Thursday

'Eine kleine aufmerksamkeit' when words are not enough



On our front porch, under the Japanese maple, the tripod is set up, the camera positioned. A few critical observations and calculations later, three variable exposures are quickly achieved before a gust of wind disturbs the cluster of flowers of our hydrangea and the HDR exposures rendered useless. A few more adjustments to tripod and camera, I await that brief moment in which all appears motionless for the next set of multiple images and this process is repeated several more times until I have squeezed every possible second I have remaining of the early morning and that wonderful overcast that acts like a giant studio softbox, before having to drive to Berkeley for my cardiac rehabilitation.




And as I enter my third month of dealing with a failed open-heart by-pass graft, I reflect upon the past two and the five to six hours I spend each day I attend the program, the progress has been marginal, suffering a few setbacks, leaving me with no clear answers and still too many uncertainties. However, focusing only on the negative means I am allowing the situation control me and though it is still a major distraction, I have been trying to find a balance.


One of the goals of the cardiac program is to be generally more active, especially accomplishing more walking and to achieve this, we were given a pedometer to guide our progress. So today I looked over the numbers I have been recording in my notebook to see that in seven weeks I have covered 181.53 miles (292.144 km), averaging 25.932 (41.734 km) per week, or 3.70 (5.955) a day, with the most in one day being 8.46 miles (13.615 km) when I visited the Pacific coast.
Now to help pass the time during my walks, I have been combining it with photography; especially focusing on the series I began a little more than five years ago. Walking down Ashby, Haste or Dwight , holding my extended tripod with camera securely mounted, inspecting each telephone pole, searching for the visual gem.


As I continue to cope with the disruption to my previous routine and life style, the past two months have felt like being stranded, isolated in a time warp from which there appears to be no escape. I have missed visiting your blogs, to see what you have been up to and leaving a comment, wile sharing with you my own creative events.



Please feel free to download the full size version of
the bookmark page by clicking here to gain access.


As I bring this update to my ‘Leave of Absence’ to a close, I wish to express my sincerest gratitude to those who have sent me letters, cards and emails, checking up on my progress, sending me encouragements and wishing me well, I also desire to say thank you to those who have stopped by either of my blogs, just to see if there was anything new.
I would also like to say thank you to those who have decided to become a follower during my absence and in due time I shall also return the honour and list your blog at my blog roll and resource blog, The DIRECTORY.


I would like to reciprocate by sharing with you a few images of my excursions that I have designed into a page of bookmarks that you can download in full size here, then print out on card stock. You then have the option to punch a hole at the top for a string or ribbon.
If you would like to check out my other version of the books, please visit The Artist Within Us.


Wishing my American friends a wonderful and safe forth of July.





I thank you for your visit
and comment . . .

Egmont





37 comments:

S. Susan Deborah said...

Dear Dear Egmont:

It gives me immense pleasure to see your post. Let me take the honour of being the first to welcome you. How joyous are we to be able to enjoy your lovely art posts.

As for your health's progress, all shall be well. Just eliminate the word 'failed' from your vocabulary. The flowers you have posted look so beautiful, almost as if they are taking pleasure in being clicked at.

Joy, courage and passion always,
Susan

Sophie Munns said...

It was just so wonderful to hear from you fellow cancerian today!
Egmont we miss you out here in the blogosphere... but we never forget you.... I'm not surprised that you have been hearing from people from everywhere!
gorgeous photos and the nicest thought to share them so we can put them between the pages of what we are reading!
Happy July 4th ... and my very best and warmest wishes to you!
Sophie

Betty Manousos said...

Dear Egmont!
Welcome back!
I'm sooo happy to see your post.
I'm sure everything will be fine with your health's progress.
I loved your flowers.. they enlightened my day and I also love your new header image.
Happy Friday/weekend dear Egmont!

Warm regards,
~Betty :))


P.S. Thanks so much for your continued support and lovely comments!! It means A LOT!

Caterina Giglio said...

your gifts are just wonderful, thank you for sharing them with us!

LemonyRenee' said...

You're wonderful, Egmont. Even in a time of struggle, you share and give. Thank you.

L'Adelaide said...

good morning egmont, i hope you are feeling better as you read this and soon, you will be joining into our little blogging community again...it's sad that just as we were getting acquainted, you had to go on leave...hope you are getting those photos you wanted and this one of the hydrangea is fabulous...if i knew how to download, i would do it!! i adore them and am eagerly watching mine come into bloom this year...i think it's going to be a good year for them and mine are a little slower than yours i guess as i have not gotten any big blooms yet but hope i do!

well, this is too long so will say good bye for now...take care and pop in sometime if you are strolling by my blog -- thank you for your comment...i have been offline much with my own set of health issues but wanted to thank you, even if i am a bit late. ♥

Catherine said...

Hello Egmont,

How wonderful to see a post from you!

I am wishing you all the best for your heart health challenges. To keep up your spirits and positive attitude is sometimes the best medicine. It's so fantastic that you are finding joy in your art and creativeness. Good for you!

Sounds like you have been doing very well with your walking ~ gaining strength every day ~ fantastic!

Keep it up Egmont!

Warmest thoughts,
xo Catherine

Anna Mavromatis said...

Welcome back!
The beautiful bookmarks will make you a companion on every page of the books I read...
Good wishes for smooth and complete recovery and continuous inspiration!

Teri said...

Dear Egmont, Thank you for the gift of the bookmarks. I am visiting my daughter's house while she is in Hawaii so when I return home I will download. What a great idea: a bookmark. And a series no less! That means that there will be more! They, like everything you photograph, are wonderful! Thanks again from the bottom of my heart and wishing you healing to the top of yours!

Jeannette StG said...

Sorry for what you're going through, Egmont. And all these unanswered questions are not good for your heart either.
Smart move to combine your walks with photography! An artists always finds solutions :)
Take care!

Ian Foster said...

It is great to see you posting again Egmont, I look forward to more, but remember 'take it easy".

John M. Mora said...

the three hydrangea images are startingly beautiful - each dances within its frame while remaining calming. they also work so well together as a bookmark for a tome. my best and hope you are better.

Anonymous said...

Your photography as always is beautiful. You are a very classy fellow Dear Egmont and your work is always sophisticated and classy as well.
I admire your continued dedication to your health- even if it can feel daunting and uncertain.
You remain in my thoughts.
Pam

rivergardenstudio said...

Dear Egmont, it is wonderful that you are back, and combining your beautiful walks with photography. I was so happy coming here, seeing that you have a new post, and a new, gorgeous banner.
I love the flowers, so glistening and clear, and the more geometric ones on your other blog. I love that each of us has different styles of art that we create.
I feel that you are getting better and am so thankful for this! Happy Forth of July to you... roxanne

rivergardenstudio said...

Dear Egmont, it is wonderful that you are back, and combining your beautiful walks with photography. I was so happy coming here, seeing that you have a new post, and a new, gorgeous banner.
I love the flowers, so glistening and clear, and the more geometric ones on your other blog. I love that each of us has different styles of art that we create.
I feel that you are getting better and am so thankful for this! Happy Forth of July to you... roxanne

Marilyn & Jeff said...

Hello, thank you so much for visiting my blog. It was interesting to read your comments about the monarch butterfly - they are reasonably common here, that is if there are swan plants nearby - but even though I still get excited when I see them. There is great joy in seeing everything in a childlike way (not childish), as though you are seeing things for the first time.
I am sad to read of your health problems - being out and about in nature is one thing that I find very helpful. May the blessings of nature help you.

Gaby Bee said...

Dear Egmont, it's wonderful to see you posting again! The three hydrangea images are fantastic as all your photos!

I am wishing you all the very best and a quick recovery!
Gaby xo

Marilyn & Jeff said...

Hello, thanks for stopping by on my blog again. I too love clouds and I like your idea that they carry messages, I will remember that.
If you do want to email at some time my address is marilynteresa@ gmail.com - just omit the gap before the word gmail.
I hope your week goes well for you too.

Blue Sky Dreaming said...

Nice to see your new post...lovely photograph and generous gifts. Glad this walking is going well and carrying a tripod too! Again, nice to read your post!

Dianne Poinski said...

Hi Egmont!
I was so excited to see this post here.
The hydrangeas are beautiful and thank you for the book marks. What a gift! Hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers.
I am really happy you are taking your camera out for your walks and I look forward to seeing more of your images.
Take care and I am thinking of you and wishing you more strength and energy every day.

Eve said...

Hi dear Egmont,
hope that you are fine and I´m glad to hear from you.
There is an indian saying which says that if someone gets ill the soul gives your body a stop in order to find your middle.
Or you have to rest a little so that you soul can gain on your body.

So maybe this "season" of your life is there to overthink and rest for a while ?

I wish you the strength and wisdom to recognize what your need is.

By the way: I calculated that I walked more than 8,000 km more than usual just because of my dogs.
So animals also help us staying healthy.

And thank you so much for your thoughts on my latest post. Where people are, there will be cruelty but also hope and justice. I therefor will do the best I can to public this and help. It will be just a little help but if everyone is aware of what is needed and does what he can then hundreds of little helps will really make a diffrence, no matter where in the world.
I therefor try to open eyes.
Just like you open our eyes with your beautiful pictures of the little beautys of nature around us.

Thank you for this.
Have a nice week.
Eve

annell4 said...

Right away, inquiring minds want to know, what's with your heart? Are you sick? What is going on?

annell4 said...

Well, I guess if I had just kept my mouth shut, for a minute, and read on.... You have answered my questions. And you have all my best wishes for your continued health! I love your blog, and I will come again, so that I can see it all. You have added so many beautiful images and wonderful things to say. Yes, I will come again. Thank you.

annell4 said...

I checked out your other site, and I think you have music playing on my puter? Thank you. I hope you can find a way to enjoy that rehabilitation! I'll just bet you are much better! Welcome back, and I'm glad I've found you!

sophie munns said...

A quick hello Egmont to thank you for links to the UN International Year of Biodiversity and all the great encouragement...

Hope you are resting up and taking more fabulous images when you can...
Good to see your communications around the place...spreading your wonderful thoughts...and do wish you well with all that is there on your plate...and plenty of rest...Yes?
Sophie

layers said...

hello Egmont, you must be recovering and on the mend to be back at posting your blogs-- take it easy though and happy returns

Jeanne Henriques said...

Dear Egmont

I am way behind on my reading and was happy to see your comment over at Ange's. It sounds like you are taking a wise approach to life. I am so impressed with the miles you have covered. I am a big fan of pedometers. You have used yours most wisely.
Your photographs are lovely and I particularly like your hydrangea bookmarks. Thank you!

I am due for a catch up with The Directory and need to do some updating on my blogs. Many thanks for the reminder.

Wishing you well...

Jeanne :)

Hannah said...

I've just discovered your blog for the first time thanks to Robyn in South Africa. Odd to discover an East Bay inhabitant through South Africa! Although its been years since I lived in Berkeley, I can imagine the routes as you name them, walking down Ashby from Alta Bates--and the camera sounds like the perfect way to help go the distance, a way of making meaning of the miles. Looking forward to reading more.

Leslie said...

Dear Egmont,
What a trying journey you've been on. It is good to read how you've handled the challenges that have presented to you, although I'm sorry that you've had to endure them. Your walks, while good for your heart, must also be good for your mind and spirit. I can see that here. Continue to heal and share your wonderful mind with us.

Jala Pfaff said...

Hello Egmont, just stopping by to "visit" and leave you my best wishes.

JJ said...

Egmont: Be well. We are never alone.

merci33 said...

Hi Egmont
This is such a joyful post because you are sharing your genuine journey of discovery and recovery...now...can you feel it as we all shower you with our love and well wishes.
Stand in the rain of knowing how much you are cared for.

Your photos are glorious....and did you notice the simpatico quality of your hand/heart and mine in my current post? Cool beans!

lori vliegen said...

hi egmont! i am very sorry to hear of your recent health setbacks.....please feel the glorious amount of cyber-hugs from bloggy friends wrapped around your body to hold you up during times of struggle!! and while the doctors continue to mend your heart, it is quite apparent to all of us that your heart is just as it has always been.....giving, warm, and caring. thank you for offering us a printout of your gorgeous photographs! :)))
p.s. and you've probably guessed that i LOVE your heart-in-hand image!! :)

Maggie Neale said...

Dear Egmont...I have been wondering how you were faring and was glad to see your comment on Artpropelled, so this propelled me to get to your blog and find out more. So sorry to hear of your set back in heart and health. But glad you are walking and now taking the camera. Seeing and making pictures is a healing in itself, and you do it well.
Sending you healing energies...and blessing.

layers said...

I do think walking is very good exercise for everyone-- I try to walk 3-4 days a week... and taking your camera along is a great idea.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I really wish you felt like posting more. I have been here several times and noticed your absence. I hope things turn around for you soon and maybe your winning Marlynn's Zentangle 2 book will put you back on track. Please come back to us soon.

Luzia said...

Emond, lieber Freund, ich hoffe es geht Dir inzwischen gut?! Ich habe gelesen, dass Du vielleicht einen Katzenblog machen möchtest für Deine schöne Katze. Das ist eine sehr gute Idee und ich freue mich schon sehr auf die Fotos von Deiner alten Gefährtin! Ich wünsche Dir schöne Tage und sende herzliche Grüße aus der alten Heimat an Dich. Luzia aus Germany