Bee’s Musings

Apparently there are more chickens in the world than people.

Think about that for a second… of course, they’re smaller, have a shorter life span, and we have them for dinner. Of course it makes sense for them to be more of them.

When I first read it though, I thought of all the people in the world who are “chickens.” I know that I’m one of them. There are so many amazing opportunities in this world that I let pass me by because I’m too afraid - in a sense, I’m too big of a chicken.

I’m starting to make changes now that make me feel like more of a person, and less of a chicken. I’ve taken a new job with a new company, working on the type of projects that I haven’t worked on in a long time, but always loved. I’m moving into a new place, all on my own… I even get to buy my own brand-new living room furniture.

And I’m opening myself up to the love the universe has to offer, whenever it is ready to offer it to me.

I’m selfish, impatient, and a little insecure.
I make mistakes, I am out of control, and at times hard to handle…
But if you can’t handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don’t deserve me at my best.

~Marilyn Monroe

Very few people actually like to think about death. Most of us avoid it - when we hear of someone passing, we give our condolences and move on as quickly as we can. Mortality is frightening.

In the gallery Life Before Death, German photographer, Walter Schels, and his partner Beate Lakotta present contrasting portraits of individuals: one taken shortly before their death, and another after.

Rarely do we see death so vividly, have the opportunity to gaze at someone who has passed, and look for what’s still there, or what’s missing. Most of images of death are violent - scences from war and from crime. These are photos of people living in hospice, who kne that their time had come. What stories are they trying to convey with those last portraits? What can you learn from the set of their jaw, the depth of their eyes? Online, these images are haunting. I can only imagine how powerful they would be when encountered in person.

Sure, there are lots of good uses for all those plastic bags you end up with after a trip to the grocery store or Target. You can use them as small trash can liners, or give them to your friends with dogs… for the obvious use.

Or, with a little time on your hands, you can use a collection of plastic bags to make a stronger, re-usable plastic bag tote. I’m not sure I’m up for this project yet, but its interesting to consider.

Plastic Bag Tote