Studio Musings

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Focus on Life - New Growth

This week's photography assignment was to capture some essence of the word we chose for the year.  I'm a little different than most in that I choose a tarot card rather than a single word or phrase, as I mentioned in my earlier post.  I like the layered meanings associated with each card, and that it's chosen, sight unseen, and then I have to deal with it.  Like much of life.  This year The Fool turned up in my draw.

I'm sure I'll reflect on many different aspects of the card over the course of the year, but right now what keeps striking me is New Growth.

Having been sick most of the fall, my garden is still cluttered with the brown, shriveled detritus from last year.  Yet here in the second week of January, new shoots are pushing up through the old.  Through the morning frost.  So green and fragile looking.   Determined to grow.

Should I clear away the old growth, or does it provide insulation?  I dither, trying to decide on the best course. 



 My Crocosmia.  Right now they're just little green shoots.  Come midsummer they'll sport starburst drifts of glorious red.




To see everyone elses' entries for the week, check out Sally's post over at The Studio Sublime. 

16 comments:

  1. I love your photos and your word choice. Growth is something we all need.

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  2. perfect pics to show your word!
    may you grow and grow this year...
    i'm no. 21 on the list btw :o)

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  3. Love your thoughts on your draw and the meditative direction you have taken. Gives me pause to rethink mine. Thanks for the idea!

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  4. Man - you have a perfect picture for growth! And your thought process - leaving the debris as protective ground cover - so intriging!

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  5. I love your word, and how you chose it. You have a wonderful way with words and your photos are just lovely!

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  6. Hi Karen,
    As in your garden I am looking forward to seeing all the new growth in you this year. Great photos!
    Therese

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  7. Great word/s! and very good inspiration for the year

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  8. The idea of the tarot card is interesting. And the layers sound intriguing. The new growth that you are focusing on right now seems appropriate to the beginning of a new year, full of possibilities. And sometimes we need to keep the old to appreciate the new.

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  9. I wish I could see new growth! We still have a thick layer of white everywhere. Good luck achieving your goals this year!

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  10. That's such a cool way to pick your word!

    New growth! Yes! That is a good one. It helps to look outward and see what old habits are not working for us, to discard them, and allow new, fresh thoughts and ideas into our life!

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  11. Beautiful new growth! Leave the mulch and let hem grow at their own pace. And let yourself do that too!

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  12. New growth is exciting, both in the garden and in our lives. You will know what to do when the time comes.

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  13. Karen, I love how you question the purpose of old things as they surround new growth. When making life changes we tend to hang onto the old until we're fully, completely ready to commit to the new. A very thoughtful post! I like your word and the accompanying photos.

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  14. What I like about the idea of new growth is the implication that it is the possibility that is exciting. Something unexpected. And when those blooms are in full swing, it will be beautiful. I wish you joy in the journey in 2013. Enjoy the day. Erin

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  15. I love the tarot card idea. Makes me think of all the implied and hidden meanings in our word choices. Good luck for 2013 Fromm Karen who used to be a Williams also :)

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  16. What an interesting take on the idea. It will be so fun to see how that changes over the course of the year. We are under feet of snow so the idea of new shoots popping up is so foreign, but I vote for insulation. My Japanese blood grass especially likes it when i move all the dead hosta leaves over it :)

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