Edmund M Kindle - Photography

Revamp of sites

2011-10-13T23:01:00.000-04:00

I have just finished my website at www.edkindle.com and have reworked this blog page to coincide with the new website image. This has taken no small amount of time and I hope you will be as pleased with the results as I am.

I hope that you take a moment to view the images at my site and check back as I will continue to update it with new images.

I hope that I can publish some of my lectures here as well as some of my photographic musings.

If you stop by, feel free to leave a comment and if you would like to send me an email, head on over to my site and use the contact form as that is the fastest way to reach me.

Thanks for your time!

EMk

New Waldameer Vintage postcards on flickr

2010-07-03T16:03:00.000-04:00

I have posted more vintage postcard scans of Waldameer Park in Erie, PA on my flickr page. You can view my entire page here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ed_kindle/

And I have a separate set of just the Waldameer Park images here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ed_kindle/sets/72157624289445385/

Thanks for looking.

Favorite Quote

2009-05-28T16:37:00.001-04:00

Life is short & we have not too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are traveling the dark way with us.

O Be Swift to Love!

Make hast to be kind.

Henri-Frederic Amiel
1821 ~ 1881

The Pillsbury Project

2009-01-11T11:44:00.001-05:00

Check out the Pillsbury Project at

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ed_kindle/

When I worked at the Camera Shop, A customer told me about this Styrofoam doughboy that got passed around the neighborhood where she lived.

She said it would show up in neighbors decorations at Christmas in Santa's sleigh, When someone returned from vacation it would appear in their yard with dozens of pink flamingos and dozens of other incidents. They never knew who had it and never knew when it would appear -

I asked her if it ever showed up, to let me know, I had an idea for a project. She called me and I went to get him. The photos show what I did for the next two days.

When I returned the doughboy to her, I gave her a set of the photos. I later heard that her son, copied all the photos and sent a different photo to each person in the neighborhood.

I would have loved to hear what happened next.

Survivorship Talk - Space Coast Cancer Center Open House

2008-06-07T21:18:00.000-04:00

I started thinking about this talk and I decided to look up a few words in the dictionary. I started with survivor.

Definition of survivor

A person or thing that survives.

To remain alive or in existence.

To remain functional or usable.

A person who continues to function or prosper in spite of opposition, hardship, or setbacks.

That didn’t do much for me so I looked up survivorship.

Definition of survivorship

The condition of being a survivor.

The probability of surviving to a particular age.

A person who continues to function or prosper in spite of opposition, hardship, or setbacks.

I still was not sure what I was looking for, but that felt closer. I then looked up the definition of fighter.

Fighter

A person with the will, courage, determination, ability, or disposition to fight, struggle, resist.

This room contains fighters. Both care givers and survivors.

We have fought back, sometimes alone, and sometimes with the help of others to take back control of our lives from a disease that creates horrible suffering and horrible outcomes. The people in this room have used every tool in the toolbox, every weapon in the arsenal to combat and push back this disease and every year we are winning this war, battle by battle. Soon, we will be victorious.

Every year more people are fighting and more people are surviving. This room contains some of the bravest and most courageous people I have ever had the honor to meet. The physicians, the nurses, the technicians, the office staff, the caregivers and the patients all are fighters and have one singular goal in mind. One focus and that is to stop and conquer cancer, to create survivors. Even this building, is a monument and symbol of the desire, determination and vision to treat patients and caregivers with respect and compassion in this struggle to survive.

I was told of an article attributed to A.M Thrash, M.D. from Seale, Alabama that outlined and told of the importance of attitude in surviving cancer. I can tell you from personal experience that attitude is important. If you knew me during my treatment, you knew my attitude was awful, but my caregivers attitudes more than made up for it and eventually helped me retune my attitude. I like to think I have adjusted it a bit since.

There are 25 characteristics common to survivors here. I will not read them all, but I will highlight some of the more important ones.

Characteristics of Cancer Survivors

1. They had a high expectation of favorable results.
2. Many had dealt with illness before and had experience in coping with ill health.
3. They exercised moderately and did not overdo it.
4. After treatment ended, they wanted to share their experience and hope with others.
5. They understood there are no absolutes in diagnosis. Everyone is different.
6. They sought alternative treatments when traditional medicine was not working.
7. They took charge of their healing and felt responsible for their own health.
8. They protected themselves from negative influences
9. They were patient in their expectations, dealing with both the good
news and the bad news.
10. They were open to examining their options and searching for
something that would work for them.
11. They had a willingness to change their attitudes.
12. They educated themselves in prevention and treatment.
13. They avoided added stress.
14. They stopped destructive lifestyles.
15. Most changed to a healthier diet.
16. They had something to look for. Many changed their vocations and life interests.
17. They realized they were not alone and developed positive relationships.
18. They showed compassion for others.
19. They maintained their sense of humor.
20. They developed an inward calm and took control of decisions that affected their lives.
21. They had the support of families and/or friends.
22. Many turned to creative endeavors for healing benefits.
23. Some used food supplements.
24. All were fighters - “active patients” - asking questions, searching for answers, not passive.
25. Many sought God or a higher spirit for healing.

These attitudes lead to a willingness to change and also to survive.

Okay, I have survived...Now what??

I have said this before, “Do not sit in a dark room, and wait for the other shoe to fall.” Yes, you could go for a follow up and hear the words “I am sorry your cancer is back.” That happens and all too often. But if you are a fighter you will once again pick up your banner and fight.

I have found that my cancer diagnosis, treatment and survivorship have seriously altered my priorities. I am only 18 months post treatment and have 4 clear scans behind me. I can hear those heartbreaking words in the back of my head, but I/we cannot dwell on that possibility.

I am sometimes still the same old grumpy guy, I used to be, (my wife calls me a curmudgeon now and then) but now I am focusing my energies in other areas. We all have the occasional bad day, but I am not going to sit and waste my time waiting to hear those words. What am I doing instead? Everything I can. I am traveling, I am enjoying time with our friends, and I am looking at life and seeing what it has to offer. I encourage all of you to do the same.

Many of you that know me are aware of how I volunteer in my community. I have been honored with the task to lead the local historical museum and also the local Lions Club. I also speak with head and neck cancer patients. Talking to them and letting them know it is going to be rough going, but that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I am trying to give back to say thanks for all that has been given to me.

What are you going to do now that YOU are a survivor? The list is endless. You could paint and draw, you can travel, write, or act. You can knit or if you are musically inclined play an instrument or sing. You could kayak and ski, you could hunt and fish. There are motorcycles, hot rods, RV’s – street parties, volunteerism, gardening, pets, photography; the list is only limited by your creativity and energy.

When I think of someone frightened about a relapse or worried for their future, I know it is not those in attendance here. Who I am concerned for are those sitting at home, sitting and waiting for the other shoe to fall. Are there setbacks? Yes. Are there disappointments? Yes. Are they a reason to quit fighting and surviving? No, most certainly not.

I look to all of you to spread the message to them that it is okay to survive. It is okay to put your life back together and pick up where you left off. The struggle, although it seems like forever is only a short time in the overall scheme of things. The prize at the end of this is survivorship. It is a prize that we can all strive for and win. A prize we all deserve.

This is my blog - There are others like it but this one is mine.

2007-12-30T02:02:00.001-05:00

In today's litigious society I fell that before I start I should have a few disclaimers attached to my writing so I don't get sued.
So, here goes,

Not valid with any other offer.
Batteries not included.
Do not drop.
Do not fold, spindle or mutilate.
Shipping and handling not included.
Low monthly payments.
9 out of 10 dentists recommend.
Do not take internally.
May cause drowsiness.
Caution, contents may be hot.
Keep out of reach of children.
Not intended for children under two.
May include moderate to mild side effects.
Park closes at dusk.
Do not enter.
No parking.
No admittance.
Under 17 not admitted without parent or guardian.
No talking.
No eating.
No smoking.
Turn off cell phones.
Banned in 17 countries.
Warranty void if label removed.
No user serviceable parts inside.
Caution! high voltage.
Deer crossing.
Do not molest wildlife.
Do not feed the bears.
No trespassing.
Speed limit 65 mph.
Curb your dog.
No littering.
No loitering.
No passing.
No cheating.
No stopping or standing.
No parking between signs.
No weapons beyond this point.
If you keep making that face - it will freeze like that.
It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye.
All unattended vehicles with be towed at owner's expense.
All items not claimed after 30 days will be sold.
Don't leave the butter on the table - the cat will lick it.
Choking hazard - not suitable for children under two.

Well that should cover things here for a while.
New disclaimers will be added as situations warrant.

Later
EMk