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Help preserve miles of mountainous coastline, beautiful sandy beaches and ancient redwood forests with the Nature Conservancy's Adopt an Acre project.
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Bunches of lavender at a florist in Delft, Holland.
A fall bouquet and a pot of lavender.
Purple thistle and pots of cacti.
It's been a day so disheartening that I listened twice to Earth Wind and Fire's That's the Way of the World. These images of water lilies remind me that from the depths of mess and muck - and even chaos - something remarkable can emerge.
Many, many waterlilies are about to bloom in this canal in Delft: surely a metaphor for challenges we can meet and rise above...
Notre Dame de Grace, Montreuil-sur-Mer, France.
"Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed - else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die." - Dwight D. Eisenhower
Today we honour the memory of all those servicemen and women who fought - many sacrificing their lives - in the name of freedom. In practically every town and village in Northern France, the town square is centered by a memorial honouring those soldiers who helped liberate France in World War II, as well as those in fought in WWI and other wars.
While this memorial is religious, thanking "Notre Dame de Grace" for protecting the city in 1939-45, another memorial to soldiers who lost their lives is in the town square (below). Alas, I couldn't get a better angle of the memorial, as cars were parked directly in front of it.
As Western leaders continue to try to justify infringing on our civil liberties "to protect us from terrorists," let us remember Benjamin Franklin's words in 1759 in Philadelphia: "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
Taking liberties
If you are interested in law and human rights, you might find the film Taking Liberties well worth your time. It's about events in Great Britain, but the same principles apply around the world.
Bridal veil and orange blossoms, circa 1920, found at a brocante at Montreuil-sur-Mer, France.
"Let all thy joys be as the month of May and all thy days be as a marriage day." - Francis Quarles.
My daughter is getting married! Jordana will wed her fiance Keith on Saturday, May 2 in Savannah, Georgia. Jordana - who works for a fashion house in Philadelphia - has designed her own dress and veil. Yours truly will photograph the momentous occasion (no pressure, then)! Won't you join me in wishing the happy couple much joy in their life together?
Reflections in the window of an Italian restaurant overlooking a runway at Philadelphia International Airport.
If you're in Paris on this "Black Thursday," chances are you're getting nowhere fast. A massive nationwide transport strike is affecting the metro, TGV train services, buses and many flights. Services at some banks, post offices and other government offices are reduced, as workers stay home in solidarity with the transport workers.
At noon today, protesters were out en masse demonstrating against the government's handling of the worsening economic climate in France.
I've been out running errands (on foot) and most people I encountered were in a very bad temper! Wonder if that had anything to do with the strike? The exception was the manager of a lovely design store in my neighbourhood, who ordered two custom-made shades for my zinc weather-vane lamp.
UN humanitarian appeal for Gaza
But here's more important news: the UN has launched a humanitarian appeal to victims of the Israeli military offensive in Gaza. Funds raised would cover requirements of the UN and other aid organisations for the next few months, as they provide services including food, shelter, medical care and clean water. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told reporters at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland that help is "urgently needed."
Ban said the failure to act quickly will lead to even greater humanitarian calamity among the 1.4 million civilians who suffered in the Israeli offensive. "More than one-third of the 6,600 deaths and injured were children and women," Ban said. "As a father of three I was especially troubled by the suffering and trauma that so many families went through."
Last month in Philadelphia, I was walking down the street, telling David that I'd seen a fascinating documentary, "My Architect" about Louis Kahn, produced by his son Nathaniel. When I looked up, I was thrilled to see the sign and realise I was standing in front of Louis Kahn's office. I also saw a small park near the antiques district that is named after Kahn.
Among Kahn's most famous designs is the capital of Bangladesh. Respected architects including I.M. Pei and Frank Gehry talk about Kahn's work in the documentary.
Last night I was flipping through a book I've had for years, Laura Cerwinski's In a Spiritual Style, when I came across a quotation by Louis Kahn. "The room is the beginning of architecture. You do not say the same thing in one room as you say in another, that's how sensitive a room is. A room is a marvelous thing, a world within a world. It's yours and offers a measure of yourself."
The top of the art deco building reminds me of the Chrysler Building in New York.
This photo was taken from a different angle and a different street, on a different day.
City views.
The city's giant clothespin sculpture at 15th and Market Streets. Designed by Claes Oldenburg, this 20-foot curiosity was featured in a scene in the Dan Ackroyd/Jamie Lee Curtis film Trading Places.
Isn't the blue art deco building beautiful?
Decorative detail.
Leaded windows on this old brick building with a stone eagle and portico.
A gold Philadelphia eagle, the city's historic symbol of liberty and freedom.
Purported site of the first American photograph.
An historic building next to an art supply store's mid-20th-century facade.
The Quaker Bank building.
Traditional brownstones in a downtown neighborhood.
An ornate door.
One of Philadelphia's many unique artists' murals throughout the city. See more here.
An edgy storefront complete with fake bullet holes in the Northern Liberties neighborhood. Read more about this diverse, artistic area here and here.
An old brick building for sale in Northern Liberties. Wish I had the money to buy it, gut it and create a live/work space.
A special treat
One of the best bits of my trip to Philadelphia was having lunch at the Capital Grille with the witty and talented Karen of Artsortments. She is charming and clever and fun and we didn't have nearly enough time together. We plan to make up for that during my next trip to Philadelphia.
Karen brought me this beautiful handmade card using copper, decorative gold trim and various materials. Sadly, this photo doesn't do it justice. Check out Artsortments to see Karen's gorgeous original creations.
In 2009, let's dwell in hope...
...and take Ben Franklin's words to heart.
Let's appreciate every sunrise for the gift it is.
Take time to watch the sunsets.
Help protect human rights and civil liberties.
Cherish our freedoms.
Remember our history.
Get involved in our communities, government and schools.
Indulge our child-like wonder and sense of fun.
Shake things up.
Honour our achievements.
Open new doors.
If a door closes, open a window.
Notice the beauty all around us, even in the damaged or broken.
Spend lots of time outdoors.
Remember things aren't always what they seem.
Ride a bike or take a hike...
Do something different.
Create something magical.
Bask in the sun (don't forget the sunscreen)!
Explore foreign lands, even if only through the pages of a book.
Learn more about other cultures and traditions.
Practice tolerance and understanding.
Protect the environment.
All photographs, December, 2008, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Tiled wall, Northern Liberties, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
"The mother said:
I did not see him walking in his blood
I did not see the purple flower on his foot
he was leaning against the wall
and in his hand
a cup of chamomile
he was thinking of his tomorrow..."
~~~~~
"This seige will extend until the gods
at Olympus are done pruning the Iliad Immortal."
~~~~~
"A boy is about to be born, here and now,
in the street of death...at one o'clock."
The three poems above are from the late Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish's book The Butterfly's Burden.
Read the tragic story of a growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as 4 Israelis and nearly 400 Palestinians are killed in the standoff between Israel and Hamas:
UN-Truth (This blog is written by my longtime friend Marian Houk, currently in Jerusalem. I urge you to check back regularly for some excellent no-frills reporting).
In Gaza
Free Gaza
The Guardian
BBC
Jerusalem Post
Al Jazeera
Buildings reflected in ornaments on the Christmas tree at City Hall, Philadelphia.
The giant tree at City Hall.
German Christmas ornaments in a heated tent at City Hall's outdoor Christmas Village.
Handmade wooden nutcrackers from Germany.
Nutcracker soldiers.
Wooden painted Santas at the Christmas village.
Feathered and glittery bird ornaments - definitely an improvement over the "made in China" cheap tat found in most holiday sales.
A toyshop in a miniature village display photographed through the window of a Philadelphia building.
A florist's shop.
A clothing store for dolls.
Snow falling in Philadelphia, viewed while walking towards City Hall.
Christmas sleigh, corporate headquarters for Urban Outfitters, Free People and Anthropologie, Naval dockyards, Philadelphia.
Giant windchimes.
Christmas lights strung above a mini art gallery.
Decorative lights and a fabric-covered wall at the entranceway.
A knitted holiday tree of sorts.
My daughter Jordana, the birthday girl. It is her first birthday that we're apart, although we did get to celebrate together earlier this month. Happy birthday, Jordana!
Reception area, Anthropologie headquarters.
A wall of clocks, Anthropologie offices.
Anthropologie store in historic building, downtown Philadelphia.
An array of Christmas stockings at Anthropologie, Philadelphia.
A profusion of Christmas baubles similar to ornaments at Anthropologie's Rockeller Center New York store.
