Jill Kerttula
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Sometimes the context is the Story

4/14/2014

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It is the time of year when the flowers final make their appearance here in Wisconsin.  It is tempting to run out an take closeups of the beauty that is finally adding color to our bleak post-winter/pre-spring landscapes. I have given in to this temptation many times. The fuzz of the Pasque flowers, the veining of each petal, the fragile drops precariously floating on the flowers.

But today I had a thought. Doesn't doing that, deny what the real beauty of these spring flowers is? While the flowers are beautiful in and of themselves, it is their appearance in the midst of the bleakness is really their forte! I headed out to try and capture that breath of color within the context of the larger 'scape.
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I like the resulting photos (above) They show the story of the spring flowers - not just a record of their botany, but recognition of their place in the cycle of spring and in the world around them.

Perhaps that is just true of life in general... neither we or our actions exists in a vacuum, and the context is what often gives us our meaning. Our position and perspective changes within the place and surroundings, what is mundane in one place, is glorious in another. That which hurts us today could be the basis for our happiness tomorrow. Context. hmmm. just another thing to think about when being creative.

I guess it is the same with the horses I photo'ed yesterday. While the horses were fantastic; They are fantastic anywhere anytime! The specific story of these photos is the horse in the specific context of the Midwest horse fair. (see Daily pictures for 4/13/2014 for other horse fair pics or go to THIS Facebook post)
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Here they are!!

4/8/2014

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Also providing green are these fuzzy swirls of thick green leaves. I have no idea what they are, but I do like them.

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I went to check on the Pasque flowers today, and they are finally opening. The sun was intermittent, as were the open blooms, but there they were dotting the otherwise brown and barren ground.

These little drops of lavender surrounded by their fuzziness are just so welcome. I will miss them a lot when we move.
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A Spring Wander.

4/5/2014

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One of the natural events that I wait for every year is the blooming of the Pasque flowers. They are a fuzzy crocus type flower that blooms prior to any leave emerge. They grow on a very rocky hillside that has only a very shallow layer of grounds, but does get full warmth of the afternoon sun.

One of the reasons that these are especially dear to me is that they often bloom somewhere between my birthday and our anniversary. This year they are visible, but not in bloom for our anniversary - it has been a very long winter!

As you can see below, it is very hard to even see them until you are really looking for them. I will keep you updated when they bloom!
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However, the first crocus of the season (below) emerged just in time for the celebration! And the first of the bikers has hit the trail (left) so spring is here.
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It was also time to say good bye to some of the things that have made winter tolerable. The corn cobs and stalks will be tilled under; the dry weeds that are our 'flowers' during the winter will get used in nests, or fall as their replacements grow; and the sumac that provided some subtle color all winter, will start over. Thanks to them for sticking around through the winter!
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Signs of spring - the wet version

4/4/2014

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PictureOur house momentarily reflected in one of the drips.
This morning was that perfect combination of factors. Enough precipitation to leave drops on the trees, cold enough for them to stay there a while, and not raining so that my camera would get wet.

The droplets were hanging on to every tiny branch and reflecting the surroundings so nicely.

It is amazing how after months of snow, how warm a cold drizzle can feel. A few days of this, followed by a warm day or two and things will actually start sprouting in earnest.

In the meantime, the weather helps keep me inside doing what I should be doing... purging and packing. It seems each corner or cupboard or crevice just yields more decisions, memories and junk to go through.

But, back to the drips... these are for you today. Next week I will get back to the memories and junk in a couple of posts!

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Looking for signs of Spring - Urban version!

4/3/2014

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Downtown Madison has always been a place that I have loved. I grew up here, and when I was a small child (in the land before Malls) it is where we went shopping, went to church and for entertainment. State Street runs from the Capital building to the University Mall, so it is a slow metamorphosis of people from business to students, with shop owners and restauranteurs being the basis for it all.

It is where the protests happened in the 1960s. It is where parades, protests,parties  and people still happen. And, most recently, a huge celebration for UW getting into the Final Four! (click here for 17 reasons you should be cheering for them!)

Cars are generally not allowed on the mall, buses and bikes abound. and even a firetruck now and then.

It seemed only right to go check it out on one of the first warm days we have had. Besides I had just been to the accountants to pick up my taxes, and had enough of reality, so needed the fun of the street.

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So I started on the "square" (the area around the capital) and found this group of guys having a sunny day debate. I love the contrast between them and the reflections in the window next to them. From there I headed down State Street. The minute the warmth hits, so do the hammers and cranes. Construction is as much a part of spring in the North as are crocuses and daffodils! These guys (below) all seem to be enjoying being able to work in shirt sleeves for a change!
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This young woman (below) was really enjoying the day, the people watching and her cigarettes. When she saw me and my camera, she immediately produced a puff of as much smoke as she possibly could! I caught her and a friend talking on my way back up the street, but they guy passing them seemed to have a problem with them. hmmm. Wonder what the full story is here!
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Ran into another group of debating guys (above). I liked the way the tree and the shadow sort of delineated the loner from the group. And I had to include the accordionist (right) who was serenading us all as we passed. 

These last three are just a potpourri of people doing their thing on a spectacularly beautiful day after being housed in ice for months on end.

Happy spring everyone!


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  • Home
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