I can’t tell you how great it is to be doing my flower art photos again with a Macro Lens from Sigma and a used macro from Leica. Maria bought these baby Iris flowers for me this morning on the way back from my surgery, and I’ve been drooling over them and feasting over them all day. These photos were all taken with a Sigma 105 mm and a Leica SLR Mirrorless Camera.

Several people have mentioned seeing renewed energy and optimism in my blog and clarity in my writing. They are asking me what’s changed. One thing is that I recovered from my severe brain bleed and concussion that ended with my being in the hospital. That took a long time to get over.

I am grateful for my new foot brace. I was in pain and discomfort all the time.

I am in pain still some of the time, but radically less, and not enough to stop me from walking again.

Beyond that, my therapeutic meditation and spiritual work have been intense and very beneficial. I stopped arguing with sociopaths online and learned of the power of the delete button; too little used, I fear. I no longer allow creeps and assholes to enter my space and let them anger or hurt me.

I work to be a better human every day and for as long as possible. I do some good every day, keeping me grounded and even. The real me is slowly and painfully emerging. My photography has been a transformative experience, releasing something long buried inside me. It has helped me to see the world in a new and different way. Pictures don’t lie, even in the age of AI.

I am as open and honest as I can remember being. I just wanted to let you know that there is more to come. The Mansion work is a gift and continues, and so are Sue Silverstein and her refugee students. The Army Of Good is one of the great blessings of my life.

Curbing my online hostility has also made a big difference in getting the anger and hurt out of my life. I’ll continue to hold back when it’s appropriate and necessary. These people need to be challenged if the internet will ever meet its potential.

I decided to turn those messages into good, no matter what was intended. Of all these, my spiritual work, alone and with Maria, has taken me farther than anything. So has my therapy work. I can only say I’m still working on it and won’t give up until I drop. Like anything worth doing, it takes hard and continuous work. That’s the best I can do. (Above, flower art one.)

Flower art two.

Flower art three.

Flower art four.

Flower art five.

Bud is everywhere around the farm, so it’s only suitable for him to be in most pictures.