A number of things this week have been thought provoking and inspirational.  First was the eulogy delivered on Friday at the memorial in Chicago for the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Jr.  The words of President Barack Obama never fail to lift my spirit and nearly bring tears of joy to my eyes.  In my opinion, he is one of the greatest orators of our times, presenting a master class in writing and delivery every time he steps up to a podium.  Regardless of a listener's political leaning, the man can reach out, fill your brain and pull on your heartstrings.  

As far as photographic inspiration is concerned, I regularly turn to a number of sources including The New York Times online and BBC online for photo journalism, fashion, portrait, and food photography (the Williams Sonoma catalog also has excellent food photography). Selvedge Magazine online offers eye popping, creative, and radiant color photography of fabric, fashion, and model portraiture.  The photographs bring seemingly mundane subjects to life.  Both Instagram and Substack (including postings from my friend Steve Immel and Tim Anderson, publisher of Shadow and Light magazine), as well as many, many other photographers and writers awaken me on Monday mornings and beyond.  I could go on, but the more you look, the more you see.  

And the outside world itself is a constant source of inspiration.  Regardless of what we humans are doing on any given day, nature has its own time and way of doing things.  The fact that in most of the United States we set our clocks forward one hour Saturday night for daylight saving time, the impact is felt deeply, but only by us.  Flowering plants and trees and birds were preparing for the change long before now, and they seemed to explode this week.  Apricot trees around town began to bloom, along with forsythia and daffodils, letting us know what the others knew.  Spring is on its way.

Flowers - miniature daffodils 1 Flowers - miniature daffodils 2 Flowers - miniature daffodils 3

The tulips aren't to be outdone, but they take their time with thick leaves pushing up through the soil, to make their own statement.

Flowers - tulip leaves emerging

What will the humans make of the season?

Thanks to Connie, Ann A., Tim, Terry, Jean & Sam, Gustavo, Steve, TTT, Marilyn G., Victoria and Ingrid for your wonderful words this week.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©