For those who have suffered recent loss

A very sad day yesterday, as I learned that local photographer, Brad Russell, passed away a few days ago. He had a close group of great friends (including John Andersen and Brett Abernethy) and they used to go out together with their cameras, day or night. Stunning photography by all. I only met Brad on one occasion, at Heritage Park, on a photo shoot with my daughter and the photography group she ran for a short while. He left a lasting impression on me - something great about his personality, making him such a comfortable person to be around. My sincere condolences to his family and to each of his friends. He will be missed by many - his incredible images will live on. Though he closed his Flickr account quite a time ago, his photos can be seen with National Geographic.

www.evanjstrong.com/obituaries/Robert-Russell-11/#!/Obituary

My thoughts also go out to the families and friends of the nine victims of the shooting at Umpqua Community College, Oregon, US. A lot of healing, physical and emotional, will be needed for those who were injured, including the young father who bravely attempted to stop the shooter. Apparently, the shooter, a student at the College, acquired all his weapons legally, some bought by his own mother.

This beautiful Hollyhock flower, seen in a friend's garden on 25 August 2015, represents to me the complete opposite of yet another senseless tragedy - a reminder of the good and beautiful in the world.

A touch of winter arrived here last night and I woke up to a dusting of white. The snow fell, mixed with rain, so it's probably rather slippery out there. I've just checked our weather forecast (around noon) and the temperature is 2C (feeling like -4C). I don't think there is any fine snow falling now and, so far, none forecast for the next week or more. I know where I will be all day today - at home in the warm, hoping that the snow and ice on my car windshield will melt quickly. I am so not ready for this! Lol, is anybody?!