A Story of Near Tragedy, Courage and Gratitude

Often we remember the worst of the news. Stories of greed, malice, deception and all manner of cruelty that frightens us and keeps us from trusting and hoping. Then, along comes a story of such bravery, courage and gratitude that we are uplifted.

I received an email about a 50-ton female humpback whale who became unmercifully entwined in long, heavy crab pot lines in San Francisco bay. She could barely keep her blowhole above the water line. A fishing boat captain saw her plight and called for a rescue team.

The rescuers could tell that the ropes were cutting in so deeply there was blubber in the water. The divers held out little hope for her survival. However, that little spark of hope was just enough for them to risk getting in the water with her.

They knew full well the damage she could do to the divers if she became frightened by their actions. The divers needed time to cut through heavy ropes entangling her dorsal and tail fins and to remove the ropes from her mouth and baleen. (Being near her mouth involved working right in front of her fist-sized eye.) She watched and stayed calm. She knew. She understood.

I can't say how she knew given the history of hunting the humpbacks to near extinction, but she did. Perhaps it was the way the divers approached her. They entered her realm with kindness and compassion - wishing only to help. Maybe she sensed their meaning.

When free, she circled and approached each diver gently nudging them. Yes, she knew.

What if we approached life with kindness and compassion towards all beings? And what if we remembered to show sincere gratitude for who and/or what we've been given?

May every day be a day of Thanksgiving!

(This is a reprint from 2011. I thought of this article as I read about several friends who have posted their stories of what looked like certain tragedy. Given time and reflection, they realized how very grateful they were. How their life direction changed- ultimately for the better. Also, I want to give a shout out to everyone who has gone out of their way to help the Veteran's homeless camp. Deepest gratitude!)

Your 6-Word Memoir

Since this is the first week of the New Year and many of us are looking back on the previous year, I thought it'd be fun to repeat a Feb., 2010 blog:

Last Thursday I was driving to the post office and listening to NPR. The host was interviewing the authors of a book on 6-word memoirs.

The authors said that allegedly Hemingway was challenged in a bar (where else?) to come up with a 6-word memoir. He responded, "For sale: baby shoes, never worn." That's profound, but then again, he was a writer. Less daunting were funny ones from Stephen Colbert and Dave Barry.

The NPR host invited listeners to phone in their 6-word memoir. It was wonderful. Memoirs were serious, funny or poignant. Since I was driving, the only one I can remember to quote is: "Bachelor party, You-Tube video, Wedding canceled."

Now, since this blog is titled Ruminations on Art and Life, I invite you to make up your own 6-word memoir.

A Story of Hope, Courage and Gratitude

My first thoughts for the blog was an iconic Thanksgiving art image. Then I received an email that changed my mind. It shifted my thoughts to reflecting on generosity of spirit and gratitude.

Often we remember the worst of the news. Stories of greed, malice, deception and all manner of cruelty that frightens us and keeps us from trusting and hoping. Then, along comes a story of such bravery, courage and gratitude that we are uplifted.

The email was about a 50-ton female humpback whale who became unmercifully entwined in long, heavy crab pot lines in San Francisco bay. She could barely keep her blowhole above the water line. A fishing boat captain saw her plight and called for a rescue team.

The rescuers could tell that the ropes were cutting in so deeply there was blubber in the water. The divers held out little hope for her survival. However, that little spark of hope was just enough for them to risk getting in the water with her.

They knew full well the damage she could do to the divers if she became frightened by their actions. The divers needed time to cut through heavy ropes entangling her dorsal and tail fins and to remove the ropes from her mouth and baleen. (Being near her mouth involved working right in front of her fist-sized eye.) She watched and stayed calm. She knew. She understood.

I can't say how she knew given the history of hunting the humpbacks to near extinction, but she did. Perhaps it was the way the divers approached her. They entered her realm with kindness and compassion - wishing only to help. Maybe she sensed their meaning.

When free, she circled and approached each diver gently nudging them. Yes, she knew.

What if we approached life with kindness and compassion towards all beings? And what if we remembered to show sincere gratitude for who and/or what we've been given?

May every day be a day of Thanksgiving!

(By request,this is a reprint of 2010 Thanksgiving)

In a Naxos Mood

Today's blog is not about art. It may qualify as being more about life. You see, dear reader, I'm going on vacation to Greece next week. I'll be spending a few days in Athens taking in the sites. From there, I take the large ferry (and several hours) to the island of Naxos. You've learned a lot about Athens, I thought in this blog I'd share somethings about Naxos.

Naxos is located in the Aegean sea in the chain of islands known as the Cyclades. It is the largest and most mountainous of these islands. Mount Zas on Naxos often has snow in the winter - something we don't usually associate with the Greek islands.

It has the reputation as a bread-basket island. As you approach from the sea, it looks rocky and scrubby, but it has many small streams running down from the mountains. As such, it has been self sustaining in its farming, dairy and livestock. (Although I'm not so sure about that anymore since many people from colder European climates have come to build homes on Naxos to take advantage of the early summers in this Southern location.)

For the month of April, I won't be posting a weekly art blog. Instead, I am going to check out some internet cafes to try and send posts and photos to you. If all goes well, I'll be posting every few days in the form of a journal. Be sure to check back towards the end of next week when I'm settled in. I should have photos of Athens and beyond.

One last thing... I won't be checking and responding to email while I'm gone. If you want to reach me, please make comments at this blog. (Nothing too personal please as everyone can read it.)In the meantime, here are a few images of Naxos...

Briefly Speaking...,

Last Thursday I was driving to the post office and listening to NPR. The host was interviewing the authors of a book on 6-word memoirs.

The authors said that allegedly Hemingway was challenged in a bar (where else?) to come up with a 6-word memoir. He responded, "For sale: baby shoes, never worn." That's profound, but then again, he was a writer. Less daunting were funny ones from Stephen Colbert and Dave Barry.

The NPR host invited listeners to phone in their 6-word memoir. It was wonderful. Memoirs were serious, funny or poignant. Since I was driving, the only one I can remember to quote is: "Bachelor party, You-Tube video, Wedding canceled."

Now, since this blog is titled Ruminations on Art and Life, I invite you to make up a 6-word memoir.

The only thing I ask is that you post your memoir with your first name on this website. Let's make it interactive and not use email for your brief "gem."

I've written one to get the ball rolling. Click on comments, read mine/others and add your own.