This is for Alida (alida). * * * First, Alida's birthday is July 31st, NOT today! But I'm posting this today because I have all kinds of appointments the next few days---so I'm posting this now, to be safe. (Scusami, Alida---better early than late!) --------- First, my image: This doorway is the only place that I ever met a Sardinian. Why is that important? Because Alida's from Sardinia---that gorgeous island off the west coast of Italy---so it seemed fitting. (In fact, her avatar is the Sardinian flag.) But also: The doorway has a 'rustic' quality---and many of Alida's photographs are full of rustic gardens, trees, landscapes, etc. So it was fitting for that reason too. Those of you who've seen Alida's work know she adores Sardinia...And her love comes across so gently, so unassumingly, so lovingly. She photographs with the most natural, organic ease. I don't know the right words...it's just that I fuss over photographs; but somehow Alida takes pictures like they came directly from her heart. I'm sure she puts great thought into them, but they feel like her heart took the photos as much as her eyes. In a word, they're 'giving'...so generous and embracing. When I first viewed them, I found myself sighing and letting go of my worries...If you go to her gallery, browse back a ways (and see them full): Full size, her photographs bloom into these gentle, embracing visions of a beauteous land. She also does all kinds of imaginative fractals---wild, fun, complex, simple, playful, mythic: Go back in her gallery and look. They're wonderfully imaginative, a real delight. With her photos, I feel this deep acceptance from her...a grace-filled acceptance of life. Dante wrote (in his Divine Comedy/Comedia) (this is for you, Alida, as I don't speak a word of Italian!): Nel mezzo del cammin di nostra vita / mi ritrovai per una selva oscura... "Midway down the paths of our lives, I found myself in a dark wood..." Replace "dark wood" with "a beauteous wood," and that's how I feel when I see your photos. Midway down the path of my life, I come upon a beauteous wood... One more: Another great poet, Montale, wrote of walking in a big grimy city; but, when he suddenly found a lemon tree, he found the most touching beauty there: It "melted the ice" of his heart, and he heard songs pouring from the sun...that's how I feel when I sink into an Alida photo: Like I've discovered a beautiful grove in the middle of this huge, crowded city. A real gift. Happy Birthday, Alida! Buon Compleanno! Tanti auguri a te! Cento di questi giorni (Those are the only phrases I know!) I'm very grateful for all you give us here, and I wish you many more years of inspiration, illuminazione, and joy from your beautiful home, your beloved family, and your beautiful life. ("...e in petto ci scrosciano/le loro canzoni/le trombe d'oro della solarita." I Limoni, by Montale.) With great gratitude, admiration for your wonderful gift, and joy, Mark --------- (please zoom) --------- Addendum: Rod and his wife Jo will have cataract surgery on Tuesday: So a big shout-out to them both! May they come through it with flying colors. And---since Rod only has one procedure planned---may this be his last! All healing to you both, Rod! Godspeed!!! ---------