by Sheila Finkelstein on February 2, 2012
If you’ve been following this blog for a while you undoubtedly are aware that I often find art in bird droppings on the boardwalks where I wander. You also know that one of our consistent themes in Picture to Ponder has been around querying the possibilities that open up from shifting perspectives.
Today’s Photos and Stories -
I had an interesting, “accidental” experience the other day, relevant to both the “art” and changing points of view. A particular “droppings” pattern caught me eye, so I’ve course I stopped to photograph it. Given I’m in two different online classes, right now, both with a “self-portrait” theme, I intentionally included my feet in the shot seen below.
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by Sheila Finkelstein on January 26, 2012
Today’s issue of Picture to Ponder is revision of Issue 108, May 24, 2005, when I was doing four issues a week. You’ll see, as you look below, that the subject of today’s featured photograph is my feet in my late, beloved husband Sam’s lap, as he used my legs for a “table” on which to write. I’m thinking there is some reason, the reminder of this photo came up for me this week, so I’m going with my gut and using it and the story.
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by Sheila Finkelstein on January 11, 2012
A quick follow-up – After publishing last week’s Picture to Ponder, I discovered the possibility of the relaxation/respite ocean videos as the background image while working in other programs. I added a quick, new post to the blog and included the “Gulls at the Ocean” video within the message. You can view it directly within the Ocean Energy blog post. You can also click on an icon to see the video full screen.
Now, regarding today’s issue of Picture to Ponder, I suspect that you may be a little taken aback by the featured photos, so a quick explanation. The images are more about the lesson that came through for me, than they are about being aesthetically pleasing or “nice” photographs. So, I’ll go right into the pictures and their story, expanding on the “message” in the Self-Reflecting Queries.
Today’s Photos and Story -
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by Sheila Finkelstein on January 5, 2012
I continue to be so excited with my video desk-top discovery written about earlier today in my Orchid Light and Ocean Video post that I took a picture of a Word document surround by ocean energy as I worked.

The image you see is WORD open, on top of a QuickTime video paused where I wanted it. QuickTime is staying open throughout my work day. Again, see previous post for explanation how I’m using it on my desktop. Clicking on the icon in the lower right will open it full screen.
If you would like the download of the above video for any-time respite on your own desktop, simply fill in the form below.
And, if you would like to listen to the sounds of the ocean as you work, you can open my YouTube Sunrise-Sunset Ocean videos Playlist. The videos play one after another so you can have that going in the background while you work. Any time you need a visual respite, you can simply go back to that window. For best listening, lower your computer volume.
Clicking on YouTube in the video below will bring you directly into the full Playlist.
by Sheila Finkelstein on January 5, 2012
Though I did wish you a Happy New Year in the closing issue of Picture to Ponder for 2011, I’m moved to share the following photos and video for their light and aliveness.
Continuing the celebration, these orchids are spilling light and joy into the New Year. May it be a wondrous one, full of discovery and both old and the new that will empower you and your loved ones.
Discovering new things is one of the big passions in my life, especially exciting when they happen accidentally and totally unexpectedly. Be sure to continue reading, to see the possibility with videos.
Today’s Photos
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by Sheila Finkelstein on December 8, 2011
Today’s Picture to Ponder post evolves around choices, accepting what is, making things complex or receiving with ease.
Given the abstraction of most of the images, I am including a Nature photo also, for those whom I assume expect to see nature photographs here.
Explanations are below the pictures.
Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos -
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by Sheila Finkelstein on November 16, 2011
AVOCADO PIT
Aged, Solid,
Rock Hard,
Rich in color, texture, patterns
And oh so much more.
On its own, it splits in two
Peel the parchment skin
Find the heart lines, textures,
Ying and Yang?
Is there a message here, or do we simply accept it for what it?
Beauty contained in the ordinary, often overlooked,
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by Sheila Finkelstein on November 3, 2011
The focus of this week’s Picture to Ponder is “Play” and the permission we do, or don’t, give ourselves to “freely” play. The photographs themselves are a result of my following through on taking a photo of whatever catches my eye.
This week’s feature is one rose, not artificial, in a glass vase on a bathroom counter. It was behind faucets, in a conference center Ladies’ room. At first glance, I was particularly intrigued with the colors on the edges of the petals.
With the convenience of my iPhone readily available I was able to take pictures in that small space. One rose, two views, and the FX Effects in the Photo Studio app for the iPhone are accountable for four of the five images below. I’ll speak to the “freedom” aspect of this experience in the Queries section.
Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos with Queries -
(“Explosion” Effect in Photo Studio)
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by Sheila Finkelstein on July 29, 2011
If you read the last Picture to Ponder post, you’ll most like recall my fascination with the unfolding of two interlocked, wood-like, seed pods that got totally flat after soaking in water.
One of the photos showed the pods starting to curl up. I put them back in water until my grandsons came, so together we could watch changes that might come.
The bottom line end result is that the two pods, with one ultimately placed on top of the other, became intertwined and totally circled back onto themselves into one unit.
The whole process took less than a half a day. I’ve posted the photographs below and seven others on a Pods Circling page for you to see the changes. If you are a writer, there are some interesting images on the latter page that I think would be great for journaling or creative story writing.
Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos –
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by Sheila Finkelstein on July 22, 2011
My older son and two grandsons are visiting this week, so today’s Picture to Ponder is late and will mainly be the photographs and story documenting discovering and transformation. The Queries are brief and might be profound for some of you.
Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos –
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