Subtle image for a Saturday.

Years ago, a friend asked when I just had shoeboxes of photographic prints and Kodak Carousel trays filled with slides, "What are you going to do with all those pictures?" I, like most photographers, didn't understand his question.

And now I have thousands and thousands of digital files. As I looked through a collection of them on my computer screen this week, I realized I had forgotten this one. Not bad! Surprised to see this one. I like the feeling. From West Virginia when I was participating in a photo workshop with Jim Clark.

I have also noticed that occasionally one needs some time between the capture and the appreciation of an image.

My kidnapped friend might have been bored at me taking my time, photographing autumn scenes, at the Missouri Botanical Garden. But I was enthralled.

One fall day when I lived in Springfield, I called a friend who lived near St. Louis and said, "I'll be there in about 90 minutes and I'm taking you to Shaw's Garden (The Missouri Botanical Garden). No excuses. I'm kidnapping you."

In retrospective, I'm not sure they enjoyed the day as much as I did. But I love going there to take photos. And it was an absolutely gorgeous autumn day. I struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder and I can be blue other days as well. But I needed to be outside that day, enjoying the spectacle. So I kidnapped a friend.

I haven't done that very often. Nor has someone called me frequently and said you need to get out with your camera. (It has happened.) But what a good idea. Kidnap a friend.

Today used to be, at least to my observations, the beginning of the cold weather. The first frost would not be too far away; all the leaves would soon be off the trees and scattered over our lawns. But the beginning of cold weather seems to be retreating for the past decade or so, at least to my noticing. The maple trees beyond our fence are still yellow. Judy has iris blooming. The azaleas near the front walk are continuing to bloom. Just not like it used to be.

But I don't miss the November snow. At least not yet. This photo is from West Virginia. Truly funny, could be anywhere!

November 11, Veterans Day, was originally Armistice Day, observed in Europe and the US to mark the end of World War 1, the war to end all wars.  The agreement was signed by the Allies and Germany at Compiegne, France, early on the morning of November 11, 1918. The war was supposed to stop by mutual agreement by 11:11 a.m. on November 11. Shelling continued throughout the day by both sides. Fighting continued sporadically until the Treaty of Versailles was signed the following year on June 28, 1919. The treaty set harsh terms for defeated Germany and may have set the stage for World War 2.

Some of these veterans' markers surprisingly indicate military service in World War 2, Korea, and Vietnam. 
 

Will preachers use the gospel lesson this morning from the Common Lectionary? Passages about money often show up in the fall during budget building season and the campaign for pledges in the coming year. Some of that is in Mark 12:38-44, but there's this searing passage (vs. 40) in reference to men of power and wealth who love pomposity and privilege. "And all the time they are exploiting the weak and helpless. The longer their prayers, the worse they get." (The Message) Or this version from the revered NIV, "They devour widows' houses and for a show made lengthy prayers." Careful, these are not the words of an Old Testament prophet given to passions and hearing voices, but Jesus.

Fascinating that this warning to his followers not to be like those kinds of people is followed by an observation about the generosity of a poor widow. I have known many poor widows in my life who were so generous, kind, gracious, strong, good, and faithful women. They will not disappear, nor will they retreat to the shadows. They have shed many a tear. And still, they will show up and give all they have.

This photo is from Liberia, 2008. I do wonder what she has become. Friends who have mixed-race granddaughters told me that the little girls cried Wednesday. 

Maybe one of the reasons the 2005 photo trip was so bad was the crappy weather. It's a precise photographic term; the opposite of crappy light which is midday intense sunshine. The wind is blowing so hard that it's difficult to keep the tripod still. The rain is intermittent. And it's not what you expected.

I majored in unfulfilled expectations when it comes to photography. I imagined perfect photos in perfect light. Rarely happened. I was disappointed, angry even. Until I relaxed and shed my expectations so I could see what was there, and what was not crappy. 

Similar to this week. I haven't changed my values nor my hopes. My friends still want inclusion and justice. Millions desire a nation true to its ideals. Crappy weather can't hide the possibilities.