Look At That

People like you and me who do a lot of reading can find their eye-sight weakening because of under-use. While we are reading, or thinking about what we have read, or other abstractions, our minds are not focusing on what is in our field of vision, but on things that are in our mind; so our eyes become lazy and lose sharpness. A corrective therapy is to make a point of consciously focusing on what is in our field of vision. As we walk around, push ourselves out of our reverie by keep saying to ourselves: "Wow; Look at That."

I find that if I bring a camera with me - nowadays built into one's mobile phone - I can keep myself in the present moment by looking for subjects for a photograph. Unfortunately, this means that I have built up such a collection of images that it takes hours to find anything in the collection. So, today, I said to myself, "I will just say to myself, 'Look at that; that's a good subject,' and not actually take the photo." My self-advice did not work. The subjects found were so compelling that I just snapped them anyway.

Not to worry, using my camera

• kept me walking, which is the most beneficial form of exercise for an almost 80 year-old,
• kept me "in the present," which is considered to have considerable health benefit,
• kept me saying to myself, "Look at That," which focuses my eyes and keeps them active
• kept me occupied with a current task, which is the best meditation.

At this time of the year, though the crocuses are breaking out, the main subject for admiration is the sculpted form of the trees, laid bare by winter. So, here are a few images I looked at this morning fair.

The cemetery has its own collections of images, but, today, I pass through with little pause, since my focus will be on the sculpted forms of the winter trees.

A modern sculpture par excellence!

The human mind abhors abstraction: besides acknowledging that this is a tree-trunk, our imagination will people it with human and animal forms

Yes: here are some of those crocuses

Today, the duck was waddling after the drake. I reckon their love has been consummated, and she is saying, "Hey, Donald, remember you have made a commitment."

These giant ferns are wrapped up to protect, I suppose, against the frost

The bare rocks of the rockery reveal their sculpted charm

And the pretend waterfall

Star of Venus, charmingly imperfect

These white star flowers have bloomed all through the winter

Sit on my lap, dear!

Hugs and Kisses

You're too big and heavy to be carried

Dancing and Diving

Another benefit of alertness: we can find information  we did not have before

An alternative spelling for my first name

Well, you don't have to go to the Botanic Gardens: there are multiple photograph subjects in your back garden, in the street, in your kitchen, or wherever. Keep looking; it will help to keep your eyesight sharp!