Veterans Day 2012

I like to send these purple flowers and my deepest appreciation to the veterans and their family.

-Quan.
November 2012.

“Anyone who has ever looked into the glazed eyes of a solder dying on the battlefield will think hard before starting a war.” ~ Otto Von Bismark.

Desert Rose

Photo copyright: Quan Tran

At the time, I was so attracted to this flower that I had take a few exposures. I found out later, after searching the Internet, that this Adenium also has a nick name of "Desert Rose". No wonder why I was so captivated by it. For some reasons, deep down in my mind, the desert always gives me the impression of modest beauties but full of mysterious attractions.

-Quan.
August 2012.

Daisies for G

Photo copyright: Quan Tran
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I like to send these daisies to G who is now recovering from a heart attack on Saturday. I am very happy to learn that G is home and OK now.

G, I wish you a speedy recovery; and take good care of yourself.

-Quan.
March 2012.

“My life sucks! I just gotta remember that someone out there is having a heart attack, or getting a limb amputated. Then I stop complaining.” ~ Author Unknown.

Flowers and Cross

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As the Holiday Season is upon us, I wish you a very happy Holiday Season filled with peace and prosperity. May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!

-Quan
December 2011
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“Dear Santa, I can explain...” ~ Unknown.

Lillian

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She was so beautiful, pure, and irresistible. If I were a bee, I would beg for mercy and I would probably drop dead by her stamens. People told me that her name was Lily, but she liked to go by Lillian. She usually hung out with her friends, and told me that it would be too confusing for everybody to call each other Lily.

I met Lillian on a cloudy day in the garden. I was not particularly motivated and was about to go home. Then, I saw Lillian and friends blooming in front of the cafe near the exit. I felt as if she was born for and thrive in the soft, diffused light. After taking a few exposures, I went home anyway. However, now I was very motivated and more. Like a kid given a candy, Lillian was my treat of the day.

“When you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with the other” ~ Chinese Proverbs

Sextet

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From far away, the fence looked like yellow polka dot wall. There were thick layers of vines and leaves covered by the sprinkles of these little flowers on the outer layer.

Up close, it was chaos. There were no laws and orders. These little people just grew in an uncontrolled, but very energetic fashion. Getting even closer, I found this sextet. They were music to my eyes. It seemed like they were smiling and singing, “Hello Mister, welcome to this corner of the fence. How are you doing today?” To which I replied “Hello Sunshine.”

Thank you everyone for visiting this corner of the World Wide Web. May your weekend filled with sunshine.

-Quan
December 2011.

“Chaos is the score upon which reality is written.” ~ Henry Miller

Wild Flowers

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It was late afternoon; the sun is coming down quickly. I had an image in my mind that I wanted to take, but this lady was in my view. So, I waited for her to finish taking her pictures. She appeared to me as very meticulous; she took her time shooting, take a few steps, shot again; few more steps, then shot some more. When she finished shooting and started to walk away, I was so relief and got ready for my shot.

Well, only after a few steps, she stopped. This time, she took out some small device, and just stood there. There she was with her little device, and here I was running out of patience. And the sun is coming down quickly.

Then I thought why not take a picture of her instead. After I took this photograph, I didn’t want to wait for the one I originally waited for. I walked away happy knowing it would not be as good without her.

The entire time, I stood there waiting for something which I thought may be good; not knowing the good was right in front of me. Thanks to my incidental model for being in my way. However, now in hindsight, I am the one who needed to get out of my own way.

“Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them.” ~ A. A. Milne

Veterans Day 2011

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It’s Friday, why not take a little break from whatever you are doing and look at some flower.

Today is also Veterans Day in the US. I like to take a moment to say thanks to our veterans. They risk their lives during combat, and then have to deal with the post-war trauma. These folks really give up a huge chunk of their lives, so that we can enjoy ours.

I don’t know the name of this flower; so I just call it “Little Purple Flower”. People say purple flowers symbolize royalty. With that, I like to dedicate this flower to our veterans.

To those who served, I salute you!

-Quan.

November 2011. 

“Just living is not enough,” said the butterfly. “One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower.” ~ Hans Christian Andersen

Azra

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Anyone following the news lately would notice that there were many tragic events happened in recent weeks. The monsoon flooded Bangkok; then now the earthquake in Turkey. Sometimes, it can be depressing watching the news.

I like to send my best wishes to the people in Thailand and Turkey; my thoughts go to the victims, and my condolences to their loved ones.

Then on Tuesday, I happened to watch the footage about a 2-week-old baby girl, Azra Karaduman, pulled out alive from the rubble by the earthquake rescue team. That’s good news (for a change). I felt as if I was watching a miracle unfolding right in front of my eyes. A miracle, indeed!

Today, I want take the liberty to title this photograph “Azra” (hope you don’t mind) to celebrate Azra Karaduman. And, I want to propose a toast to her “Azra, you can survive this earthquake; you can handle anything life throws at you later on. I sincerely wish you, despite a rough start, a happy and wonderful long life.”

-Quan
October 2011.

"Live long and prosper, my friend." ~ Stars Trek.

Separate Way

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If you must go, take good care.
May the sun always shine.
If you must go, don’t look back.
May your future be bright.

But if you stay, just a while.
We’ll dance in the rain,
sing with the wind, and the moon.
We’ll be alright, I know.

But if you go, take my heart.
Heart can’t dance without you.
Wind won’t blow, and moon won’t shine.
So take my heart, wherever you go.

-o-

Love,
-Quan, April 2011.

A Lotus for Japan

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Even when its roots are in the dirtiest waters, the Lotus produces the most beautiful flower. The Lotus flower is regarded as a symbol of purity, enlightenment, self-regeneration and rebirth.

I like to dedicate this Lotus flower to the people in Japan. I wish that there are no more aftershocks, and the death toll to stop rising. I wish them a speeding recovery. My thoughts and heart are with the people in Japan.

If anyone likes to help, I include this link from Yahoo! News: “Japan earthquake and tsunami: How to help”

-Quan.
March 2011.

White Rose



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It’s been several months since I last visited my mother. Mom’s house is only about one-hour drive away; I really had no excuse for the long absence besides being so busy with heavy work schedule.

My mom loves gardening. Through the years, she spends countless hours of her free time working outside in the backyard. Day by day, the backyard gradually transforms into a mini garden full of beautiful plants, flowers and vegetables.

Every time I visit mom, I always make a point to go out to the backyard. It’s my retreat area. So this time, after having lunch and watching TV with Mom for a while, I went out to the backyard, as usual, to relax. At this time of year, most plants are out of season, there isn’t a lot going on, other than a few small cactus blooms. As I sat on the swing, looking toward the apple tree, I noticed a lone blossomed white rose illuminated by the afternoon sun beams shining through between the apple leaves. So, I get up and took a few frames.

The purity and beauty of the white rose remind me of the motherly love we all felt when we were little. In the young child’s eyes, Mom is a goddess, beautiful and pure. As we become of age, leaving the nest, struggling with life and drifting away from home, we lose touch. It felt good to be reminded of how beautiful mom always is in my heart.

I dedicate this photo my mom, my wife and all the mothers out there.

-Quan.
February 2011.