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Picture a Donut

Dear Members and Constituents,
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I used to think that meant pictures were a very efficient means of communication. Lately I've been wondering if that is truly the case. If you consider one thousand words take-up approximately two 8 1/2 x 11" pages using 10 point Times New Roman font, one might argue efficiency depends on the size of the picture we're talking about. If the picture in question is a 4 x 6" print, then I would have to say that is very efficient. If we're talking about a large format such as a fold-out picture in a magazine (don't go there... think National Geographic) or, say, an oil on canvas; then I would argue it may be more efficient to use a thousand words to convey the message. Then again, efficiency is not usually the primary objective of large format pictures (which, by the way, reinforces the notion I'm advancing). In the end, it may come down to cognitive styles. Pictures work much better for some people and written text works better for others. Perhaps the notion this popular adage is looking to convey is that a picture can serve as an alternative to a thousand words (withholding any value judgment on efficiency).

Whatever the case may be, I submit for your consideration a picture taken from my cell phone as I was arriving at work Tuesday morning. Notice the full moon setting in the perfectly blue sky. The green trees and flower beds adding to the perfect mood. We truly are privileged to work in such an idyllic setting. I think a thousand words could certainly describe this shot in a vast amount of detail and perhaps reveal things that are not evident from looking at the snapshot, however there is something to be said for a good visual aid


Now that I've stimulated your sense of sight it's time to make way to the stimulation of a broader array of senses. John Schoder delights our sight, smell and taste with four dozen donuts. Come on down and grab one (notice the involvement of a fourth sense... the sense of touch). Just remember not to utter those thousand words with a mouthful of donuts.
Happy Friday!

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