The Face That Launch’d A Thousand Ships

~ Christopher Marlowe

As I reflect on the movie “Dead Poet’s Society” and how the character played by Robin Williams  played an interesting role in the life of his students, I am reminded of a similar teacher when I was at school.  I was 15 years old, second year in high school, and gaining a whole lot of new teachers.  I already had my thoughts on some of them.  English was one of those subjects that I was okay with but 1977 this teacher changed my whole view of English and how much fun it could be.  I learned to love reading novels. I could not get enough of poetry.  I loved to write (not so much being critiqued).  I loved topical projects although speaking them in class was always a little nerve wrecking.

Over the years, I have had numerous teachers, but there are few that really stand out in my mind.  Most of them fall within the English, History or Photgraphy category.   Donald McKenzie was my final year English teacher and also the photography teacher.  Vera Castleman was a teacher that I worked with on photography, as well as speech and drama.  David Randall was my technical drawing and speech and drama teacher.  William Smith was my history teacher.  Today I learned of the passing of another teacher that stood out in my mind as a teacher who made an impact on my school life.  Patrick Collyer was my English teacher second year in high school.

He was young, he was energetic, he was fun.  Patrick did not just make English another subject you had to complete in school,  He made English enjoyable.  He made you want to read more.  He inspired you want to learn more.  Poetry was not just an English lesson but a History lesson as well.  I fondly remember the week we were to read a poem about Helen of Troy, and Patrick came into class and said this is the poem we are required to complete but before we do that here is a little bit about the poem…..3 days later we finally got to reading the poem.

He was a man before his time in so many ways.  He had yet to be jaded by students who did not care, nor the rigors and boundaries of a school system. Patrick only spent one year as my English teacher, but for me, it was a year that brought about change for me.

Today if you look at my bookshelves, you will find poetry books, novels, set books from years ago, books that I hold onto and value.  I have become a book collector.  I love the feel of books.  I love to meander through the pages of time.

Teachers are very often overlooked in the bigger scheme of things, but it is teachers to whom we entrust our children to take care of them, to educate them, and to instill in them a passion to learn.  Patrick Collyer was a teacher that I could look up to.  He intrigued me with the stories, he drew me in. My school lost a great English teacher when Patrick moved on to teach at a different school.

I will remember him with great fondness, and a gratefulness for the passion he instilled in me.

In the words of Walt Whitman 1865, 

 O Captain! My Captain!  

My4Hens Project 52 is a group of photographers who take photographs on a specific subject each week for 52 weeks.  This is the second year I am part of this project.  I find that it stretches me to think outside the box on the best of day.  I hope you follow along as I update each week.

Week 1:  Topic: Fresh

I had originally found a great weed that had just opened up in the garden.  Sadly when I went out this morning to take the photograph my husband had cut the lawn and my great weed was gone.  Walking around the garden I noticed a brand new bud.  We had transplanted this plant some months back and I was convinced it would not survive.  I was pleasantly surprised today to find new buds all over the plant.  So this is my interpretation of Fresh.

Week 2:  Topic: Story Telling

This tiny Bible tells the story of my grandmothers family – their births and deaths. For me, who is interested in genealogy this was a treasure to find. All of this generation and almost all of the next generation are now dead, but it is good to remember them and their stories.

Week 3:  Topic: Light 

Light was a fairly hard topic for me, not having a model, however, I had a lily in my office window and with a little bit of positioning I was able to use natural window light to take this particular photo.

Week 4:  Topic: A Part of Me

When you are part of a photography group, you are stretched, without a doubt, sometimes you share happiness, other times you are vulnerable. Today the topic was “A Part of Me” and it took me to a place of memories.

A part of me will never swing on a swing, or spin on a merry-g- round. 27 years have gone by and still there are days when I remember that a part of me is missing. A 4.5 month in the womb, my little baby’s heart stopped beating. And on my birthday that little part of me was removed from my body. Not a year goes by when I don’t think of what could have been. Yet I hold fast to the belief that despite the fact that the heart stopped beating, that my little one was fearfully and wonderfully made, and that one day I will fully understand why this was not to be.

Week 5:  Topic: Small

For something so small this Caterpillar is sure making a meal of my plant.

Week 6:  Topic: Pastel

I loved the softness and vulnerability of this artwork.

Week 7:  Topic: Perspective

Project 365 – For mothers just like me…is a group of moms with young children who graciously allowed me to tag along with the group as an accountability group for taking photographs.  Both of my children are much older and living out of home.  I hope to continue with this group as I have enjoyed every moment of my time spent with them and getting to know each family.

Day One:  January 1, 2015

While sitting on the deck drinking coffee this morning I was looking at the creeper on the fence.  This little shoot was heading off into the sky.  What I love when I edit is finding what the natural eye does not normally see.  Tiny little bugs crawling on the shoot and spider webs.

Day 2: January 2, 2015

I like to hang out on the deck in the morning and have my coffee and talk to the critters.  Today was an interesting day.  I generally put peanuts out for the Squirrel but of late the Blue Jays have been picking them off faster than the Squirrel.  Today we had a new bird join the mix although I cannot say it actually got a peanut.  I am not particularly fond of the Boat Tailed Grackle.  They tend to swarm the canal.  However, the one thing I do love about these birds is the color of their feathers with the sun shines on them.

Day 3: January 3,  2015

Walking in the wetland is always a pleasure for me – right now I cannot walk far, but I wanted to attempt it.  I got as far as the entrance to the wetland when this little lady caught my attention.  It was the first time I had seen a Juvenile or female Ruby Throated Hummingbird in the wild.  I have seen one at the Butterfly World but never out in a natural environment.  It was such a thrill to see and be able to photograph this bird.

Day 4: January 4, 2015

It has been a quite day today.  I wanted to rest after paying the price for yesterdays brief walk in the wetlands.  So today I hung around at home and in the afternoon I went outside on the deck to hang out with the Squirrels for a bit.  I love these little critters.

Day 5:  January 5, 2015

I had to laugh at this little guy this morning.  He was so busy scratching himself I am convinced he has fleas.  However at the point that I took the photo he had started playing with his tail.  Seemed like he was fluffing it up.

Day 6: January 6, 2015

Waking up in the morning is not something I am very good at.  However, it is always good to wake up to a pretty view.  When I went outside to feed the ducks this morning the mist was rolling along the banks and gathering at the end of the canal.

Day 7: January 7, 2015

Sunsets out back are always something worth stopping and watching.  This photo was taken as the sun was setting when they sky was still a little yellow and before it dipped below the line of view.  I always like to watch for reflections in the water.

Day 8, January 8, 2015

I have decided that Blue Jays are wise birds.  They have learned that the Squirrel gets 5 peanuts before I go to work.  Tag team Blue Jays have worked out that if they hit the loot after the Squirrel has got his first one, then they will get them all.

Day 9:  January 9, 2015

I love to walk in the wetlands and look at all the animals and birds that live there.  However there are times when I go looking for something different.  Today was one of those days and this vine caught my eye as it hung against a tree.

Day 10:  January 10, 2015

Today is a little chilly.  There is not much out on the canal.   However, you can count on the Mourning Doves to be around.  I love how they puff themselves up as the sit in the cold.

Day 11: January 11, 2015

Another early morning routine is to feed the Mallards.  I put a scoop of bird seed in a dish on the dock.  Today I was running a little late and so they were waiting patiently for me on the bank to bring their food out.

Day 12: January 12, 2015

In winter the days are dark before I reach home, so often on my drive home I am watching the sunset as it forms, and if I can find a good spot I will pull off and take a photo.  This was one of my stopping points this particular day.

Day 13: January 13, 2015

Early morning breakfast shoot before heading off to work.  Big Blue was outside wading in the water fishing.  I love how he has a feather sticking up on his back.

Day 14: January 14, 2015

I knew that today was going to be one of those hard days to meet my 365 challenge so I stopped in at the local grocery store and bought myself some tulips.  They are always so pretty.  Today I experimented with black and white.

Day 15: January 15, 2015

This was another road side opportunity.  I had been out at one of our clinics all day.  My camera was on the car seat and I was stopped at a traffic light.  I could not ask for a better photo op – a Cattle Egret sitting on the railing.

Day 16: January 16, 2015

Today was my first short walk in the wetland, post surgery to my foot.  The weather was warm and breezy.  Obviously the turtles were enjoying basking in the warmth.  I just love the positions they managed to get themselves into.

Day 17: January 17, 2015

It is Saturday, and Richard is desperate to try out his new paddle board, so off to the park we go.  He heads out on is board and I sit in the warmth of the day watching a father and son playing on a jet ski.

Day 18: January 18, 2015

My tulips are dying but even in death they are beautiful.  It feels like a Hallelujah chorus as they open out to cast out new seed, which in turn begins new life again.  Unfortunately they were in my office, so there was not a lot of new life happening.

Day 19: January 19, 2015

Seeing a raptor out back on the canal, is always a thrill for me.  They are never that close that I can get a great photo, but I really enjoy hearing them call out

Day 20: January 20, 2015

Another morning breakfast run as I head off to work.  My little Squirrels were out to greet me.

Day 21: January 21, 2015

When I went out to put the duck seed out this morning this White Ibis walked right up to me.  It is very unusual because they normally fly away.  Perhaps he is the Ibis that cleans up after the ducks have finished with their seed.

Day 22: January 22, 2015

Big Blue was hanging out again this morning.  I see his feather is still sticking up 10 days later.  I am always pleased to see his face when I head outside.

Day 23: January 23, 2015

I decided that I wanted to do something different today so I headed outside with my macro lens, which I really do not use often enough, and started focusing in on tiny little plants.  It always amazes me when I can zoom in close enough to see the tiny hairs on the stems of the plants.

Day 24: January 24, 2015 

I love my little Squirrels and I really like the colors of the background lately.  The blurry effect is also a favorite of mine as well.

Day 25: January 25, 2015 

Sunsets out back can be spectacular and today was no exception.  From here the colors changed to magenta’s.  The end of the day just took my breath away.

Day 26: January 27, 2015 

Early morning and not much critter activity but I do think that this was left over from the glorious night before.  Love to wake up in the morning and see the pink in the sky.  It makes the routine of getting ready for work so much more enjoyable.

Day 27: January 27, 2015 

This is one of my favorite kinds of photography. The topic of narrow depth of field.  I have blown up a couple of these images and am really happy with the final outcome.

Day 28: January 28, 2015 

Out back this morning was really life less, except for this Boat Tailed Grackle sitting up in the palm tree.

Day 29: January 29, 2015 

This photo of the Blue Jay is not technically correct.  I would call it fantastically flawed. However I do love the motion in this image.

Day 30: January 30, 2015 

I walked in the wetlands today, and since I went looking for this kind of photograph, here is my narrow depth of field for today.