Rose Trees is a journal of philosophy, poetry and photography throughout my commutes to and around NYC, my exploration of the countryside in the hudson valley as well as the rest of New York State.
I feel privileged to reside in one of the most beautiful areas of New York State, and work takes me throughout Manhattan during the week. I believe that you don’t have to travel far to find beauty, humanity, and wonder. I believe we often miss it entirely because we are so focused on trying to get where we are going, and if we can find time to slow down, open our eyes and see as Max Ehrmann says “With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world”
I invite you to join me on my own discovery of that truth, as I share some of what I am blessed to witness in my life’s journey.
A bit about myself: I am the father of five amazing children, and spouse to an incredible wife. We’ve struggled through the pure chaos of raising 5 kids, and watching them each bloom and grow. We’ve lived and struggled to survive and keep our head above water like many young families and I know well the desperation, crushing pressure and anxiety of struggling to make ends meet. We have been fortunate enough to make it to the other side, in no small part due to the kindness of strangers, friends, and family.
I am in a continuing search of human poetry, a philosophy of love and life and the secret joy and sometimes not so secret beauties of life. I hope my pictures can convey some of the wonder that exists around us and can be some small source of joy or beauty to another stranger.
If you would like to donate to my efforts to help maintain/improve my amateur camera gear, support hosting this website and what I do. It will go a long way to convincing my family to let me get out of the houes and buy new camera gear and keep doing this.
If you would like to purchase any original full size pictures, please contact me. I have no set prices, I only ask you to donate what you are able and what you feel the value of the photograph is to you.
I am also always happy to donate my photography or art for a good cause or reason.
Finally, I would like to leave with one of my all time favorite poem’s which I quoted above. I believe it is one of the most concise guides to live life by, and I hope it speaks to you the way it continues to speak to me.
Please enjoy The Desiderata by Max Ehrmann:
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
