View allAll Photos Tagged Grounding
In the quiet moments of contemplation, one can't help but ponder the vast mysteries of the universe, the cosmic questions that stretch beyond the horizon of our understanding. Yet, as we delve into the profundities of existence and wonder about the origins of galaxies and the meaning of life, there's a simultaneous, more earthly question that emerges – what's for dinner? It's a humorous reminder of the juxtaposition between the grandeur of cosmic inquiry and the everyday, human need for sustenance. While our minds reach for the stars, our stomachs yearn for something comforting and familiar, grounding us in the delightful banalities of life. In these contemplative moments, the universe's mysteries and the simplicity of a home-cooked meal converge, offering a unique balance that speaks to the dual nature of our existence.
Luane's World
with the FashionNatic - Kaia Set
The FashioNatic Kaia Set is available at the Cosmopolitan event from September 2, 2024 to September 14, 2024
Please see my About page for details on my blog.
Image taken in May, 2012. Long before covid. She was built by the Delta Queen Steamboat Company as the largest river steamboat ever built, 418' long by 89' wide. Powered by a steam engine removed from a 1932 dredging vessel, the Kennedy. She had two diesel electric Z drives and two bow trusters. The Delta Queen Steamboat company filed for bankruptcy after 9-11-2001. The boat was then sold to the Great American Steamboat Co. Her career was a financial nightmare. She endured groundings, a bridge collusion and rock gash. She was scrapped in 2024 in Houma, Louisiana. I'm afraid that the great riverboat era in Cincinnati has ended. The Delta Queen, the Mississippi Queen and the American Queen are all scrapped.
This is a digital collage and animation frames made using 35mm film and thread from my most recent project Tethered.
Tethered is a mixed-media project blending photography, animation, and traditional darkroom techniques with experimental processes and tactile materials. Through themes of grounding and isolation, freedom and rootedness, attachment and separation, the project weaves a visual narrative that explores the dualities of connection and solitude. Incorporating materials like thread, rope, food coloring, and elements inspired by landscapes, Tethered emphasizes the materiality of the medium, encouraging viewers to engage physically and emotionally. The addition of animation introduces a dynamic interplay between energy and stillness, enhancing the work’s exploration of landscapes as spaces of reflection, distance, and connection. By merging tactile elements with experimental approaches, Tethered invites viewers to reflect on their own relationship to place, identity, and the tension between solitude and belonging.
Definition of the word reverie:
"A state of being pleasantly lost in one's thoughts; a daydream."
This was my entire process while working on this image. I get so lost in my editing process at night that I lose all track of time. Most of my pictures are quite intimate to me.I pour so much emotion and thought into them while creating. Sometimes I have a clear vision on what I want to create. but usually it's a sense of emotion and intuition that guides my thought process. Certain colors that I am drawn to while in different moods, a thought or idea will come to me and I will build on it. Sometimes it takes hours at one time . When I get started on an image I can't stop or the next day the vision is seemingly lost. It can be frustrating and impossible trying to pick up where I left off. So here I am again late at night lost in my thoughts. This image conjures up both happy and melancholy feelings for me. There is something hopeful about it, something beautiful and surreal but also a sense of sadness to me. Maybe it's because in watching the effortless freedom these birds have gliding over the lake my own solid grounding on earth is ever present in my mind. Oh that we had wings to fly away sometimes right?
I hope it is as calming for you as it me. Much love always xx
Rachel
This is an image from my recent Tethered project.
Tethered is a mixed-media project blending photography, animation, and traditional darkroom techniques with experimental processes and tactile materials. Through themes of grounding and isolation, freedom and rootedness, attachment and separation, the project weaves a visual narrative that explores the dualities of connection and solitude. Incorporating materials like thread, rope, food coloring, and elements inspired by landscapes, Tethered emphasizes the materiality of the medium, encouraging viewers to engage physically and emotionally. The addition of animation introduces a dynamic interplay between energy and stillness, enhancing the work’s exploration of landscapes as spaces of reflection, distance, and connection. By merging tactile elements with experimental approaches, Tethered invites viewers to reflect on their own relationship to place, identity, and the tension between solitude and belonging.
With Lake Kurwongbah only a short drive from home, it’s become my go‑to escape when I’m craving a bit of peace and solitude. There’s something grounding about those quiet mornings—just me, the still water, and the soft rustle of the bush waking up around me.
And if I’m lucky, I’ll spot one of the tiny kingfishers that call the area home. They may be small, but they pack an incredible punch when it comes to beauty and colour. Every sighting feels like a little reward for slowing down and being present.
It’s moments like these that keep me coming back with my camera, hoping to capture just a fraction of the magic this place offers
Amidst the thunder of horns and the swirl of masked dancers, the true heart of the festival is found here: in the quiet devotion of the crowd. This elder, prayer beads moving steadily through his fingers, stands as a witness to the sacred. For him, Phyang Tsedup is not a performance, but a spiritual necessity—a chance to wash away the year's hardships and accumulate merit. His stoic gaze reflects a lifetime of faith, grounding the spectacle in profound belief.
This is an image from my recent Tethered project.
Tethered is a mixed-media project blending photography, animation, and traditional darkroom techniques with experimental processes and tactile materials. Through themes of grounding and isolation, freedom and rootedness, attachment and separation, the project weaves a visual narrative that explores the dualities of connection and solitude. Incorporating materials like thread, rope, food coloring, and elements inspired by landscapes, Tethered emphasizes the materiality of the medium, encouraging viewers to engage physically and emotionally. The addition of animation introduces a dynamic interplay between energy and stillness, enhancing the work’s exploration of landscapes as spaces of reflection, distance, and connection. By merging tactile elements with experimental approaches, Tethered invites viewers to reflect on their own relationship to place, identity, and the tension between solitude and belonging.
I have always known that my eyes tell the truth before I ever allow myself to speak. They reveal intention, invite desire, and hold attention with a quiet certainty that never needs explanation. ✧
With January Espresso Eyes in PURPLE, I choose depth over spectacle. Six nuanced iris variations unfold in tones of violet and espresso, each one layered with soft marbling and luminous realism. These purples are not meant to announce themselves—they are meant to linger. 💜 Burnt aubergine shadows melt into warm espresso hues, catching the light just long enough to draw him closer… then keeping him there. Each shade becomes a different mood, a different promise. I decide which version of myself he meets. 🔮
I frame that gaze with Slack Girl – Nana EvoX Eyeshadow, where color becomes instinct and control. Antique Gold rests on my lids like candlelight, pulling his attention inward. ✨ Soft Espresso Brown shapes the crease, grounding my eyes with warmth and intention. Plum Wine settles into the corners, adding mystery without ever asking permission. 🍷 Rose Blush softens the moment, while Violet Amethyst slips in like a secret—cool, luminous, unforgettable. At the edges, Teal Blue-Green sharpens my gaze just enough to feel dangerous, and Emerald Green anchors everything with quiet authority. 💎
Women have always understood this power. From ancient queens who traced gold and kohl around their eyes for protection and dominance, to legends whose gazes were said to launch a thousand ships, eyeshadow has never been frivolous. It was designed to captivate, to command, to hold a man’s focus a heartbeat longer than he intended. ️
Together, January Espresso Eyes in PURPLE and Nana EvoX Eyeshadow become my modern aphrodisiac—color stories rooted in ritual, refined through elegance, and worn with absolute confidence. He may think he’s simply admiring my eyes.
But I know better. ✦
I’m already holding him exactly where I want him. ♡
✨ Exclusively premiering at the January Swank Renew Yourself Event
👉
There’s something incredibly grounding about the deep greens of a moss-covered trunk. A little forest therapy for your feed today.
La Sculpture du Vent
Au cœur du littoral, cet arbre se dresse comme un témoin de la force des éléments. Sa silhouette tourmentée et penchée raconte des années d’exposition aux vents marins. Chaque branche semble avoir été taillé, presque sculptée, par la persistance des embruns chargés de sel et de magnésium.
Loin d’être brisé, l’arbre a composé avec cette pression constante pour créer une forme unique, une œuvre d’art vivante façonnée par la nature. Le soleil, perçant à travers le feuillage dense, vient rappeler que même dans les environnements les plus rudes, la lumière trouve toujours son chemin.
Une leçon de résilience et d’ancrage, là où la terre rencontre la mer.
Sculpted by the Wind
In the heart of the coastline, this tree stands as a silent witness to the power of the elements. Its twisted, leaning silhouette tells a story of years exposed to powerful sea winds. Every branch seems to have been guided, almost sculpted, by the persistence of salt and magnesium-laden spray.
Far from being broken, the tree has adapted to this constant pressure to create a unique form, a living work of art shaped by nature. The sun, piercing through the dense foliage, serves as a reminder that even in the harshest environments, light always finds its way.
A lesson in resilience and grounding, where land meets sea.
Starting a new set today: black and white landscapes from the badlands of Alberta. On my most recent trip to this location - which I have visited many times since 1988 - I realized by Day 2 that I was seeing the landforms in black and white. From that point on, I shot with monochrome in mind - although, by shooting RAW, I did retain all the colour information: a sort of fail safe, because sometimes I'm wrong.
This time, however, my instincts were on the mark. The black and white versions are much more interesting than the colour. There really wasn't a lot of colour there, aside from blue skies and the earthy hues of brown, yellow, and rusty red. Colour, of course, is a crowd pleaser. The eye delights in colour. I'm no different. Colour triggers an emotional response: red is exciting, like fire and blood and birth and death; blue is cool and calming; green reminds us of the natural world; yellow stimulates the intellect; black is mysterious and dramatic - and so on.
Take that away, and you'd better know how to put an image together. You have lines, shapes, textures. I cut my teeth on black and white, which was cheaper way back in my early days (shooting film in the 1960s). It provided me with a grounding in visual literacy that probably has helped my colour photography, too.
Photographed in Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta (Canada). Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission ©2018 James R. Page - all rights reserved.
CHAI. REFUGE available at The Level Event.
_
Every home has a place we return to:
the spot where you breathe deeper, drop your shoulders, and come back into yourself.
A place that doesn’t ask anything of you.
That is Refuge.
This collection was created for people who move through the world carrying a lot, loving deeply, and needing a space that loves them back. Refuge is about grounding.
About safety.
About a room that finally feels like it sees you.
⸻
SOLD AS:
❤️The Console
❤️Deer sculptures
❤️Rustic ceramics
❤️Oriental Rug
⸻
REFUGE feels like:
• being held after a hard day
• grounding when life feels loud
• warmth that you didn’t know you needed until it was there
Fill the emotional gaps we often ignore.
Welcome Home,
CHAI.
Excerpt from www.mississauga.ca/arts-and-culture/arts/public-art/tempo...:
The Land Remembers and The Sky Carries Us
The Land Remembers and The Sky Carries Us are part of many public artworks on display across the City of Mississauga.
Jeannette Ladd, 2026
Digital illustration, printed on vinyl
City Centre Transit Terminal, 200 Rathburn Road West
The two murals, The Land Remembers and The Sky Carries Us, are a pair. One rooted in memory of the earth and the other carried by the cycles of the sky. Together, they create a visual journey through the terminal: grounding commuters in the strength of the land while lifting their gaze to the guidance of the sky. These works balance stillness and movement, past and future, reminding all who pass through that we walk on lands with long memory and move beneath skies that continue to carry us forward.
The Land Remembers is a tribute to the living memory carried by the lands and waters of Mississauga. Long before the modern city rose along the shoreline, this place thrived as a landscape of forest, river, and sky, where the cycles of the natural world moved in balance.
The sun, moon, and stars mark the passage of time, guiding the rhythms of day and season. Birds take flight across the sky, carrying with them teachings of freedom and connection between the earth and the spirit above. The trees stand firmly in the soil, their roots stretching deep below, reminding us of strength and the unseen networks of life that continue beneath the surface, even as the City grows. The river flows steadily, offering sustenance, its waters alive with fish and story. Along the banks, the flowers bloom, carrying both beauty and medicine, showing that healing and life still emerge from the land. Above it all, the skyline rises, a reminder of how the City has grown and continues to change. In the sky, the four sacred colours (yellow, red, black and white) stretch across the
sky representing balance, the four directions and the teachings that guide Anishinaabe life.
Alongside these, the mural carries rich earth tones, deep blues of the river, and vibrant greens and floral hues. This piece speaks to the truth that the land itself remembers. It remembers the forests that once covered the horizon, the waters that have always moved through its valleys, and the lives that have depended on its gifts. Even as the skyline changes, the land continues to hold memory, urging us to pause, reflect, and honour the stories written into the earth.
If the first mural speaks of memory rooted in the earth, the second turns its gaze upwards to the sky, the messengers, and the pathways of light that guide us forward.
Above the City, the sun, moon, and stars move in timeless cycles. They are keepers of direction and rhythm, reminding travellers that every journey is part of something larger. Birds, butterflies, or celestial beings appear as messengers which are symbols of migration and transformation. In this mural, soft gradients of blues, purples and gold echo the cycles of the sky, creating a sense of uplift and continuity as commuters move through the space. Where the land remembers, the sky carries us. It holds both the movement of commuters through the terminal and the movement of ancestors whose spirits still travel with us. In the shimmer of wings and the glow of constellations, stories are told of belonging, resilience, and shared passage. This mural creates a sense of uplift within the transit space: a reminder that while our feet move across the City, our spirits are always connected to the cycles of the sky and the guidance of the messengers.
Together, The Land Remembers and The Sky Carries Us form a visual journey through the City Centre Transit Terminal. One grounds travellers in the enduring memory of the earth, while the other lifts their gaze toward the guidance of the sky. These works are meant to create moments of stillness and connection within a place of constant motion, reminding us that every step we take is held by the land and carried by the sky.
For the boudoir Show from REVEL AGENCY - Outfit 2
Elegance in Restraint: Boudoir Meets Power
Description
This look captures the essence of controlled desire, where sharp sophistication meets subtle seduction. The white, one-sleeve jacket by Gabriel brings a crisp elegance, contrasted by the black UnhlyCngrgatn Neck Belt and Tie by ARCHIVEFACTION, symbolizing an alluring restraint. The DOMENTOR-branded JEYS NEETI-Underwear peeks provocatively, paired with the sleek black OXFORD Shoes and RUN Socks by Dope+Mercy, grounding the outfit in classic masculinity. The Pelvis Piercing sixty six by PUNCH adds an unexpected edge, while the Valrie Gauged XL Earrings by Fewness echo this daring style. The look is completed by the RAGNAR Buns Hair and white Ragnar Hairbase by EAGLELUX, with the holdable belt and RealEvils Slick Gloves in black as the final touch, embodying a boudoir fantasy of power and elegance.
Styling:
EGX. BOM Ragnar Tattoo 2
EGX. BOM Ragnar Hairbase White V2
::GB::One sleeve Jacket (Legacy) White
ARCHIVEFACTION_UnhlyCngrgatn_Neck Belt_Legacy M
ARCHIVEFACTION_UnhlyCngrgatn_Tie_Legacy M
CA OXFORD SHOES GIANNI
Fewness - Valerie Gauged XL - Male - Human
JEYS-NETI-UNDERWEAR[LEGACY]-L
PUNCH / Pelvis Piercing / Sixty Six / Spikes (Legacy Male)
rvn - holdable belt - right hand
**RE** Slick Gloves Maeshbody Legacy M Fat Pack
[Dope+Mercy]RUN Socks (Legacy M)
[MAGNIFICENT] RAGNAR Buns Hair - 3 Styles
^^Swallow^^ Gauged XL Ears (m)
More infos as usual in my blog
The sleek and fresh J.W. Shelley ex Algoma Central Algocen here downbound on the St. Clair River at St. Clair - her revival was short lived unfortunately with a grounding which lead to her being scrapped - June 18, 2010.
Category: Panoramic Shot
IG: victorlimaphoto
Story:
Captured in the heart of the Jalapão region, this panoramic nightscape reveals the raw beauty of Brazil’s Cerrado under a pristine Bortle 1 sky. Dominating the scene is the luminous arch of the Milky Way, stretching from one horizon to the other, its core glowing with interstellar dust, emission nebulae, and countless stars. The reddish tones near the galactic center are enhanced by the use of a modified sensor, revealing prominent H-alpha regions like the Lagoon and Trifid Nebulae.
To the right, a striking column of Zodiacal Light rises—sunlight scattered by interplanetary dust—perfectly aligned with the ecliptic. Subtle green and red hues of airglow add a surreal touch to the lower sky, interacting with the warm tones of the dunes and the reflecting waters of the meandering stream. Buriti palms and native vegetation complete the composition, grounding this celestial spectacle in the unique landscape of the Brazilian savanna.
This image is not a blend but a multi-frame panorama, precisely captured to preserve the spatial relationships of both the terrestrial and astronomical elements. A technical and artistic tribute to one of the darkest skies in South America.
EXIF:
25/06/2025 19:46h
Canon 6D Ha Mod / Sigma Art 20mm f/1.4
18x 13sec / f:1.8 / ISO 5000
In this high impact fashion moment, the vinyl catsuit becomes pure editorial electricity. The ultra glossy surface carves out a hyper defined silhouette, catching the light like liquid obsidian and turning every curve into a statement. The crystal cap is the unexpected twist — a futuristic crown that scatters reflections with couture precision, elevating the look from bold to iconic. Studded ankle boots inject a dose of runway rebellion, grounding the ensemble with a sharp, modern edge. It’s a look that fuses cyber allure and high fashion attitude, made to dominate both the lens and the imagination.
marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Dellago-Eclat-Cyborg-cat-sui...
Excerpt from webapp.driftscape.com/map/a525c79e-7511-11ec-8000-bc1c5a8...:
Untitled by Kaya Joan: The mural I painted in Rexdale explores themes of belonging, safety and relationship to land. It depicts two deep brown skinned folks with long wavy black hair sitting behind some green shrubs. They have gold necklaces on, flowers in their hair and butterflies around them. In the middle of them is a bright orange sun.
Co-creation with North Etobicoke residents was essential to this piece. During the summer of 2020, I was able to share space with community members over the course of four virtual workshops. Together, we explored what community means to us in the present, and what we envision for the future, as well as how relationships to place are both formed and deepened. Through various arts activities, workshop participants played with the elements of design to express their feelings and ideas, while creating brainstorms, zines and illustrations. At the end of each workshop, there was space to share what was created. Many of us shared our dreams of having access to safe outdoor space to gather, grow and share food, and strengthen interpersonal relationships. In a time of mass change and shifts in ways of coming together, sharing the hope we have for the future was deeply grounding.
We also explored how the land holds teachings around how to be in good relationship with one another, and how everyone carries responsibilities around taking care of the land they are on. The final design is a collective vision of a future where we can share abundant moments of rest and peace together. This future includes Land Back, honoring and upholding treaty relationships, and collectively dreaming into ways of being in relationships that are not exploitative. I hope community members feel joy when experiencing this mural, as I felt joy painting it alongside the folks who helped me in the process.
Just a few miles outside of Gettysburg, this historic Pennsylvania barn stands as a silent witness to the changing seasons. Watching the first light hit the fresh snow cover feels like stepping back in time. There is something so grounding about the contrast of the weathered wood against the crisp, white landscape of Adams County.
Captured during the "blue hour" transition into morning, where the air is still and the only sound is the crunch of snow.
I photographed a Gray Seedeater (Sporophila intermedia) during an urban photo walk through Restrepo, in the Department of Meta in Colombia. The bird perches on a rusty horizontal wire that runs across the frame, grounding the composition while soft green distance dissolves into clean bokeh. Slate plumage shifts from charcoal crown to silvery flanks, a peach bill and dark eye bringing a calm, watchful mood.
I worked low and parallel to the perch to keep the plane of focus tidy across the face and shoulder. A shallow depth of field isolated the subject, a fast shutter preserved fine texture, and slight negative compensation protected the light bill. I timed exposures between small gusts, letting the wire’s straight line anchor the image and guide the gaze.
©2025 Adam Rainoff Photographer
Sponsored by MANHOOD Event, NEO JAPAN, [LOB]and -ODIREN-
Badwolf - Runic Radiance @NEO JAPAN
This tattoo features mesmerizing animated glowing runes that create a captivating, mystical effect, perfect for adding a touch of enchantment to any look.
::GB:: FingerTattoo [BOM] / Black @NEO JAPAN
This intricate finger tattoo adds an edgy vibe, enhancing the overall aesthetic with its detailed design that stands out beautifully.
-ODIREN- Locked Soul Chains @MANHOOD Event
These chains wrap around the upper body, offering a raw, industrial feel that balances strength and vulnerability in the outfit.Change the color of the chains with the hud.
RAWR! Superkilla Earrings MALE HUMAN EvoX
These striking earrings serve as a bold accent, catching the eye and elevating the rebellious spirit of the ensemble.
STOP-Old Shoe M1
Worn and rugged, these shoes add a retro element to the look, grounding the outfit with their unique style.
[LOB] MONSTER PANTS @MANCAVE
These bold pants enhance the rebellious vibe, making a powerful statement with their distinctive design. In the fatpack you have the option to change texture for each leg and edges with the hud. For Jake and Legacy Bodys.
[Ginko Hair] #184 @NEO JAPAN
This hairstyle features soft waves that add a touch of elegance and movement to the look. Its natural texture brings warmth and complements the overall aesthetic, enhancing the outfit with a stylish yet laid-back vibe.
[Traume] Hellfire Hand Bandage 04
This accessory emphasizes a rough, battle-worn aesthetic, highlighting resilience and character in the outfit.
B(u)Y Me: Stairs
These stairs with a pose menu (poses are adjustable) provide a dramatic backdrop, enhancing the overall look with dynamic intensity.
More infos in my blog
Vulcan to the Sky XH 558 landing at Prestwick after displays at Portrush N.I. and Ayr Seafront in 2015, she was to make one final visit north of the border before her final flight, that was a flyover at East Fortune on the farewell tour of the UK before grounding on 28th October 2015.
The bright silvery dome of the Refugio Cabaña Verónica perches high on a limestone ridge under the darkening convective clouds of a summer afternoon, Picos de Europa National Park, Asturias, España.
I had read about this Refugio before seeing it here for the first time, its strange, domed prominence adhered to the bedrock. Its singular story compelled an in-person visit. The structure comes from the anti-aircraft battery of the USS Palau, which was a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier built in Tacoma, Washington, at the end of World War II. By 1960, the then obsolete Palau was due to be scrapped in a shipyard near Bilbao. But in 1961, an enterprising pair of gentleman named Conrado Sentíes, an engineer, and his friend Luis Pueyo, an architect, salvaged the metal cupola that crowned one of the gun batteries, and they envisioned using it to build a Refugio in their beloved mountains.
First, these intrepid individuals had to devise a way to transport the material to the intended site. A lack of available budget evidently precluded the use of a helicopter, so instead, a team of 8 horses was employed to schlep the dismantled structure to its current location at 2,325 meters above the sea. The curved segments of metal were then re-assembled, like stitching the segments of an orange back together. Out of sight, there is a critical grounding cable sent deep into the rock to dissipate the current from electrical storms. The Refugio’s current configuration will accommodate 6 people sleeping in bunks, and these lucky guests also are provisioned with meals and drinks by the keeper.
My wife and son could not be persuaded to join me for the climb up to the Refugio. Instead, they found a sheltered nook and took a nap in the sun some ways below. A Tundra Nap is a thing of beauty so I can find no fault with this decision. However, being apparently unable to relax and lie down, I continued alone with my daft enterprise until I crested a small ridgeline and found myself positioned to take in this expansive view as the clouds rolled in ever more densely.
Rolling down the taxiway with those Rolls Royce engines, Icelandair TF-FIU in stunning Aurora Borealis livery operating Dublin to Reykjavik in October 2018.
TF-FIU has survived the Covid-19 grounding unlike so many aircraft, continuing to fly through the pandemic.
Raven leaned over the cake, candlelight flickering across her face like tiny stars daring her to smile wider.
“I still don’t like surprises,” she announced, eyes closed, lips already twitching. “Just so everyone knows.”
Hira folded her arms nearby, smirk fully loaded. “She says, moments before enjoying the absolute hell out of this.”
Raven blew.
The flames vanished in a soft rush of smoke, and the room erupted—cheers, clapping, whistles. Music swelled instantly as the lights shifted, colors pulsing to the beat.
From behind the DJ booth, Joey lifted one hand, already working the controls with the other. “MAKE SOME NOISE FOR MY SISTER!” he called out, sliding effortlessly into a celebratory mix.
Raven groaned dramatically, laughing as she straightened. “I knew it. I knew you were involved.”
Joey grinned, glancing toward Hira before turning the music just a notch louder. “Please. This level of deception requires teamwork.”
Hira shot him a look. “You loved every second of it.”
“I did,” he admitted instantly.
Raven shook her head, smiling despite herself. “You kidnapped me. All of you. I was emotionally unprepared.”
Erma stepped in close, wrapping her in a gentle hug. “But you’re happy.”
Raven sighed, melting into it. “Unfortunately… yes.”
A familiar arm slipped around Raven’s waist from behind, grounding and warm. Kaiden leaned in, voice low and amused. “You should’ve seen your face. Worth it.”
She turned in his arms, eyes bright now, no trace of earlier grumpiness left. “You knew too?”
“From the start,” he said, smiling. “And I still survived.”
She laughed, resting her forehead against his. “Traitor.”
Joey layered another track into the mix, bass rolling through the room. “Alright, alright—birthday girl’s officially in a good mood. Drinks up, vibes higher!”
Raven glanced around at everyone—Erma’s glowing smile, Hira’s smug satisfaction, Joey owning the room, Kaiden steady at her side. Her voice softened, genuine now. “Okay… fine. This was perfect.”
Hira raised an eyebrow. “Say it louder so we can replay it later.”
Raven laughed. “I’m happy. There. You win.”
Kaiden kissed her cheek as the music surged again, Joey hyping the crowd, lights flashing brighter.
Raven leaned into the moment, laughter spilling free, the day’s complaints nothing more than a memory now—replaced by music, love, and the undeniable feeling of being exactly where she was meant to be.
There’s a quiet tension in the air before a storm rolls in - the sky darkens, the wind shifts, and everything seems to hold its breath. We check the windows, secure what might blow away, and brace ourselves for what’s coming.
In life, the storms aren’t always made of wind and rain, but they arrive just the same: a hard conversation, a sudden loss, a change we didn’t choose. And just like with the weather, we prepare. We gather our strength, lean on what’s sturdy, and hope the shelter we’ve built - within ourselves and with others - will hold.
But there’s something sacred in that waiting. It’s the moment between calm and chaos, where reflection lives. We don’t always know how strong the storm will be, or how long it’ll last, but we learn to trust our resilience.
Whether it’s thunder in the sky or turmoil in the heart, the act of preparing - of grounding, of choosing what matters - is the same. And when the storm finally passes, we step out into the light, changed but still standing.
This is an image from my recent Tethered project.
Tethered is a mixed-media project blending photography, animation, and traditional darkroom techniques with experimental processes and tactile materials. Through themes of grounding and isolation, freedom and rootedness, attachment and separation, the project weaves a visual narrative that explores the dualities of connection and solitude. Incorporating materials like thread, rope, food coloring, and elements inspired by landscapes, Tethered emphasizes the materiality of the medium, encouraging viewers to engage physically and emotionally. The addition of animation introduces a dynamic interplay between energy and stillness, enhancing the work’s exploration of landscapes as spaces of reflection, distance, and connection. By merging tactile elements with experimental approaches, Tethered invites viewers to reflect on their own relationship to place, identity, and the tension between solitude and belonging.
I had to go to the ground and had to use knee and elbow for this shot.
Mud on jeans and jacket was worth it.
When I came home, my wife was not amused :-)))
GROUND OR GROUNDING is the topic for Tues 14 March 2017, Group Our Daily Challenge
On a recent visit to the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory at White Lake I found out all kinds of things about Very Long Baseline Interferometry, Global Magneto-Ionic Medium Surveys, Galactic Plane Surveys and of course 26m telescope capabilities BUT not a word about these intriguing posts that flank the DRAO. I read all the brochures, checked out the website but no explanation was to be found.
It must be some kind of grounding or dissipating system, but do radio waves need to be grounded? Whatever they are for it sure did some weird thing to my camera sensor '-)
12,000 feet of automobile traffic and mixed freight from Alton & Southern's Gateway Yard drops down slowly off the MacArthur Bridge's elevated west approach, entering downtown St. Louis on an autumn's eve behind the watchful eyes of company re-brand SD70ACe #8504. At over two and a quarter miles long, this 13K ton, PSR-bred, Herrington, KS bound MASHN 11 stretches its westbound consist across the entire width of the mighty Mississippi River's water, occupying real estate across the state lines of both Illinois and Missouri. The pair of EMDs are seen rolling up to the busy interlocking at "Gratiot" where they'll diverge onto the Terminal "High Speeds" and around the yard at 12th St before connecting back to home Jefferson City Sub rails at Grand Ave. Back in 2022, Union Pacific recently announced a re-design of their corporate scheme that changed the look and position of their "Building America" flag from its more prominent spot alongside the locomotives' long hood, closer up front to the cab, protecting its patriotic image from damaging engine heat. With it, also came the loss of their "Wings;" Once proudly worn center stage on the noses of all new locomotives since 2002, the front now subtly displays a small, original UP company shield, forever now grounding those high-flying wings. The design concept was courtesy of employees at the railroad's Jenks Shops in North Little Rock, AR and as locomotives cycle through the program there, needing fresh paint, they'll receive this new treatment. In typical railroad fashion, the 8504's "new" paint is already covered in dirt and grime, looking almost in worse shape than its trailing protégé.
The forest didn’t feel quiet it felt like it was watching. Soft light slipped through the canopy, catching on moss, petals, and the curve of twisted roots that curled into something almost like a throne. It didn’t look placed… it looked grown like the earth shaped it with intention, winding and pulling until something beautiful and a little wild took form.
I didn’t sit on it alone.
There’s a certain kind of closeness that doesn’t need words the kind that settles deep and steady, like it was always meant to be there. Leaning into him feels effortless, like gravity itself decided this is where I belong. His presence is grounding, warm, a quiet kind of constant that makes everything else fade just a little into the background.
The throne holds that same energy.
It doesn’t just sit in the forest it belongs to it. Wrapped in roots and surrounded by soft grass and tiny blooms, it feels alive in its own way. Like something you don’t just use, but experience. Something meant for moments that linger a little longer, where time slows down and the world narrows to just this.
Around us, the forest softened everything. Small flowers scattered through the grass, delicate but persistent, weaving color into the green. Mushrooms tucked along the roots glowed softly, like quiet little secrets. Even the air felt warmer here, like the world paused just long enough to let us exist in it without interruption.
It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t dramatic.
Just quiet, steady, real.
And somehow… that made it feel like magic.
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We do well to remember that the metaphor of decluttering does not imply a clearly delineated succession of stages; for the clutter of the mind comes and goes and comes again, in a process much like keeping house or trying to keep our desks clear of heaped-up paper and notes. We cannot map what is essentially unchartable…
… The mind cleared of clutter allows the grounding radiance of unitive mind to manifest the fullness that is its essence, both in time and in eternity.
-An Ocean of Light Contemplation, Transformation, and Liberation, Martin Laird, O.S.A.
Rix Atlantic arriving at Great Yarmouth from Klaipeda, Lithuania.
Name: Rix Atlantic
Vessel type: Cargo vessel
Home port: Limassol
Flag: Cyprus
IMO: 9194270
MMSI: 209151000
Call sign: 5BWM4
Length overall: 87.95 m
Beam 12.39 m
Draught: 5.59 m
Depth: 7.65 m
Gross tonnage: 2,451 ton
Net tonnage: 1,358 ton
Max deadweight: 3,793 ton
Number of holds: 1
Hold dimensions: 59 x 10.3 x 8.13 m
Hold capacity, grain: 4,870 m3
Engine: 1 x Stork Wartsila SWD 8FHD240G
Engine output: 1 x 1,971 hp (1,470 kW)
Bow thruster: 1 x 248 hp (185 kW)
Speed: 11 knots
Service speed: 9 knots
Builder: Daewoo-Mangalia Heavy Industries S A, Mangalia, Romania
Yard number: 1001
Launch date: 18th. March 1999
Delivery date: 3rd. December 1999
Manager: Rix Shipmanagement, Riga, Latvia
Operator: Baltic Shipping Company A/S, Hillerød, Denmark
Previous names:
Sirena until November 2017
Global 1 until October 2014
Rana until June 2008
Ramspol until October 2006
Bosgat until July 2003
GROUNDING OFF KOLDING.
Rix Atlantic ran aground off Drejens in posistion 55° 29.61' N 009° 34.95' E at 5.25 a.m ON 7th. May 2019.
The ship was enroute from Klaipeda, Lithuania where it had sailed on 4th. May 4, to Kolding, Denmark, carrying a cargo of maize. It was thought that the captain read the chart incorrectly and turned too late, resulting in the ship sailing onto a sandbar. The Danish tug Valdemar was called from Fredericia on 8th. May and Rix Atlantic was refloated in the afternoon. After inspections of the hull, the ship was taken to the South Quay at Kolding where it moored at 7.40 p.m. on 8th. May. She sailed again at 3.50 p.m. on 10th. May bound to Frederiksad where she moored at the container terminal at 9.15 p.m. on 11th. May.
Excerpt from www.mississauga.ca/arts-and-culture/arts/public-art/tempo...:
The Land Remembers and The Sky Carries Us
The Land Remembers and The Sky Carries Us are part of many public artworks on display across the City of Mississauga.
Jeannette Ladd, 2026
Digital illustration, printed on vinyl
City Centre Transit Terminal, 200 Rathburn Road West
The two murals, The Land Remembers and The Sky Carries Us, are a pair. One rooted in memory of the earth and the other carried by the cycles of the sky. Together, they create a visual journey through the terminal: grounding commuters in the strength of the land while lifting their gaze to the guidance of the sky. These works balance stillness and movement, past and future, reminding all who pass through that we walk on lands with long memory and move beneath skies that continue to carry us forward.
The Land Remembers is a tribute to the living memory carried by the lands and waters of Mississauga. Long before the modern city rose along the shoreline, this place thrived as a landscape of forest, river, and sky, where the cycles of the natural world moved in balance.
The sun, moon, and stars mark the passage of time, guiding the rhythms of day and season. Birds take flight across the sky, carrying with them teachings of freedom and connection between the earth and the spirit above. The trees stand firmly in the soil, their roots stretching deep below, reminding us of strength and the unseen networks of life that continue beneath the surface, even as the City grows. The river flows steadily, offering sustenance, its waters alive with fish and story. Along the banks, the flowers bloom, carrying both beauty and medicine, showing that healing and life still emerge from the land. Above it all, the skyline rises, a reminder of how the City has grown and continues to change. In the sky, the four sacred colours (yellow, red, black and white) stretch across the
sky representing balance, the four directions and the teachings that guide Anishinaabe life.
Alongside these, the mural carries rich earth tones, deep blues of the river, and vibrant greens and floral hues. This piece speaks to the truth that the land itself remembers. It remembers the forests that once covered the horizon, the waters that have always moved through its valleys, and the lives that have depended on its gifts. Even as the skyline changes, the land continues to hold memory, urging us to pause, reflect, and honour the stories written into the earth.
If the first mural speaks of memory rooted in the earth, the second turns its gaze upwards to the sky, the messengers, and the pathways of light that guide us forward.
Above the City, the sun, moon, and stars move in timeless cycles. They are keepers of direction and rhythm, reminding travellers that every journey is part of something larger. Birds, butterflies, or celestial beings appear as messengers which are symbols of migration and transformation. In this mural, soft gradients of blues, purples and gold echo the cycles of the sky, creating a sense of uplift and continuity as commuters move through the space. Where the land remembers, the sky carries us. It holds both the movement of commuters through the terminal and the movement of ancestors whose spirits still travel with us. In the shimmer of wings and the glow of constellations, stories are told of belonging, resilience, and shared passage. This mural creates a sense of uplift within the transit space: a reminder that while our feet move across the City, our spirits are always connected to the cycles of the sky and the guidance of the messengers.
Together, The Land Remembers and The Sky Carries Us form a visual journey through the City Centre Transit Terminal. One grounds travellers in the enduring memory of the earth, while the other lifts their gaze toward the guidance of the sky. These works are meant to create moments of stillness and connection within a place of constant motion, reminding us that every step we take is held by the land and carried by the sky.
World Fibromyalgia Awareness Day May 12th and Fibromyalgia Awareness Month May 1st-30th – May is the month we all come together to educate and raise awareness about Fibromyalgia with friends and family, at work, and in our neighbourhoods.
Prayer Feathers Birds are regarded as a messenger to carry our prayers to the Great Spirit. A Prayer Feather is commonly used while smudging.
Here is a listing of the feathers used and the meanings associated with them:
Pheasant - confidence, attraction, perserverance
Ostrich - grounding
Red-tail Hawk - nobility, cleansing, observer
Parrot - sunshine, healing
Great Horned Owl (when available) - the mystery of magic, silent wisdom, omens, detachment, change
Eagle - healing, understanding, renewal, courage, intelligence
Turkey - learning limits, channel energy, balance
Duck/Goose - emotional support
they are decorated with moss and sheep's wool that catches on the branches as they graze there and find shelter
This image is included in 2 galleries :- 1) "Elements Of Art" curated by ayman omer and "elements of art" by Ariba Rahman.
"Grounded 2009 Artist: John Petrie"
This sculpture marks the anniversary of the grounding of the ship ‘Pasha Bulker’ in fierce storms on 8 June 2007.
Unveiled by Lord Mayor of Newcastle John Tate and Minister for the Hunter and Member for Newcastle Jodi McKay on 5 June 2009.
Commissioned by Newcastle City Council and supported by Arts NSW and One Steel.
An original section of 22mm plate steel from the rudder of the Pasha Bulker has been incorporated into the work. The main body of the work is made from 12mm plate steel and is approximately 2 metres in height and 6 metres in length.
“Grounded is an abstract representation of the ship’s bow. The shape and colour of the sculpture, and its physical placement at Nobbys, will be an important memory marker for the community and a powerful stand-alone work of art.” --- according to James Collis, Public Art Curator, Newcastle Region Art Gallery
The 76,000-tonne bulk carrier was stranded off Newcastle’s Nobbys Beach as Australia was lashed by five east coast lows – the most significant of which is now referred to as the “Pasha Bulker” storm. It took three attempts to salvage the ship from Nobbys Beach where it remained for 25 days before being re-floated.
This was taken on a fine summer's afternoon. The gigantic cargo ship was stranded when the swimmers are now. Crowds flocked to see the stranded vessel. The sculpture was installed at one of the best vantage points.
( Explored : Feb 2, 2023 #22 )
My garden overflows with flowers, and lately, that feels like grace in bloom. A slipped disc has rooted me at home, grounding the part of me that longs to wander with a camera in hand. Yet in stillness, something unexpected has stirred: the ordinary has begun to shimmer.
I found myself drawn to the humble Cosmos — blooms I’d passed by so many times — and through the dreamy eye of my Lensbaby Sol 45, paired with my Nikon D500, I saw them anew. This lens lets the focus drift, like thought or memory, softening everything around the subject into a romantic blur. In that gentle haze, I rediscovered wonder.
Sometimes, it takes a pause to notice what’s been quietly waiting to be seen.
Scattered across the frozen wastes of Hibernia are a handful of outposts vital to the success of the colonisation of this new frontier world, and although they’re largely self-sufficient, these remote bases have to be regularly resupplied with fuel, food and other necessities. With brutal ice storms grounding most aircraft on the regular and no infrastructure yet set up to support pipelines for fuel, it’s up to repurposed military vehicles such as the trusty Sprinter LR3 to make the hazardous journey to resupply the outposts.
Retrofitted with micro-habitats for a one or two-man crew, a long-range communication unit to get a signal out through the densest of storms plus heavy duty tires and suspension to confidently cross even the most treacherous of terrain, these rugged workhorses form the backbone of the vital resupply force on Hibernia.
But be warned, driving these vehicles takes skill and resilience beyond that of your average colonial.
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Built for the Hibernia world-building collaboration
Had fun with this one, the first vehicle I’ve built in a looong time where I wasn’t remotely worried about scale.
The initial plan was for some kind of rugged scout car that would lug fuel and supplies long distances since there would be no fuel lines and planes would struggle in the ice storms on Hibernia; it was really fun to go back to basics and just let my imagination wander and I’m pleased with the results.
Thanks Toby for the input on this one! :)
Excerpt from the plaque:
Perpetual Motion by Siobhan Lynch
A tribute to order and forward motion amber glass represents the energy and teal with calm. The perpetual motion captured by this rose window moves us forward while providing a sense of grounding and peace.
Wat Arun. Bangkok Thailand.
Every time I visit Wat Arun, I am left speechless. The level of detail, intricate craftsmanship and colors of this temple are simply amazing. Each tiny piece is applied and colored by hand. I can't imagine the time spent doing this as the entire temple is covered with flowers, symbols, and traditional Thai religious emblems. If you go in the very early morning as the sun is rising, the serenity, sounds of temple bells and the smell of incense is totally grounding.
⦁ He walked slowly beneath a sky that seemed almost too perfect, the sun pouring down with a strength that felt both energizing and unforgiving. After the long day the reunion, the flood of faces and memories he needed this. Space. Silence. Air.
Time had felt strange lately. At moments, it rushed past him, hours slipping away before he could hold onto them. Other times, it stood still, stretching seconds into something heavier, something harder to carry. Today had been both.
⦁ There was a quiet understanding settling in his mind as he walked: for things to truly get better, they often had to get worse first. Like a wound that needed to ache before it could heal, like a scar that formed only after damage was done. Growth was rarely gentle.
His thoughts were crowded, overlapping, pulling him in different directions. But he kept reminding himself one thing at a time. Just one step, one breath, one decision. That was enough for now.
⦁ The fresh air helped. It always did. Each inhale felt like a reset, each step a small release. These walks had a way of shifting something inside him, nudging him toward clarity, even if only slightly. Sometimes, a different direction didn’t require a map just movement.
He knew everything came down to choices. Every moment carried one, whether obvious or hidden. And with each choice came a lesson, wrapped in outcomes that could be either light or heavy. Still, both had meaning.
⦁ He paused for a moment, letting the sunlight warm his face, grounding himself in the present. The future wasn’t something that simply arrived it was something built, piece by piece, decision by decision.
And so he kept walking, determined. Ready, in his own quiet way, to take hold of what came next and shape it into something better.
→ 💎Him:
Outfit: [Mazzaro] EMIR Set / Vest, Pants, Hat. / 10 colors / TMD