An act of kindess or cruelty?

When my computer boots up, some ghost in the machine–I believe I’m referring to Microsoft–delivers a screen-sized photo which is usually striking both for its beauty and for some exotic quality. Sometimes it features land, sometimes water. On occasion I am greeted by man-made accomplishments, often the picture depicts only landscape or geography. Now and then there will be an animal or a scene from the night sky. Often, one might be tempted to believe the picture is fabricated, since it hardly seems a set of boulders could be stacked like that, or that any tree could grow so tall.

Sometimes one might start to wonder whether the pictures are an act of kindness or cruelty: having a frigid winter day outside my window and a serene tropical beach on my computer “window” could clearly make me want to exchange the one for the other–sorely tempting me to take on the expense and complications of travel.

But as for me, I’m grateful for the “flights” of fancy the pictures inspire. Even if I had a bank account that would never run out, I still couldn’t visit all the places the hundreds of photographers have gone to collect all those pictures. And even for the ones I might get to, the day might turn out to be overcast or awkwardly windy, keeping me from seeing the beauty recorded by the photographer.

As one who does her best to capture beautiful pictures, I know how long one might have to stay in a single spot to catch just the right angle or lighting–or how many mosquito bites or other discomforts may have to be endured. The trail might be winding and steep, the footing uncertain.

Yes, as one who has behaved quite impulsively in the pursuit of beautiful images, I believe I can confirm that a picture is, indeed, worth 1,000 words–some of which are downright vulgar.

What I appreciate about the slow-motion travelog that unfolds on my computer day by day is the momentary, delighted intake of air it inspires, one photo at a time. Finances, political boundaries, physical obstacles will keep me from seeing nearly any of these wonders in person, but I am being given a chance to see them through my “window.” The locations, accomplishments, histories and wonders which they portray can inspire awe, spark speculation, and engender curiosity at no expense to me.

That makes the occasional pang of bitter jealousy acceptable. No, though I wish I were, I am not in that appealing place. But I have gotten a glimpse of what it’s like, and enriched my appreciation of the temporal plane. Besides, the picture is just plain pretty to look at.