The Gift of Sight

I took a mental health day yesterday. The treatment was not so much for my brain as for my soul. I went to see the Ansel Adams exhibit at the Booth Museum, and stepped out of my daily life, and into the magnificence of the natural world on a grand scale. “Both the grand and the intimate aspects of nature can be revealed in the expressive photograph. Both can stir enduring affirmations and discoveries, and can surely help the spectator in his search for identification with the vast world of natural beauty and the wonder surrounding him.” This quote from Adams scratches the surface of what his photographs can do, and it is very hard for me to phrase it more completely. At once, he reveals intimate detail, and places it in the cosmic scheme.

Winter Sunrise Sierra Nevada 1944

The viewer is both humbled by the grandeur of the scenes, and also invited to be a part of the moment.

Oak Tree Sunset City

Dunes

Better writers than I can probably explain why his black and white photography is so effective. I can only say that without all the color to "distract" us, and with the exceptional workmanship in the print development, Adams gives us insight into the physical world, and a peek at what must be the more intimate and underlying constructs of the universe. Patterns of light and line are what human brains use to organize our individual worlds. But Adams has captured the essence of line and light as though to show all viewers the elements of the universe that we are a part of, and that are a part of us. As it turns out, that melding with the universe is very soothing, and as my friend Barbie pointed out, the room full of photographs was itself warm and quieting.


When we entered the exhibit, the first panel of introduction talked about Adams' love of the natural world, especially the Sierra Nevada. He was introduced to the Yosemite Valley on a family trip when he was 14. " The first impression of the Valley-white water, azaleas, cool fir caverns, tall pines, and solid oaks, cliffs rising to undreamed-of heights....was a culmination of experience so intense as to be almost painful. From that day in 1916, my life has been colored and modulated by the great earth-gesture of the Sierra". 
What a modest, mature  and marvelous description of a lifelong journey to the edges of the earth, and into the crevices of his own psyche.

Today I am back at work. I am taking his suggestion: "Simply look with perceptive eyes at the world about you, and trust to your own reactions and convictions. Ask yourself: "Does this subject move me to feel, think and dream? Can I visualize a print - my own personal statement of what I feel and want to convey - from the subject before me? "  
                                  and following him to the end of the skyline.

Valentine's Day

I got the gift of a gorgeous warm day today, and I have savored it more than a box of chocolates. I always enjoy reminders that spring will be here soon, and this winter, I have needed them.

I'm offering classes at the nursery this spring. I want to get gardeners out here. I want to show them what I love about this dirty work. But mostly I just like to talk about plants. Yesterday was the first class..."The Garden In Winter". As much as I dislike the winter weather that keeps me indoors, I do love the plants that show off in that "off" season. So...before spring sneaks up on me, I thought I might just throw out some names of the best of winter interest plants. It will give me the chance to continue talking about them
.Helleborus x 'Pink Lady'

Helleborus foetidus




Ilex vomitoria 'Virginia Dare



Jasminum nudiflorum


Mahonia x 'Winter Sun' STILL flowering

Cyclamen hederifolium Viburnum

Prunus mume

Hope you liked this little delicious Valentine's Day bite out of my winter garden. It is just a touch of what's out there, but you get the idea....If there is a special person in your life, or even a whole handful of special people, think about giving one of these very special plants on Valentine's Day. Your friend will enjoy it every Valentine's Day ever after. And when it turns cold and gray again, as it surely will, don't forget:

"The flowers of late winter and early spring occupy places in our hearts well out of proportion to their size."

- Gertrude S. Wister