The blessings associated with slowing down continue to roll in for me.

Before we begin, it must be pointed out that I’m certainly not the wisest or the brightest. I did not have the wisdom to say, “I’m running too hard and too fast, I’m going to change my life so I can better appreciate my awesome family, incredible friends, and much more of our wonderful world.”

No, for me, it took my body saying, “No mas, amigo.”

While I am not thrilled with having so many of the things I loved in life (like biking, hiking, playing any kind of ball, or even spending a single day pain free) being removed at what many might say is a far too early age, I am eternally grateful for the many blessings associated with ‘new eyes.’ New eyes and a very bad back!

But, arguably stimulated by my bad back, I am seeing old things in new ways. A great example of this is illustrated by my springtime focus on photographing Arizona’s ancient saguaros.

While I have loved and appreciated the magnificent splendor that saguaros add to our inimitable Sonoran Desert landscape, I never benefitted from a close up look at them.  This year was different as I focused, in particular, on the spectacular blossoms that the mature saguaros bring us each May and June.

It is easy to see why In 1901 the saguaro’s blossom was adopted as the certified territorial flower. Then, in 1931, it was confirmed as Arizona’s official state flower. The blossoms were being appreciated by desert dwellers long before then; they had to be because it takes up to 75 years for a saguaro to develop a single side arm.  What I missed by ‘drive by’ appreciation of these tree-sized cactus species was how they truly spark the Sonoran Desert circle of life.

This year, I got up close to the blossoms. Really close. So close I couldn’t distinguish whether the noise is my head was my labored breathing or the bees breathing down my neck. I guess logic would have told me the blossoms would attract bees, but I had no idea how a close up look would reveal that virtually every single flower was adopted was by a single eusocial bee colony.

Bees are the major type of pollinator in ecosystems that contain flowering plants. It has been said the Sonoran Desert is arguably the most flower-abundant desert in the world. It sure seemed that way this spring.

It is estimated that one third of the human food supply depends on insect pollination, most of which is accomplished by bees. As a result, the spark of life for much of the Arizona food chain begins at the saguaro blossom.

Seeing the world around me in new, more personal ways has been a staggering, mind-blowing miracle. I just pray that our readers get the same opportunity, and that it doesn’t take a devastating event for ‘everything to be made new’ in your life. And, if you have experienced tragedy or tremendous loss, I pray that you too zoom in on the blessings that follow.

Photoart by Greg

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In our January 28 post, I talked about how my native Kansas (often contrary to uninformed opinions) is a great place for travel photography. I wrote, “If everyone could see what I’m seeing through my camera viewfinder, it would be clear that Kansas was indeed a great destination to see and experience.”

That point was reinforced, again, recently when we returned to Cloud County. The area, I believe, represents a great slice of Kansas. Heck, it represents an impressive slice of the entire Midwestern region. More ambitiously stated, it is Americana.

I was blessed to have a couple of opportunities to wander the back roads looking for the local flavor while we were there for Mary’s mom’s estate sale and auction in May. A few of my favorite photos from those excursions are featured here. Additional sample are offered on our Exploration Communication website.

On my road trips, I found beauty in the burgeoning wheat fields, as they seemingly reached for perfectly painted skies.The comeliness was there even in the livestock, who were curiously attracted to my lens and were oblivious to the possibility that they would soon become photoart. I suppose that I should be a bit embarrassed that while they were so freely offering me photo-remedy, I was thinking, “Boy, I’m going to have to get me a big old porterhouse this trip!”

I’m a bad, albeit hungry, man.The truth of the matter is there was beauty in the unexplored…

in the lovingly maintained…in the forgotten…

and even in the quiet reminders that, eventually, all roads will lead us home. – Greg

For as long as I can remember, there has been an artist screaming for me to release him from somewhere deep within my soul. The only challenge has been I wasn’t blessed with a great deal of traditional artistic talent.

I love music, but I am incredibly tone deaf. Can’t carry a tune in a bucket? Apparently, that description is not adequate for describing my musical deficiencies. It is my understanding that I couldn’t carry a tune in a thimble.

While I love singing, and it sounds quite good to my ears, I have come to accept that I am the only one who appreciates what comes out when I (frequently) break into song. I have been told I am tone deaf. Perhaps, my Dad was doing me a favor when he set me straight at a young age by interrupting me in the middle of singing by bluntly asking, “Hey, what do you have against good music?” Many others have repeated that sentiment with similar questions over the years.

Can’t sing? Why not paint or draw? Trust me; I’ve tried.

I’ve played a part in directing the development of more ads than I can count. Unfortunately, it never worked out when I tried to sketch out a concept in a brainstorming session. Apparently I have an uncanny ability to make people look like trees, swimming pools like sinkholes, etc. One of my creative business collaborators once exclaimed, “Ohhh nooo, not another Neanderthal crayon drawing” when I began an attempt to illustrate a concept by sketching it out.

As a result of these and other artistic deficiencies, I’ve learned to laugh at my many shortcomings. My favorite saying to explain my musical and artistic ineptitude is, “I’d be a great singer if only I could carry a tune: I’d be a great artist if only I could paint!” I’m actually half-serious when I make that statement. I feel like I have the heart of an artist, but, too frequently, not the talent.

I think that is why photography has been such a blessing, such great medicine, for me. I may not be able to sing or draw, but I can frame a picture. And, when I occasionally do it correctly, I have a chance to share with others how I see the world. Thanks to great software, I can even come close to painting a picture through photographic manipulation. It makes me feel good and I always hope it lifts the spirits of others.

Mary and I love visiting friends and relatives in Colorado. Not only is it strikingly beautiful, it’s a great place to escape when the temperatures begin to soar in Arizona. More importantly, it calls forth the artist in many, many people (think John Denver and Rocky Mountain High).

The pictures featured in this post were captured during a respite this year on our way to Kansas for Mary’s mom’s estate sale. For more of our Colorado images and the location of where these photos were taken, check out our Exploration Communication Colorado gallery.

Now he walks in quiet solitude, the forest and the stream, seeking grace in every step he takes,his sight is turned inside himself, to try and understand, the serenity of a clear blue mountain lake. And the Colorado Rocky Mountain High, I’ve seen it raining fire in the sky. You can talk to God and listen to the casual reply. Rocky Mountain High, ….in Colorado….Rocky Mountain High.

– From John Denver and Mike Taylor’s Rocky Mountain High

Some people tell us they come to our photo-remedy blog for the pictures, others for a little light-hearted humor, and still others for an occasional bit of wisdom from the people or research we quote. We also still hear from those that are attracted to our original concept – using photography and the creative process as a powerful tool to help them, when appropriate, better cope with whatever ails them. We know our readers include those who are fighting everything from arthritis and chronic pain to depression and even disabilities. Many are facing more than one of these challenges. This posting is primarily delivered for the original audience, but we think there is some ‘good stuff’ for almost everyone.

My most pressing issues are related to chronic pain that flows from a number of spinal issues and failed surgeries, psoriatic arthritis, and neuropathy. As long as I don’t try to do too much, photography almost always brings me significant pleasure and it frequently offers much-needed relief. I continue to maintain that photo-remedy is an outstanding alternative medicine. If it helps you get over a hump, I say that’s the right prescription.

One of the results of the lumbar and neck challenges I’m facing is declining dexterity in my hands and fingers. Those who knew me when I was younger probably think, “Weren’t you always clumsy?” Yes, that’s true, but I’ve taken it to a new level. I drop, fumble, and miss hand-guided targets on an all too regular basis. Plates, cat food, water, glasses, and even jars of pickles are almost daily visitors to the floors in our house.

There is an upside to this. When I drop or break a wine glass, I’m able to shout out, “Darn hands!”

Most of my professional career was spent in the travel industry. As a result, I still love to play tourist. I also REALLY love to take pictures when traveling. The problem is travel is extremely hard on my body, and we are a bit concerned that the current progression of my dexterity issues may eventually take away, or severely restrict, my ability to take pictures in the future. It is not a given, and we are fighting this, but decreasing dexterity has become a very real concern.

As a result, Mary and I have decided that this is the year we will finally attempt to travel to Ireland. The old adage ‘You better do it while you still can’ is a strong motivator. So, we will be planning to make a trip there later this year to attend a family friend’s wedding, and to hopefully spend some time with other family friends that will be in Dublin for the Emerald Isle Classic football game, which will feature the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame and the Midshipman of Navy.

We just got back from the auction where items from Mary’s Mom’s estate were sold. Our journey helped me capture some great images from Colorado and Kansas that I’ll be sharing in greater detail in upcoming posts. The trip helped me further test some of the items and approaches that we hope will get us to Ireland and back as pain-free as possible. This travel quick tip list is not meant to be inclusive, but we hope it will help others facing similar challenges. And, if we are really lucky, perhaps some of you will leave comments that offer your own photo-remedy travel tips and advice.

1-3) Much of my pain management approach involves avoiding mind numbing prescription medications as much as possible. I’m not critical of those that have to take that approach on a daily basis, but I try to avoid it when possible. When it comes to natural methods, nothing works better for me than ice. I rarely go a day without ‘icing’ for a couple of significant periods. I also try to ice both my neck and lower back when traveling. It makes the unbearable more bearable. Number 1,  pictured above is my ‘go to’ bag. Keep it dry, take it through security lines at the airport, fill it up at a soda fountain ice machine, and ask your flight attendant to refill as needed. You can take a similar approach when traveling by car. Numbers 2 and 3 are also awesome – they can be frozen or warmed up in a microwave for instant relief. Better to check these when flying.

4) Perhaps my greatest photo-remedy accessory invention. When traveling, I now take my camera mono-pod. When not using it to stabilize pictures, you can set it to the right length and use it as a walking stick. This helps replace the cumbersome canes that I inevitably drop nine or ten times a day. Using them this way is a bit hard on the devices, but you can easily replace them for $10-$20. I got mine at Walmart. At that price they are disposable, but I’ve been using mine for six months or so. Perhaps, I’ll ‘treat’ myself to a new one before going to Ireland.

5) You will not go back once you buy good, comfortable socks. Spend a little extra here and everything from your toes and feet up to your cranium will be grateful. Taking good care of your feet is especially important when traveling. Do not hesitate to invest in hiking socks from a sporting goods store or even diabetic socks (they are really quite comfortable, even for those who are not diabetic).

6) These specialty, easy to transport seat cushions offer great relief to those who have suffered low back trauma. They can be used in the car or carried on when traveling by airplane. If you don’t take care of your low back when traveling even on short trips, you may pay the price for a very long time. In my case, ignoring this issue played a role in my broken vertebrae and multiple degenerative discs.

7) If you can make space for them, hand massage units are great pain-reducing aids. I’ve had really good luck with a variety of Homedics products.

8) Photographers can’t leave home without their camera bags. A backpack has proven to be the best for me. It’s great for keeping all of your camera accessories, and there is often space left over for other items. I often take my iPad in my backpack. Oh, I almost forgot, don’t forget to pack your camera!

9) My Empi TENS is often one of my best friends when I just cannot get a handle on my pain. Since travel usually exasperates pain, I take the American Express ‘Don’t leave home without it’ approach with my TENS.

As I said, this is not meant to be an exhaustive list. I am extremely thankful that I have access to all of these items. I hope one or more of these tips helps you! In the meantime, I am hoping they will be helping me see green soon.

– Greg

Note: Additional reader tips are always welcomed and encouraged.  Photo-remedy is published as a labor of love. Please feel free to share the site, or any of our posts, with others. Our Home Page always features an option for our readers to sign up to immediately receive new material as an email. New readers are always encouraged to review our  ‘Blog Background and Initial Post’ tab featured at the top of each page.

Theodor Suess Geisel, better known to all of us as Dr. Suess, is perhaps America’s most beloved children’s book writer, poet, and cartonist. The whole nation mourned when he passed away in 1991.

Before his pen went silent, he had authored 46 children’s books. Who among us can’t recite at least a few lines from one or more of his classics?  His best known works include Green Eggs and Ham, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Cat in the Hat, Horton Hears a Who, and One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish. Ironically, the single Dr. Suess phrase that means the most to me is a quote attributed to him regarding relationships.

“You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams,” Dr. Suess has been quoted as saying. Since Dr. Suess had big dreams, I believe the quote indicates he was also intimately familiar with great love.

It is awesome when our hearts know great love first hand. It can also be incredibly uplifting when we see others experience it.

A couple of weekends ago, I had the privilege of snapping a few photos (and getting much needed photo-remedy) at the wedding of a young couple at our church. As the collage below illustrates, they really looked like they were living “reality is finally better than your dreams.”

My wish for Kevin and Angela, and, actually, for all of us, is that we experience many  ‘beyond our dreams’ moments.

I also hope we are able to capture many of these treasures in photos. Because, as I wanted to tell Kevin and Angela, don’t blink. The next thing you know you will be having children, and then time will fly by so fast that your children will soon be nourishing the next generation. Photos help us to remember milestone moments, and even people we have loved, before we forget notable details that might otherwise float away like a dried up rose petal on a gusty pre-tornado Oklahoma day.

At least that has been my experience. This June, Mary and I will celebrate our 30th anniversary. It really doesn’t seem possible – that we have been married that long and that the next generation has come rushing through the door.

It’s all good, though. Before you know it, we will be dusting off our old Dr. Suess books for little Emmett and future grandchildren. We’ll be using the books and pointing to the drawings. We won’t, however, need to read the lines. While I can’t always remember what I did yesterday, I can somehow never forget, “The sun did not shine. It was too wet to play. So we sat in the house all that cold, cold wet day…”

Liturgically speaking, today, Holy Saturday, technically lasts until 6pm or dusk.

In many Christian churches around the world, the Easter Vigil is then celebrated. This marks the official start of the Easter season. As always, Mary and I will be participating in the Easter Vigil in our Faith Community. It is our favorite mass, or service, of the year.

Wherever you are on the your spiritual journey, may the spirit of Easter and re-birth be with you and yours.

And, for those of you who are looking for a little more photo-remedy in your life, may you remember that the process of producing great pictures is always an opportunity to brighten your life and the lives of others. Looking through your lens is always an opportunity to help others see the beauty that God sees in this most wonderful world.

Happy Easter!

– Greg

Mark 16: 1-7

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices so that they might go and anoint him.

Very early when the sun had risen, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb.

They were saying to one another,”Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?”

When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back; it was very large. On entering the tomb they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they were utterly amazed. He said to them, “Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here.Behold the place where they laid him. But go and tell his disciples and Peter, “He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.'”

Note: The photos featured in our Easter series are part of our Exploration Communication spring 2012 Phoenix area collection. To see the full gallery, visit: