BONSAI

[Mozzy Profile]

This is an image of a Japanese White Pine that I owned for thirty years. Sadly my health has been getting worse over the years, mostly rampant osteo arthritis.

Anyway, it is now under new ownership and this was the very last image I took. The following day the tree was gone. I'd taken this one at dusk. I was unable to get the angle in front hence the angle that you see here is the last one that I could get both the tree and the quarter of a ton granite lantern in together.

JWP original SPE.JPEG (223.62 KiB) Viewed 5290 times

Last ever JWP-SPE.JPEG (356.77 KiB) Viewed 5290 times

[Arwin Profile]

Thats a beautiful bonsai! 30 years.., that must be terrible to give up..

Take care,
Arwin

[Mozzy Profile]

It would have been much worse to neglect it and potentially lose it to poor health. Better now that it has a new fit custodian. After all we never really own living things.

Mozzy

[Arwin Profile]

True!

Arwin

[andrewb2012 Profile]

Wonderful image Mozzy with so many memories for you. I empathize with your osteo arthritis condition - although not a sufferer myself, I have a severe spinal condition called spinal osteo chondritisis that can be extremely debilitating too, likewise, I suffer from peripheral neuropathy that effects my feet in particular and a host of other conditions. I tell you this so that you know that you are not alone - I've been surprised at how many people have found fulfillment through the likes of Flickr & forums such as SPE even though they suffer from severe physical & medical conditions. I've been uplifted many times by other peoples stories and how they remain positive in adversity. It was my recent diagnosis of diabetes and macular degeneration (together with peropheral neuropathy) that led me to reappraise my lifestyle. So like you, I sought new homes for the things I cannot tend or use. First to go were my digital SLRs and a host of lenses & equipment that I could no longer heave about - my seeming loss was others gain, as I gave them to friends who could not afford to buy them. For me, there really was no loss as I was gifted a beautiful Fuji bridge camera that has amazing capabilities with a focal range of 24-1000 mm (35 mm equivalent) so I only need the one camera with the inbuilt super-lens. I do of course still adore the high-end compact cameras that I have - Samsung EX1 & Canon G15 - these are easy to carry around. I did have to give up driving, so I am much less able to go on photo-shoots as I once did.

Things change in life - it happens to us all to some degree. But as one door closes often another opens and allows us to still feel fulfilled - Smart Photo Editor is one such door that has given me a great sense of fulfillment - and I feel that is the same for you too.

So, you've parted with your bonsai - but I'm sure it has gone to a good home and will be well taken care of - I hope you can still feel the joy of all the years you tended it. I used to do a lot of hill-walking & a bit of rock-climbing (both indoor & outdoor) and absolutely LOVED it - can't do either any more - do I miss them? No! Why not? Because other things have filled the void - I now have two BEAUTIFUL granddaughters that are worth more to me that any camera, hill-top view, or anything else that I've given up. I see the youngest one (Amelie) every week as my son & his partner live relatively nearby, the eldest one (Myla) lives about 140 miles away with my eldest daughter & her husband - so we don't see her so often. However, as I write Myla & her mum & dad are coming down today to stay until Tuesday and will be joined with Amelie on Monday & Tuesday. So as I said - when one door closes, so often another (and often a better) door opens.

I'm upbeat about life and its trials for I have personally found life's blessings outweigh the trials. I hope that this is your experience too!

I wish you all the best with your struggles - you still possess wonderful photographic & processing skills together with amazing creativity!

Kindest regards,

Andrew

[philiped Profile]

Inspirational post Andrew, thank you.

[Mozzy Profile]

Thank you Andrew, enormously appreciated!

Mozzy

[photographer333 Profile]

Beautiful Bonsai and, as always, a very beautiful photograph ..Glad the Bonsai has gone to a good home.
Mr. Miyagi would have been so pleased !!

[Mozzy Profile]

lol, Mr Miyagi indeed.

Amazing how many say their interest in Bonsai started from the original movie.

Thanks all