Sky, Clouds, Contrast in Black and White

6 September 2011

Rosh Hashanah Blessings

Tuesday 27 September 2011

Wishes for a happy New Year 5772.

Although I am not Jewish, I like the idea that we all may look on the past year and forgive each other for any ways that we may have hurt or offended each other.

In this photo the planet Jupiter appears nestled in some tree branches. This is near the house where I live.

L'Shanah Tovah

Mount Tahoma (Rainier, Ti'swaq') to Priest Point, Tumwater-Overlook-Park Panorama

view at 9967 x 962 pixels

Flowers

Calendula

The world can be challenging. There is a lot that does not make sense. It can help to have a reminder of the enduring beauty that exists, despite many of the difficulties that exist in human societies. Like flowers in sunshine.

Tahoma with Lenticular Cloud Stack

Tahoma with Lenticular Cloud Stack, a photo by ˇBerd on Flickr.

Mount Tahoma (aka Rainier)
Wednesday 21 September 2011

Celebrating International Day of Peace

Here in Olympia, Washington, we had a festival to celebrate the International Day of Peace. It was sponsored by the Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation. We set up a couple of tents and a path of peace. In the tents we had information, and we also listened to a singing bowl concert. The path of peace was constructed out of 12 pieces of bamboo poles ranging in length from about 7 feet to about 20 feet. We used twine to secure the poles, and to string up about a hundred or so pieces of cloth with "peace" written in as many different languages.

The idea with peace written in so many different languages is to suggest that we all have something in common. We may look different, or speak different languages, but we are all still part of one human family. On the most basic level, we are all one, interconnected beings. Interconnected energetically, spiritually. Our actions affect each other. And if we want a world that is peaceful for ourselves, and for our children, for our friends and family and neighbors, then it makes sense to be kind to everyone, regardless of whatever differences there might be between us.

After people had a chance to walk through the "Path of Peace", and listen to the concert of singing bowls, we were led on a meditative peace walk (in the style of Thich Nhat Han,) by Miles, who is a local Zen Buddhist Priest.

Here's a video and some photos from the event. Please enjoy. Thank you.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrm88htCXQI

photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rwhitlock/sets/72157627577967693/

A couple photos from past Septembers

September 2008


September 2010

Calendula Flower

Late Summer Flowers Blooming
view larger

Sunday 11 September 2011

On this the 11th day of September 2011, let's remember how our nation's leaders took advantage of the tragic events of 9/11/01, 10 years ago, and capitalized on fear and shock, in order to foist upon and project upon the world an era of increased American militarism and efforts toward expanded global political and economic dominance.

May all of the victims of war rest in peace, and may we live to see a day where human beings no longer destroy each other.


Olympic Mountain View
March 2010 Seattle Washington

New Stuff

I have a couple new posts on Olyblog, and I posted a note on Facebook about boycotting against states that demonstrate aggression. My blog at OlyBlog can be found at http://olyblog.net/blog/berd and I will post the text of the note from facebook below the fold here.

Panorama from Olympic NP

August 2011

A few patches of snow lingering in some of the high places, this photo was from near a series of waterfalls, near the junction of the trail to Flapjack Lakes.

view larger here

Olympic Mountains seen from Budd Bay in Olympia

Autumn Joy

Lots of bees buzzing!

A few recent photos

I have a few more recent photos posted on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rwhitlock/