The Observation Deck

What a nice fall day!


As I walk outside on a crsip fall Lakewood fall day, a RTA full size bus flies by with
no one on it.



As I walk over to the Metro Parks in this walkable community, I look down into
the Emerald Canyon seeing various fishermen working the beautiful Rocky River
for trout or salmon.



A mallard rises up out of the canyon, feels the cold air and...




... and joins up with some friends and turns south.




I climb in the car and head down the street for breakfast, then the lake. At the corner
I see a happy dog going for ride.



Down to the lake, feeling the chilly breeze on my cheeks, and the clouds look like
winter will not be far away. But today is just a perfect fall day.



Even the gulls look like they are getting ready for something.



I look up and there is my good friend RTA flying by in one of those large
empty buses.



RTA - America's Best Public Transit System! Wow! I am struck by the thought of
just how terrible it must be in those other cities!


As the sun sets over the Emerald Canyon, I think of what tomorrow brings...


Because one morning very soon...





Enjoy it while you can.


.

Jim,

LOVE the picture of the guys fishing! I actually love all the shots...I sometimes forget how good you are,nice job.

He is an artist isn't he? I have a hard time picking a favorite. Love the dog shot. The mallard is amazing and it is hard to believe that sunset.

Just beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

jennifer scott wrote:I sometimes forget how good you are,nice job.

That's because I spend too much time being bad.

Well in some people's eyes.

Lynn Farris wrote:Thanks for sharing.

Not amazing, lucky. I am lucky to be inspired everyday of my life in so many ways.


As for sharing, that is what The Lakewood Observer Project is all about, sharing thoughts,
questions, ideas, fun, images, help, friendship, guidance, time and yes pulp and even
internet bandwidth with others in my community.

It is the simple acts of sharing that are amazing. It is the simple acts of sharing what
we can, that make this community far more beautiful than any single image or act.

Funny, as I posted these I thought about the beautiful images of other Observers,who
share, Ivor, Joe Ott, Rhonda, and Gary Rice spring to mind. With new photographers,
writers and members signing on all sharing in the light of day for the enjoyment of all.

Lynn, when I saw your name pop-up and your comments my mind raced from the amazing
images in your calendar, that you, Don and the kids took from your winter home in
Costa Rica. And the time your entire family has shared with this project, and the city.
It took me back to the early days, when I met you and your wonderful family working
together trying to drag a ill design/morally bankrupt idea of a select few into the light
of day.

And Jennifer Scott whose big heart and family has never stopped giving to this city and
those in need, through many, many different venues. Who I had the pleasure of meeting
at Kiwanis, but got to know at a cocktail party at the Farris' where I believe our lifelong
friendship really started and it just makes me smile and feel good about this city,
and this project.

It underlines just how different we all are in lifestyle, family, beliefs, in how to make
tomorrow better for ourselves and this city. But when we come together, and talk and
share, and work together for the good of ALL amazing things can happen.

Together, everyday, we build the tapestry of this community.

Thank you all for sharing.


Lynn another shot of the same sunset. Kind of muddy and typical over
here on the east rim of the Emerald Canyon. But when I focused on the small
band at the bottom, the image just came to life.

Funny how that is.


.

Those are just amazing. Thank you so much for sharing.

you know...I have not taken pictures in a while...especially in the community...for reasons we all know...I have not been inspired! You have just given me new inspiration to focus on the beautiful part of our surroundings..THANK YOU! When I get home I will bring out the camera again to take pictures of the beautiful things I see or that we all need to see!

Thanks Jim!

It's one thing to have talent...

...and quite another, to be willing to share that talent.

The Lakewood Observer Project, and indeed, all of the other Observer Projects popping up around us in other communities like fall flowers, are providing each member of these communities with opportunities to contribute to the whole- in ways special and sublime.

Yes, sometimes things don't always turn out as well as anticipated. In our city, and just about everywhere else, I believe that there will always be those who have the power, and the capability to make life miserable for others. Sometimes, things go wrong even for those who mean to do well.

The thing is, that we never let stuff like that stop us from being the kind of people that we want to be, and that we indeed, are.

We are artists, photographers, musicians, business owners, tradespeople, politicians, you name it. We are, in fact, a living organic whole.

Nice job with the pictures Jim. For others wanting to learn a bit more about taking great photos, feel free to check my LO column about that topic here:

http://lakewoodobserver.com/read/5/4/ho ... -gary-rice

Start thinking about posting your own photoblogs here on the 'Deck.

Or maybe, put down some of your own thoughts for the paper...

...or here on the 'Deck.

You are needed.

Back to the banjo...

Gary,
Well said!

After sitting in an office all day you reminded me to get out and enjoy life and nature before old man winter comes and my hibernating begins! Beautiful pictures! Can I get a copy of the last one? LIfe goes by so quickly and you remind me to smell the roses, watch the sunsets, and give my dog a car ride.

Sometimes it's just so good to be alive.

Gary Rice wrote:It's one thing to have talent...
...and quite another, to be willing to share that talent.



We are artists, photographers, musicians, business owners, tradespeople, politicians, you name it. We are, in fact, a living organic whole.

Nice job with the pictures Jim. For others wanting to learn a bit more about taking great photos, feel free to check my LO column about that topic here:

Start thinking about posting your own photoblogs here on the 'Deck.

Or maybe, put down some of your own thoughts for the paper...

...or here on the 'Deck.

You are needed.

Back to the banjo...

Gary

I hope you do not mind, I cut out some comments to concentrate on the ones above.

This entire project is about sharing, giving and receiving, give and take.
Empowerment, not control.

It is about love, respect and community.

It is about rising above the noise to take ownership, and more importantly stewardship
of your own words, ideas, images, questions.

That it is our city, and here everyone has one equal seat at a table big enough and
strong enough for the mayor and Shelly Hurd, Sharon Kinsella and Charlie Page,
Republicans and Democrats, Council, School Board, Civic Groups businesses,and the
residents they ask for support from and serve.

Together through trust, open discussion, we can all work to make this city all it can
be, which would be, best for most.

The very things spotted 7 years ago that make Lakewood so special, and different
from every other community in the county/region, is still here. While many work to
destroy these special things in their never ending march to regionalism and economic
development, they have still not damaged the essence of this city.

Funny how these very people refuse, marginalize, and make excuses for NEVER
wanting to sit at an open table for discussion of their ideas, programs, platforms,
images, visions or plans for the rest of. Always makes me wonder what they are
hiding again.

Still, when I leave Lakewood, which is now daily, I am always glad to come
home and feel comfort and pride when I see the Lakewood sign. And am thankful
for those residents and friends that are big enough to share with everyone.

FWIW


.

Rhonda loje wrote:you know...I have not taken pictures in a while...especially in the community...for reasons we all know...I have not been inspired! You have just given me new inspiration to focus on the beautiful part of our surroundings..THANK YOU! When I get home I will bring out the camera again to take pictures of the beautiful things I see or that we all need to see!

Thanks Jim!

Rhonda

"Don't Let It Bring You Down"
by Neil Young

Old man lying
by the side of the road
With the lorries rolling by,
Blue moon sinking
from the weight of the load
And the building scrape the sky,
Cold wind ripping
down the allay at dawn
And the morning paper flies,
Dead man lying
by the side of the road
With the daylight in his eyes.

Don't let it bring you down
It's only castles burning,
Find someone who's turning
And you will come around.

Blind man running
through the light
of the night
With an answer in his hand,
Come on down
to the river of sight
And you can really understand,
Red lights flashing
through the window
in the rain,
Can you hear the sirens moan?
White cane lying
in a gutter in the lane,
If you're walking home alone.

Don't let it bring you down
It's only castles burning,
Just find someone who's turning
And you will come around.

Don't let it bring you down
It's only castles burning,
Just find someone who's turning
And you will come around.



peace


.

You and Gary are both right.
I should not let anyone or any thing get me down.
It's time to rise above it and them.
It's time to move on to the positive.
To accomplish the best for myself
And those causes that feed my soul.

Thanks for the perspective!

Rhonda loje wrote:I should not let anyone or any thing get me down.
It's time to rise above it and them.

Rhonda

Life is like a game of golf.

No matter who is in the foursome
you are always playing against yourself.

The strong, work to make others stronger, better,
more self reliant, without fear of consequences.

The weak hide in the shadows and desperately
seek control, to feed their own egos, and emptiness.

Life, Lakewood
ENJOY IT NOW

.

Rhonda,
Anytime I have ever seen you, you have radiated a light and a smile. When I asked you to take a picture you went right away no questions asked. Never let a disappointment in another person(s) character ever bring you down or dim your light. At the end of the day we all look ourselves in the mirror and know if we tried to do good in this world. Good energy brings good energy and yours will continue to bring more positive amidst some negative that is unavoidable. But never let them dim your light.