“One of the pleasantest things for those of us who write or paint is to have the daily miracle."

Last year on the 12th of November, Alec and I went for a walk on a glorious fall day. As often happens with us, talk turned to the topic of creativity. That day, Alec had just sent me an article called "How to Be Interesting." Here, Russell Davies offered many excellent suggestions. Alec and I took him up on his first suggestion:

1. Take at least one picture everyday. Post it to flickr.

By the end of the walk, TodayPhoto was born and it’s been a tremendous honour and opportunity to do this with Alec. It’s been a wonderful and wacky year for a number of reasons and TodayPhoto has been a nice way to document it, think it through and make it last.

Last week I was in Chicago and went to a great exhibit at the Art Institute called “Henri Cartier Bresson and the Art and Photography of Paris.” Here I ran into a quotation from Gertrude Stein that has been with me all week: “One of the pleasantest things for those of us who write or paint is to have the daily miracle.” What I have liked most about TodayPhoto is that it has made me take a moment to document that daily miracle, to pin it down, to hold it, and to share it. On the days where I have thought myself too busy to stop, TodayPhoto has made me see that I need to stop and notice daily miracles. And, this year, at a particularly difficult time when it seemed like there were no daily miracles to be found, TodayPhoto made me look for them.

I think Stein’s quotation has stayed with me this week since it reminded me that I’ve been neglecting some other creative outlets this past year. And so, after discussions with Alec, I think we’ve decided to put TodayPhoto away, perhaps temporarily, perhaps not. I’ve been struggling to take and post the 500th and final photo. Alec suggested we end this with a favourite post and here is mine (along with the comment made).

I can’t quite bring this to a close but I'd like to thank everyone near and far who tuned into TodayPhoto over the past year. I'd also like to thank Alec for only not being my partner in crime in this project but also fantastic friend. I now turn this over to Alec. He who had the first word, should also have the last.


Well, perhaps not the last word but a gesture towards a new beginning. It's been great to see our experiment turn into something larger, a place to acknowledge those daily miracles and chronicle them, even in this ephemeral medium. I know both of us won't stop now and, who knows? begin to explore other themes and forums. One thing's for sure, I have been blessed to share this space with Heidi and will always welcome the chance to collaborate with her in the future.

Sandbox

A Brighter Day

"It's the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day. It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America."
Barack Obama, November 4, 2008












In her lifetime, Frances E.W. Harper (1825 - 1911) was an abolitionist, activist, speaker, essayist, poet and novelist. If she did not play a direct role in the Underground Railroad herself, she knew people who did. As I walked beside the river on this very bright day, I looked across the river that many fugitive slaves crossed from the US into Canada. I was reminded of a letter Harper wrote in 1867: "... it is well for us to look hopefully to the future-for the shadows bear the promise of a brighter coming day." I'm not sure Harper could have imagined exactly how bright that day would be.

Got Hope.

This morning is unseasonably warm and gloriously sunny. On the way into work, sunlight danced on the river while Springsteen sang
Come on up for the rising
Come on up, lay your hands in mine
Come on up for the rising
Come on up for the rising tonight


Got Hope? You better believe it.

Chicago 3

Chicago 2

Chicago 1

Autumn

A fiercely beautiful autumn day. The trees in the laneway and across the street were magnificent in the wind. The forecast calls for snow tomorrow.

6:05 PM

For six days in a row, I've had reason to say, "Wow. I have amazing friends." Today, I said it of he who had accurately guessed this would be a perfect book for me. Just as I was thinking about my nice friends, the magic hour crept over the trees outside my office window. Lovely. All of it.

Five Days: Five Photos

I have just solved the mystery of why my newish camera batteries had only been holding a charge for 3 or 4 minutes. It turns out that these past few weeks, the old ones have been impersonating the new ones, while the new ones lounged innocently in someone's wireless keyboard. I shall say nothing more. Except maybe this: "ahem."
It's been all about details and small things recently. Today I bring you five small things that have brought me no small amount of joy over a busy few days.

Wednesday: "Nerding out" over ink

Wednesday I received my four tiny trial vials of ink. According to a source close to me, I'm "really nerding out over ink." True.

Thursday: Cupcake Mints from SH

Friday: Tea Cups

Tea cups were made for nights like Friday's gathering

Saturday: Shoes

Last year, I feared I'd never be able to wear these again but I can. If my physiotherapist happens to find this, I am being good. Really. Mostly. Usually.

Sunday: Working Myself Out of Writer's Block

Work in Progress

At the Pet Shop

This little chap was hanging out in the local pet supplies shop, along with several accomplices. They need homes so this is a chance for them to get used to people and perhaps charm some soft-hearted customers.

Dinner

Mushroom and Tomato Flatbread Topped with Fresh Arugula

Physalis alkekengi

Or 'Chinese Lantern'

15 minutes at lunch

And three minutes of battery life

Books at Night

Orchid

When in doubt...

The answer to my long-standing question of what to wear next Saturday: the winter version of the little black dress, the longer black velvet dress.

Watering Can

A groovy watering can, I guess.

Simple Twist of Fate

This park bench made me think of that great Dylan song.

Ennui 2.0

In case you were wondering, I do see the irony of voicing my tech ennui through a digital photo posted on a blog.

"Serenity now...!"

Amidst the craziness of fall, my portulaca and purple salvia seize the day.

For John W: "Campus, I suppose..."