Learn One Small Thing Properly

I am still suffering with pain in my left thigh due to an entrapped femoral nerve. As a former physical therapist, I have some understanding of the various places along its route where the nerve could be compressed. I am doing all of the appropriate exercises (stretches and nerve glides). I’ve used a heating pad, Biofreeze, Lidocaine patches, foam rolling, and a massage gun. The pain is much better; I can now walk around the block. But, it’s frustrating to live with pain every day, and I have deep sympathy for those that do. I try to reframe this situation in as many positive ways as possible, without invalidating my own experience. One thing that definitely helps to distract me from the pain is creative work. Fortunately, sitting is reasonably comfortable, so I have been able to work on my photo book, process photos, and even take pictures as long as I don’t have to stand for too long. The creative work reminds me of the good in my life; it grounds me and helps me to keep my perspective.

To avoid focusing on the pain, I’ve been learning all about pressing flowers. I purchased a beautiful handmade flower press from Hope Steinle, and I’ve been experimenting with different flowers. My first efforts are mixed, but I find the process to be deeply calming. The simple act of picking a few flowers at their prime, placing them carefully between two pieces of blotting paper, compressing the pages between pieces of heavy wood, secured with bolts and wingnuts, and then simply waiting, is meditative. The process is all analog and very intuitive. And the results are stunning—eliciting awe and wonder and memory. Every detail preserved.

Judge a Book by its Cover

Here we go again. This week’s post from Process ¤ On Photography, by Wesley Verhoeve is all about the photo book cover.

Before you think about what your cover should look like, write down three adjectives for how you want someone to feel when they pick your book or zine up for the first time.

My three words:

  • awed, filled with wonder

  • curious, noticing that there is something worth looking at again

  • reassured and uplifted

I use MILK Books (Moments of Inspiration, Love and Kindness) to design and print my photo books. The books are expensive, but the quality is extraordinary, and worth the price. The MILK aesthetic is elegant and simple. Sometimes, I am frustrated by the constraints imposed by the design principles, but they are in place to ensure that customers will create beautiful projects, even if they do not have experience in book making. I’ve been playing around with covers. Sharing some options here.

Books are strange, wonderful objects to make. They take forever, and then all at once they exist. —Wesley Verhoeve

White Cosmos

It’s so hot here in Virginia, even in the early morning. Storms due this evening. Cooler temperatures on the way. Labor Day weekend. I am still protecting my left hip and leg (spinal nerve compression takes a month or so to fully heal). But while the pain lessens, I walk the flower rows, carrying my camera. Hoping for the best.

Any Given Tuesday

There are many days that are not pretty. Things don’t go as planned.

The new laptop battery does not actually work, and you spend time watching YouTube videos to troubleshoot, and then figuring out how to return the darn thing. This is okay because you can put the old battery back in the laptop until you can get this sorted.

You were were supposed to return to the doctor for a follow-up visit today, but you didn’t receive even one of those automated reminders by way of text or email, so you call to check. And, sure enough, you don’t have an appointment today (despite the appointment card that was handed directly to you by the receptionist which says otherwise). In fact, you don’t have an appointment on the books at all. This is okay because you are slowly healing from the pinched nerve on your own anyway.

We all have some version of days that begin just like this. Where nothing goes just as it should. This is our morning. We’ve decide to make the most of things and head to Chick-fil-A for breakfast. I’m not complaining. Now we have a free day with nothing we absolutely have to do. A good day for a trip to the library, a favorite coffee shop, or a short hike before the day gets too hot. Most things are figure-outable.