Posted on October 22, 2011 by Jennifer Wolfe
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| Cameron in a Nicaraguan produce marketSometimes as I’m moving around in my day, an image gets stuck in my head that I can’t shake. Sometimes it conjures up a memory, a feeling, or provides an impulse to do something. Often, though, I just see something that I want to capture in my mind for no particular reason-it just speaks to me. I’d like to offer these images up for ‘thought contributions’-as a way to generate a community of ideas together.
At this time of year, it’s all about the harvest. Crops are ripe, summer gardens are being sowed and then tilled under in preparation for winter planting. But my garden this year – not so good. I tallied less than a dozen tomatoes, and four measley peppers. And this wasn’t due to lack of effort or care-I tilled, composted, fertilized, watered, planted and tended my crops from last April til now. I guess this just wasn’t the year. Mother Nature didn’t cooperate – our cool northern California spring wasn’t the right temperature to set fruit. Our usual one hundred degree plus summer heat never really materialized, leaving valley farmers shaking their heads and hoping for the best. Me? I keep my plants in, hoping that those green orbs will somehow ripen if I just have faith.
So today’s Friday Photo reminded me of what an abundant life I have. No matter what happens to my own garden, I will have enough. I have resources to get what I need. It might not be directly from my own hands, but it will be fresh, healthy, available and enough to sustain me and my family. In today’s photo my son marvels at the bounty we found in Ciudad Dario, Nicaragua. Gorgeous produce can be had there for mere pennies-but to many Nicaraguans, pennies are like diamonds. Produce is grown on your own land, and a luxury to purchase. There are no ‘bulk buys’ or prepackaged warehouse size amounts. People simply buy what they can, only what they need.
I enter this harvest season with a heart full of gratitude, and a faith that next year, my harvest will be that of my own making. What hopes do you have for the next year? Will you have an abundant harvest? |
Posted on October 8, 2011 by Jennifer Wolfe
Sometimes as I’m moving around in my day, an image gets stuck in my head that I can’t shake. Sometimes it conjures up a memory, a feeling, or provides an impulse to do something. Often, though, I just see something that I want to capture in my mind for no particular reason-it just speaks to me. I’d like to offer these images up for ‘thought contributions’-as a way to generate a community of ideas together.
Today’s photo comes straight from my uncle Paul’s portfolio. I couldn’t have imagined anything better for my theme this week, as I have come to the realization that I am not a digital native.
While I consider myself ‘tech-savvy’, I have been humbled this week with the start of an online course on global education and the death of Steve Jobs. Although a few years older than I, Mr. Jobs was definitely a digital native. So it can’t all be about age…maybe there are levels of assimilation? This course I’m taking has shown me that I haven’t a clue how to attack digital text, do online mind mapping, or participate on online discussions. I have quickly realized that I am a digital immigrant, and will have to learn a new language and customs to operate in this society…and I REALLY miss my old typewriter.
Are you a digital immigrant, too? Can we ever break through the technology culture barrier?
Posted on October 1, 2011 by Jennifer Wolfe
Sometimes as I’m moving around in my day, an image gets stuck in my head that I can’t shake. Sometimes it conjures up a memory, a feeling, or provides an impulse to do something. Often, though, I just see something that I want to capture in my mind for no particular reason-it just speaks to me. I’d like to offer these images up for ‘thought contributions’-as a way to generate a community of ideas together.
One of my favorite parts of my house is the view out my bedroom window. Looking up, the green, delicate leaves relax my eyes and mind. The occasional disoriented hummingbird will flit by, tantalizing me with a burst of fluorescent red. Squirrels create a playground as they screech and thud from the branches to our roof. Looking out my window gives me a quiet moment to pause and clear my mind. Now, as the lushness of summer is beginning to fade and the seasons gently turn, I burn this image into my mind in anticipation of the chill and sparseness to come.
Out my window I see the slow, natural closing down of summer. Now take a moment. Pause. Look out YOUR window. What do you see?
Posted on September 24, 2011 by Jennifer Wolfe
Sometimes as I’m moving around in my day, an image gets stuck in my head that I can’t shake. Sometimes it conjures up a memory, a feeling, or provides an impulse to do something. Often, though, I just see something that I want to capture in my mind for no particular reason-it just speaks to me. I’d like to offer these images up for ‘thought contributions’-as a way to generate a community of ideas together.
This week’s Friday photo is all about the fall. Some of us tiptoe out of summer, hoping to just hang on for one last barbeque, one last night on the patio. Others jump into it head first, eager to reap the harvest of a summer of hard work and deliberate planning.
Either way, we have hit the equinox. Day and night, perfectly divided, balanced, for a fragile moment in time before we slowly slide toward the winter solstice.
Are you ready? Can you sit back and reap the harvest of what you’ve created for your life this year? Or are you free falling, not knowing what you’re jumping into?
Posted on September 17, 2011 by Jennifer Wolfe
Sometimes as I’m moving around in my day, an image gets stuck in my head that I can’t shake. Sometimes it conjures up a memory, a feeling, or provides an impulse to do something. Often, though, I just see something that I want to capture in my mind for no particular reason-it just speaks to me. I’d like to offer these images up for ‘thought contributions’-as a way to generate a community of ideas together.
This week, the image in my mind is of my son, born twelve years ago this weekend. He came early-very early-entering this world exactly when he thought he should. From that moment he has taught me to trust and have faith that all things happen as they are supposed to.
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| the first year |
To be honest, I wasn’t completely sure I could handle two kids. His older sister, 3 years old at his birth, had seemed to complete our family. It took some deep thinking before I convinced myself to have another. Now, I can’t imagine how I ever thought twice. This kind, gentle soul has blessed me with a multitude of gifts that I never imagined I would receive, and with an infinite amount of joy and love. Now, twelve years later, he still has the same large round head and deep dark eyes that gaze on the world with amazing thoughtfulness and humility.
These are the lessons my son is teaching me. What wisdom have you gained from a child?
