I'm with you in spirit -

[Mira]

But in reality I can only look in to see how the contest is going, that's about it.

I'm in the Florida Keys, I'm spending my time looking after my Mom (86), the "fish with feet",
who spends a minimum of 4-5 hours a day in the water, ocean or pool, never stops talking and requires to be heard watched and accompanied, and cannot be left alone because she can barely walk.

My son lovingly and appropriately calls her "high maintenance".

Yes, I'm taking photos, but can't sit and sort or work them.

Here are a few.


Observation at the pool



Plankton floating


Sunset, last night, and I have more and better but this is at hand



And here is the fish with feet while I still have the opportunity to look after her

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear Mira!

Ah, sweetie...how lucky I was here when you posted these...

They are WONDERFUL!

I love the first one, with the hand seemingly reaching for the glass...

And the texture of the water is amazing.

Your sunset made me gasp. Gorgeous.

Your mom looks like a great lady with a sense of humor...

Thanks for posting, sweetie!

When do you come home?

:hug:

[Mira]

2. Are we having fun yet or what?

I love your response and care for me and that you like my shots.
I have so many more LOL, I have dispensation if I am behind the camera, Mom understands that's important, because by my camera the family got chronicled, but then I don't have the time to download and edit.

I'm here for a good while longer, almost til the end of the month.

I'm was here also with my son and grandson who are leaving in the morning, and a cousin whom I have not seen since he was 12 and now he is 56, and his son, 25, who is a medical student in his fourth year of studies to become a doctor, and who understands that the approx. 1100 Euros a year his family has to contribute to his becoming a doctor annually is a real wonderful socialist miracle.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. I'm glad you're having fun, Mira!

We will keep a light on for you!

Alas, my island pic didn't make it into the finals. But hey, the field is very strong.

Sounds like you have a very cool family...

Have fun, post when you can, and don't worry about editing...

:hug:

[Elfin Yeti]

4. Myra!

Nice to hear from you! Your photographs just keep getting better and better! The plankton looks like a Monet painting! I love them all -- each has a treasure in the composition, e.g., the one of your mom and the distortion of her feet and the first one with the hand! Brilliant!

Sounds like you have your hands full taking care of your mom -- she's lucky to have you! Keep shooting, it will keep you sane during this challenging time.

You're a saint...

[Callalily]

5. Nice to hear from you Mira!

And I'm glad that among your Mom duties you are able to take pictures, and even have time to share them with us here.

[Sheepshank]

6. Mind if I jump in here?

First and foremost, I do love your pictures...always love the human perspective you bring into it. Fish with feet, and there is your mom's underwater foot as clear and fin-like as all get out.

Second, I adore the care you take to spend time with your mom. My dad is out visiting with us. He came from 1/2 a world away, so we suspect this will be his last visit here. He has been here for 7 weeks and will leave in one more. It has been a challenge. I assume (but I could be very wrong) you see you mom more frequently, but without being around dad all the time, I see big changes in his health, frailty and downward spiraling outlook on life. It has been disconcerting. I am trying to show much patience, he doesn't understand much of USA's social and medical downfalls and is angry that the reason he cannot stay longer is purely because of medical reasons and explosive medical insurance charged by independent insurers to come to the USA. At his age he dare not come here without some health back up. His anger and frustration at this, seeps into our conversations and tells me I'm stupid for living here under these conditions. I don't' know how to answer back and try to be respectful at the same time. For some reasons, he puts me at blame. BUT...I respect the man that has done so much for me while I wa growing up. I appreciate that my kids do get a chance to know some things about their family and heritage. We have a rich European background which has them enthralled and proud of their heritage. I am sorry to hijack your thread....I'm done now.

[Mira]

8. You're not hijacking a thing...

you are offering understanding in many ways. A deep understanding. I wish I could say more, but I have someone looking at me as I type, expecting me to stop NOW.

My Mom comes from Germany and I see her here in the Keys every summer, where we have the luxury of a friend's condo for free.
She brings a friend of hers or another relative who helps across the ocean and gets a place to stay, and I take over when she is here.

She lives in a fine old age home, and I talk to her just about every day, so we have a good connection; seeing each other is not as easy as the phone calls.

The only reason she does not LIVE with me in the States is the health care - she has a rider in her insurance for travel - but she could not live here permanently because she could not get insurance.

As you see we have similarity in experience - just like we all do.
Six degrees and all that,
signing off and thank you so very much for your kind words about my photos.

[NV Whino]

7. Man, you had better get that plankton out of the pool!

That sunset is over the top – truly amazing. Post when you can, it's always a joy to see your photos.

[madmax]

9. Harrrumph!!

So this is where you're hiding ;)

Hope you're having a good time with your wonderful family. Enjoy!! Before you know it the leaves ill be turning and winter will be here.

Going to Myrtle Beach August 23 for 8 days.

Loved the Hammock pix from the photo contest.

[Saphire]

10. enjoy your vacation and enjoy your mom..they are precious gifts.

[CC]

11. Wondered if you would be on

you yearly vacation the Key West when I posted the mild can. (You can find it when you get home.) Glad you aren't contending with oil and only with mom. We can wait to see all your photos until you get home and decompress. All your photos are great and love how your mom's feet look after you commentary but that plankton picture is perfect. Love the light, the ripples, the plankton itself and that you can just barely see some greenery in place on the sandy bottom. Very recognizable for what it is yet abstract at the same time.

Have fun and hell nothing wrong with spending most of the day in the water. ;) If your mom has trouble walking I'm surprised she doesn't spend even more time in the water. Makes moving so much easier.

[Celebration]

12. Too cool!!

To stay in the water that long. She has it made with that noodle. Great sunset. Have fun. :hi:

[hippywife]

13. Great shots, Myra.

Didn't you say at some point that your mom has trouble moving around? The water must bring your mom so much comfort and ease of movement. It's probably the only place she feels she can safely move around without fear and pain. I long to be floating in that water with her. It looks so inviting.

Enjoy your ease, too, and your time with the fish with feet. :D


BTW, that's not plankton. That's sargasso weed. Plankton are tiny living organisms.

[dixiegrrrrl]

14. check your email and the hurricane report link.

Pls. say hello to your Mom from all your friends here.
I am so glad she could make it again this year, and know your time with her is extra special now.

Our insurance in this country sucks. To think that is separating people from their families. Grrrrr.

[JeffR]

15. Good grief but that sunset photo is just spectacular!

But the real highlight here is the last photo, simultaneously a wonderful portrait and very funny. Your mom sounds like a treasure. Just like you.

[Mira]

16. To ALL of you my friends

Thank you for your attention and commentary.
It makes me feel appreciated and cared about.

Posting a few a day is like decompression. I can't right now look at much of what's posted. I saw a little of Rachel tonight, and I see not much has improved.
And I want to welcome JeffR back to the fold.

[JeffR]

18. Thanks!

:)

[MattSh]

17. Well done indeed.

Really like that first one, especially the hand coming out of the water. Adds a bit of a surreal touch to it.