Oh yes, I still love these. Your photos are beautiful. Thank you for sharing with us.
And for anyone not already subscribing, please join us. This community is amazing, and a couple of bucks a week to keep this place alive is totally worth it.
Your photos are beautiful as always. Your birthday cards are stunning. It’s amazing how much talent is in your family.
On a different note…you mentioned having a lot of new free subscribers. Ive often wondered about the lack of interaction on your posts. It’s always the same handful of people. Are most subscribers just reading the email? Is there even a way for you to know this? I know likes don’t matter and all that jazz, I’ve just been genuinely curious as to how so many are supposedly seeing this and not even tapping the heart.
I will ♥️ every one of your posts. They are a joy to start the day with.
I LOVE the birthday cards. Best gift ever, a hand drawn thing. And I wonder about this All the time too. The open rate is actually really high for newsletters, but it just seems people aren't commenting as much. I've long kept commenting as a perk of paid subscriptions, which is probably why. Thoughts?
I don’t really have any thoughts on it…sorry. I know when you first started doing this, I just got the emails so I just wondered if that was the case with a lot of other people. I didn’t even know what Substack was before you started the Signal Fire. Like I said above, I know likes shouldn’t matter, but when it comes to algorithms it does. Wishful thinking that more people would press that button for you. The massive difference between that number and the number of followers just doesn’t make sense to me.
You know, I've been doing this, or something like this, for a LONG time, and what I've discovered is this: 99.9% of people just want things free, All the time. There is a very small population that is willing to pay to support the art they love, and I get it, times are tough, life is hard, and money can be tight, but man it's disheartening as a creator. I pour SO MUCH of myself into this place, hours and hours and hours, and it really does get hard sometimes to have so few people willing to support it. That's why I am SO appreciative of people like you. Truly.
I've read your "Fuji Journal" posts before, but for some reason this time you've inspired me to be intentional about taking a photo to capture something special every single day and keep them in an album all their own, a sort of photographic gratitude journal. Ferris Bueller said it best, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you just might miss it."
Kristi I LOVE THIS! I consider this the highest compliment, to get you to do this. Seriously. It's wild what happens when you just bring a camera of ANY kind wherever you go. It's beautiful.
Adore them—you have such a big full life —it’s inspiring. And I’m weeping over the tiny mouse myself. It reminds me of a baby bird that fell out of its nest and the entire block came together to figure out what to do. That’s humanity at its finest—that’s what it should be all the time. Thank you for the reminder and for all that you share with us.
It's funny how SMALL my life feels when I am not traveling, so hearing this is kinda magic, truly. And I agree, humans taking care of small creatures is what gives me hope for life.
Yes I still love these photo roundups and hope you keep sharing!! It's awakening something in me, of when I was taking digital photography classes as sort of a "happy accident" in college.
I cried at the story of the deer mouse and I'm not entirely sure if I'm crying at the sorrow of the mouse, or at your compassion for her, or both. Probably both. 💖
Our tears for that little mouse were shared, completely. It's so weird, I miss her, so much already. Such a tiny little thing. And I LOVE that this is awakening something! I cannot wait to see the result.
Never a good idea to read your words after makeup before work. I adore your beautiful heart in caring for that little deer mouse, and my heart was hopeful she would make it. Alas now I've got tears in my eyes. But also juxtaposed with the fact that her last moments were ones of love and peace. Life is strange, beautiful, sad, and full of love. Thank you, for the umpteenth millionth time, Tyler. <3
Joe and I are at the beach- much needed vacation (and tbh first we’ve taken as 1- just us and 2- no event driving the vacation). I brought my grandpa’s Nikon 35mm- the only goal this weekend is to figure it out and find the small pockets of joy and energy to try to capture on film. Thank you for reminding me to stay present. 💙🦋
I love falling into your world ... and I appreciate everything you are and do.
The deer mouse reminded me of all the animals we saved from our cats while growing up on a forest property in Vermont. I remember squirrels, mice, baby birds, and one most fortunate adventure with a baby raccoon. She, Lotus, stayed with us for about 6 months as part of the family. We'd take her for walks in the woods. And one day, she just left. She showed up on Easter with sore feet until they were healed, then took off again. My mom believes she showed up later with her little ones, which I somehow love to think is true.
And wish for you a surge in paid subscribers. They surely don't know what they are missing out on.
PS ... the cats had not brought in our raccoon. She was a leftover from someone who shot her mother. And thank the stars for country veterinarians who inspected her, gave her the usual cat innoculations and sent her back home with us.
It means more than you know that you like falling into this bizarre world of mine. Truly. Thank you for the stories of your creatures, that your hands have known. Shrinks the world, this. Truly.
Oh yes, I still love these. Your photos are beautiful. Thank you for sharing with us.
And for anyone not already subscribing, please join us. This community is amazing, and a couple of bucks a week to keep this place alive is totally worth it.
You're amazing, it's all of YOU that makes this place what it is.
Your photos are beautiful as always. Your birthday cards are stunning. It’s amazing how much talent is in your family.
On a different note…you mentioned having a lot of new free subscribers. Ive often wondered about the lack of interaction on your posts. It’s always the same handful of people. Are most subscribers just reading the email? Is there even a way for you to know this? I know likes don’t matter and all that jazz, I’ve just been genuinely curious as to how so many are supposedly seeing this and not even tapping the heart.
I will ♥️ every one of your posts. They are a joy to start the day with.
I LOVE the birthday cards. Best gift ever, a hand drawn thing. And I wonder about this All the time too. The open rate is actually really high for newsletters, but it just seems people aren't commenting as much. I've long kept commenting as a perk of paid subscriptions, which is probably why. Thoughts?
I don’t really have any thoughts on it…sorry. I know when you first started doing this, I just got the emails so I just wondered if that was the case with a lot of other people. I didn’t even know what Substack was before you started the Signal Fire. Like I said above, I know likes shouldn’t matter, but when it comes to algorithms it does. Wishful thinking that more people would press that button for you. The massive difference between that number and the number of followers just doesn’t make sense to me.
You know, I've been doing this, or something like this, for a LONG time, and what I've discovered is this: 99.9% of people just want things free, All the time. There is a very small population that is willing to pay to support the art they love, and I get it, times are tough, life is hard, and money can be tight, but man it's disheartening as a creator. I pour SO MUCH of myself into this place, hours and hours and hours, and it really does get hard sometimes to have so few people willing to support it. That's why I am SO appreciative of people like you. Truly.
We appreciate you
I've read your "Fuji Journal" posts before, but for some reason this time you've inspired me to be intentional about taking a photo to capture something special every single day and keep them in an album all their own, a sort of photographic gratitude journal. Ferris Bueller said it best, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you just might miss it."
Kristi I LOVE THIS! I consider this the highest compliment, to get you to do this. Seriously. It's wild what happens when you just bring a camera of ANY kind wherever you go. It's beautiful.
Adore them—you have such a big full life —it’s inspiring. And I’m weeping over the tiny mouse myself. It reminds me of a baby bird that fell out of its nest and the entire block came together to figure out what to do. That’s humanity at its finest—that’s what it should be all the time. Thank you for the reminder and for all that you share with us.
It's funny how SMALL my life feels when I am not traveling, so hearing this is kinda magic, truly. And I agree, humans taking care of small creatures is what gives me hope for life.
Yes I still love these photo roundups and hope you keep sharing!! It's awakening something in me, of when I was taking digital photography classes as sort of a "happy accident" in college.
I cried at the story of the deer mouse and I'm not entirely sure if I'm crying at the sorrow of the mouse, or at your compassion for her, or both. Probably both. 💖
Our tears for that little mouse were shared, completely. It's so weird, I miss her, so much already. Such a tiny little thing. And I LOVE that this is awakening something! I cannot wait to see the result.
Never a good idea to read your words after makeup before work. I adore your beautiful heart in caring for that little deer mouse, and my heart was hopeful she would make it. Alas now I've got tears in my eyes. But also juxtaposed with the fact that her last moments were ones of love and peace. Life is strange, beautiful, sad, and full of love. Thank you, for the umpteenth millionth time, Tyler. <3
Oh Tracy, it takes a heart like yours to appreciate one like mine, methinks. :) Thank you, for you, for your caring soul. You're a beauty.
Joe and I are at the beach- much needed vacation (and tbh first we’ve taken as 1- just us and 2- no event driving the vacation). I brought my grandpa’s Nikon 35mm- the only goal this weekend is to figure it out and find the small pockets of joy and energy to try to capture on film. Thank you for reminding me to stay present. 💙🦋
OOOOH Beaches are MADE for 35mm! I cannot wait to see the photographs you capture...annnnnnd to capture MINE of you in Ireland! :)
Beautiful photos, thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you for looking at them!
Reflections on still water…
Imagine a still lake…just before you;
Reflecting everything in the sky.
Morning, noon, and night.
So fluid and alive on its own
It’s darkness and dangers hidden
Only showing its dreamy contemplation
Of the world above
Reflecting without getting in the way
Imagine a heart beating
to another’s rhythm
to reflect the true essence
of another person's being
without distortion or judgment.
A listening heart
creating a space of wonder
like a sanctuary or temple.
There is a common thread
Receiving/reflecting what other’s see
There is the magnificent to mundane,
and sometimes even the made-up.
All are unknown, yet accepted.
Some may not understand
Or even react, at least not now.
Nothing confuses more than truth.
I am amazed of the magic you have.
The gift that never stops giving.
One who can speak so well
Yet understands when words don’t work
When to share sacred silence.
One who speaks to reflect life
But also listens to show wisdom
Your heart listens, your mind reflects.
As you are someone who listens
With a heedful heart,
you should be heard.
Yet, we know sharing ourselves
Is sometimes an isolated pursuit
As we know to donate a beating heart
Means we will not use it again.
In art, like life, we give and let go.
It’s is best without expectation
What can be reflected on water.
Like the infectious effect of a laugh,
Art offers what we experience
yet only suggests how to respond.
Nor accepts feral judgment or rejection.
For it is written by many before
The gift received is the one given.
Every single comment, you just absolute knock out of the park. Always.
So much fun! Thank you for sharing!
You're so very welcome!
I love falling into your world ... and I appreciate everything you are and do.
The deer mouse reminded me of all the animals we saved from our cats while growing up on a forest property in Vermont. I remember squirrels, mice, baby birds, and one most fortunate adventure with a baby raccoon. She, Lotus, stayed with us for about 6 months as part of the family. We'd take her for walks in the woods. And one day, she just left. She showed up on Easter with sore feet until they were healed, then took off again. My mom believes she showed up later with her little ones, which I somehow love to think is true.
And wish for you a surge in paid subscribers. They surely don't know what they are missing out on.
xoxoo
PS ... the cats had not brought in our raccoon. She was a leftover from someone who shot her mother. And thank the stars for country veterinarians who inspected her, gave her the usual cat innoculations and sent her back home with us.
It means more than you know that you like falling into this bizarre world of mine. Truly. Thank you for the stories of your creatures, that your hands have known. Shrinks the world, this. Truly.