TODAY'S PICTURE TO PONDER PHOTOS -
Clathrus ruber, a fungus, in the stinkhorn mushroom family
Last week I noticed two red, "objects with burnt-edged holes" underneath a large hibiscus bush in front of our house. It was the day after Ernesto and, at first, I thought the winds had blown in some kind of strange trash. Later in the day I probed then with a stick only to discover that they were soft and spongy.
Once again thank you to Janine Bacquie, field biologist, who happily is a subscriber to Picture to Ponder and is open to being called upon whenever I'm stumped. In answer to my photo and query, Janine wrote back with the identity. She also stated, "These mushrooms are known for being stinky. The recent wet weather has caused all kinds of fungi to pop up all over the place. Keep an eye out for some interesting specimens."
An article on the MUSHROOM LINK that Janine provided has some interesting facts, including a dramatic one: "Recent criminology research has determined that Clathrus ruber is a diet staple for psycho killers living in remote mountain shacks."
SELF-REFLECTING QUERIES -
Today's featured images come to you with a background of mixed emotions and conflicting "chatter." When I first saw the fungi I was attracted by the bright red (see earliest photo) and repelled by the seemingly charred edges on the holes. I thought of including it in Picture to Ponder and then decided that it was not "pretty" nor "inspiring" enough.
These are rather interesting thoughts, I'm thinking as I write, since I WAS inspired to investigate further and to take many photos of different stages, night and day, over a period of a couple of days. I also felt a little sad when they were gone without a trace.
Why did I, therefore, think that they were not beautiful enough for you? Not inspiring enough? Does everything need to be beautiful for a public presentation? and Who am I to make that determination?
This morning as I exited from my garage I saw that two more of these mushrooms had emerged. I took that as a sign that they were, after all, meant to be featured
in Picture to Ponder. There certainly are an abundance of Queries that come out of the experience.
In addition to those above, there is the question, "Because I, or you, may think something looks 'gross,' does that mean others will also?" And, "Even if we label an object, or person, 'gross' is avoidance the best way for us to deal with it when it comes to our own growth and development and the way we want to be in life?"
Lastly, for now, I invite you to look at the times you might have made decisions for other people - being "sure" that they "wouldn't like it," "wouldn't approve" (fill in the blanks) - and then you never put it out there for them to experience themselves. In a way we we dishonor others when we deprive them of opportunties that might, in fact, make unknown differences for them.
Oh yes, one last thought comes out. I invite you also to look at the times that you presented something to someone prefaced with your opinion. When we do that we also "rip them off," depriving them of the opportunity of their own unadulterated response.
For instance, I venture to say that many of you found today's photos quite interesting, possibly beautiful. Had I labeled them, in the introduction, as "gross", "inappropriate", "ugly", or anything else, there certainly would not have been the space for you to have your own unfettered experience. I suspect that even reading that they are in the "stinkhorn" mushroom family took some people aback.
The same holds true with "positive" labels. We still are altering, often unknowingly, the way another person views something. And, there ARE times when we want, or need, to "set up the listening"
according to some desired end results.
I simply invite us all to be aware, before we open our mouths,
of what are about to say and the impact that it might have on others.
HIBISCUS TILES IN OUR NATURE ART GIFT SHOP -
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Various hibiscus photographs and photo/drawings imprinted on ceramic tiles, used as coasters, hot plates or wall decor.
See Hibiscus Flower Tiles Section of the Gift Shop. |
BUSINESS CARDS
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The cards are so personal, not run of the mill. Each individual can chose something that speaks to him/her, and no one else will have one exactly like it...." - Linda Gipson
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READERS' COMMENTS
are welcome on our BLOG.
When you go there, you'll see the current issue and photo and a link at the end for Posting Comments. To see the photo
ENLARGED, at the same size you see it here, simply click
on it.
If posting on a blog is not your style, please continue to send your comments directly to me . Learning what you are experiencing means a lot. It is part of the reward of Picture to Ponder for me.
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Inspirationally,
Sheila
sheila@eteletours.com
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© 2006 Sheila Finkelstein
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