Pix Of The Day: Ribbit Ribbit, Ribbit Ribbit
CREDITS: © Charles Winpenny/CornwallCAM.co.uk MAP: Penzance
When clicked, thumbnails popup enlarged versions of the images.

Charles Winpenny performed an errand of mercy a few days ago, when he rescued this toad from almost certain death as it crossed the road. I have a mental image of Charles lying down in the wet road to get a good angle for the photograph. I have often done something similar, and then been embarrassed when after I finally took a satisfactory shot I became aware that I was being watched with deep suspicion by a local resident or passer-by!

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On This Day In 2002: The Sun Will Rise Again - Thu 12 Sep 2002

Shortly after the attack on the World Trade Center I was invited to my sister in law's wedding. Almost one year later I was unable to find any adequate way to memorialize the events of 11 September 2002.

I struggled to find a way to mark the day because it was just so big. Where to begin? How to avoid crassness, and fake sentimentality? How to represent the events of a year ago as a tragedy for all humanity, without dishonoring people from many nations who suffered real loss? How to avoid turning the events into a media feature to be gawped at, then forgotten? How to opt out from the circus?

One picture, which for me at least, captured the sense of devastation coupled with the will to survive, and grow beyond the painful events, was by Bill Biggart. You may read the story of the personal tragedy behind the picture. However, somehow the act of going out to seek such a symbol negated its value for the intended context. The unsolicited arrival of an email, from my now brother in law George, quoted here in its entirety, was quite different. It also seems appropriate to me that this feature will appear on 12 September, rather than the memorial day itself.

'Attached is a photograph taken at our house by Rick Capozza almost one year ago at the time of our wedding. The beautiful New Mexico sunset framed by the American flag is a beautiful tribute to all those who suffered and died in our national tragedy September 11, 2001. To me it symbolizes not just our strength and unity but our belief that social, economic and political justice is necessary for all of us on this small planet to live in peace and prosperity.' George M. Henke.

I thank the extended Lock family for accepting me into their midst with love and kindness. If you have a larger monitor there is a larger version of the picture. Whoever you are, and wherever you are reading this, please fly your own flag for social, economic and political justice for all of humanity to live in peace and prosperity.

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