I try not to get into any one's face politically or spiritually. And I'm not going to now. However, some will perceive that this is what I am doing anyway. Fact is, I just feel it very important to pass this on so everyone can watch, and decide for themselves. A wise man once said, "A little learning is a dangerous thing; drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring: these shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, and drinking largely sobers us again." Alexander Pope (1688-1744) in "An Essay on Criticism" 1709.

Below is a copy of an email I sent to all my friends and relatives today after viewing "An Inconvenient Truth", the documentary on global warming:

Ok, I've sent my share of amusing, interesting, or trivial emails to all I know and that's ok. But now I'm sending one I hope everyone I know will take to heart and share with others as well. If you haven't seen the movie "An Inconvenient Truth" yet, you owe it to yourself to do so. You will first need to put aside any of your preconceived political, religious, or idiosyncratic notions. Just watch it and learn. I can't be too overly dramatic about this. It puts "being green" into proper perspective. By now, our nation has already begun to conserve energy, largely to make it easier to afford to travel, to afford to pay our utility bills and to become less dependent on foreign oil suppliers. But we must not forget that there is a much bigger and important reason for becoming greener. Preserving planet Earth and providing an environment for our children and grand children to live in. Or to just live, period. We don't have the luxury of time to continue to procrastinate any longer. Please watch the movie whenever you get the chance, for your own benefit, if not as a favor to me, ok? Thanks

I hope that readers of this blog will also take the opportunity to see this movie.

TOMMY EMMANUEL/DETERMINATION

As promised earlier, here's Mr. Emmanuel performing when he was younger with a rock and roll/jazz group. After viewing many videos of him playing acoustical guitar, I was amazed to find this video of him on the electric guitar! As you will see. he is truly masterful. I've only seen a couple other videos of him during this era of his life. One of them is performing with his brother Phil at the 2000 Sydney Olympics closing ceremony. See if you can find it on the internet.

COLORADO BLUHMS

LOCATION: Yankee Boy Basin, Ouray, CO

CAMERA: Bronica ETRS

COMMENT: Finding these Columbine flowers in such abundance at this location was very gratifying since they are rarely found growing naturally at lower elevations.

GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK


LOCATION: Near Mosca, CO

CAMERA: Bronica ETRS

COMMENT: At the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, sand dunes are unique for this altitude and climate. The shot was taken near sundown, making the yellow grass look almost like spinned gold.

MIRROR LAKE

LOCATION: Yosemite, CA

CAMERA: Nikon FE2

COMMENT: This was my first trip to Yosemite and before you see such sites as El Capitan, Half Dome, etc. you pass by beautiful Mirror Lake. It was the beginning of several days of camping in this area made famous by the late Ansel Adams in his magnificent black and white photographs.

CATAMOUNT CREEK FALLS

LOCATION: Thomas Trail, Green Mountain Falls, Co

CAMERA: Bronica ETRS

COMMENT: The water source is Catamount Reservoir, which has an outlet creek that flows over the side of the mountain, creating many waterfalls. The Thomas Trail travels alongside the creek. This shot was taken just after sunrise, which lit up a large rock off to the right of the image. This golden light was reflected in the water in the lower half of the photo. The exposure was around two seconds.