Frozen in Time

In the neighborhood, this year, we are having winter. And I DO MEAN winter!!  Previous years have been exceptionally mild, with minimal quantities of snow.  This year,  we had a 10-inch snowfall and lately the temperature struggles to get above freezing.  I was able to capture this picture one morning, and the ice cycles encased the greenery like it was trying to preserve it for all time! 

Our city once had a thriving glass industry.  One can visit the museum and see glassware being made. Most of it is blown glass that requires a lot of hands-on work and skill.  Paperweights are on view and available for purchase.  The glass surrounds an object, such as a flower or butterfly making them look like they are living inside of the clear glass orb.   The pine needles in the picture remind of just that kind of thing.

Why do most people take photos?  People who developed film used to say they could predict the age of a child by the number or pictures they were producing. The younger the child, the more momentous moments were recorded. 

 I have a granddaughter and can't seem to take enough shots of her.  She is already 14 months old, and has changed so much since birth!  Her parents are ever at the ready with those cell phones so as not to miss the exciting things she does, the new things she does, and how adorable she is. (I'm not too biased, am I?)     

 Think about other events when a lot of pictures are usually taken.  Weddings, graduations, parties, vacations.  I know some people have even taken pictures at  funerals.   

This picture is of our first beagle, Hershey, much loved, sorely missed, and gone a while, but her paw prints remain in our hearts. I am sad and miss her, but when I look at the images of her, I smile. As I reviewed photos to include this time, I noticed how many of my family and friends have passed away. I have a snapshot of my great grandmother, even though I never met her.  I am so glad that I have photos of loved ones, now gone. Most of the time, they bring good memories to mind.

 Some folks are busy with their cameras when they spot wildlife, or a vivid sunset.  We want to capture the minute to help our memories, and perhaps to relive it.  

I have a dear friend who  tells me, "That was a memory maker."  She has a good point.  The new shirt gets worn out, the candy is gone, the bouquet fades, the money seems to evaporate. True, our memories get clouded, but we are far more likely to recall happenings if they are documented with graphics.  Why is the cliche, "a picture is worth a thousand words," so true? 

 A magazine article written about gift suggestions recommended giving someone an experience rather than "a thing."  We build memories together.  We once took our son and daughter-in-love on a cruise. Unfortunately, she was sick much of the time, but we had many happy, and memorable moments.

What would the news media be without photography?   It is possible to watch history being made,  in real time.  Documentation is invaluable in some situations.  We survey the damage after the storm and shoot for our records, to demonstrate the impact of the tragedy.

 Can you imagine how our faith might be impacted if there were portraits of Jesus? or a video of Moses on Mt. Siani.  Why have so many paintings and movies been created depicting religious themes?  

How have body cams and cell phones changed crime investigations?

Working with a camera can be artistic as some in our photo club share unusual views, colors, shapes, textures.....

I have had exquisite experiences which I wished would never end. The best I can do is to return to the venue, although places often do not impress us like they do on that initial visit.  But I can review the images captured for all time, and remember.

What the Lord says:

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Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you.  See, upon the palms of my hands I have engraved you. Isaiah 45:15-16