months. Her recovery  - her REAL recovery began at the nursing home when she began to pay attention to the hurts, woes and concerns of the other patients, putting their problems  before her own. 

What a glorious lesson for us all. The self-healing power of concern,  love and kindness that was embodied in her life, can work for all of us in our own lives.

I have a purpose in my own life - I have a need to make someone - ANYone, at least once a day, laugh.  Snickers, half smiles and rolling eyes don't count. It has to be a really good laugh.

Have you ever been in a supermarket and been the person BEHIND the booger who is giving the young cashier a hard time? You know the scene. She is dutifully taking care of the next customer (you) but what she really wants to do is dissolve in tears. She's biting her lower lip, and you can see her lips and hands trembling - her eyes are moist.....

Here is where humor and kindness can truly make someone's day, week or month.

I lean over and quietly whisper to her "You know, if it wasn't for the assholes, you wouldn't appreciate the nice folks...."  The clouds part, the sun shines and the smile takes over the formerly upset face. Then the laughter begins. It's worth it.

Ok, it's a gift. But even gifts take practice.

The more you practice at being kind, the easier it gets, and the more you want the results of your being kind, the more it becomes a need.... kind of like a narcotic....

I think I understand Mom a little better.

Until next time.

Monroe

PS, I hope you like the photo above. Find more like it at http://www.yessy.com/paynephoto/gallery.html. There are several galleries within my site. Please enjoy them all.