Royalty free stock photos are available from several sources including 123rf.com. A few months ago a long-time friend who is a Web designer told me about the site.
If you shoot large format, high-resolution images and would like to submit them, visit the site and read all of the requirements. They're quite selective in what they will include in their inventory, e.g. I've submitted photos that were rejected - even though I thought that they were great shots (and they were) but after I had cropped them, the resulting file sizes no longer met their criteria as they were too small. I've been uploading photos to the site for awhile by FTP. I'm starting to get the hang of it.
If you shoot great pictures and would like to share them with the world, this might be of interest to you. Here's a peek at a few of the images I've submitted that have been accepted...double-click on any of them to see the complete image in a larger version.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Remembering the Dead
There is a little cemetery in Greenfield, Missouri where three generations of my family are buried near an oak tree. Actually, relatives of mine are buried in several little cemeteries all over Dade County, MO. Half of my father’s ashes are buried between his parents and grandparents, which I find comforting since he loved them all so. If I could go to the Missouri Ozarks this Memorial Weekend I would lay flowers and American flags on the graves of my father, uncle and grandparents. Alas. I don’t know if I will ever again be able to afford to make that trip and since I cannot this year our family is spending the weekend creating a memorial garden where we can remember our loved ones who have gone on ahead.
This is the Dade County Court House and veterans' wall in Greenfield where the names of my grandfather, uncles, and father are listed for their military service.
The last nine months have been hard on our family. I’ve lost two aunts and an uncle whose numbers added to the relative recent deaths of my father and another uncle. It had been a bit much to bear particularly since another aunt had a heart attack the day of her brother’s death. Thankfully she’s recovering now.
I took a day off from work to deal with all the emotions attendant on losing family. My oldest and dearest friend planted the seed in my head and I spent my day at home planning a garden of remembrance for the adults who are no longer in my life. It soothed me. I ordered plaques with their names on them and probably spent too much money. Thank goodness my father doesn’t know!—or maybe he does, but it went a long ways in comforting me to plan a place where I can go and remember the people who so influenced my childhood.
In Missouri Memorial Day is called Decoration Day and is not limited to honoring those who served in the military although the practice began following the Civil War. Before his death Uncle Dick used to load up on flowers and visit 70+ graves for Memorial Day some of which could only be reached by climbing through fences and crossing pastures. One tiny cemetery he and my father discovered when playing in the woods as children. Some scandal had allowed the cemetery to deteriorate and even though the incident is more than a hundred years in the past, only my uncle visited it. I have a cousin who this weekend will wash all the graves of my maternal family in Vancouver, WA and leave flowers. I am grateful for his efforts. For those of us that are farther flung going to the cemetery to pay our respects is not always an option.
For some Americans Memorial Weekend means either vacation or shopping. While my son creates a walkway the rest of us will be digging out sod as we begin our memorial garden. My father already has two rose bushes which my mother gave me when he died. I’ve decided on a lilac for Uncle Rex & Aunt Shirley and a Rose-of-Sharon for Uncle Dick & Aunt Mary. In time I hope to be able to walk in my garden and tell my grandchildren about the wonderful people they are descended from. I hope my grandchildren’s participation this weekend will teach them to value their heritage.
I hope that amongst the hot dogs and potato salad consumed this weekend that Americans will take time to remember not only those who have died defending our country, but those who helped provide the tether for each of us that holds us here. It is, after all, in our hearts where we build shrines to those we have lost. How will you be spending Memorial Weekend?
This is the Dade County Court House and veterans' wall in Greenfield where the names of my grandfather, uncles, and father are listed for their military service.The last nine months have been hard on our family. I’ve lost two aunts and an uncle whose numbers added to the relative recent deaths of my father and another uncle. It had been a bit much to bear particularly since another aunt had a heart attack the day of her brother’s death. Thankfully she’s recovering now.
I took a day off from work to deal with all the emotions attendant on losing family. My oldest and dearest friend planted the seed in my head and I spent my day at home planning a garden of remembrance for the adults who are no longer in my life. It soothed me. I ordered plaques with their names on them and probably spent too much money. Thank goodness my father doesn’t know!—or maybe he does, but it went a long ways in comforting me to plan a place where I can go and remember the people who so influenced my childhood.
In Missouri Memorial Day is called Decoration Day and is not limited to honoring those who served in the military although the practice began following the Civil War. Before his death Uncle Dick used to load up on flowers and visit 70+ graves for Memorial Day some of which could only be reached by climbing through fences and crossing pastures. One tiny cemetery he and my father discovered when playing in the woods as children. Some scandal had allowed the cemetery to deteriorate and even though the incident is more than a hundred years in the past, only my uncle visited it. I have a cousin who this weekend will wash all the graves of my maternal family in Vancouver, WA and leave flowers. I am grateful for his efforts. For those of us that are farther flung going to the cemetery to pay our respects is not always an option.
For some Americans Memorial Weekend means either vacation or shopping. While my son creates a walkway the rest of us will be digging out sod as we begin our memorial garden. My father already has two rose bushes which my mother gave me when he died. I’ve decided on a lilac for Uncle Rex & Aunt Shirley and a Rose-of-Sharon for Uncle Dick & Aunt Mary. In time I hope to be able to walk in my garden and tell my grandchildren about the wonderful people they are descended from. I hope my grandchildren’s participation this weekend will teach them to value their heritage.
I hope that amongst the hot dogs and potato salad consumed this weekend that Americans will take time to remember not only those who have died defending our country, but those who helped provide the tether for each of us that holds us here. It is, after all, in our hearts where we build shrines to those we have lost. How will you be spending Memorial Weekend?
Last Lyme Post of May
I'm proud to announce a Washington online support group for those suffering from Lyme, or worried that they may be. Here's the link:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/WALDUC-Support/
Main Support Group
There is also a group for the Caregivers, family and friends who are impacted by a loved one's Lyme disease:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/WALDUC-Caregivers/
CG'ers Support Group
The last bit of news for Lyme Awareness Month is the release of "Under Our Skin," on DVD. This Lyme documentary was featured at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival. Here's a youtube preview, with the website for information on ordering. Thank you for listening this month. Be safe; be well.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/WALDUC-Support/
Main Support Group
There is also a group for the Caregivers, family and friends who are impacted by a loved one's Lyme disease:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/WALDUC-Caregivers/
CG'ers Support Group
The last bit of news for Lyme Awareness Month is the release of "Under Our Skin," on DVD. This Lyme documentary was featured at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival. Here's a youtube preview, with the website for information on ordering. Thank you for listening this month. Be safe; be well.
Diary of the Missing
Where oh where did Lorraine go? Well, life often derails one's train of thought...and then there's those Cyber-Trolls...sshhhh...so far they haven't seemed to notice I'm back!
It all began on Mother's Day. After an Oscar-worthy performance of "Life is Wonderful" with my mother on the phone, my husband and I took our daughter (who suffers from chronic Lyme disease) to the E.R. Here I would like to give a HUGE shout-out to the very wonderful, capable, respectful staff of Seattle's Virginia Mason Emergency Room. Over the next forty-eight hours they worked as an incredible team on behalf of my beloved daughter. They realize that chronically ill patients need a different E.R. experience than the norm found in most hospitals. They were not there to treat her Lyme disease, or to argue the medical politics of Lyme. They were not there to run unnecessary, painful, costly and time-consuming tests. There was a problem and they set about fixing it with true kindness and professionalism. These wonderful people gave me the only present a mother could want...the best for my daughter...a speed bump instead of a wall. Monday night we drove back over the Narrows Bridge, singing our over-tired, crazy heads off with Peggy Lee's, "It's A Good Day!"
Tuesday was a day of rest. I wrote a couple of emails but quickly decided both the computer and I could take a little cat-nap. Little did I know the trolls were waiting for their chance behind the cyber-bushes. I didn't hear their chuckles as my eyes closed in the recliner, or the screams of the villagers. I didn't smell the burning of the Shire, preshuss! All I know is, when I awoke, the pooter had (as John Cleese would say) shuffled off its mortal coil...with nary a Bronx Cheer of goodbye.
On Wednesday Stephanie called and came down for tea and a stroll through the garden. Not only did she give me the ear of a friend, she brought with her (unknowingly) my most favourite of Brit cookies and a lot of comfort in her company. The next day a note and a great book on writing exercises came in the mail from Kim. Withdrawals from my computer forgotten, I picked up my pen and began to work in every spare moment. Stephanie and Kim, thank you so much for being lifelines in the neighbourhood!
My dear friend and bandmate, Mark, heard I had been unplugged and offered me a computer that he couldn't use in his studio because of a noisy fan. It took a little while to get it all set but finally I was back online and scrabbling to catch up. Finally I was able to cruise into the Neighbourhood Blog, to find Jaynie had put up a "Missing" poster! Joseph and I exchanged emails again and today I will reply to Mizu's supportive note. I feel truly blessed to have the friends and community that rally lovingly, that don't let me slip away into a lonely funk. Thank you all so much for caring.
It all began on Mother's Day. After an Oscar-worthy performance of "Life is Wonderful" with my mother on the phone, my husband and I took our daughter (who suffers from chronic Lyme disease) to the E.R. Here I would like to give a HUGE shout-out to the very wonderful, capable, respectful staff of Seattle's Virginia Mason Emergency Room. Over the next forty-eight hours they worked as an incredible team on behalf of my beloved daughter. They realize that chronically ill patients need a different E.R. experience than the norm found in most hospitals. They were not there to treat her Lyme disease, or to argue the medical politics of Lyme. They were not there to run unnecessary, painful, costly and time-consuming tests. There was a problem and they set about fixing it with true kindness and professionalism. These wonderful people gave me the only present a mother could want...the best for my daughter...a speed bump instead of a wall. Monday night we drove back over the Narrows Bridge, singing our over-tired, crazy heads off with Peggy Lee's, "It's A Good Day!"
Tuesday was a day of rest. I wrote a couple of emails but quickly decided both the computer and I could take a little cat-nap. Little did I know the trolls were waiting for their chance behind the cyber-bushes. I didn't hear their chuckles as my eyes closed in the recliner, or the screams of the villagers. I didn't smell the burning of the Shire, preshuss! All I know is, when I awoke, the pooter had (as John Cleese would say) shuffled off its mortal coil...with nary a Bronx Cheer of goodbye.
On Wednesday Stephanie called and came down for tea and a stroll through the garden. Not only did she give me the ear of a friend, she brought with her (unknowingly) my most favourite of Brit cookies and a lot of comfort in her company. The next day a note and a great book on writing exercises came in the mail from Kim. Withdrawals from my computer forgotten, I picked up my pen and began to work in every spare moment. Stephanie and Kim, thank you so much for being lifelines in the neighbourhood!
My dear friend and bandmate, Mark, heard I had been unplugged and offered me a computer that he couldn't use in his studio because of a noisy fan. It took a little while to get it all set but finally I was back online and scrabbling to catch up. Finally I was able to cruise into the Neighbourhood Blog, to find Jaynie had put up a "Missing" poster! Joseph and I exchanged emails again and today I will reply to Mizu's supportive note. I feel truly blessed to have the friends and community that rally lovingly, that don't let me slip away into a lonely funk. Thank you all so much for caring.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The Overnight
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is sponsoring an overnight, fundraising and awareness-raising walk to help bring depression and suicide out of the darkness. The event is called The Overnight and will be held in Seattle two weeks after a similar walk in New York City. Seattle's walk will take place June 21 - 22. The walk will start at dusk and end at dawn. Find out more about it. Consider actively participating as a walker or by donating to AFSP. It will be a time to make new friends, share stories and memories. http://www.theovernight.org/
A STUDY IN RELATIONSHIPS--THE GREAT DEBATERS
1935...Wiley College... Marshall, Texas
The Great Debaters focuses on a number of positive relationships:
A loving father (Forest Whittaker) and a dedicated teacher (Denzel Washington)
Two young people(Jurnee Smollett and Nate Parker) who are very much in love
Denzel Washington, Jurnee Smollett, Nate Parker, and Denzel Whitaker come together so well that, no matter what the obstacle, they become a winning team-- the great debaters
In a community where great joy and great pain are constantly being celebrated.
Any parent, teacher, friend, team members you would like to share with us...
Any person who stuck with you through bad times and good times...
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Weekend Golf And Shopping For Art Papers In The Rose City
Above: Last weekend's weather was perfect to take a stroll downtown Portland where this helpful directional sign offers mileage between the City of Roses and equally fabulous venues such as Timbuktu, Walden Pond, Independence, MO; Hermiston, OR and New York's Times Square. Photo by Mizu Sugimura copyright 2008.
It appears that more than one member of the TNT Blog Squad was in the State of Oregon over the past weekend. (Stephanie! If I'd have known ahead of time that you were Oregon bound, I might have inquired in advance if you might be interested in meeting me for tea! But darn, that's just what I get for being out-of-the-loop! - Mournfully Mizu.)
After cooler than normal temperatures in Washington last week, trying to adjust to the mid-nineties heat in Portland, OR last Friday and Saturday was a real challenge for my spouse and I who were in town so he could participate in a annual out-of-town golf tournament on Sunday, May 18, sponsored by the group of friends from the Seattle area whom he has played for what now has become a good number of years.
Several players including himself went out on Saturday for a practice run at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Course in North Plains, OR a few miles outside Portland. By the end of day when he returned to our hotel, it was clear that the unexpected heat had a dampening effect - especially on account of the fact he had chosen not to take-on the added expense of renting a golf cart for both days.
Much to the relief of us both, Sunday's temperatures were several degrees cooler allowing him more comfortable weather during the competition and myself a less jarring respite in between entering and exiting some of Portland's more interesting retail stores.
My favorite downtown stop is Art Media at 902 SW Yamhill which I was fortunate to discover on a previous jaunt to Portland about two years ago. In addition to all the usual wonderful standard art supplies, Art Media has simply one of the most delectable selection of art papers I have had the pleasure to shop. Without fail, even the most brief stop at this wonderful store is a guaranteed to lighten my wallet, and this weekend's visit proved to be no different.
After cooler than normal temperatures in Washington last week, trying to adjust to the mid-nineties heat in Portland, OR last Friday and Saturday was a real challenge for my spouse and I who were in town so he could participate in a annual out-of-town golf tournament on Sunday, May 18, sponsored by the group of friends from the Seattle area whom he has played for what now has become a good number of years.
Several players including himself went out on Saturday for a practice run at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Course in North Plains, OR a few miles outside Portland. By the end of day when he returned to our hotel, it was clear that the unexpected heat had a dampening effect - especially on account of the fact he had chosen not to take-on the added expense of renting a golf cart for both days.
Much to the relief of us both, Sunday's temperatures were several degrees cooler allowing him more comfortable weather during the competition and myself a less jarring respite in between entering and exiting some of Portland's more interesting retail stores.
My favorite downtown stop is Art Media at 902 SW Yamhill which I was fortunate to discover on a previous jaunt to Portland about two years ago. In addition to all the usual wonderful standard art supplies, Art Media has simply one of the most delectable selection of art papers I have had the pleasure to shop. Without fail, even the most brief stop at this wonderful store is a guaranteed to lighten my wallet, and this weekend's visit proved to be no different.
Above and below: As so many of my previous visits to Portland over the last decade have been cunningly and cleverly timed to coincide with longer periods of liquid sunshine - the clear blue skies and sun drenched skyscapes, parks and walkways we encountered on this trip added to the friendly spirit of welcome we always enjoy when visiting the Rose city. Photos by Mizu Sugimura copyright 2008.
Below: As far as my better half is concerned there's no greater satisfaction at the end of a perfect afternoon of golf than checking-out what colorful and tempting offerings the busy chefs have placed on the revolving plate line inside Sushi Land in the Pearl District. Photo by Mizu Sugimura copyright 2008.
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