Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: tribute

This morning, I am posting just this one photo. It's hard to believe that it has already been three years since my daughter passed away. Delicate Forget-me-nots were her favourite flower - my mother and my brother both loved them, too. They say that "Time will heal" - I would say that "ease" is a more accurate word to use, rather than "heal". I don't think one can ever "heal" from a great loss, especially the loss of a child, no matter the age. I miss her so much, but I take great comfort in knowing that she is no longer suffering in pain and facing difficult challenges each and every day. The other reason for posting just this photo today is that, instead of choosing and editing photos yesterday evening, ready for today, I spent more than three hours on the phone and online, trying to sort out a credit card problem. I discovered that two suspicious transactions (not made by me) had caused my card to be shut down - would have been nice if the Bank had let me know they had done this (a few days before Christmas). I now have to wait 7-10 days for a new one to arrive. This morning, 3 January 2018, it is bright and sunny here, with a temperature of -9C (windchill -11C), and it is supposed to warm up to 5C this afternoon. Yes, that is PLUS 5C!

I made this poster a couple of days ago, hoping that there might be no need to use it. However, the breaking news today is that the remains found recently in Florida ARE those of little two-year-old (almost three) Caylee Marie Anthony. I have followed this huge case closely for the last few months and it has caught the attention and emotions of so many people. I won't go into how I fail to understand how any mother (assuming she is found guilty at trial) could ever do this to another human being, especially her own beautiful little daughter. I will simply say "It's a sad, sad day today."

I don't have dogs or cats, but one dog in particular captured my heart (and the heart of so many people here on Flickr!). Beautiful Jasmine, so full of personality. We all feel we know her so well, despite having never met her in person. After a short illness, having been diagonosed with cancer, her loving owners did what they knew was the kindest, most loving, most unselfish thing they could do for their beloved companion. Yesterday, Jasmine was given permission to cross the Rainbow Bridge, where she will run free, in no pain. I hope you can take comfort in knowing that no dog could ever have been loved more, ever have been taken care of more. We all loved her, and we all shed tears at this tremendously sad time. Given time, we will all remember her with great fondness and we will be able to smile, thinking of the endless, amazing images you took and posted of "your girl". Rebecca and Emory, my heart goes out to you at this unbearably difficult time.

Like so many others, I have spent quite a lot of time watching the CNN Headline News the last day or two, about Hurricane/Superstorm Sandy. The power of Mother Nature is unbeatable. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those who have suffered, and are still suffering, the effects of this major storm. How people ever recover from something so devastating always has me shaking my head - but most people do. The power of determination and the strong feelings of community bring people together, and they push on till at least some semblance of "normal" can return. We are thinking of you all!

Our good friend, Doug (dougwaylett, www.flickr.com/photos/dougcwaylett/ ) passed away yesterday, following a massive heart attack. He died shortly after giving a talk on Slime Molds in the Herbarium at the University of Calgary, and then doing something that he loved to do - looking at some lichens there, which held such an interest and fascination for him. He had taught himself a tremendous amount and had, indeed, become quite an expert. He shared this expertise, along with so many wonderful photos, on Flickr, and his daughter has said that she will make sure that his photostream remains on Flickr. I am so thankful for all the many bird and botany walks and hikes the last few years, also snake monitoring - I always knew Doug would find something new or especially beautiful to show us! Sometimes, the forest would echo with a loud "Hey, Anne!" and I knew that Doug, usually down on the ground and out of sight, had found something. We are going to miss this so much, but his passion will join with our own passion and live on in each of us. Doug, may your spirit guide our footsteps and our eyes, so that we can continue to find all those priceless treasures that bring so much joy, whether they be in forest, on mountain top, or the bog we so much enjoyed. Flo, our thoughts are with you and the family - take good care of yourself.

I believe the whole world will be watching, or stopping to remember, tomorrow (well, I should say today now, as it is after midnight) and remembering the horrific events of 11th September 2001. So many mental images that will never, ever leave our minds and hearts. People from so many different countries, not just the US. So many stories of loss and heartbreak - and so many stories of bravery and heroic actions. Remembering .... all those who lost their lives on that fateful day: all those who lost loved ones and close friends or fellow workers; all those who rushed in to "do their job" or "to help others" in any way they could. Remembering .... all those who were severely injured on that fateful day and who have bravely suffered every day since then; all those Firemen, Emergency Medical people, Police - men and women, who have suffered and continue to suffer emotionally and physically, including illnesses caused by being exposed to harmful chemicals. The list goes on and on. Remembering ... and praying that we never see another day like September 11th, 2001.

My original title for this was "Happiness and joy" (which is the meaning of a pink rose), but it just didn't feel right, having read a few moments ago that Dame Elizabeth Taylor has died. I'm not a big follower of movies any more (no time and no particular interest), but, like probably most of us, I did watch most of her movies over the years. I have great respect for the way she faced all her many medical ordeals (way more than her fair share) and still kept her humour, and fought so hard for those with HIV/AIDS. She certainly seemed to squeeze an awful lot into her lifetime! She will be greatly missed. Snowing again today .... Note: this is the only time I have ever changed the background to an image. I tried everything from exposure to brightness but still ended up with a sickly, dull grey background - and my fridge surface is white. I had recently read someone's description on Flickr of how they had changed their background in PS (Elements). I took a look and tried it. Normally, I take so many of my flower photos against a black background in the first place, lol. That way, I don't feel like I've cheated!!!

This little flower (photographed in the luxury of daylight!) in the gardens at the Calgary Zoo makes me think of a miner's lamp, shining its light into the darkness. This is a tribute to the many Chilean miners who have spent just over two months trapped deep below the ground, to their courage. Also a tribute to their brave families, who have never had any guarantee that their loved ones would ever return home safe and sound. Last, but definitely not least, this is a tribute to the international rescue team, from those who designed and created each piece of rescue equipment, to the men and women who have been planning and waiting for a rescue to be made possible. So far, 15 of the miners have reached the surface and been reunited with family. My thoughts go out to those still trapped, hoping that rescue work will continue to have such a thankful outcome! Some difficult challenges to possibly face in the coming months, no doubt, as each individual tries to carry on a "normal" life. Well done, everybody! 9:33 p.m. Calgary time - all 33 miners and their rescue workers have now been brought up to safety! A brilliant rescue by all concerned. Great, great news! The number 13 HAS to be their lucky number : ) I am so happy for you all!