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April 30, 2023

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2023

“My life is shaped by the urgent need to wander and observe, and my camera is my passport.” — Steve McCurry

Random thoughts and ideas for this week.

Sunday, 04/23/2023: Posted photo — Votive Stand.

Church candle stands are known as votive stands. Votive means something that is ‘offered or consecrated in fulfilment of a vow’. It represents the prayer that is being said for one’s self or someone else, which is why they’re also known as a ‘prayer candle’.

This one in our church was dedicated last week to one of my friends and his family. He passed away a few months ago from Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. His wife passed away a few years ago from cancer, and his oldest son passed away about 15 years ago from a car crash. They were such active members in our parish. He and I were among the founding members of our church’s men’s Bible study group.

Monday, 04/24/2023: Posted photo — Hiking.

Weather was great for a hike tonight. It seems that most of the time that I lead a Monday night hike, it needs to be cancelled because of the weather. The cancellations happen more in the winter and spring because getting wet is more dangerous that in the warmer months. I took this photo of the flowing water along the trail with my phone. One of the days in the next few weeks, I will hike with my DSLR to take better photos, if the water is still flowing.

Tuesday, 04/25/2023: Posted photo — Graffiti.

“Solon”. Graffiti on the mountain carved by Solon Heywood. He also has his full name carved into stones on the summit. Solon was the son of Seth Heywood, one of the founding fathers of a neighboring town. Solon Heywood passed away on Aug 6, 1883, at the age of 48 so this graffiti is very old.

Wednesday, 04/26/2023: Posted photo — Sour Orange.

Bitter orange (Citrus aurantium), also known as sour orange and Seville orange, is a citrus fruit with a multitude of uses. It’s commonly used in complementary medicine, herbal weight loss supplements, and certain foods and toppings like marmalade.

I never heard of a sour orange before. It is great to go shopping to find new and interesting food.

No, I did not try it.

Thursday, 04/27/2023: Posted photo — Progress.

Two weeks ago, I posted a photo of our sugar maple budding. Two weeks later, here is the progress.

Friday, 04/28/2023: Post photo — Burls.

Tree knots are also known as “burls”. Burls form on the outside of trees as a reaction to stress. Wood from a burl is prized by woodworkers for its intricate design, and some will pay top dollar for it. These are at the junction of the West Side and Old Indian Trails on Wachusett Mountain. They most likely we formed after a lightning strike on the tree.

Saturday, 04/29/2023: Post photo — Artwork.

“Artrageous is a troupe of multi-talented Live performance artists, world-class singers, and recording artists, highly trained dancers, and audience motivators, and veteran musicians hailing from the high desert of New Mexico.” https://www.artrageousshow.com/.

We went to the show last night. The audience lived it. I was not too crazy about the show. Here is some of the artwork that was created at the show.

For more photo of other projects I have work, visit my website: https://photobyjosephciras.weebly.com or visit me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PhotobyJosephCiras/.

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April 23, 2023

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Photographic Thoughts — 04/16/2023 to 04/22/2023

“When I say I want to photograph someone, what it really means is that I’d like to know them. Anyone I know I photograph.” — Annie Leibovitz

Random thoughts and ideas for this week.

Sunday, 04/16/2023: Posted photo — Clock.

There is a photo project that I am involved with other than my 365 photo project. It is called 52 frames. Each week a topic is posted, and you are to take a photo that complies with that topic. This week’s challenge was dreamscape. My photo was one of the top 52 photos submitted during the week.

It is called Droste effect. The Droste effect describes a specific type of recursive picture in which a smaller version of the larger image is featured within the larger image. I added a little twist to mine photos since the object was round.

This week’s challenge is Blue Hour.

Monday, 04/17/2023: Posted photo — Yellow Roses.

No hike this week due to the weather. We are getting some cold rain and fog, so it was not safe for me to take a group out under these conditions. I stayed home instead and thought about what photo I would use for today. I chose a photo of a yellow rose.

Yellow roses are universally known as symbols of friendship, most people give them to each other for their birthdays or to celebrate the love between two good friends. I just like taking photos of them when I am out shopping.

Tuesday, 04/18/2023: Posted photo — Moxie.

The first bottled carbonated beverage made in the America. Moxie has a distinctively different flavor. It as first bottled in 1884. Moxie was designated as the official soft drink of the State of Maine in 2005. I just love the taste of Moxie. Most people do not. I even have a bright orange shirt that has Moxie on it and “Distinctively Different Flavor” on the back.

Wednesday, 04/19/2023: Posted photo — Clouds.

Morning clouds. My cellphone does not capture the color well.

I may edit this photo and use it for blue hour challenge. Blue hour in the morning is when Civil twilight begins, and Nautical twilight ends. Nautical twilight is a deep dusk — dim bluish sky, bright planets visible. In civil twilight, the sky is light all over though the sun is not visible.

Thursday, 04/20/2023: Posted photo — Mountains.

Here are two photos of mountains that I have visited during my travels. Pu’u’ula’ula at Haleakalā National Park in Hawaii and the other is Waterton Lake Sunset Alberta during blue hour.

Friday, 04/21/2023: Post photo — Eclipse.

Like the mountains I posted yesterday, here is a photo of a lunar eclipse and a solar eclipse taken during my travels. The lunar eclipse was taken in my back yard and the solar eclipse was taken in Tennessee a few years ago. The next total solar eclipse in our area will take place on Monday, April 8, 2024. Look for photos of this event.

Saturday, 04/22/2023: Post photo — Score Card.

This is the difference between our son’s time, world rank 23133, competition place 35 and Tymon’s time, world rank 7, competition place 1.

For more photo of other projects I have work, visit my website: https://photobyjosephciras.weebly.com or visit me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PhotobyJosephCiras/.

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April 16, 2023

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Photographic Thoughts — 04/09/2023 to 04/15/2023

“The world I was trying to show was one where I felt good, where people were nice, where I found the tenderness I needed. My photos were like a proof that such a world could exist.” — Robert Doisneau

Random thoughts and ideas for this week.

John sent me another quote to use. Thank you, John.

Sunday, 04/09/2023: Posted photo — Easter Sunday.

The following information was taken from the History Channel.

Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the New Testament of the Bible, the event is said to have occurred three days after Jesus was crucified by the Romans and died in roughly A.D. 30. The holiday concludes the “Passion of Christ,” a series of events and holidays that begins with Lent—a 40-day period of fasting, prayer and sacrifice—and ends with Holy Week, which includes Holy Thursday (the celebration of Jesus’ Last Supper with his 12 Apostles, also known as “Maundy Thursday”), Good Friday (on which Jesus’ crucifixion is observed) and Easter Sunday. (https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/history-of-easter)

Woke up this morning to see the Easter bunny outside of my window.

According to some sources, the Easter bunny first arrived in America in the 1700s with German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania and transported their tradition of an egg-laying hare called “Osterhase” or “Oschter Haws.” Their children made nests in which this creature could lay its colored eggs. Eventually, the custom spread across the United States and the fabled rabbit’s Easter morning deliveries expanded to include chocolate and other types of candy and gifts, while decorated baskets replaced nests. Additionally, children often left out carrots for the bunny in case he got hungry from all his hopping.

From a Christian perspective, Easter eggs are said to represent Jesus’ emergence from the tomb and resurrection. Decorating eggs for Easter is a tradition that dates back to at least the 13th century, according to some sources. One explanation for this custom is that eggs were formerly a forbidden food during Lent, so people would paint and decorate them to mark the end of the period of penance and fasting, then eat them on Easter as a celebration. (https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/easter-symbols)

Monday, 04/10/2023: Posted photo — Summit Photo.

What would Monday be without a hiking photo. Here is a photo of my pack on the fire tower on top of Wachusett Mountain.

Tuesday, 04/11/2023: Posted photo — Garlic.

Garlic is the edible bulb from a plant in the lily family. It was traditionally used for health purposes by people in many parts of the world, including the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Chinese, and Japanese. Currently, garlic is most promoted as a dietary supplement for conditions related to the heart and blood vessels, including high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure. Fresh garlic, garlic powder, and garlic oil are used to flavor foods. Garlic may be used topically (applied to the skin).

Wednesday, 04/12/2023: Posted photo — Daffodil.

Daffodils are a hardy perennials that come back year after year, spreading and often naturalizing. They are one of the first signs of spring. These just seem to appear overnight in our yard. The snow is almost clear and the daffodils are starting to blossom.

Thursday, 04/13/2023: Posted photo — Aunt Leona.

Today is the 30th anniversary of my father’s passing. It is also a day that I went to my aunt’s wake. She was my mother’s oldest sister and passed away at the age of 98. There is only one more sibling on my mother’s side. She is in here early 90s. All the siblings that passed due to natural causes passed into their 90s. One of her brothers was lost at sea.

Friday, 04/14/2023: Post photo — Mount Monadnock.

Mount Monadnock at sunset is such a great thing to see.

Saturday, 04/15/2023: Post photo — Buds.

The sugar maple plants are starting to bud in this nice weather.

On a side note: now that the snow has melted, it is time to get out into the yard and clean up all the broken branches and cut down some damaged trees.

For more photo of other projects I have work, visit my website: https://photobyjosephciras.weebly.com or visit me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PhotobyJosephCiras/.

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April 9, 2023

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Photographic Thoughts — 04/02/2023 to 04/08/2023

“If you want to be a better photographer, stand in front of more interesting stuff.” — Jim Richardson

Random thoughts and ideas for this week.

Sunday, 04/02/2023: Posted photo — Crocus.

Crocus are among the very first flowers to bloom each spring. In cold climates, their cheery blossoms will often open when there’s still snow on the ground. That is what happening at our house. We had snow at this location up to a few days ago and the crocus were growing under the snow. Many places south and east of this area that the crocus are flowering. They are not yet in this area due to our elevation. You can have a carpet of crocuses or a chorus of croci. Both are the correct plural form of the word.

Monday, 04/03/2023: Posted photo — Certificate.

Finally received my AMC leader certificate and badge. The only thing is that the certificate is incorrect. It should also have a winter local leader certification on it. I am in the process of working on my backcountry leadership certificate. Will be doing some hikes in the White Mountains of New Hampshire starting in June. I have already hiked the forty-eight four thousand footers in New Hampshire twice and have led many hikes in them. Now I need to go through the formal training to receive my certification.

Tuesday, 04/04/2023: Posted photo — Flowers.

Shopping day. Saw these flowers in one of the stores. I took a photo of the one with the bunny since it is close to Easter. I took a photo of the roses because I like the way roses look.

Wednesday, 04/05/2023: Posted photo — Ready to Hike.

I lead a group on a full moon hike. The full moon is not until tomorrow. It rises so late on a weekday that the hike was held earlier. There was a good turn out for the hike, even though overcast sky was predicted. The clouds held out until after our hike was over. I started and ended with the same number of people, and the same people. Nobody was hurt so I would call this a successful hike.

Thursday, 04/06/2023: Posted photo — More Long Exposure.

Still playing with the long exposure settings on my camera. With the melting snow, the streams on the trails are starting to flow with more velocity. This would be a good shot if the dead leaves were not in it. Then again, I still am experimenting with this new feature.

Friday, 04/07/2023: Post photo — Clouds.

What a wonderful day today is. The temperatures were up in the high 60’s starting the day in the 30’s. This time of year, in New England, the temperature can fluctuate so quickly. I hear in other parts of the country that if you do not like the weather, just wait a minute. True in New England.

Saturday, 04/08/2023: Post photo — Glasses.

Had my eyes checked today for the first time in almost 10 years. I need new glasses and looking forward to getting them in a couple of weeks. This is a photo of some of the frames in the women’s section. I took this when my wife was selecting new frames.

Happy and Holy Easter to all.

For more photo of other projects I have work, visit my website: https://photobyjosephciras.weebly.com or visit me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PhotobyJosephCiras/.

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April 2, 2023

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Photographic Thoughts — 03/26/2023 to 04/01/2023

“I love the people I photograph. I mean, they’re my friends. I’ve never met most of them or I don’t know them at all, yet through my images I live with them.” — Bruce Gilden

Random thoughts and ideas for this week.

Sunday, 03/26/2023: Posted photo — Organ.

History lesson of the week.

“The earliest known organ was the hydraulis of the 3rd century bce, a rudimentary Greek invention, with the wind regulated by water pressure. The first recorded appearance of an exclusively bellow-fed organ, however, was not until almost 400 years later.” More information here.

“The Valère organ: The gothic organ is regarded as the oldest instrument of its type still in working order in the world. It is thought that it was installed in Valère between 1430 and 1440. It has barely three octaves, and the keys are much smaller than those on a modern instrument.” More information here.

Monday, 03/27/2023: Posted photo — Long Exposure.

This is from Machias Pool at a trailhead on Wachusett Mountain. I noticed that the camera on my phone has a long exposure setting so I was trying it out. I will need to try it out at the waterfalls at the end of Round Meadow Pond and at the Old Mill to see how it really works.

Tuesday, 03/28/2023: Posted photo — Bat House.

One of the best ways you can support bat conservation is to put up an artificial roost, like a bat house. Since bat populations have decreased significantly, bat houses can be very useful in providing secure roost sites for bats. This bat house is at one of the trailheads on Wachusett Mountain. It has been installed for a few years and is in great shape. There might be bats in there. I have hiked the mountain at all times of the day and during every season and have not see a bat use it.

Wednesday, 03/29/2023: Posted photo — Tomatoes.

Tomatoes take 60 days to more than 100 days to harvest, depending on the variety. Due to their relatively long growing season requirements (and late planting date), most gardeners plant small “starter plants” or transplants instead of seeds after the weather has warmed up in spring. Many gardeners purchase their transplants at a garden center or nursery but you can certainly grow you own from seed indoors.

Tomatoes contain lycopene, which may help lower your “bad” cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Lowering these numbers helps lower your chances of heart disease.

Thursday, 03/30/2023: Posted photo — Town Pound.

In the historical district in town, there is the old Town Pound. The pound is just a stone wall with a wooden gate. I can imagine the field filled with cows and goats in the old days.

Friday, 03/31/2023: Post photo — Melting Snow.

The temperature has been fluctuating between warm and cold around this area. The three feet of snow is still melting on our street. These are some pieced of wood that I need to split this summer to burn during the winter. There is still snow in our yard and in the mountains here in north central Massachusetts. The snow in our yard last longer than the surrounding area because we have many trees on our property that shade the sun.

Saturday, 04/01/2023: Post photo — St John’s High School.

I went to my high school today to watch our son compete in a cubing competition. I was in the class of 1982. He competes in a few events but mostly enters the data. He will be entering data for the cubing national championships this summer.

The place has changes since about 1990, the last time I was on campus. A few new buildings have gone up, the brother’s resident has been moved and a couple of state-of-the-art academic centers have been built. Here are a few photos from around campus.

Information from the school website. I would write its history the same way. “Saint John’s High School has educated young men under the sponsorship of the Xaverian Brothers since 1898. Saint John’s High School enjoys a unique history, one that is deeply rooted in the development and traditions of the Catholic Church in Central Massachusetts. The school was an outgrowth of both the first Catholic Church (1834) and the first parochial school (1873) in Worcester. It also has the distinction of being the first of many high schools operated by the Xaverian Brothers in New England.”

Have a good rest of the week and a Happy and Holy Easter next week.

For more photo of other projects I have work, visit my website: https://photobyjosephciras.weebly.com or visit me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PhotobyJosephCiras/.