Patricia Brundage - Captures that Moment in Time

"The love of nature draws me outdoors.  The thrill of seeing a bird in flight, the beauty of a flower or a deer feeding in my backyard has drawn me to photography as a means of capturing that event or moment in time.  The challenge is to present the subject to its best advantage by carefully selecting the best background and composition available without disturbing the surrounding environment.  A review of my portfolio has shown that my favorite subject is floral, but the challenge of capturing a bird in flight comes in as a close second.  I also enjoy the post processing of the image and showcasing it through the use of PS, NIK or Topaz filters and then choosing the correct paper to print it.  In summary, I enjoy capturing a wide variety of subjects, the company of good friends during the search and the pride in the result.  Being able to share my passion keeps me in the constant pursuit of a new and more unique images."

-- Patricia Brundage

Patricia's photographic techniques brings the subject to another level. By capturing that moment in time, the image is alive. Life becomes still and that one moment is held in one place forever. The clarity, the preciseness, the crispness eludes to the perfection of Mother Nature. The life of each flower, each scene is held in the palm of Patricia's hand, literally.

The camera, an inanimate object, becomes Patricia's canvas with pallet and brush or her paper and pencil as she creates her works. The control of this object is an art in of itself combined with Patricia's eye for seeing and envisioning in a split second of time the masterpiece that was placed right in front of her. As if she has a connection and is one with Mother Nature and her creations allowing each masterpiece to be captured in that moment of time being forever held in safe keeping.

Capturing the brilliance of colors,

the velvety softness of flowers' petals,

the defining of each tree and their leaves,

the mist that hangs like a sheer curtain over a window is a technique, an art that all photographers try to master. Patricia has that uncanny ability to accomplish it and it is shown in each of her works. No one piece is better than the other.

When seeing her work a gasp will come over you. Questions will begin to rise to the surface. . . .and you can get the answers to those questions by joining us for Patricia's Exhibit Reception on Thursday, November 21st beginning at 6:30 pm when you will meet Patricia. Ask her those questions. . . .she will answer them.

Do join us! It is the night of Walnut Beach Art Stroll.

Also, a Food Drive to benefit St. Gabriel's Food Pantry will be taking place as well and we ask that you please make a food donation - - Donations may be dropped off at participating Art Stroll businesses. It will be good to see you - Thank you for joining us!

PEACE

Thanksgiving Today

We all know the history of Thanksgiving in the beginning. But, what is Thanksgiving today? We all sit at the table of food a plenty; passing around the mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, and turkey. "Pass the corn please." "Pass the rolls." "Pass the butter." "Pass the bacon..." Bacon? Some do put bacon on top of their turkey when they roast it....so, yes, "please pass the bacon...."

These economic times have weighed heavy on us...unemployment near double digits (there are many who cannot collect unemployment anymore and we mustn't forget them); jobs are a plenty, however, one cannot survive on $8.00 per/hour; people are losing the roof over their heads; now that our job market has moved overseas and those citizens are becoming affluent we look to them to perhaps buy airplanes, and certain cars from us which are pretty much all that is left. Our clothes, toothpaste, foods, etc. are imported. Labels don't even tell you where things are made anymore - it has been changed to "distributed by:" no longer "made in." Warning labels are placed on jewelry stating "don't allow children 14 years old and younger wear this piece" because of the lead and cadmium levels....oh, yeah the heck with everyone else...So, we ask "What do we have to be thankful for?"

We are thankful for being alive, for having the ingenuity to create, for being able to develop ideas taking them to the level of products and services, for wheeling and dealing with "in kind" method of payment, for living in a country that allows us to think and create and develop and become sustainable -- we did it once before we will do it again!

Each of us may be experiencing at least one of the horrors of the economic issues taking place, but we learn of someone else's situation and we realize we should truly be thankful for what we have and we then pray for those who have nothing and see what we can do to help them.

We always were taught about the atrocities in other countries - the lack of opportunity, the lack of work, the poverty levels more than double digits, the lack of food, pure water, of the death and diseases -- that we should pray for them and if we can, help them, i.e., U.N.I.C.E.F. Do think about the countries where the companies/corporations have gone to as they take advantage of others and reap more in profits - the people, the companies/corporations' new employees, don't have the inalienable rights to think, to create, to develop ideas because of the oppression they experience on a daily basis...and think about it - putting food on their tables with the menial wages they are making is a miracle to them! In an ironic almost satirical fashion, our prayers have been answered though with great sacrifice, but they have been answered.

We did it once before we will do it again! Sure our way of life has changed, for some dramatically, but you know what?, we need to remember "Order Always Comes Out of Chaos."

So, as Thanksgiving arrives tomorrow, remember who you are, what you can do and how you can make it happen for yourself and others because its only then you will be able to "Bring Home The Bacon" so that it will be passed around at your Thanksgiving table. And be thankful that you are able to!

Many Blessings as you bow your head in Thanks for what is...

Be thankful for what you have,
for you can have less.

Be thoughtful towards others,
so they may not go without.

Be hopeful of the future,
so we all (including Mother Earth)
will be healthy and prosper.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Let's Talk Turkey

Dear Readers,

This posting is in a different style so I may personally wish everyone the most Blessed Thanksgiving! I thank all of you for being a part of SoBoBo’s success. Finding the right words is at times difficult to let others know how we feel, and this is one of those times. It is truly an honor to receive each of you as you enter the door of SoBoBo. An honor to work with all artists and artisans who have made SoBoBo a lively, ecclectic place where unique truly meets sublime and, it goes without saying, an honor to speak with each guest about the art work and their creators. An honor to bring to everyone a chance to experience art to its fullest.

I am preparing the Gallery for a new and exciting exhibit for the Holiday Season(s). We will be open the day after Thanksgiving from 2:00 pm until 9:30 pm. As I write this announcement of the hours, I see how we can easily get into a habitual groove of going on with our lives forgetting the true meaning of each holiday celebration that should be practiced at all times.

We all know of how the Native Americans had given the gift of acceptance to the Pilgrims so that they may survive the harshness of the New England winters in the 1600’s. But what most don’t know is the true meaning of this act that was made. The “give-away” – what the Native Americans so generously sacrificed for “strangers” so that the whole of all people’s needs were met, they had included the new people in the whole!

As we approach Thursday, November 26th, we rush around buying tablecloths, napkins, dishes, glasses, utensils to eat with and we mustn’t forget the food, especially, Turkey– all of it to make our place ready for our families and friends to sit at the table eating together, perhaps for some, the only day of the year, Thanksgiving.

In each of our own cultures we have traditions that we practice every year. One may be asking each person at the table to state what they are thankful for ‘GIVING THANKS’(as most of us were taught Thanksgiving meant.) Of course all of us are thankful for what we have received, i.e., the new job we attained, the house we live in, the food on the table.

So in thinking of what we are thankful for, perhaps we should give THANKS for the GIVING of what we have. We are always thankful for what we have received, but are we ever thankful for the sacrifice it took to receive the giving or “give-away?” For instance: Are we thankful for the giving or offering of the job we attained – we usually state, “I got the job” not thinking what goes on behind the scenes (maybe someone lost their job). What about the mortgage to buy the house, or Turkey who gives its life for our celebration.

A “give-away” is better explained by Jamie Sams and David Carson authors of “Medicine Cards” which explains a culmination of several Native American tribal traditions and beliefs.

“Simply stated, it is (the give-away) the deep and abiding recognition of the sacrifices of both self and others.” “Spectators (or outsiders looking in) unfamiliar with the cultural phenomenon of the potlatch or give-away ceremony are often mystified by it. A tribal member may gladly give away all he or she owns, and do without in order to help the People. In present-day urban life, we are taught to acquire and get ahead. The person with the most toys wins the game. In some cultures, no one can win the game unless the whole of the People’s needs are met. A person who claims more than his or her share is looked upon as selfish or crazy or both. The poor, the aged, and the feeble have honor. The person who gives away the most and carries the burdens of the People is one of the most respected.”

This type of “medicine” is called Turkey Medicine. Many saints and mystics carry this medicine with them for it rests in true ego, enlightenment. It is a known fact that those who carry this with them have many virtues, they have transcended, they become advocates – aspiring to help those in need of help. (summarization - Medicine Cards, page 161) “Help and sustenance are given by Turkey out of the realization that all life is sacred.” (Medicine Cards; page 161) It is also an acknowledgement of “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. A memorable statement by President John F. Kennedy. “Doing unto others and feeding the people is the message of all true spiritual systems.” (Medicine Cards pg. 161-162)

So when you see Turkey walking across the street, or eating its dinner along the roadside, or sitting on your table prepared for Thanksgiving Dinner - remember you are about to receive a gift or are being given a gift. It could be represented spiritually, materially, or even intellectually. “No matter the size of the gift, we should never consider it to be insignificant. Some gifts we consider so simple as a sunrise/sunset, but yet what happens with Earth as a whole to attain this amazing sight truly isn’t as simple as you would think. It could also mean ”… you just won the lottery, “ or “…you may feel the “SPIRIT OF GIVING” growing within you, and wanting you to share with others!” (Medicine Cards pg. 162)

“You must remember NEVER GIVE TO RECEIVE. It is manipulation.” (Medicine Cards pg. 162) Giving should be without regret. It should be given with goodness “…and a joyful heart, or the “give-away” has lost its true meaning.” (summarized Medicine Cards pg. 162)
So as the Native Americans gave the gift of acceptance and the “give-away” so that the Pilgrims may have sustenance and live, remember “…in Turkey’s death we have our life…Help and sustenance are given by Turkey out of the realization that ALL LIFE IS SACRED.” (Medicine Cards; page 161) This means no matter what race, ethnicity, creed or gender we as humans are as well as, all creatures and plant life, great and small that live.

The Thanksgiving tradition of having Turkey for dinner has more meaning now than we thought. It wasn’t because of the fact it was the only animal around to kill and eat during the 1600’s as we were taught. Knowing of the Native Americans’ “give-away” of giving of their own harvest to help the strangers endure the savage winters, acceptance, and having THANKS for Turkey GIVING of him or herself now makes sense as to the reason for Turkey dinners on this holiday, because it seems we have “accepted” the Native Americans’ belief of Turkey medicine through their teaching, without realizing it! As we greet each family member, friends, co-workers, even the strangers we pass on the street, remember to be thankful for the sacrifices all have given to make our lives better. In one word - THANKSGIVING.

HAVE A BLESSED THANKSGIVING. . .and realize the anticipation of the “Spirit of Giving!” that is deeply seeded in each of us. It is time to let it come to the forefront, and don’t hold back for fear of embarassment because satisfaction will be felt, satisfying our egos, bringing us a bit closer to living in harmony.

PEACE!

Indian Summer Explodes With Vibrance. . .

As October ends we await two weeks of warm weather with anticipation so that the crops can be harvested to prepare for winter. It is called "Indian Summer." This event has been taking place for hundreds of years, and to think how we have taken it for granted!

Visit SoBoBo! View the new exhibit that is vibrant in color and creates the excitement and anticipation as we await Indian Summer's arrival. Let's celebrate our thanks by giving a gift that can last forever. . .acceptance.

Before we had refrigerators and freezers the harvested foods would be "canned" in jars, pickled, and/or dried - not freeze dried - dried by hanging them in the attic where heat rose from below drying out the foods. A root cellar was used to keep certain foods from drying out and going bad, perhaps the true first refrigerator since a root cellar is underground and is always cold.

The Native Americans who were here first in North America knew of this event and without hesitation would automatically harvest their crops and prepare them for the winter months so that they will be able to survive over the winter bearing the frigid weather.

When the Pilgrims had landed in New England for the first time, they had no idea what they were about to experience. Meeting the Native Americans was truly a blessing for they had taught the Pilgrims their ways of growing and harvesting of their crops and how to prepare them for the bitter winters.

It is said that at the end of the Harvest, a gathering would take place giving thanks for the blessing that was bestowed on them. The blessing of the Native American friends who taught the new people the ways to live in the new land. The blessing that the survivors of the voyage from England had landed safely on the new soil. The blessing of the Harvest for all to share in preparing for the bitter winter ahead.

Thanksgiving was born in remembrance of this wonderful event! And "the White Man" had given the name "Indian Summer" to give distinction in the change of weather and in the understanding of a wondrous event each year. Isn't it wondrous how Mother Nature works?! A two week thaw in the winter also takes place which allows the snow and ice on the mountains to melt, flowing towards the lakes, reservoirs, rivers, ponds - this in turn gives water that is needed for all living things.

As anticipation builds during the Season(s) of Giving we think about visiting relatives, preparing and cooking Thanksgiving dinner, eating pumpkin pie, having the time off from work and/or school and yes of course - the first day of Holiday shopping!

But yet, some of us will be giving thanks that our fathers, brothers, sisters, mothers, cousins, uncles and aunts have come home from the Iraq War or from Afghanistan ALIVE. Some of us will be celebrating the continuance of life because of being healed from a sickness, or have finally gone into remission. Some of us will be hopelessly jubilant as we learn of being pregnant, getting engaged or married. Some of us will be thankful for the job we have finally attained after being unemployed, no matter how menial it is. Some of us will be thankful that unemployment hasn't run out and we still have food on our tables and a roof over our heads.

No matter how slight or overwhelming our reasons for being thankful are they should always be recognized as achievements and gratitude should always be humbly made.

We should, however, remember the Native Americans who actually had given the gift of life to the Pilgrims through teaching, sharing and helping. The Native Americans should not be shunned for being different because they after all, have made a difference in our lives. Perhaps we should be humbled by their first gesture of friendship knowing it was a gesture of acceptance, to live in harmony with the new strangers who had entered their world.

We need to recognize that Thanksgiving is truly more than just our own little worlds we live in. It is definitely within the "grander scheme of things" whether we want to realize it or not. So pass on the anticipation and the excitement of the upcoming Holiday by giving it forward to those near and dear to you and even those you pass along the way....for one never knows when a gesture of acceptance just might save a life. . .

Enjoy the warmth of Indian Summer as we prepare for the winter months and anticipate the excitement of Thanksgiving! Many Blessings!!