Nostalgia

nostalgia

a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations.

A bit of reflection

A friend sent me a link to a photo contest titled Nostalgia and thought I am not entering it I thought I would challenge myself anyway. I will be writing a post for my photography blog with the resulting images; I also decided to wax nostalgic here, too.

Music

Ah.... music soothes the soul of the savage beast. I am assuming that doesn't include The Who, Black Sabbath and others. 😂

Music has always been a big part of my life, my first recollections are as a four year-old listening to The Beatles with my aunts. At that time we were listening to a transistor radio or 45's and lp's on a record player; vinyl was (still is in my book) king! When I got older I received a small reel-to-reel tape recorder and I used to record songs from the transistor radio; the quality wasn't great because I was using the microphone but how great was the sound from the radio anyway?

The cassette tape was a game-changer and once I graduated to a good stereo system I made my own "greatest hits" tapes. I would make a list of songs, arrange them, calculate the total length, and then record from the album. It took hours to make a 90 minute tape because everything had to be "just right." A lot different from the "drag-drop-burn" that we do today! I must admit, I do miss the analog days....

Good Humor bars & Penny candy

I belong to a Facebook group, Historic Long Branch, and someone posted a few photos of Dilger's Food Market. It had just been torn down after many years of standing vacant. Looking at the first image transported me back to my childhood and, specifically, Strawberry Shortcake Good Humor bars. I wrote about Dilger's and Strawberry Shortcake bars in an earlier post, Ice Cream, Oh How I Love You, so I won't get into it here. The post did prompt a nice instant message conversation with one of my aunts about Dilger's and Pascucci's Candy Store which is the second part of this section.

Raise your hand - how many remember true penny candy? Where was your favorite candy store? What was your favorite candy? When I think of penny candy, I think of Pascucci's Candy Store on Branchport Avenue in Long Branch. The building is still there, though the candy store has been gone for decades; it had been a restaurant for a while and most recently a Reiki healing center, though the center is now closed. Just as Dilger's was an "after church" treat, Pascucci's was where we stopped after spending time playing in the park at the corner of Branchport and Atlantic Avenues. Can you guess who I went to the park with? Yes! I went with my aunts! We would stop on our way back to my grandmother’s house to buy candy. I remember walking in, putting a handful of pennies (if I was really lucky there might be a nickel or dime in the mix) on the counter and Mrs. Pascucci would tell me how much I could buy. I know that dots on paper and root beer barrels were always at the top of the list, and I believe I got more than my share of Pixie Stix. Though my taste in candy has changed over the years, I am still rather partial to root beer barrels however, I cannot remember the last time I had one.

“The Gang”

Yes, I was part of a gang when I was growing up – not only a gang but a biker gang at that! When we rode into town, people knew it – the baseball cards in our spokes got damn loud at times! Of course, the “bikes” were our bicycles and we were a group of four – Lenny, Johnny, Jimmy, and me. I’ve written about this group of bad a$$es in the past but no trip down Memory Lane would be complete without mentioning them. We spent a lot of time cruising around Monmouth County and, sometimes, beyond on our bicycles. One of our favorite destinations was Stewart’s Root Beer in Atlantic Highlands; not only was the root beer worth the nearly 10 mile ride but Atlantic Highlands, and surrounding Highlands, had some great hills to ride down! Whenever I see a group of kids on bikes or a Stewart’s Root Beer stand I cannot help but think of my three best friends growing up.

And So It Goes

I could go on for quite a bit longer but notice that I am rapidly approaching 800 words and not sure how many of you have made it this far. If you have made it to this point, let me know some of the things that make you feel nostalic in the comment section below. Does a smell bring memories? A song? A particular place? I would love to hear all about it.

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Please do me a small favor and share this post with others, for there’s a good chance that others might enjoy it, too! You will find buttons for many of the popular social media platforms at the bottom of this post. Thank you!

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All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

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December 1980

I was going to start off saying that anyone of "a certain age" will know what this post is about just by the title. As I thought about it, I couldn't quite put my finger on what that age would be - deciding, finally, that just about anyone who is going to read this will know; no matter the age.

Introduction

As I sit to write this it is just past midnight on 15 December - yesterday marked 40 years since the vigil held outside the Dakota on 14 December 1980, just six (6) days after John Lennon was assassinated as he returned home from the recording studio. I was there that cold December day, standing on the corner of 72nd Street & Central Park West staring at the entryway to the courtyard where he was gunned down. I have seen estimates from between 150,000 and 500,000 people were there - between the Dakota, Strawberry Fields across the street and Central Park.

December 8

That Monday was just like any other day in 1980 - I went to work, went home, ate dinner and, watched some television before going to bed. It was some time around midnight that my father woke me up, telling me that my girlfriend was on the phone. I couldn't imagine what she was calling about so late. She told me that John Lennon had been murdered earlier that evening. It was like I was gut punched; I was at a loss of words but I think I managed to say something like, "What a bummer." I then said I had to get some sleep because I had to work in the morning. John had been shot at 10:50 PM and pronounced dead at 11:15 PM. Howard Cosell interrupted the Monday Night Football broadcast to announce his death. In 1974, John had visited the Monday Night Football broadcast booth, chatting with Cosell.

When I got up on the morning of 9 December the events of the night before hit me like a ton of bricks. It just didn't seem real - on my way to work I bought every newspaper I could get my hands on. I read articles in every one of them, hoping to read that it was some elaborate hoax. He had just released Double Fantasy, his first album in five (5) years and was talking about touring. I couldn't wait to see him perform! Every damned newspaper confirmed what I already knew - John Lennon was dead at age 40....

I felt the need to be with others who were having the same feelings I was; I wanted to be at the Dakota but I had just started my job in February and couldn't take time off. When it was announced there would be a vigil on 14 December there was no question about whether or not I would be there.

December 14 - The Vigil

The details of the day elude me but the feeling will never go away - 40 years later they are as fresh as ever. My girlfriend and I got there early - taking the train to Penn Station and then subway to 72nd Street. If I remember correctly, the subway station is right under the Dakota. There was a small crowd so we were able to work our way to the corner of the building and stand right up against the barriers at the end of the street. Every radio station was playing John Lennon or The Beatles and telling stories. I knew I was right where I had to be.

It didn't take long before the entire area was filled with people - some holding signs, some with radios and everyone coexisting peacefully despite being pressed together like sardines. It was very cold but, honestly, I didn't feel it at all.

Yoko had asked that, at 2:00 PM, everyone participate in a 10 minute silent vigil to remember John. Right on cue, at 2:00 PM all of the radios fell dead silent and not a single person said a word. The only sounds were distant rumbling of traffic and three or four of NYPD uniform officers laughing as they stood guard at the entry way to the building. It was during that 10 minutes of silence that it began to snow. It was almost as though someone flipped a switch and when the 10 minutes were over, so was the snow. It was eerie and I still get chills thinking about it.

We hung around for a while after the vigil was over and then headed back to the subway, emotionally drained but surprisingly at peace. I think being with so many others was very therapeutic. It is a memory that will stay with me for the rest of my life, and yet, I sure as hell wish it never had to have been held at all.

The Years Since

I have been back to the Dakota a few times in the years since - mainly on my way to visit Strawberry Fields in Central Park. I have some photos that I took during one of the trips but they have been packed away - some day I will get them out and scan them for another post. Every year I say that I am going to visit again but just never have.

This past October John would have turned 80 years old and there were quite a few specials on television and radio. Paul McCartney did a few special shows with Alec Baldwin and another with Sean Lennon. Tributes came from every corner of the music industry. His music is just as important now as it was when he was making it.

When I sat down to write this I opened YouTube and found the album, Imagine. The title track is my favorite song - bar none. It is such a simple, yet powerful song. The song was released 49 years ago and we still haven't gotten the message. It is now almost 1:30 AM and I have switched to Mind Games - Bring On The Lucie (Freda Peeple) is playing. If I had to pick favorite solo albums, it might just be Imagine and Mind Games with Double Fantasy close behind. It's tough though - Double Fantasy has some terrific tracks (well, John's tracks anyway) and you can tell he is happy. I think that is what makes his death that much more difficult; he was always fighting some inner demons but he finally seemed to work things out and start loving life.

Where were you when you heard of John's murder? Did you go to the Dakota? Strawberry Fields? The Vigil? I would love to hear your stories - leave them in the comments below.

I think this is a good time to wrap things up and go to bed - I have to work in the morning.

Please do me a small favor and share this post with others, for there’s a good chance that others might enjoy it, too! You will find "Shar" link at the bottom of this post. Thank you!

The Coal Miner

A coal miner's avocation was painting, but he couldn't afford to buy canvasses. Instead, he painted on the walls of his small cottage. Unfortunately, a gang of youths broke into his cottage and defaced his paintings. The young miscreants were charged in court with having "corrupted the murals of a miner."

I haven't done much lately - decided to take time off. I had written this little "humorous" piece a few years ago and thought I would share it with you.

The goal is not to change your subjects….

The goal is not to change your subjects, but for the subject to change the photographer. - Unknown

Peony

You may recognize this quote from my previous post, My COVID-19 Backyard Boredom Project. When I found this quote I was blown away! I had never given thought about that but it really is true. I know there are more than a few examples of this in my portfolio and, if I am lucky, I will be finding more as the years go by.

Begonia
Abstract

This post started out on my photography blog but I thought it was a good fit here because this is also a personal journey. Yes, I look at my photography as a journey as it takes me to places I never imagined; often without leaving my own back yard. The best part is that I can take others along with me.

Tiny Yellow Flower

The past few months have witnessed quite a change for this photographer; being restricted to my yard has actually expanded my range. I initially mourned the loss of landscape photography as I could no longer go to the park for a hike, no sunrise or sunset either. That, in the long run, turned into a blessing in that it has forced me to look at things in an entirely new way - to find the extraordinary in the ordinary.

Begonia
Up Close & Personal

There are days when nothing seems to go right; in the past I would go outside with my camera and just point the camera at something. It was therapeutic just to squeeze the shutter. Those excursions more often than not resulted in deleting all of the images. Now when I go out I go with more purpose, actually looking for a portfolio worthy image. There are still a lot of deleted images but I usually come away with at least one or two "keepers."

White Honeysuckle

All of the images used to illustrate this post were made over the past three months and all are from my yard. The peony has been in our front yard for about twenty (20) years and I never photographed it before. It has grown from a clipping my wife took from a plant my great-aunt had growing in her yard for many years.

Lily of the Valley

The Lily of the Valley have been growing for more than twenty-five (25) years and it took until now to stop and make some images. The first one came as I was sitting on the front steps with my camera - they just happened to catch my eye. That opened the floodgates and I think I went out every day for at least five (5) days to shoot them.

New Guinea Impatiens

The begonias are new; my wife bought a couple planters for the front porch and filled them with impatiens, begonias and verbena. I like the layers of petals inside the begonia and they have become a favorite for macro work. I've also played around with the impatiens but the verbena just aren't very photogenic - at least not for me. I like this image of the impatiens because they almost look like a couple pairs of lips. I wonder what they are trying to say. 😃

I think this might be a good time to wrap up. I hope you've enjoyed coming along on this little journey with me and maybe been inspired to get out into your own yard for a bit of exploring. There really is so much more than meets the eye - you just have to take the time to look. Oh.... if you know the name of the little yellow flower shown here - please let me know in the comments below. I thought it was a buttercup but can't seem to find anything that looks like this. Thanks!

Please do me a small favor and share this post with others, for there’s a good chance that it will help them with their photography. You will find buttons for many of the popular social media platforms at the bottom of this post. Thank you!

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All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

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My COVID-19 Backyard Boredom Project

Lily of the Valley

Backyard Boredom Project

This post is a bit different than I would normally write here; it is about my photography. I am writing it here instead of my photography blog (shameless plug, Exploring Photography with Joe Valencia) because the photography was inspired by the lock down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I have written a companion piece titled, Backyard Discoveries on my other blog.

Working from Home

White Clover - even weeds are beautiful
if you look close enough

It was some time around mid-March that my company announced that anyone who wished to do so could work from home. I chose to do so; about two weeks later the office was shut down completely. As a programmer I have the luxury of being able to do my job anywhere I have an internet connection so I have been impacted far less than millions of others. What has been a big change is my choice of locations for photo excursions. When I am at the office I can walk to Monmouth Battlefield for a nice hike or drive a few minutes to a few different other locations. If I just need to get some air, I can find things to shoot right around the office. I will also detour some some of my favorite locations on the way home from the office if I need some "shutter time" or the conditions are just right. The lock down took away the parks and I no longer go to the office so detours no longer exist.

Jonquils, Daffodils, Narcissus
a bloom by any other name....

The Project

So, what do you do when you can't go anywhere but you just have to point the camera at something? I have seen a lot of people talking about using the time to work on their studio work - still life, arranged macro, water drops, etc... - but that has never really been my "thing." I have been wanting to do more of that type of work but it takes preparation and most of the time I pick up the camera is when I need a release. So, while others have turned to their kitchen tables, I turned to my back (side and front) yard.

A bee and wild rose

It started out with the daffodils blooming and a (near) windless day. I try to capture daffodils during each stage of their growth every spring but this year I didn't get out until they were in full bloom. Due to not having to fight the wind I was able to set up my tripod and deliberately set up my composition. The flip screen on my camera meant I didn't have to get down on the ground - I don't mind getting dirty, I just didn't have anyone around to help me get up. 😊

As a creative exercise I like to sit on my back steps, or front porch, with my camera and one lens. I see what I can capture without moving from my seat. Most often I look upward to see if there are any birds or maybe the light is hitting a tree nicely. Lately I have been looking down, how fortunate for me. I was on the front porch looked to my side and saw the Lily of the Valley shown here. They have been there for as long as I can remember but I never captured a single image. I spent several hours over multiple days shooting these wonderfully delicate plants. You can see other images from those days here - Lily of the Valley

A pink wild rose
shot from a window

That same exercise, done on the back porch, led to the image of the bee shown here. No, I wasn't sitting on the steps when I made this image but I was pointing the camera that way capturing a few others. I saw so many bees, I put on my Macrofier and decided to see how close I could get.

Not all excursions take place outside, though. This last image, pink wild rose, was actually taken from the window next to where my computer is. I took the screen out so that I can get some clear shots if anything exciting is going on. I had seen a gray catbird in a tree, grabbed the camera and opened the window just in time to watch it fly away. As the window was being closed I noticed this blossom and played around with a few compositions. There are times great compositions are, literally, right under your nose!

That's it.... for now.

This seems to be a good time to wrap things up and let you get back to whatever you were doing. If there is a silver lining in all of this it is that I have come to see things in a new way. I read a quote the other day that struck me as rather interesting:

The goal is not to change your subjects, but for the subject to change the photographer. - Unknown

The pandemic has taught me the meaning of this and I think it has made me a better photographer. It has certainly taught me to slow down, look around and appreciate everything that Mother Nature has to offer. We could probably even expand a bit and say that if an ugly weed can look beautiful if looked at the right way, maybe we should afford a closer look at our fellow citizens.

Until next time! Thanks for stopping by - would love to hear what you have been doing to keep busy during the pandemic. New projects? Hobbies? What have you been binge-watching? Drop a comment down below!

Please do me a small favor and share this post with others, for there’s a good chance that others might enjoy it, too! You will find buttons for many of the popular social media platforms at the bottom of this post. Thank you!

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All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

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In Honor of Army Sergeant Shauna Brocklebank Adams

Army Sergeant Shauna Brocklebank Adams

I wrote this back on 10 May 2012 for a now-defunct blog. I thought it appropriate to re-publish it today, Memorial Day. It is dedicated to all whole gave the ultimate sacrifice.

The flags around New Jersey are flying at half-mast today in honor of Army Sergeant Shauna Brocklebank Adams. She lost her life during a training exercise in South Korea. I did not know her but I grew up with her parents and know her grandparents.

I am afraid these photos are not very good - I left my camera at home and had to take these with my iPad - but I hope they are good enough to say "Thank you".

Thank you Army Sergeant Shauna Brocklebank Adams - rest in peace. Your family, friends and country honor you and are forever in your debt.

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All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos, or order prints of anything you see here, you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

A Glimmer of Hope on the Horizon

Sunrise & Ralph - Ocean Grove, New Jersey

A Glimmer

The Governor of New Jersey, Phil Murphy, announced this week that New Jersey State and County parks will be allowed to open on Saturday, May 2^nd and that Municipal parks may open at their discretion. The hours of operation may be limited and they are blocking out 50% of the available parking to help keep crowds down. We still have to practice social distancing and the restrictions on "gatherings" is also still in effect.

This is the first sign that we have had in a while that life is going to get better and we are moving in the right direction. We still have a long way to go but opening the parks in an encouraging first step. The one caveat was that if people don't abide by the restrictions and the parks start to get over-crowded again, they will be closed. That seems reasonable to me.

Okay - here's the deal.... Let me preface this with:

I have friends and family who are on the "front lines" battling this damned virus; I also know people with friends and loved ones who are sick and/or died from it. I am not insensitive to the problem. I am also in the "high risk" category along with the rest of my family. Trust me, if I thought this was going to cause great harm I would be screaming at the top of my lungs!

Opening the parks on a limited basis is a good thing, provided people do as they are supposed to. For me, it has nothing to do with "exercise" and walking thru the neighborhood would actually be bad for me as walking on asphalt is hard on my knees. My use of the parks is for being in nature, the solitude I get on the trails and for photography opportunities. That is how I unwind and slough off the crap of the day.

The closing of the parks drove more people to the boardwalks and beaches that are still accessible so you had the same people but in a smaller area. The National Park System actually had to close Sandy Hook due to the crowds! When the weather starts getting warmer, the situation will get far worse.

Personally, and this is only my opinion, I don't believe opening the parks will cause a spike in cases but I do believe it will help us get thru this difficult time in a better state of mind. I know I may be a little selfish but, dammit, I want to be able to go to Belmar and shoot a sunset over Shark River or catch a sunrise at Manasquan Reservoir. Even having the OPTION of doing that puts me in a better state of mind. Having the ability to walk out my back door and into the woods for a quick break when work is beating me up would do a world of good but, since the woods are part of a park, I cannot.

You're chances of infection are far greater at a grocery store - if for no other reason than the close proximity of other people and difficulty avoiding being close. There is no way to pass someone in an aisle AND maintain 6 feet separation. You have to assume that every surface you touch has been contaminated - are you really that careful? Wearing gloves is great but they will still be as infected as your bare hand so touching your face with a glove on, well, you get the picture. Even if you are "in and out", I guarantee that you will be in the company of far more people that I will, even if I spend 2 or 3 hours in a park. I am also not touching anything but the ground and maybe a random tree or flower along the way. I think the odds of someone touching and infecting that same tree or flower are rather astronomical - wouldn't you agree?

I know that, maybe, I am an exception and I do know there are a lot of jerks who complain about their "Constitutional rights" who are going to disregard the restrictions simply because they're a%%holes. They feel that their right to unwittingly spread the virus is more important than our right to be safe. We will have to deal with that scenario as it comes up. If you are out and see people gathering, call the local police and let them know. If it becomes a problem, the governor will close them again.

So, there you have it, be that as it may.

What Are Your Comfort Foods? Guilty Pleasures?

Comfort Food

I just read some posts on LinkedIn about the resurgence of foods that many consider comfort foods. One such post talked about how the recent trends were toward fresh, healthy foods but since the pandemic that is being seen as a luxury. People are turning towards more shelf-stable foods - he mentioned that Campbell’s soup has reported better than a 50% increase in sales and Pepperidge Farm Goldfish crackers are becoming a hot commodity.

That got me to thinking, which can be a rather dangerous thing but in this case I think everyone is safe.

What is it that you have in your pantry for "just in case?" What are some of your comfort foods? Do you have a guilty pleasure food? We always have some stove-top macaroni and cheese in the pantry. This was something the kids loved when they were growing up and it was an easy weekend lunch. Of course the pantry is also stocked with a variety of pastas and flours. There are also cans of soup, tomatoes and other staples. I could go on but this isn't about "What is in your pantry?" it is "What are your comfort foods?"

Comfort food is food that provides a nostalgic or sentimental value to someone, and may be characterized by its high caloric nature, high carbohydrate level, or simple preparation. The nostalgia may be specific to an individual, or it may apply to a specific culture. - excerpt from Comfort Food on Wikipedia

My Comfort Foods

I would say that my two (2) main comfort foods would be ice cream and popcorn. They are such a big part of my life growing up and some of my fondest memories involve them. I have written about both, Ice Cream, Oh How I Love You! and Popcorn and Sleeping at Grandma's house; if you read them you will come to learn why they are so important to me.

I would round out my list with burgers, fries, pizza, and macaroni and cheese. I would have to say that my favorite meal would be a big bacon cheeseburger on a real hard roll with a heaping serving from french fries. If we add a good-sized ice cream sundae for dessert, I cannot think of a better "comfort" meal.

My Guilty Pleasures

It wouldn't be fair for me to ask about your guilty pleasures with out letting you in on one or two of mine. I absolutely love salty snacks - mixed nuts, pistachios, potato chips, pretzels, etc... but I don't think of them as guilty pleasures. I mean, nuts are good for you and everyone eats potato chips and pretzels. Right?

When I talk about "guilty pleasure" I am thinking more like something you eat when nobody is looking. You know, like Junk Food Junkie, you go into a closet and eat your Hostess Twinkies^®. Speaking of Twinkies.... You may not know this but in the early 80's I took drove a blue 1972 Ford Pinto hatchback and took classes at Brookdale Community College. Brookdale held a Twinkie Festival and I was able to score a coveted bright yellow "Twinkie Power" bumper sticker. To say I liked Twinkies would be an understatement. I still like Twinkies but I don't have them very often. I also love Hostess Orange CupCakes^®. The chocolate are okay but orange is far superior. You do know the best way to eat Hostess CupCakes is. Right? You pinch off the bottom half, eat it and then turn the icing top upside down and eat that. If you aren't eating them that way you don't know what you are missing.

I could probably go on for quite some time in the Guilty Pleasure category but some things are best kept to ones self.

How About You?

Okay, it's your turn now. What are some of your comfort foods and guilty pleasures? What do you keep in your pantry for "just in case" and what do you miss the most since we've been restricted during the pandemic?

Let me know in the comments below and let me know how you have been keeping your sanity during all of this.

Social Distancing, Self-Quarantine and Elbow Bumps

The COVID-19 Pandemic

DISCLAIMER: I am NOT a medical expert nor am I a scientist. The information contained in this blog post comes from multiple sources including, but not limited to, listening to and reading comments from experts in the field of medicine - including Dr. Anthony Fauci, Mayo Clinic website, Hartford HealthCare website and others.

UPDATE: Within 30 minutes of my publishing this article, the Governor of New Jersey announced that he is close all State Parks & Forests along with all County Parks. This is due to groups of people congregating at the parks and not acting responsibly. Why can't people be responsible without being forced to be?

Social Distancing

It's hard to avoid it - social distancing comes up everywhere you turn these days. I don't mean to brag but I have been doing this for years; the difference is that people called it being anti-social. I think that is one reason I am drawn to nature and landscape photography so much. 😄

All joking aside, the world around us is a pretty scary place. We have all been thru some serious crises in our lives but they have been mostly geopolitical or ideological. While war, terrorism and other acts of aggression are horrifying, what makes pandemics such as this so terrifying is that the "enemy" is invisible, it is spreading rapidly and we know very little about it. We can't intercept messages or monitor the movements of known operatives, we can only try to be pro-active and keep trying treatments until something sticks.

Social distancing is our best weapon so far. We do know that the virus is transmitted from human-to-human thru bodily fluids - specifically droplets from sneezes and coughs - and to my knowledge it isn't something you can catch from your pets. The virus must enter the body thru an opening - eyes, nose, mouth, cuts, etc... - and will not pass thru or be absorbed by your skin. The importance of washing your hands and avoiding contact with your face cannot be overemphasized. If you practice social distancing, wash your hands regularly and don't touch your face, you greatly reduce your risk of infection.

Self-Quarantine

If you have been exposed to the virus, or believe you may have been, the best thing to do is "self-quarantine" or "self-isolate" for fourteen (14) days. There are an increasing number of states who are requiring self-quarantine for anyone entering their state from certain "hotspots" around the country - New York being one of the hotspots. By isolating yourself you greatly reduce the risk of spreading the virus. There is a difference between "social distancing" and "self-quarantine" - primarily self-quarantine means stay away from everyone. Period. Don't stay six (6) feet, stay in a separate part of the house, no contact whatsoever. Do not leave your house to enjoy a walk in the park.

It's not fun to totally cut yourself off - I know some who have had to, entire families living in self-quarantine, I know someone who had to live for two weeks alone in a bedroom, no contact with family in the house, only allowed to leave to go to the bathroom and bathe in a separate bathroom. Some of you may think that is rather drastic but with a mortality rate estimated to be between 1% and 3.4% - is "drastic" really possible?

Elbow Bumps

Elbow bumps have been suggested as a substitute for handshakes. It was a reasonable and effective suggestion - I mean, have you ever rubbed your eyes with your elbow? I think we have come to a point now where elbow bumps should be avoided, too. I don't think even Shaquille O'Neal is big enough to stand six feet away and still elbow bump. I think a polite wave and the "sup?" head bob should suffice as greetings for the time being.

Keeping Sane

While I know very little about "sanity" I can offer some suggestions for helping ease the pain during this time. Here are just a few things that you may want to consider, in no particular order:

• Read all of the posts I have written for this blog, beginning with Welcome! 😇
• Read off of the posts on my photography blog, beginning with, you guessed it, Welcome! 😇
• Binge watch The Twilight Zone on Netflix. It's amazing how little things have changed over the past sixty years.
• Work on the puzzle that has been collecting dust in your closet.
• Read a book.
• Discover the wonders of nature in your own backyard.
• Take up a new hobby or work on getting better at something you already do.
• Start a blog and write about your experiences during the pandemic
• ????

These are just a few of the things you can do to pass your time. The first two might(?) be a little self-serving but there are worse ways to spend your time.

You can go to a park - if they are open - but please don't go if it is crowded! Just because you are outside, it doesn't mean you can gather in groups - social distancing is still the only effective way to stay safe. Stay away from others on the trails, boardwalks, beaches, etc.... There have been a number of towns along the Jersey Shore that have had to close the boardwalks and beaches because of crowds. This isn't a forced vacation - this is serious.

In Closing

As I mentioned in the disclaimer at the top of this post, I am not a medical professional nor am I a scientist. I didn't intend for this to be a lecture and I hope it didn't come across as such. I am just a concerned citizen speaking out and hoping to make a difference. There are far too many stories about blatant disregard for the guidelines and government directives. There are stories of large gathers for weddings and funerals; there are even some having parties! Contrary to what you may have heard or read - this is not a hoax, it is not some sinister political plot and it is not a media-created frenzy. This is a serious, world-wide, threat and should be treated as such.

Stay home unless you absolutely have to go out. I have left my property to go to the drive-thru at my bank, drop off and pick up my wife at work one day, once to hike at 7:00 in the morning at a nearby park where there was one other car in the lot and once to shoot a sunset in a local park. The sunset was the only time I was within 10 feet of a person I don't live with and we never got closer than that. It has been difficult to stay home - there are many days when I want to get out to hike on a nice day or shoot a sunset somewhere but I resist. I have gone into my yard, camera in hand, and shot some flowers to help pass the time. I am working on my writing, editing older images and catching up on email. There is an incredible full moon tonight - rising in a spot that I have been waiting for it to rise for a long time but I will have to wait until it comes around again. The location is a very popular one and I know, despite warnings, it will be crowded.

Thanks for stopping by! Stay safe! Stay healthy and we will get thru this!

References

• Mayo Clinic
• Hartford HealthCare

Every sunrise hold more promise, and every sunset hold more peace. - Anonymous

Every sunrise hold more promise, and every sunset hold more peace. - Anonymous

Sunrise
Ocean Grove, New Jersey

I am sitting at my computer this morning - the 15th day of active "social distancing" - trying to decide what to write. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives dramatically, some say it will affect our lives forever in one way or another. I didn't want to write about the pandemic but rather try to write something inspiring if I could. We all need a help to get thru this - some need a little, others need a lot.

I am fortunate to have a job that I can do from home and started doing so two weeks ago. It has been quite an adjustment; though I have worked from home before I have never done so for this long and with a full house. Working from home also means that I no longer commute by car, I simply walk to the computer and start working. That is the downside of telecommuting since I often detour on my way home (or sometimes on my way to the office) and do some shooting.

It seems I have not been too active with this blog lately, that is due, in part, from being very busy at the office and now working from home. You would think that working from home would give me more time to write but I often come up with topics (or write) during my lunch break at the office. When I work from home, I have other things to do. The main reason, though, is because I haven't had much to say. Okay, truthfully, I have had a lot to say but nothing you want to read about. 😉 Then I thought about my sunset photoshoot yesterday and how nice it was to be out of the house. I've had these quotes in my collection for a while so I dug them out to use as inspiration.

Every Sunrise Hold More Promise

I have been asked which I prefer - sunrise or sunset. My answer is usually, "Who cares as long as there is decent cloud cover." That is about as honest an answer as I can give. I love them both equally even if the experience is dramatically different.

I find a lot of truth in this; if you have ever witnessed a sunrise, particularly over the ocean, then I think you will agree. There is something very refreshing about seeing the day come alive and being given a blank page to write in your life's diary. No matter what lies ahead for you it is impossible to witness a sunrise and not feel like things are going to be okay.

The sun rising over the ocean has a particular hold on me - the combination of sitting on the beach, listening to the rhythm of the waves and seeing the sky start to come alive is magical. It is also one of the few times I can be at the beach and be reasonably assured not to encounter a crowd; especially in the colder months.

Every Sunset Hold More Peace

Sunset Tree - Maclearie Park
Belmar, New Jersey

The other end of the spectrum is the sunset. The sunset shown here was shot last night at Maclearie Park in Belmar. It was my first time out in more than two weeks; the trip made for a great diversion to all of the news of the COVID-19 pandemic. When I thought about going out I consulted ClearOutside (a weather app I use) and the forecast wasn't promising but I went anyway. The forecast was somewhat right but I came away with some nice images anyway.

Watching the sun set below the horizon is truly a peaceful experience and the perfect way to end the day. I can only assume that a sunset over the ocean to be as tranquil as a sunrise but I've never witnessed one. I do prefer being somewhere with water - a river (like in this image) or a large lake, especially on a still evening when the sun and clouds reflect off the water. The sunset let's you know that you made it thru another day - you took whatever life threw at you and soldiered thru. It is a time to reflect on the days events and then reach for the "Reset" button.

If you are in a beautiful place where you can enjoy sunrise and sunset, then you are living like a lord. - Nathan Phillips

In Closing

I must be "living like a lord" because I have many beautiful places within a close distance where I can enjoy both sunrises and sunsets. I'm even more fortunate in that I have spent my entire life in such a place. You can read about a few of the places in my Exploring Photography blog and searching for "sunrise" or "sunset." I also have quite a few in my Instagram feed and always adding more - follow me at https://www.instagram.com/valencia32photo/.

I will finish up by hoping everyone is well, practicing "social distancing" and doing their part to help "flatten the curve" of this terrible virus. There is still so much that the doctors and scientists do not know about COVID-19 and there is no way to tell how much longer it will continue to dominate our lives. I do know that if we follow the common sense guidelines put forth by the medical community we can help slow it's progress. This is not a time for selfishness - it is a time for all of us to stand together like we did after September 11, 2001 and as we have in other national crises.

Thanks for stopping by - please be safe.

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All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

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Re-energize your soul… Walk with Mother Nature – Anthony Douglas Williams

Welcome to 2020!

Happy New Year! It is hard to believe another year has come and gone, time truly does seem to speed up as we get older. This past year was an interesting, and trying, one for me. There were a number of "bumps in the road" that I needed to navigate and I turned 60. I am happy to see 2019 in the rear view mirror and anxious to see what 2020 has in store.

I chose this quote as the title for this post because I think the start of the new year is a perfect time to re-energize your soul and get excited about what may lie ahead. I have a growing collection of quotations - mostly of nature and photography - and sometimes I go to them for inspiration. I do not know when I added this quote to my collection but I knew immediately that it was going to be the title of a blog post some day.

I love nature, I particularly love being in the woods. I live at the end of a dead end street and have a large woods bordering two sides of my property. I can walk out my door and within minutes be on a trail. A few years ago, I was having a discussion with a woman about religion and going to church. I pointed to the woods and told her she was looking at my "church"; there is no better place to be in order to become one with your spiritual guide. I think it took her by surprise at first but after a few minutes, she understood. Alone in the woods is the best place to be to reflect on life and to "re-energize your soul."

I did an interview a few years ago and was asked, "What do you think about when you’re by yourself?" I found that to be a very interesting question and after giving it some thought I answered it. I finished the answer with "When I am out for a hike in the woods I try not to think but to listen." No one had ever asked me that before and I never gave it much thought but it is true. I'm not even sure that "listen" is the proper word because it is more than that. My hearing is quite poor so listen is more of a metaphor because I am using sight, sound, smell and touch to learn about what is happening around me. I am fortunate that even though my hearing is poor I can still hear many of the sounds of nature on a quiet day - particularly birds singing (Stop and Listen to the Birds Sing) or a twig snapping. The snapping of a twig is important to hear because it could indicate a deer is nearby or maybe a bear. It is good to know either way.

I'm happiest when I have nowhere to go and all day to get there. I walk slowly with my head on a pivot trying to take everything in. When I come across some wildlife, I stop so as not to scare it off. I watch for as long as I can, studying what it is doing and trying to determine why; all the while shooting if I can. The more I understand the actions of my quarry the better prepared I am to photograph them. I may stop at a stream along the way and watch for a fish to swim by or search for footprints along the bank.

Flora and fauna are not the only things to watch for; there are plenty of interesting man-made features to spark interest. The first time I hiked the Pine Hill trail in Shark River Park I came across some interesting rock formations, aka cairns. There happened to be a deer stand not too far off the trail so I cannot be sure if the cairns were there to mark the location or if it was just coincidence. The next time I was there, the formations had changed and grown in size. It would have been very easy to walk by had I not been scanning the woods, both high and low.

I hope I have inspired you to get out and reacquaint yourself with Mother Nature. Re-energize you soul with her unending beauty and grace. The images used in the blog are some of my favorite from 2019; you may have seen them in previous posts here or on my photography blog, Exploring Photography with Joe Valencia.

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All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

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