My Blog primarily consists of close-up nature photos (that I've taken locally) combined with original holistic-truth oriented prose and/or poetry involving mindfulness/awareness. I love nature and I love understanding the whole (not merely the parts and the details). I'm a retired teacher of the multiply handicapped.
I have a number of interesting hobbies, such as fossil collecting, sport-kite flying, 3D and 2D close-up photography, holography, and pets. Most of all, I am into holistic self-awareness, spontaneous insight, unconventional observation/direct perception, mindfulness, meditation, world peace, non-fragmentation, population control, vegetarianism, and green energy.
To follow my unique Blog of "Nature Photos and Mindfulness Sayings" and for RSS feeds to my new posts, please access at: tom8pie.com (On my regular Blog posting pages, for additional information and to follow, simply click on the "tack icon" at the upper right corner... or, on my profile page, you can click on the "Thomas Peace" icon.)
Stay mindful, understanding, and caring!...
“A passionless mind is dead before it ever gets to the grave” I’ll say – that dead rational mind set is what has put us all in jeopardy – humans and non humans alike.
Yes, Sara, humans and non-humans alike. Sometimes i’m ashamed for being part of such an (overall) heartless species. People (on the whole) are not good for Mother Nature.
Thanks, Margaret, and i’m sorry that it is rainy and rather dull where you are. Some sun came out here today but the wind was crazy-strong. Birds must have a tough time while flying in it. 😉
Oh yes Tom, it is easy to get lost in the shuffle. “Are you living or just existing” (Charlotte Cartwright says to her friend Alice, in the movie “Family That Preys”)? 🤔👍🏼😊
Yes, Kym, and (unfortunately) a lot of us are not truly living. It’s easy to assume that one is alive when, all the while, that is not really the case.
I’m glad WE (you and me) do not get trapped and lost in the masses – they worry me. Too many people banding together with unreal ideas. I like marching to the beat of my own drum and make no apologies for that. I love the Swallowtail and its colors and beauty. The Coneflowers are at the bedraggled stage, but I’d take them any day over the bare stalks out there now.
Thanks very much, Linda! Yes, the masses seem very insane these days. And in the historical past, they were very insane too. Yes, go with your own drum… not the dead drum of others. I miss the butterflies but they will be back in the warmer weather, (though not in the numbers that existed in the distant past).
When you go out doing your excellent photographing, i highly recommend carrying a high quality Pepper Spray Cartridge (to keep handy). Amazon sells a couple of really nice ones, (like Vexor, that shoots 20 feet and has like a four year operational span).
Tom, I was sad to hear that the Monarchs migration has declined 60% – that is not good at all and with the weather so erratic anymore, the milkweed may be destroyed and not sustain them anymore. Nothing is good.
I will note this Pepper Spray Tom – thank you for recommending it and thinking of me. I bought some “Halt” which is what the mail carriers use for dogs. I now drive back and forth to the Park as the mechanic told me to drive the car more, but in bad weather, snow, etc., I walk. I bought some “Halt” spray for dogs _ I worry about stray dogs in the neighborhood. I had a Pepper Spray and changed to gel due to blowing back of the spray, but I am going to check to see how long the spray reaches. I am not liking the crime stats around her anymore – I would never go out before daybreak or after dusk … no way.
As to my job, I gave my notice in June for the end of December. Our office is closing the end of the month – we lost our lease. He asked me to stay until the end of Fbruary – he will move his office to work out of his home. The replacement was not going to work on. I consented to stay at four days a week, Fridays off – but he is now not happy with that arrangement. We need to come to an agreement.
Linda, not just the Monarchs are suffering but all butterflies. It’s quite sad (with what i see and don’t see). It’s a horror story out there… and not enough people care.
Yes, definitely have some top quality pepper cartridges when you are out doing nature photography. People need to leash aggessive dogs, but many mindless people don’t.
Don’t let your boss get the upper hand. Maybe if you complain about other things, he’ll get his mind off of the four days a week arrangement. Best of luck with that. 😉
Thank you, Marlene! 😊 How many fully grasp what is being said here? Probably not many (if any at all). Thanks about the photo. These butterflies are becoming more and more scarce as time goes by (due to man’s shenanigans).
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
Bellísima!!! 🙂
Thanks much, Marcela! 😊
“A passionless mind is dead before it ever gets to the grave” I’ll say – that dead rational mind set is what has put us all in jeopardy – humans and non humans alike.
Yes, Sara, humans and non-humans alike. Sometimes i’m ashamed for being part of such an (overall) heartless species. People (on the whole) are not good for Mother Nature.
“Anything, even a heartless machine, can exist as what it was programmed to exist as.” – oh yes!
What a beautiful, colourful photo bringing light. It cheered me up on this rainy, windy, dull day we have here. 😊
Thanks, Margaret, and i’m sorry that it is rainy and rather dull where you are. Some sun came out here today but the wind was crazy-strong. Birds must have a tough time while flying in it. 😉
Oh yes Tom, it is easy to get lost in the shuffle. “Are you living or just existing” (Charlotte Cartwright says to her friend Alice, in the movie “Family That Preys”)? 🤔👍🏼😊
Yes, Kym, and (unfortunately) a lot of us are not truly living. It’s easy to assume that one is alive when, all the while, that is not really the case.
Very profound! Cool!
Thank you, MobsterTiger. 😊
You’re very welcome my dear friend! #GoodWorks
Such words to hit home. So true!
Much appreciated, Astrid. And i am very appreciative of your excellent blog! 😊
Ron
I like the photo. I also like your concept of staying mindful, understanding, and caring!
Thanks much, Ron. And being mindful, understanding, and caring are not three separate things. 😉
I’m glad WE (you and me) do not get trapped and lost in the masses – they worry me. Too many people banding together with unreal ideas. I like marching to the beat of my own drum and make no apologies for that. I love the Swallowtail and its colors and beauty. The Coneflowers are at the bedraggled stage, but I’d take them any day over the bare stalks out there now.
Thanks very much, Linda! Yes, the masses seem very insane these days. And in the historical past, they were very insane too. Yes, go with your own drum… not the dead drum of others. I miss the butterflies but they will be back in the warmer weather, (though not in the numbers that existed in the distant past).
When you go out doing your excellent photographing, i highly recommend carrying a high quality Pepper Spray Cartridge (to keep handy). Amazon sells a couple of really nice ones, (like Vexor, that shoots 20 feet and has like a four year operational span).
Tom, I was sad to hear that the Monarchs migration has declined 60% – that is not good at all and with the weather so erratic anymore, the milkweed may be destroyed and not sustain them anymore. Nothing is good.
I will note this Pepper Spray Tom – thank you for recommending it and thinking of me. I bought some “Halt” which is what the mail carriers use for dogs. I now drive back and forth to the Park as the mechanic told me to drive the car more, but in bad weather, snow, etc., I walk. I bought some “Halt” spray for dogs _ I worry about stray dogs in the neighborhood. I had a Pepper Spray and changed to gel due to blowing back of the spray, but I am going to check to see how long the spray reaches. I am not liking the crime stats around her anymore – I would never go out before daybreak or after dusk … no way.
As to my job, I gave my notice in June for the end of December. Our office is closing the end of the month – we lost our lease. He asked me to stay until the end of Fbruary – he will move his office to work out of his home. The replacement was not going to work on. I consented to stay at four days a week, Fridays off – but he is now not happy with that arrangement. We need to come to an agreement.
Linda, not just the Monarchs are suffering but all butterflies. It’s quite sad (with what i see and don’t see). It’s a horror story out there… and not enough people care.
Yes, definitely have some top quality pepper cartridges when you are out doing nature photography. People need to leash aggessive dogs, but many mindless people don’t.
Don’t let your boss get the upper hand. Maybe if you complain about other things, he’ll get his mind off of the four days a week arrangement. Best of luck with that. 😉
Oh, great read 📚 👍 love your work 👏 ❤ 🙌
Much appreciated, Baritorlo! 😊
What a perfect picture of the flower and the butterfly, Tom! The Echinacea in its fading glory.
Thank you much, Siobhan! Hoping your day is great!
Beautiful. How many fully grasp what you are saying here? I wonder if the photo inspires the words or the other way around. The Photo is stunning.
Thank you, Marlene! 😊 How many fully grasp what is being said here? Probably not many (if any at all). Thanks about the photo. These butterflies are becoming more and more scarce as time goes by (due to man’s shenanigans).
Oh yes