Tag Archives: weekly photo challange

Circle of Friends

Circle

circle of friends

Many sites that offer these symbolic candle holders tell of the ancient Mayan Indian legend that describes the meaning behind the decorative pieces. Here is the legend:

Circle of Friends

The Indian legend says that at the end of the evening, friends would gather around a bonfire and share their hearts and speak of the good qualities of each other and remember times shared. As the embers faded, their friendship was said to be sealed anew bringing them closer together. As you sit with the candle lit in the middle of your circle of friends, it will surround and embrace all who sit with you and bring good luck to those who stay together.

I light these candles when I have meditation sessions at the house. Nan, my friend, who I did my Reiki master with lit the same thing when we did reiki at here house.

These circle of friends was a gift from my friends Cheryl and Paul who own the Infinity Center in Jensen Beach where I first went for Reiki.

 

 

Weekly Photo: NOW

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Right NOW I’m sitting and looking at my pretty tree. When I first moved here I didn’t even bother.  Too much drama of the past.

I have worked Christmas for the past 6 years. It gave other nurses a chance to enjoy their holidays. I’d like to say it was meaningless. It wasn’t. It was horrifying. I had Christmas PTSD. This year Christmas had wonderful meaning by spending it with family.

So what happens with time and working on letting go is of course things change. The pain is long gone and a feeling of contentment arrives.

I found these little trees at the Fresh Market and they were perfect. Big enough for my needs. Being a table top also was great since my dog didn’t feel the need to urinate on it.

When I first brought it home he got very excited until he saw it go on the table.

The ornaments I took when I was divorced were the one that were meaningful to me.  Gifts from friends and hand made golden retriever ornaments. Ornaments with my old guys names Machi and Casey.  I loved the twinkly white lights.  This year I added a string of color and it changed everything. And of course a string of shells.

It’s almost like this little tree is an indication of my mental health filled with an understanding of the past , anticipation  of the future but the ability to just sit and be,  enjoy the tree, the lights and the now.

 

Victory

Victory

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Loggerhead  turtles hanging on the back of a truck waiting to be returned to the ocean after their rehab at Loggerhead Marine Life Center in Juno, Florida.

Over 30 years ago, long-time Juno Beach resident Eleanor Fletcher started what is now Loggerhead Marinelife Center. Eleanor and her husband Robert had a real estate business in Juno Beach. Eleanor began to notice there were many  sea turtles nesting on the shore in spring and summer. She was curious about why so many hatchings headed landward after hatching, rather than back to sea, and as a result, began some of the earliest research on sea turtles in our area.

As she learned more and more about the sea turtles, she began to see that the turtles were threatened by the encroachment of man as he moved and built closer and closer to the shoreline. She decided that educating children about the sea turtles and the need for conservation and protection was the best hope for the sea turtles to survive over the long term. She began giving classes, first in her home, then above the real estate office as more and more children enjoyed her programs.

In April 2007, the organization relocated to a new 12,000 square foot certified “green” facility and changed its name to Loggerhead Marinelife Center. The new facility includes a state-of-the-art full service veterinary hospital, exhibit hall, outdoor classroom, research lab, and resource center.  They have an awesome gift shop. I usually go there this time of year to buy ocean related child books for my nieces and this year for my grandson.

Loggerhead Marinelife Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit education and ocean conservation facility located on the Atlantic Ocean in Palm Beach County, Florida. The facility houses a variety of exhibits, live sea turtles and other coastal creatures. Exhibits include a massive prehistoric Archelon sea turtle replica, salt water aquaria and displays of local wildlife, as well as educational displays about South Florida’s marine environment.”

I included the photo above and some video in my multi award winning documentary film “The Garbage of Jupiter Beach” because these gentle giants often come with plastic bags in their guts, or filled with fishing line or some other garbage people have thrown in the ocean. So before you liter please put these guys in your head and understand the damage that can be done.

Here are photos from the last time I was there last year.

You can go here and see whose in the hospital now.

This is wonderful place to support. I am looking forward to the day I can take my Grandson Ethan.

WordPress Weekly Photo Challange: “Ornate” The Solidarity FIsh Project

In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Ornate.”DSC_0012

Here is a video of Janeen talking about the project.

“The Solidarity Fish Project  
This simple wooden fish is splashed in vivid colors on one side, but when flipped over it reveals in stark contrast skeletal remains on a black background.  Viewed individually each is unique and beautiful.  When they are exhibited together by the thousand(s) they are a monumental temporary public art installation that connects participants and passers-by.

The Solidarity Fish, painted by kids and ordinary people are an icon of the clean water movement in Florida. They have been from the Everglades to Washington, D.C., from the steps of the Capitol Building in Tallahassee to the cover of most major Florida newspapers and in the New York Times.  

Raising awareness and inspiring stewardship with a striking participatory art project created by ordinary people doing extraordinary things.  Working together to change the status quo.

Solidarity,
Janeen Mason
Author/Illustrator/Speaker
National Award Winning Children’s Books”