Impressionism from Idle Acres: August 2012

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Life is Like a Bocce Game: Get Inside to the Pallino Ball

Perhaps life is like a bocce game....

Original Photo: Life is Like a Bocce Game - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

I attended a wedding event for friends this past weekend at a vineyard. The Zorvino Vineyards in Sandown, New Hampshire had two bocce ball courts on site. Some of the older gentleman were discussing their bocce experience. I don't recall having any.

You or someone else throws out the white Pallino ball on the court. It becomes the target and focus for ongoing strategies. Then you roll the balls allotted to you as close to the target ball as possible. That is getting on the Inside. The better you roll, the smaller your radius of probability from the Pallino ball. Offensively, you can knock others away from the Pallino. Defensively, you may protect your best rolls with other ball rolls. Closest to the Pallino scores points.Once you have released all your allotted balls, score is documented for that Frame and a new Frame is initiated. Accumulate points over time to win.

I think I may get to roll a new Pallino in a new Frame. I am glad that it is colored White. Seems clean, fresh, and innocent. Perhaps life is like a bocce ball game. Now where should I roll that Pallino for this next Frame?

Monday, August 20, 2012

Who Am I: Inward Journey Through an Outward Traverse

The sun has settled on our week of tent camping across the eastern United States.

Original Photo: August Sunset - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

The tent camping endeavor this past week was enjoyable. I can't say that one of my objectives in life has ever been "the pursuit of happiness". Particularly in later life, its attainment has been elusive amidst the responsibilities of perceived "duty". I would not assert that I have had a lot of "fun" necessarily along my Journey for several years and various assignments. Except where I was having fun with my professional technical work achievements. But I have numerous daily joys particularly as it relates to my immediate family, my five-year-old kindergartner, and a very small group of close friends. My satisfactions have always come from commitment to my values and working towards goals and objectives.

This week's Journey was fun. I enjoyed adapting to events and circumstances as they presented themselves and working to make the best of things as they happened to be. I guess that is Living in the Moment. Surveying a camp site, making simple choices to optimize the orientation of the daily home base, and relaxing with simple pleasures like a morning coffee around a campfire were part of the satisfactions. Simple dialogs with spouse and daughters in a different venue was fun and valued. Although I did not have the time and availability necessarily to paint or sketch along the way, I had numerous photo opportunities to feed the daily painting pipeline when I so endeavor. I enjoyed each quiet morning before the rest of camp society woke up.

To some degree, I feel as if the achievements have been many thus far in my life but not necessarily set up in an orderly fashion for presentation. A cairn and waypoint has been established at this point in time but things may be different going forward and thus require a different approach. Things will look different. Things will be different.

Original Photo: A Cairn But Disorderly - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

My wife and I recently attended a wedding for two of my young, former co-workers. It's always nice in a certain way to renew one's own vows in the presence of another new ceremony. It's a reinterpretation of sorts. After the wedding and reception, we took the next day to travel the New Hampshire beaches from Salisbury to Hampton to Rye Beach along Routes 1 and 1A.

The small, balanced and orderly stone stacks were appealing on this entire trip. We made one of our own stacks of stones on a New Hampshire beach along the sea wall. I say "we" but my wife chose five stones and stacked them...one for each member of the family, I guess. We are at the bottom with the three daughters above [Big Bit, Little Bit, and Itsy Bit].

Original Photo: An Orderly Balanced Cairn- Copyright James E. Martin 2012

Along our beach walk, one set of older kids was visiting with their Mom on her birthday. They had found and partitioned off a small portion of the beach with beach pebbles and engraved in the sand surrounding it - "a perfect portion of beach" since the water had smoothed the sand with no ripples or imperfections. They had retained the segment of perfect beach for Mom's view during the day. A very special gift, I must say.

My present task is not dissimilar in that I must apportion a part of the shifting and imperfect sands around me and set aside a portion of the day that is perfect for me for that day. The daily tide may erode the reserved area after the day is done or the rain may dribble it's imperfection upon the surface but each day brings a new day and a new perfect apportionment. It's a nice anecdote and mental image for a Lesson Learned. Thank you, Beachcombers! A pleasant gift.

Original Photo: A Perfect Beach Preserved - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

So this week was a semblance of a return to core values from younger days. It has been an Artistic Endeavor of daily photography not of daily painting. The Outward Travel molds and shapes the Inner Journey.

"You can imitate,
but at some point,
you have to start identifying
who you are as a painter -
the 'who am I' of the inward journey
that every artist must take".

Camille Przewodek

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Hiking the Bash Bish Falls in NY-MA

The Bash Bish Falls are a short hike from the Taconic Parkway-Copake state park in New York State just west of Massachusetts and are the largest falls in the MA state flowing from Mt. Washington watershed. The hiking trail to the falls straddles the NY and MA state line.

Some discussion ensued about where we were and where we were going. Consensus was achieved on present state. Concurrence was achieved on approach. Develop a clear, concise mental picture of the path forward.

Original Photo: Gaining Concurrence - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

The team is ready for the distance with cheerful abandon.

Original Photo: Determining Distance - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

Hiking aids are assimilated by the needy. Mimics are in the crowd.

Original Photo: Hiking Aids - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

A canopy of shade is welcome even on a partly sunny and partly cloudy day.

Original Photo: Canopy of Shade - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

The trail streamside starts out at a shallow gradient.

Original Photo: Shallow Slope - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

A man-made artifact presents a reverie for travelers.

Original Photo: Manmade Artifact- Copyright James E. Martin 2012

The trail and the stream present an increasing slope within a quarter-mile from the trail-head.

Original Photo: Increasing Slope- Copyright James E. Martin 2012

There is a tremondous 70 - 90 degree slope from the trail (left) to the trail (right) down to the stream's valley. What a watershed!

Original Photo: View from Trail of Valley Stream - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

The rocks are pitted with watershed erosion. The soft earth is rutted away.

Original Photo: Watershed - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

Ferns hold tenaciously to the steep slope.

Original Photo: Ferns on 80 degree slope - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

Although a few benches are available early on the hike, some weary travelers may have to choose their own rest stop.

Original Photo: Rest Stop for Weary - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

The trail crosses the Massachusetts and New York state borders. One foot in each state!

Original Photo: One Foot in Each State - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

Some guard rails are provided at the pinnacle of view.

Original Photo: Destination Bash Bish - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

The first look at Bash Bish Falls is soothing.

Original Photo: The First Look - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

One quickly develops a sense that shoes must be removed as soon as possible.

Original Photo: Shoes Off 01 - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

Collections of shoes expand and contract throughout the day.

Original Photo: Shoes Off 02 - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

Dipping the toes in unexpectedly cool water is a delight followed by exclamation.

Original Photo: Toes Dipped - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

Butterflies sip and frolic amidst the rocks at poolside.

Original Photo: A Cool Drink - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

The wonder of nature's grandeur elicits the photo chase. What great photos she must have!

Original Photo: Photo Opportunity - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

Some pause to rest and seek a sense of solace amidst the sound of rushing water and echoed voices in the glen.

Original Photo: Rest and Solace - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

Eyes scan in all directions to take it all in. Each person sees from a different perspective.

Original Photo: Different Perspectives - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

The location and view invoke meditation. This gal seems relaxed while preparing photos and communicating for on-line sharing. Connectivity was difficult in the remote location.

Original Photo: Meditate and Share - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

Pictures with family and friends with the falls in the background must be popular.

Original Photo: Pics with Friends - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

Clambering among the rocks is a favorite pastime.

Original Photo: Clamber - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

Climbing over obstacles is an imperative.

Original Photo: Climb - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

I couldn't resist asking for permission to capture these beautiful feet in the process of air drying after a foot dip. Thank you dearie.

Original Photo: Air Dry - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

A tenuous path requires extra care in footing for all ages.

Original Photo: For All Ages - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

A proud explorer and discover lurks somewhere within this man's psyche and geneology. What a magnificent conqueror's pose!

Original Photo: Explorer and Discoverer - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

The smell of the clear water and the coolness in the air invites a stolen dip despite posted signs for "No Swimming". How can one not enjoy a refreshing?

Original Photo: A Refreshing - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

Of course, some are more daring than others. One feels a strong pull to jump into the fray.

Original Photo: Jump Into the Fray - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

A dive is preferred by some.

Original Photo: Dive Into the Fray - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

And then a higher challenge is to be sought by climbing the next cliff and trying again.

Original Photo: Climb the Cliff - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

Friends are watchful over their compatriots.

Original Photo: Watchful Friends - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

And at last the frolicking is finished up.

Original Photo: Finishing Up - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

The chilled among us towel off.

Original Photo: Toweling Off - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

Daring young neophytes receive sisterly advice from a trusted mentor who has done this before.

Original Photo: A Mentor's Sisterly Instruction- Copyright James E. Martin 2012

Then counsel is sought and feedback is provided on the next steps to take. Encouragement may be necessary for first timers.

Photo opportunities abound.

Discussions and dialog provide feedback on variant approaches. This way or that?

Some seek the best view.

Families seek the best portrait perspective.

Others who have gone before leave trace of their path.

A cairn shows the way of balance and grace.

Some may choose to hike down the stream rather than the trail. Better view but for experienced and resilient travelers.

The waypoints may be marked by the hands of the aesthetes.

Time to gather up the footwear for the downhill journey.

A few get a helping hand.

There may be friendly dialog to solve or forget the world's problems.

A last look is taken before turning homeward.

We wait and look for the rest of the team to ensure all members are present and accounted.

A brief rest before starting the downhill trek may be called for.

But in a very short while, restlessness invokes a call to action.

The anticipation to get moving in a homebound direction surfaces once again.

The journey back is always shorter and easier on the downhill that is known. Next time we may clamber and climb downhill but at the unknown and formidable streamside.

The Bash Bish Falls in the Taconic Parkway is a highly recommended daytrip.