Reflection: careful thought, especially the process of reconsidering previous actions, events, or decisions.

The last day of the year is a day of reflection for me. I like to spend some time this day reviewing the year that is drawing to an end. I am looking for something. I hope to find in days past, something that will improve life in the year ahead. Perhaps I can see in the events of the fast-fading year a reflection of things to come.

May you find what you are looking for in a Happy New Year!

Reflections present us with an opportunity to observe things in a manner that differs from how we typically see them. A window, a mirror or a puddle of water can transform that which they reflect into a distorted but recognizable form, something strange and familiar all at once.

Reflections also present a photographer with a chance to portray something in an unusual, whimsical or even ghostly way.

Petaluma is such a photogenic town. From its historic buildings to wildlife along the river, from sunrise to sunset, I can't imagine ever running out of interesting subjects to photograph in Petaluma. Some of my favorite subjects "live" here. Some of my favorite subjects appear unexpectedly out of nowhere and then disappear, never to be seen in Petaluma again.

I found an unexpected visitor yesterday while walking home: a Volkswagen van whose exterior was covered with black and white photographs. Someone pasted photos on the van's roof, the front and back and both sides. With the exception of the windshield and windows, almost every square inch of the van was covered with a photograph. If you look carefully, you may be able to tell what street the van was parked on when I found it.

Beware the two-party system

The roots of the Christmas tree tradition

Merry Christmas to all,

And to all a good night!