Wings warmed by the rising sun, yearning for the air roads. We are that warmth, that lift towards flight for our own Patriot Daily, our Lin.
As many of you know, Lin is fighting for her life, and we are doing everything possible to help her do so. This post is part of that effort. — Onomastic
Like Lin, I have a deep love for nature and for all the creatures in it. Their lives have as much value as ours, and in fact our survival is inextricably intertwined with theirs. We do not stand alone on this green Earth.
I'm passionate about photography, and nature. The more photos I take of wild creatures, the more I learn about them, and the more I respect them.
Eight years ago, I started going for walks to recover some physical strength, and to take photos. I noticed that the shoreline of the lake behind our condos was clogged with trash, and my first thought was "Why doesn't somebody do something about this?"
My second thought was "Oh. Yeah. I'm somebody - I can do this." So it became a combined mission: To take photos, and to leave the area cleaner than I found it. At first it was drudgery, and it made me angry. Over the years, it became drudgery mixed with joy, and peace. I still got angry sometimes at the way people just tossed trash aside as if it didn't matter. Every once in a while, however, when I was working away, hot sweaty and angry, I'd stop for a moment to rest and just look around. Let the beauty of the natural world around me bring me back to myself, and stop to see what beauty I would have otherwise missed. It centered me, and gave me peace.
There is nothing like that feeling when you're tired, achy and hot, and then you turn around and look at what you've accomplished. No, it doesn't last forever, but nothing does. That doesn't mean the work isn't worth the effort, especially when it brings peace to your heart.
I'm betting Lin knows the truth of that. She's worked hard for our planet, and for the natural world. I salute her efforts, and am proud to know her, even just this little bit. As an environmental lawyer and activist, Lin has fought for this beautiful blue world and all that call it home. Now it’s our turn to fight for her.
That's why I want to bring you these little pieces of joy and beauty that I have discovered, and make them available to you as a thank you for your caring support of Lin. All proceeds would go to Lin, to help defray her costs. All of these photos are available for purchase, and for whatever amount you feel they are worth. This will be on the honor system to some extent — choose which photos you want, kosmail me with an email address, and I’ll send the full sized digital image to you. The holidays are almost here. You could help LIn and have a meaningful gift for someone. There are more photos you may chose from here — www.flickr.com/… If you have seen any of my past photos that you would like to purchase and have the donation go to Lin, please tell me in the comments or by kosmail, and I’ll make that happen. With all of your help we can bring Lin some badly needed peace of mind and heart.
Lin’s sister, Laura, has set up a YouCaring fundraising page for her. Laura wrote about how a battle with cancer once thought won, has turned into something else. This is that story —
The Story
Meet my sister, Linda McClure. Her friend Aji said, she’s been a warrior her whole life: for everyone, for environmental and climate justice, for the wildlife and natural resources. She’s had a successful career as an environmental lawyer, practicing on the side of Mother Earth. She’s an activist, a community/activism organizer, a writer, a sister, and friend. She was so honored when Bill McKibben stated that he could "think of no higher praise than 'great organizer,' and you're one of the greatest!"
She’s in the fight of her life, and she needs our help.
Five years ago, Linda was diagnosed with breast cancer. She completed a rigorous and difficult treatment protocol that enabled remission, and we all breathed a sigh of relief.
Since April, she has experienced severe pain in her right knee, right leg and ribs. Because of her medical history, she was concerned that her breast cancer had returned. She sought additional screening, but her mammogram turned up no evidence of new disease. Since then, her condition has progressively worsened, with severe joint and bone pain, first in her legs, then spreading through her body, and finally culminating in what doctors stated was fracturing of ribs. She continued to seek medical tests to obtain a diagnosis and treatment — her concerns were dismissed as simply arthritis and fractured ribs treated with pain pills.
Last week, Linda finally was able to see two specialists who ran diagnostic tests showing her breast cancer has now spread to her lungs and her bones.
She has been told that she has only months to live, possibly only weeks . . . except for the possibility of pursuing clinical trials or perhaps aggressive chemo. A surgical biopsy this week will determine options available.
I am hoping to raise $30,000 to cover our regular bills of $4,000 a month for housing payment, utilities, food etc. which would be needed for 6 months for the beginning of a fighting option (like clinical trial or specialized chemo) or will cover end of life if no other options. Linda is on current leave of absence from work and I work very few hours so that I can take care of her.
In addition to this base of $24,000, there are medical expenses piling up with increased co-pays: each CT her co-pay has been $500-$700; and her co-pay for lung biopsy is $3,000.
And we need medical equipment for breathing that is not covered by insurance. We have purchased a nebulizer and oxygen equipment that is 62 pounds that I must push around so Linda can walk to the bathroom. We need to purchase a truly portable "oxygen purse" for around $3500 that will enable her some mobility at home and hopefully outside our home.
Linda and I are very close; we have lived together for nearly three decades. She is my North Star. Without her income, there is the very real possibility of losing a roof over our heads, even as I face the prospect of losing my sister and best friend. We are trying, in what may be a very short time available to us, to raise sufficient funds to ensure that Linda can get the medical (and, if necessary, palliative-care) treatment that she needs, that her day-to-day needs will be provided for, and that we can keep our home while she fights this battle of — and for — her life.
Please help us remove the burden of basic survival from her shoulders, so that she can focus her energies on the battle ahead of her.
In gratitude, Laura
If you’d like to donate, the link the YouCaring page is — www.youcaring.com/...
If you would prefer to make a donation directly through paypal please use the email address — lauramcclure01@gmail.com
If you would like to send a check or money order, please kosmail onomastic and she will get Lin’s snail mail address to you.
In thanks for your donation, I will send you a photo of your choosing. You can chose from the ones posted here or from my flicker stream —www.flickr.com/….
Just kosmail me to let me know.
Sandhill Cranes
Protective Crane
Bow Wave — Wild Dolphin At Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg Florida
Love at Lake Eola
Painting in Flight — Snowy Egret
Full Moon at Vinoy Park
Blue Wings
Blue Heron Strike
Sleep
Swan Dance
Outstretched
Unexpected
Sunset at the Lake
Rays
Sandhill Crane Sunset
Bright Sky
Pink Lightning
Sunday In The Park With Swans
Peace
Twilight Fire
Autumn Crossings
Lovely Lake Eola
Sunset And Sandhill Crane
Blue Dance
Courting Swallowtails
Water Lily
And Still I Rise
Sandhill Cranes In Flight
Rose at Leu
Camellia
Blue Sky Rose
Cactus Flower
Leu Rose
Stillness On The Pond
Bamboo Walkway, Leu
St. Pete Rainbow
Golden Mammatus Sunset
Twisted Cloud Sunset
Red-Shouldered Hawk
Pink Leu Rose
Dancing Tricolor Heron
Swan at Eola
White Roses, Botanical Gardens
Rose Bench, Leu
I had a small epiphany lately, watching insects and birds, and how they react to one another. I've seen humans who were afraid of bees or other insects, and watched as they swatted at them, only to be stung. I've been there myself, in the past. But it struck me that I've photographed many many bees in the last few years without incident, and I think it's because I've learned to respect them.
If you ever watch a butterfly, or a bee, or even a Blue Heron - when another creature gets too close, they don't swat at it. They shrug. A small flick of the wings, as if to say "too close." And the other creature usually gets the message... unless it's a human being. We overreact, and go on the offensive, which means the bee stings us - naturally - because we attacked. They'd rather go their own way, most of the time, and a simple flick of the elbow or a shrug of the shoulders is generally enough to warn them off.
Respect.
We can learn a lot from the natural world, but we must be willing to listen. And we have to be willing to allow one another room to breathe.
That is exactly what we are doing with this fundraiser for our Patriot Daily, our Lin — giving her time to breathe.
The cancer that has metastasized and spread to Lin’s lungs and bones can not be allowed to win this battle. Your caring support is absolutely crucial in helping Lin defeat this foe and be able to spread her wings and rise.
Rec’s, tip’s, shares of this post and the youcaring page on social media, all matter greatly. No donation is too small. Every caring thought helps Lin keep going. There is no such thing as small kindnesses.
Lin has always fought for this beautiful blue world we all call home. Whether we knew it or not, she was fighting for all of us. Now it’s our turn to fight for her. It’s our turn to help her breathe, to live.
From everyone on the blogathon team, blessings and deepest thanks for all you support.
