Successful Hints for Orb photography during the holidays

Picture taken in front of the Illinois State Capitol Building in Springfield

Orbs, (Spirit guides and Angels) love to celebrate holidays with you. 

If you would like to hear a 2-3 minute talk about how to successfully take orb pictures during this special time, go to http://www.myaudiowebsite.com/?site=orbs Click on audio clips and scroll down to find Holiday Hints for Orb Photography.
 In this audio, I give you some hints about how you might add to your holiday memories this season. There is in an introduction on the first page and then you can go right into the recording. I hope you have a very happy and healthy holiday season. 
*The most important suggestion is keep your camera close by for plenty of candid pictures. Also try taking pictures of anything and everything. Have fun and experiment.

Jean Rubnitz Ferratier

Special and Thoughtful Gifts for those with Dementia

The other day in the State Journal Register, I read an article about holiday shopping when someone on your list suffers from memory loss. The article was written by Renee Lepham Collins and I thought it might be very helpful to pass on some of the information.


Myndi Milliken, director of a long-term care facility made some of the following suggestions. My mother had memory loss and I know the following would have been very helpful to her. (and to my peace of mind)

• For those who still drive, program a GPS with destinations like home, grocery store, mall, and doctor's offices.
• Cellphones that have pre-programmed and even voice command phone numbers.
• Give a new calendar with pertinent dates such as birthdays and appointments.
• Start a photo album or work on a scrapbook together. Label pictures with names, why and where they were taken, and most important the feeling of the event. (I especially like this one as it something you do together and continually add to the album. Thinking of this as a craft activity can make it a more joyful activity for everyone involved. I bet others would go through this kind of album if left out on a coffee table. (This just occurred to me; maybe family members could each make a scrapbook page of themselves that is labeled to contribute thus bringing in more attention and involvement of the family in a positive manner.)

If you have any other ideas that you think might be helpful please add them to the comments area.

Water, Water, Everywhere and Finally A Drop To Drink-for my friend Mary

Susan, Jean,Mary

This picture was taken at a Reiki Retreat in February. I have similar pictures of the three of us going back over the last seven years.

Mary is my friend, my mentor, and the grandmother I choose. She is a cheerful, inspirational warrior who has been fighting a variety of medical issues for a long time.

The last two months have been particularly difficult in terms of water retention. Her water intake has been closely monitored to the point she was hardly allowed any fluid and ice chips have been her saving grace.


She entered hospice yesterday and the fluid restriction was lifted. She is now able to have water; something that is so basic to our survival. I feel gratitude holding a glass so she can take a sip of water.  

"Friends Forever"

Tonight I went to a nursing home to see a friend. At first I was a bit sad to see so many elderly sitting in the hallway in their wheel chairs. I had to go out to the car to get a CD for my friend. When I came back in and walked down the hallway, I heard the sweetest conversation that brought a smile to my face.
Two women in wheel chairs were sitting next to each other and one said, "I am so glad you are here."
The other responded, "We will be friends forever."

Re-Entry (After Loss)

 The house is quiet. The children (I make them sound young; they are adults.) have returned to their homes and jobs. They were here a month and yet it seems like it was just one long day. The refrigerator is empty; the last of the cookies have been wrapped and stored in the freezer. Most of the thank-you notes have been written and only two containers are left to return to their owners. The electric company very kindly let me back on the budget billing plan, thank goodness! It seems I neglected to open a few of my bills.


I don't know what to do when I am not going to a hospital. I don't know what I want to do. Going to my job is a given. My passion for writing, for reflecting on present and recent synchronous moments and for picture taking of orbs are a given.


The world has moved on. I don't know where I want to take my first step to re-enter a life that seems like a lifetime ago. I am changed.

"The Gift That Keeps on Giving"

As a teacher it is not unusual to have children make things and donate them to  places such as senior centers, hospitals, nursing homes, etc. We usually do not know how they received. This time, however, I know first hand how much these small gifts are appreciated.
 This darling decorated pumpkin was one of many made by students from Trinity Lutheran School and brought to the Hospice Floor. This one was displayed in Lou's hospital room. It was amazing how it became a focal point of cheer and appreciation among my family and the staff.
Today it is Halloween and this pumpkin is now at my home. It brings poignant memories of a bittersweet time in my life but also continues to bring a smile to my face and later on the the trick-or-treaters who will knock on my door.

An Angel Brings a Message

 This unusual orb picture was taken in my bedroom after returning home from the hospital after visiting with two dear friends. One is in hospice and the other is in a critical care unit.

I placed this picture on the Diana Cooper orb site asking for more information. Diana Cooper is a well known author for books such as Enlightenment Through Orbs. This is the reply that was sent to me today.

Hi Jean, Carol De Vasconcelos commented on your photo. Carol wrote: "Carol for Diana - Looks like an angel orb collecting spirits that are ready for ascension. Namaste Carol"

I believe this to be confirmation for events happening in my life right now. This is another example of why orbs are so important to me.

Honoring My Children

Today I would like to honor my children and all others who take active roles in caring for their parents and being their advocates. When we have our children we willingly sign up for the whole spectrum of joys and challenges of raising them.


They, on the other hand, choose how much they would like to be involved in our lives as we age. It is wonderful sharing adult relationships with our kids. I do recognize though that at times we may have to rely and depend on them for our well being.


Not every child can or will step up to that role when needed. I would like to let my two children and son-in-law know that their parents may not express often enough our gratitude and love. We do not take you for granted and we recognize the times you put your own lives on hold to help us. With love, thank you.

Lou Points Out Synchronous Moment

Lou was transported to a hospice unit at a different hospital in town. I can't quite describe what it felt like when he left his hospital room. Suddenly what I knew intellectually dropped down to the emotional level. He was taken over by an ambulance while Dani and I packed up his belongings in the room. Warner met us over there. When we got to the hospice unit we were directed to Lou's room. I walked in and Lou wrote on the paper to go out and look at the room number again. I did and immediately read 11 H 48. Remember this is Hospice. He was born in November of 1948. This orb picture was taken after I returned home after spending the night at the hospital. Warner, Dani, and I take turns.

Don't Underestimate the Comfort of a Stuffed Toy

Very often we forget the importance of touch to people of all ages and circumstances. It has been exactly one week my ex-husband was admitted to the hospital with a fast growing cancer. He has spent 4 days in the ICU with a very grim prognosis. 

A family can be uncertain how to comfort a loved one going through one of the most difficult times of their lives. My children found the perfect present. They came into the hospital room one evening with this charming, funny looking, soft Yoda stuffed toy and gave it to their father. The looks on all of their faces at finding such a loving bond is something I will always remember. Within moments I noticed their dad had instinctively held and entwined his fingers with Yoda's paws. Yoda is a constant comforting companion and only leaves his side during treatments. Yoda is able to hold his hand when we can't.

Everyone who comes in the room laughs and comments on Yoda. When things are so critical and serious in a room it is amazing how this stuffed toy totally can bring smiles and joy into darkness.

What a Typical Orb Looks Like and What and Orb Means to Me

I am intrigued by orbs. I can’t help it. My camera goes everywhere I go.  Orbs are spheres of light ranging from dense to translucent, mostly white, but occasionally colored that appear on digital flash photography. A typical orb is round with a defined nucleus. It has an outer edge and the middle usually has a marking such as concentric circles or a pattern. Every individual has their own interpretation or belief of what an orb is. To me, I view orbs as Angels and Spirit Guides that are evidence of guidance and support from the universal Divine.  When I see orbs in my photographs I feel like I am given the blessings of a tangible sign that there are miracles all around me. I am filled with awe every time orbs appear. I am a bit of a visionary and a life long learner. I look forward to sharing more about orbs in occasional posts. If you are on Face Book you may see many more orb pictures by going to Orbs Everywhere http://www.facebook.com/pages/Orbs-Everywhere/172964446067873

I noticed another synchronous event. This was posted at 11:11 which is a significant number that many people have been paying attention to in terms of symbolic signs.

Manners-The Lesson of the Car Door

The Lesson of the Car Door

        Manners. What does that one word evoke in your mind? Yesterday, I could not give words to my thoughts but today I can. In fact it is a question more about, “Why Manners?”

        It is my belief that when manners are engaged, it is a gentle acknowledgement that I see you. If practiced, manners can become unconscious, simple acts of kindness toward anyone and most likely consciously or unconsciously lovingly received.

        This lesson or knowledge came to me in the form of a silent question, “Will he open the car door? Or “Will he not open the car door?”

        The person in question unlocked the door and walked away leaving me to open the car door. Now, I know I am perfectly able to open the door. He knows that I am perfectly able to open the door. I found, however, that I was miffed. In the few nanoseconds it would have taken to open the door, he could have conveyed a feeling of caring and respect. Instead I felt let down and unappreciated.

        As an aside, if he had unlocked the door automatically or opened it from the driver’s I would not have thought twice about opening the door.

        Do you every think about how easily it is to use manners to help someone feel good about themselves?

It is true. You Should Check Out Your Name on Google Search

Have you looked up your name on a Google Search lately? More than likely you will be surprised by what you find there. Today as I was flipping through mine I found some interesting entries.
The one that most surprised me was a chapter that I had written, Childhood Delights was published in Chicken Soup for the Soul Think Positive Book, was posted on the following blog. I shall print it below but I was delighted by the date that it was posted at the top. It says March 19th, which happens to be my daughter's birthday. Some people may say, "So what?" But....if you are me, and you look for synchronicity in every aspect of your life, it is exciting. To me there are no accidents. At the moment I don't know why this unknown blog came out on that date, but for me it is a significant. I keep a book where I notate any event that relates to a synchronicity. This one will be added to the list. I love stories that relate synchronous moments. In my posts, I shall point out mine as examples of how even minor events can relate to your everyday life. 
 http://megamillionswinningnumb

ershot.blogspot.com/2011/03/childhood-delights.html

Mega Millions Winning Numbers: Childhood Delights

megamillionswinningnumbershot.blogspot.com

So our human life but dies down to its root, and still puts forth its green blade to eternity. ~Henry David Thoreau My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's long after I accepted the gradual changes I saw in her. I had grown us.

Orbs-A Description

Have you ever taken digitial pictures and noticed white circles on the developed photo? Did you dismiss this as a mistake? Did you think it could have been dust or water? Did you consider that it could have been something else. This something else that I am referring to is called orbs.