Unlike the letter "Q" of last week's ABC Wednesday post, the letter "R" for this week did not rush to bring a word to mind. Several words rumbled aimlessly around, and only yesterday, did Rhythm become the one that remained resolutely at the top of the list. Not surprising, given that my career teaching the rudiments of music has been a resonating part of my life for just about as long as I can remember. I looked up a few meanings of the word, and finally settled on a personalized definition: Rhythm is the regular recurrence of strong and weak elements in nature and in manmade phenomena.
Here are some of the ways I saw Rhythm in my daily life this past week:
(all photos except the one of the sibling heron chicks were taken this week)
1. A heron fishing
watch
pounce
shake
relish the (poor) victim
fly to new spot.. begin ritual again
2. A Cormorant pulling a root from the depths of False Creek
reach for the root
really try to retrieve it
repeat effort many times
return to nest with reward
3. Blossoms growing
strong and weak..
accents of colour
rise to the light
and respond to the sun
find a rank, all in a row
reawaken the remembrance of a childhood aroma
rock and roll in reckless abandon
twitch nose to locate the source of a reverberating buzz in the bushes
5. The ritual of Springtime
Sing..
a romantic song
roam a route to reproduce and multiply
review ideal nesting spots
reveal one's hidden beauty
rest on top of the world
show off one's radiance
restore..
one's energy
retreat for the honeymoon
rule the nest for a better chance of survival
respond to the family's..
every requirement
6. Rhythm in movement
steady march forward
until the enemy (Black Jack) retreats
rotate food store to the back of the pouch
rest and relax between rolling along
ready..
raise..
and reach
sway to and fro..
in a gentle breeze.
7. Rhythm of the human body's dance and a photographer's attempt to record the moment
Warren, my talented fitness instructor,
now embarking on a new role..
as a dance instructor..
with a cruise ship company. All the best, Warren!
A cyclist repeating..
his routines..
over and over..
with relentless and rugged..
self-discipline.
A skateboarder's working relationship with her photographer
Another skateboarder with videographer..
rolling along behind him.
And yet another photographer risking life and limb..
to record..
his friend's..
rollicking rhythm.
Two more skateboarders..
rotating and recovering.
A cyclist: Ready..
rising..
rounding the edge..
and miraculously (in my view) returning!
8. Rhythm of architectural design
Sun Yat-Sen Gardens, a place to let your internal rhythms slow down
The Sun Tower..
and it's winding fire escape
Victory Square with The Dominion Building behind it.
Vancouver's Central Library
This fine example of rolling elegance passed by and couldn't be resisted as the final entry in my set of masterpieces of architectural rhythm and design :)
9. Rhythm of music:
Seen by the seawall. There are many drum circles around..
but if you ever come across these fellows, do stop and stay awhile.
Their rhythms are complex, well rehearsed and worthy of great respect!
A saxophonist whose mellow jazz reached my ears and held my attention.
I think he said his name was Ian Shaw. More info later if I can find it.
His rhythms and melodies caught the lazy feel of a hot summer's day..
and rolled respectfully right into the radical radiance.
