Over the past several months since becoming active on Gather, I have noticed the icons of many people... for the most part they represent the person they want to be or the thing that they most value . Rarely do they change except perhaps during special occassions such as Earth Day or Celebrate Gather Day. And then there are some who have no icon at all...most disconcerting to some people I have read. And then there is me...like life itself...I find myself changing icons like some people change clothes.
In the beginning I chose to be a blue heron on a stain glass window... an image Papa created because I love stain glass and the blue heron holds a special place in my heart.
But then Earth Day came and I thought...hmmmm....
Should I be a pristine forest....
or should I be the Wise man of the forest who has watched this world pass me by?
In the end, after much mulling, I chose the Wise Man.
After a few days, I changed back to the blue heron. But then I took a walk with Tuck and thought to myself...ummm...I'm a walker and a dog lover...maybe I should change my icon to reflect this...and so with a click of the mouse, I became....
This lasted for a few days but then I wrote about the flowers in my garden and decided I was a nurturer of life...a happy gardener and so once again I went to my images and chose....
irises in bloom.
As you can see, I'm quite eclectic...always redefining who and what I am.
Am I a cat lover?
or a political activist?
Am I an explorer following new trails?
Or do I take joy in the friendships of fellow women and share time at my favorite place in Flye Point, Maine.
In the end, I cannot decide...because I am all these things and depending on the mood of the day, I can be anything...anything I choose to greet the day and my fellow travelers on Gather.
One image that is not here is one that I hold close to my heart... it was created by Ludolp Grolle de Rochefort. You can find this image of a painting he dedicated to me on June 6th in an article called "faith, hope and charity". In essence, Ludy knows the true me....go to his site and see if you agree. Don't ask me for the link, I know not this task...and rely on others to show the way.
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Comments: 71
For me, I've only been a Gatha head, my high school yearbook photo, Juliet Capulet (pink drawing) and now, my wedding photo icon. If I ever get enough sleep to have a new photo taken, I'll use that.
A Moment In My Day
As you can see, I too love Irises in bloom. They are my favorite flower. It is too bad that their blooming is so short lived! I have honey suckle that has been blooming for about 2 months now and they still smell wonderful!
Don't you just love our Tim...though he differs in his political thinking...he is a kind, wonderful thoughtful individual.
Or "Take me as I am...a silly woman who creates sculptures on the beach at sunrise!"
I love the mutifaceted you!
Let me see if I can find this photo you cherish. :)
You've tapped a new set of ideas for me and villageness - the importance of masks to the Lightness of Being.
Us old hippies/60's folk feel uncomfortable being the same thing forever, I think!
Loved all of your photo icons and essay!
Today I called "The man who stands in falling blossoms"
or Today I am "The echo left in a room where something has happened"
We change. Constantly, for better or worse.
You put me in mind of this.
Darcey D.
Your photographic essay is really quite creative and introspective.
In my case, I choose to remain that weird looking guy you see on the left. Given that I am an animal and nature lover at heart, using any other image could result in confusion. As a matter of fact, my photo was taken moments after I retrieved my glasses from a playful African Gray parrot had grabbed them off my face. Brrraaack!
Thanks for your essay!
I change my icon periodically when the mood strikes me. (Kind of like cleaning the house!)
Enjoyed your article and photos, Bob. :D
But everything said and done, an icon and name on Gather are merely signposts to point to qualities XYZ which readers will find in the writings of that particular author.
But I want you to know...I have enjoyed reading all of your comments and appreciate the response this article received.
flit...thanks for stopping by and creating a link to Rudo's art page.
jennifer and Deb...saw you went to Ludy's page...what a talented guy he is...met him through Will.
Tonia...I think I like this icon the best too....but then again, tomorrow morning something else might come to the forefront. I told you...if I was a student today, I'm sure they would label me ADHD or whatever those letters are for hyper activity!
Amy B. and Katrina...that is one problem with changing icons...finding each other as well as finding yourself...but then I can't always find my car at the grocery store...so...you just have to look a little harder!
Lisa F., So glad you have a daughter with an "eye" for pictures...
Sonia, your not an old stodge!
Wilma, I love seeing pictures of your grandbabies!
And Cecile...your latest icon is great!
Clare...the images could go on...because I did have several others...but I didn't want the article to be too long. Had the idea on the porch this morning when I was thinking about posting a new icon..."hey, that will make a nice article!"
Bret...Inuits actually do that...when I was in the village I was called "baby bird with big mouth"...and that's what they called me to my name...goodness knows how they referred to me when I wasn't about! Today I would have been "agitated woman wildly doing chores as she clicks on plastic egg!"
Darcey...never a snake!
Hey Jeff, your not weird looking ....but I'm wondering about this African gray parrot you speak of????
TD...I like that picture of Tuck, too.
Roy...Never IMAC....NEVER!
I like this icon the best, I think, poetically speaking, though I love the forest, Flye Point, Iris, Trails, and your house at Carver.
Beryl...crazy idea...but it did lead to some good discussions as to having one vs. many icons. Thanks for your imput.
Oh Alyssa...can't wait to see you next icon?
This definitely looks like you are having fun, Elizabob.
As you know I like to change icons, too.
I niticed you changed yours Amy but I can still find you!
Smiles back to you Debbie H.
Will hop over to Gatherstock Party later on today. Hope everything positive is happening with Mama's house.