At. ALL.


Photo by Bill Warren
We went to the Cary Senior Center to see a juried photography exhibition that has been part of the Click! Photography Festival.
I found it odd that the artist had inserted a blue modesty panel in an arresting B&W photo. Then, I realized the Senior Center had put a piece of painters tape on the glass.
I wonder how the photographer felt about that.
Wednesday night, we went to the arboretum with some of my family to see the light show. It is an extravaganza of festivity and is very well managed. The arboretum charges by the car load. So, if one person goes, it costs the same as squeezing in 5. The light show is $50 per car. We thought it was worth that price especially considering how much time and work went in to draping everything in lights.
During the year, they change the flowers in the quilt garden to different patterns that are often used in quilts. For this, they used lights.
There were free standing flowers.

I thought the dandelions were especially clever.

I expected to see a caterpillar with a hookah near the mushrooms. (He was not there.)

These bush gnomes were scattered all around.



Many trees were simply coated in lights, some changing colors, others remaining constant.






A water feature near the entrance had lilies floating in it.

I asked before taking a picture of this snow baby butterfly. (This was a portraiture hot spot.)

There was a hot chocolate cart at the entrance/exit. But, they were busy when we came in and waiting for restocking as we left. So, I’m not sure how tasty that was.
“Today I am taking sides.
I am taking the side of Peace.
Peace, which I will not abandon
even when its voice is drowned out
by hurt and hatred,
bitterness of loss,
cries of right and wrong.
I am taking the side of Peace
whose name has barely been spoken
in this winnerless war.
I will hold Peace in my arms,
and share my body’s breath,
lest Peace be added
to the body count.
I will call for de-escalation
even when I want nothing more
than to get even.
I will do it
in the service of Peace.
I will make a clearing
in the overgrown
thicket of cause and effect
so Peace can breathe
for a minute
and reach for the sky.
I will do what I must
to save the life of Peace.
I will breathe through tears.
I will swallow pride.
I will bite my tongue.
I will offer love
without testing for deservingness.
So don’t ask me to wave a flag today
unless it is the flag of Peace.
Don’t ask me to sing an anthem
unless it is a song of Peace.
Don’t ask me to take sides
unless it is the side of Peace.”
Rabbi Irwin Keller, Oct. 17, 2023


