*Warning*  The below content and photos may be disturbing.  Discretion advised.

This weekend I went to an exhibit.   Armed with my crutches and a wheelchair, if need be, I looked in wide eyed silence .  I have worked in the medical field in the past, but nothing quite prepared me for what I saw, and how I felt about what I was seeing.  I was overwhelmed by the display before me. 

The exhibit is "Our Body: The Universe Within".  These are actual human bodies, that have been preserved through a special process, and dissected, flayed, skinned, posed, etc to show the inner "universe".  Muscles in motion, organs in placement, you name it.  

Was it fascinating, educational, and thought provoking.  Indeed.

The myriad of emotions and perceptions both enthralled and repulsed me.  Mostly what I felt was sadness.  I could not see past the humanity. 

The bodies of the men and women in this exhibit, came from jails and poor houses.  Bodies that were not claimed, therefore given over to this process for the exhibit.  Unclaimed, forgotten and now posed.

My mind reeled.  Somebody knew them once.  Somebody loved them once.  They were an Uncle, Aunt, Mother, Father, Son, Daughter, and Friend at some point in their lives.  They were, well.. You or I.

I understand from a scientific and educational standpoint, the reason for such an exhibit.  Our bodies ARE fascinating worlds, universes and miracles.  From this end, I was honored to view it.  However, I am too aware of the finer nuances to block all but science from my mind.

So here it is, days later, and I am still disturbed, fascinated, humbled, saddened, educated, and frankly, unsure how to process it all.  Unsure of what angle to accept it, what perception I should embrace. 

I do not regret seeing this, however.  It will stay with me for the rest of my life.

*Click here to visit the Exhibits website*

I just finished creating a mirror site at Blogger.com.  At one time I had a blog running under TheBlogLady.net.  As the domain name was expiring, and I found myself blogging more here, I went ahead and closed it out.

I realized later that some of you who host your blogs at Blogger, Wordpress, etc, had linked to me there via a feeder or a blogroll.  A link which suddenly became null and void.  Let me apologize for that!  With all that has been going on with the house hunt, the move, summer vacation, and now my booboo, I simply didn't think.  Again, let me apologize for the inconsideration.

If you would like to link to my "Blogger" blog, here is the addy:  http://theblogladysite.blogspot.com/

I will keep this one updated regularly.  I also use it as a feeder, via the blogroll, to stay updated on your blogs. 

Pssst, Kristen, Tomlin, Astra, Phil, and the rest of you who blog in the "outer limits", update my link!! 

This week's theme is the old childhood game of "I Spy".  The clue given was the letter "P".  Here is my contribution, and my take on the theme.

"Poverty"

"Picture Perfect Friday" is a weekly photo essay, open to any and all.  If you would like to participate, just click this link, and you are on your way.

It wasn't graceful, it wasn't pretty, but it was picture worthy, that much I will admit.  

Never, never run while looking over your shoulder.  The running is graceful, with long hair streaming in the wind, delighted laughter tossed over the shoulder, yes, that is graceful.  The buckle in the concrete, however, lacks grace... Rather it stands silent in a predatory countenance.  Indeed it does.  As it seized my foot, I realized THAT in a split second.  Damn concrete.

I flew through the air or so I was told by witnesses.  Supergirl without her costume.  I landed in a violent heap some 5 feet from where the concrete and I had became acquainted.   I recall the pain as I landed.  The breathless agony as I let my knee catch the momentum of the fall.  I felt a ripping sensation, as a white flash of pain exploded behind my eyes, and then I was blissfully unaware.

When I opened my eyes, I was surrounded by friends, and oddly enough an office supply delivery man.  Where did he come from?  I didn't question as I soon become grateful for his help.  My friends were frightened I was hurt more than I was.  Was something broken, was it okay to move me?  My eyes connected first with the delivery man.  He was knelt over my prone form, and I remember his voice full of concern, "Sweetie, are you with me here?  Are you okay?" 

I started to move each muscle group, testing, flexing, relieved as each one passed muster, until I tried to move my left leg.  OUCH.  More like this:  *$&#(@!!!**

As everyone heard that string of profanity, there was a collective sigh of relief.  After all, Charli would not curse so creatively if she were near death. 

The delivery man picked me up, and bless his soul, carried me across the street to a waiting vehicle, and then followed us to the Hospital where I was deemed fit and hearty with the exception of one badly torn ligament in my left knee, and minor scrapes and bruises.

Crutches and I have become very good friends, as have muscle relaxers and pain relievers.  I am being waited on hand and foot, and tonight my Sister is bringing Chinese food over for me to inhale.  All the wontons I can eat. 

I'm thinking of inviting the delivery man, hmmm.....

Twisted

   I found the above when walking along the river this past Saturday.  The contortions, and the twists of the middle branches reminded me of a BalIet .  Isn't it amazing the beauty that can be found in something, that to most eyes, would be nothing special at all...   

I appropriately entitled this photo, "The Dancer".  Can you see her?

"Roadside"

Here is my contribution to this week's theme...

Empty

Photo by Charli, The Blog Lady

"Infinite"

***Photo by Charli***

Shadows

Photo by Charli

My camera has found it's Muse once again or might I say, it found me.....

Photo by Charli

"Reflections"