The earrings sound like a really good plan! I rather like this shot with the muted tones, but it needs some serious noise reduction to make it shine.

Ginnie: The earrings will keep us sane, Martin! Mom will love it.

I'm gonna send you my raw original of this image to see if you can see the noise. It was a very shallow DOF, with lots of blur (noise?) around the edges, but I looked again to see how clear the actual blossoms were. Did the way I process it make it noisy? Maybe you can tell/help me? Actually, I didn't want this image to shine. I desaturated it to give it more of a vintage feel because of the situation.

Condolences, Ginnie. I think the best balm to loss is the joyous celebration of the love of life. Your photo illustrates this perfectly, with the gentle pink amid the more muted greens and browns.

Ginnie: The best funerals I have ever attended, Red Pen, were full of laughter in remembrance of the good times. I hope that will happen tomorrow. Thank you.

How timeless - the shot is beautiful, a tribute to the memories attached to it.

Ginnie: Thank you so much, Jewlya. Timelessness was definitely the feel I had in mind. That's what she now will be for all of us. Timeless.

Beautiful!

Ginnie: Thank you, Laura.

Ah, Ginnie. TJ will be there in spirit. It sounds like she's the type of person that wouldn't miss an event where her friends and family are gathered...especially in her honor! And I'm sure she'd appreciate those earrings.

I love your image, and understand why the tones are muted. It is, after all, a muted time.

Ginnie: You have her nailed, Kay. She LOVED Life and lived it to the hilt. I still have a lot to learn from her!!! Thank you, my dear.

It's so beautiful! What a great macro.. And so special because that was in her garden!

Ginnie: It WAS her garden, Jen, and that's exactly why I needed to show this today. The hyacinth is still in bloom! Thank you.

Nature finds it way no matter what, the hyacinths are proof of that. Wearing her flamboyant earings will be a good rememberance of her, after a while, you will talk about it with a smile, your MIL would have loved the idea.
Sterkte voor de komende dagen.
Love the macro whith the muted tones....a great tribute.

Ginnie: Nature always seems to lead us, Astrid, when we open our eyes. I love her witness to us of all that is important and real. Ontzettend bedankt, mijn lieve vriend.

Beautiful muted tones Ginnie. A lovely tribute.

Ginnie: Thank you, dear Aussie. She deserves all the tributes we can give her.

Very poignant Ginnie

Ginnie: Thank you , dear Chris.

You have chosen right it seems. richard

Ginnie: Thank you, Richard. I hope so.

Celebrate Her life

Ginnie: That's what we really want to do, Vintage! Thanks.

Lovely subtle colours, Ginnie. Happy Leap Year.

Ginnie: Happy Leap Year to you, too, Chad. Let's make the most of it. Thanks.

la coloration que tu as choisie est superbe!

Ginnie: Thank you kindly, dear O-P.

Sorry to hear of your sad news Ginnie. The dangling flowers are a lovely tribute as well. I hope the presence of friends and family will help you relive lots of good times past.

Ginnie: It was very sudden, Neal. We didn't have a lot of time (3 weeks) to say Good-Bye. But we are already remembering the good times. Thank you. And good to see you back!

Very nice tribute to Mom Ginnie.
We'll have a special thought for you all tomorrow afternoon.
I like the muted tones of your picture.

Ginnie: That will be so good to know you're thinking of us tomorrow afternoon, Richard. Thank you ever so much.

A difficult but an important and essential process Ginnie, hoping the day goes well.

Ginnie: It is part of Life's Journey, as we all know, Mike, and we will get through it. Thank you for your kind thoughts. I will feel blanketed tomorrow, I know.

Really like the profusion of leaves framing these muted flowers, Ginnie.
No doubt the ear-rings will be more colourful and fun. I hope it will be a fine closure day for you all.

Ginnie: You're so very sweet and kind, dear Ray. Your thoughts mean a lot to me. Thank you.

Accept my heartfelt condolences

Ginnie: I gladly accept your heartfelt condolences, Kunle. Thank you kindly.

Very touching words and a touching, ontroerende, symbolical photo! The hyacinths are flowers connected with love and death in the Greek mythology:"...the wind god Zephyrus was actually responsible for the death of Hyacinth. The boy's beauty caused a feud between Zephyrus and Apollo. Jealous that Hyacinth preferred the radiant archery god Apollo, Zephyrus blew Apollo's discus off course, so as to injure and kill Hyacinth. When he died, Apollo didn't allow Hades to claim the boy; rather, he made a flower, the hyacinth, from his spilled blood. According to Ovid's account, the tears of Apollo stained the newly formed flower's petals with the sign of his grief." (Wikipedia)
The flowers should grow further and further...
I noticed the earring as first on your photo from 26 february and I find it a wonderful gesture to honour her..!

Ginnie: That is such a wonderful story to be told right now, dear Philine. Leave it to you to send it to me today. Thank you ever so much. Thank you, dear Philine!

I LOVE the strong smell from the hyacinth it just fills the air. Love your shot Ginnie, nature carries on regardless.

Love the idea of wearing the earrings. I'm sure mom would approve and will smiling down at you all. You will ALL be in my thoughts tomorrow.

Ginnie: Oh yes, dear Tracy. We all know that Nature carries on. Thank God. If you and Astrid were with us, I'd find earrings for you as well! Wouldn't that be a hoot.

I think wearing her earrings is the most personal and cre8ive thing I've ever heard!

I love your processing and have never seen it used. It is sepia with colour and very beautiful!

My thoughts are with you.

Ginnie: I'm so glad you like the earring idea, Mary. Silke, her granddaughter, was the one who thought of it and we all got excited about it. It IS creative because that was who Mom was--very flashy.

And you re right about this image: it is sepia with color. I used the Multiply layer, and when you convert it to B&W/sepia, a bit of the color remains. Thank you for your kjndest thoughts.

I'm really sad for you and hope it won't be to difficult for you and Donica ...
Great lesson of life from this flower !!!
Soft tones as well ...

Ginnie: We are plowing through the sadness, Ann, and are seeing the glimpses of joy. It really is a tear and a smile. Thank you.

What a beautiful photo, and the words make it intens

Ginnie: Thank you, Chantal. I appreciate your comment.

Great picture to serve as a wreath and reminder of what TJ liked. The idea of the earrings is great - they did catch my attention in her picture you blogged last.

The picture is also symbolic and in a way a guideline how to live the weekend.

May you and Donica find strength for the time ahead.

Ginnie: Oh yes, Louis. Those earrings were her bling-bling, every time she dressed up. But they never looked out of place on her. That's what was so amazing! Thank you for your kindness towards us. We do feel blanketed by the love being expressed!

Yes Ginnie, OK I will think of your mom, when seing this flower or type of earring. I know that your Mom is gone, but she will be always & forever in your thoughts and heart, take care tomorrow my friend, and honor your mom, My thoughts will be with you

Ginnie: Thank you, JoAnn, and YES. One big YES to tomorrow! We will remember her with Joy and Life.

Will think of you tomorrow. I like the idea of the earrings, after all you are celebrating a life,and I get the feeling she was the sort of lady who will be laughing at you all wearing them.

Ginnie: She will definitely be laughing AT us or with us, Bill, maybe both. I love it. It actually makes me look forward to the service, if that makes sense. Thank you.

A beautiful, gentle, hopeful photograph, Ginnie. Great choice. (:o)

Ginnie: Those are 3 beautiful descriptors, Roz. Thank you so much.

Wonderful.

Ginnie: Thank you, Reza. Thank you.

Lovely soft,subtle shades in this image. The wearing of the earrings in her memory is a wonderful thought - I'm sure she would appreciate that.
Ingrid

Ginnie: I know she will appreciate it, Ingrid. She has the most beautiful smile of anyone. Thank you for your thoughts.

There will always be springtime again some day....

Ginnie: Yes, Wim. You are so right. It's on it's way here in Atlanta as we speak. Thank you.

Nice pic and lovely lines...Spring is both a time for life and remembering. Best wishes as always.

Ginnie: Yes, it is, Dave. Srping is also a time of death and resurrection. Always the two together. One of Life's mysteries. Thank you.

Lovely tribute Ginnie, now and for many years to come.

Ginnie: Thank you, Chris. I hope so. I believe so.

my condolances Ginnie, Lovely tribute

Ginnie: Thank you, Petra. Thank you.

I noticed her earrings in your portrait of her. Wearing them tomorrow is a lovely tribute to her.

Ginnie: She LOVED wearing those dangly things, Jose-Ann, and she wore them with class. We won't wear the longest ones but they'll be long for me. Thanks.

Another nice thought Ginnie, be strong at the service on Saturday and have only nice memories.

Ginnie: Today is now Saturday, Brian, and we have awakened with peace in our hearts. We know it will be a day full of tears and smiles. My daughter, her fiancé, and grandson (7-1/2) will be with me/us, which will be much of my solace. Thank you.

wonderfully dry... really full of the emotion you are trying to portray...
hope you're coping well...

Ginnie: We are coping very well, Sam. Since Donica is the executor of the estate and is having to stay on top of things, especially until after today's (Saturday's) service), she really won't "crash" until much later, after it's all done. For now, we're hanging in there. Lots of tears and smiles today, I'm sure.

Beautiful and symbolic desaturation. I love picturing you in the earrings, how perfect. I'm thinking of you both today.

Ginnie: Now, after the fact, Ruth, I can tell you that it was a beautiful service. There were 7 of us who wore her earrings. It was a meaningful service and a lovely reception afterwards. Now we're exhausted! Thank you so much for your thoughts towards us all.

A wonderful image for the memorial service.
Warm thoughts.

Ginnie: Thank you so very much, Still. The service has now come and gone and was a meaningful, touching moment to remember a wonderful woman!

Sad picture because of the colors but very nice and artistic too !

Ginnie: Vintage isn't always sad, Zeb, just OLD.