Finding The Beauty

Some days it's hard to find the beauty in life...I know it's there but life can sometimes bog you down...when that happens I try to find the beauty in my photography...what in my lens, will bring me peace and a bit of lightness, in which to end my day. As I look back over my life..I find my peace has always come from Nature and that is still true today.

I love learning of Still Life...it gives me a sense of slowing down and being more creative but Nature is where my heart lives...and so tonight I chose the beautiful water-lily that I shot a few weeks ago...the color speak to me of vibrance and strength...and the green reminds me, once again, that life is full of ups and downs, good days and some not so good...but like the forest we will renew and grow...

Yesterday was texture Tuesday..I'm doing texture Wednesday here...sometimes you just have to make your own rules....so here's to a better tomorrow.

Just Flying In To Say....

I started shooting in "raw" yesterday...O.K. first try...perhaps not so good. This is not in sharp focus but the little bugger moves fast.The reason why I choose to put it up here is twofold...1. I like the way he was coming in straight on, and two, I'll be able to watch my progress as I go forward.

This little guy is a bit better and I'm happy with him...Here's what I learned on my first try...Raw works for these photo's because I had to crop them so tight.  I think that if these had been jpeg files I wouldn't have anything to show you because I would already have lost so many pixels in the compression. I also learned that I will need more work in Lightroom and photoshop to make the best presentation possible.  It's not a natural, knowing,  process for me yet.   I don't mind that, I've got time to learn and lots of resources.   These photo's also gave me a chance to think about the process and where I go moving forward.   I did like the learning curve though.

Here are the rest that made the cut to the editing room yesterday...I love these little birds, just so darn cute and really, really tiny...

Last but not least, another favorite for me is this one of the Hummingbird silhouette against the early evening sky ..feeding from a pine tree.

Thanks to all who answered questions for me and to Kim Klassen for the lovely texture, Purple Grunge, used on all of these photo's.

“Legends say that hummingbirds float free of time, carrying our hopes for love, joy and celebration. Hummingbirds open our eyes to the wonder of the world and inspire us to open our hearts to loved ones and friends. Like a hummingbird, we aspire to hover and to savor each moment as it passes, embrace all that life has to offer and to celebrate the joy of everyday. The hummingbird’s delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, every personal connection has meaning and that laughter is life’s sweetest creation.”Papyrus

Taking It To The Street

Beyond Beyond Boston...Hubby and I took the "boys" to Boston for the Duck Boat rides.   An adventure we do each summer...Liam loves it and this year he got to drive the boat when it went into the Charles River...mighty big deal for him...Jaxson, well he was like a dog with his head out the window...catching the breeze and enjoying every little thing he saw...to funny.  He's making up for lost time.

One of the landmarks along the route was this park in the North End of Boston...the North End is a must if you ever get out this way.   It's a mini Italy.  Families have lived in the "hood" for years, Italien food is still cooked from scratch, fresh smells assault you from every direction.  Pastry shops to make you drool and gelato, just like you'd get in Italy..sidewalk cafe's, and the little shops that specialize in everything.  One of my favorite shops is Pocari's where I get fresh ground coffee, spices in any amount and of course my beloved loose tea. The best and freshest anywhere..oh my I digress.  After a day of shopping I always go to Mike's or Modern's bakery and get a cappicino and my favorite...A Birds Nest...

Anyways back to this weeks post for Beyond, Beyond.   Take it to the Street.  Not many years ago, in the North End there was subway system that ran along the end of Hanover Street and if you crossed over on foot, you would be in Faneil Hall Market Place..they have since taken down the tracks and have put in this beautiful park...benches for folks to sit and enjoy...and smell..Water fountians for the kids to run through...grass for playing ball.  It's a wondeful addition to the neighborhood.  It's been open for two years now and it was lovely to pass by there on our tour and see so many people enjoying the day...

I think now when I get my treat, I might just Take it to the Street..and enjoy one of those benches...might even take the boys and let them get some energy out...

Summer Vacation...2013

 I've got a list...it's long.  I'll never get it all done but I want to try.  Summer is moving fast and here it is August already and my personal list of projects have been sitting, waiting from me to arrive and rescue them. In rescuing them, I'll be rescuing myself.  I'm pretty much always last on my list.  I've been thinking lately that I want to move me up to the top of that list, at least for the rest of the summer...So until Labor Day I'll be pretty much working on what I love doing in the summer...which is so much more than my computer. The top photo might give you a hint that relaxing and enjoying life's little treats might be in my very near future...hmm, maybe not so many more brownies but certainly a bit of lace and soft prettiness.

 I will spend more time taking photo's outside for myself...my love of photography has always been in Nature and so I'll get back to doing more of that..I also plan to really work hard learning some new skills in my classes this summer.   Still life has become a new love of mine..who knew?   The other thing I'm going to do and this is just so exciting...is I'm starting this month, hopefully tomorrow, to shot in raw.  I must say I'm bit intimated by that process but I think it's time for me to give it an honest try.   It's time to step out of the box and know that I am capable of at least trying..maybe it will move my photography up a notch.  Let's hope so.   I have learned over my many years...nothing is etched in stone and no decision has to be final.   Of course I'd love to find a few photo Buddies to go shooting with...I'm pretty sure I've got that one covered.

They say laughter is good for the soul and the heart.  I have several people in my life that just make me laugh whenever I am with them.  I will surround myself with people that bring joy and laughter to me daily.  Life is full of bad news, pain, and sometimes sickness.  There are things we can't get away from but I think if we try, each day, to find something to smile about and give thanks for all the good we do have, our lives can be full and so can our hearts...Let's call it Heart Therapy and no lessons necessary.   Maybe just really good thoughts.

To be amongst long standing, trustworthy friends is a gift.  I have been so fortunate in my friendships.   I have many longstanding, wonderful Girlfriends that I could not have lived without.   I never had a sister and when I was young I used to feel bad about that but not anymore.   I have "hand picked" the ones that I would call sister and we are closer than most sisters I know.. This summer I will spend more time with them, doing all the things that crazy girlfriends do together..Dina, is one of my longest standing Girlfriends and was the Maid of Honor at my wedding...we have been walking our path together for 50 years...it is such an easy relationship now...her and I do go out every Friday for breakfast and then "thrift store" shopping...so much fun...but I need to tend the garden of my other friends...being busy is not an excuse this summer...mark the calendar and go...and by the way, this wonderful journey that I am on here on the computer has given me such lovely friends also...some I have met and some I have talked to and some I just see in my streams but they all are woven into my life now and I value each one...and those friends are not all girls...Let's hear it for the men in our circle of Friendship.

 

On those really hot sunny, summer days..I'm going to be catching a breeze..either riding on the lake in the boat or perhaps on the open road driving my antique car, Stellar, around the small country roads of Maine.   I feel just being outside, with the wind in my hair, rather refreshing and youthful.   I really don't believe in the summer we have to act our age...our age is whatever we feel, on the inside, on any given day.   Of course that's another benefit of being "senior"....we don't give a fig anymore what people think of us...Just so freeing. Catch a breeze however you like...I think Liam has found his own way...smart kid, takes after his Nana...

 

Oh and one of my favorite all time summer treats is "nap taking"..that could be why I have a screened porch on both of my houses...late afternoon, sun going lower in the sky, all is quiet, even the birds.   A gentle breeze carries through the boughs of the hemlock trees and my mind does the dance of summer slumber.   It's not a long nap, perhaps 20 minutes but its the feel of the warm, the openness of the windows and the slight sounds of a hot summer day.   No nap is like a summer nap.   Then there are those rare days,  hot, hot, hot that just beg for the gentle movement of the hammock in the back yard, lakeside.  Have mercy on my gentle soul,  I'm in love with summer naps...

You know, the list goes on and on for me...I want to read a million books before September.   Be up to date on all my classes, learn new things about photography, plan and set up Still Life shots, oh my, I bought some cheese cloth today.  Ideas are running in my head for photo's, light, balance, it's all good right now.  No dark days of winter.   I want to play with my babies, have intelligent and fun conversations with my grown kids. Swim, bake and nest.   Knit sweaters for Christmas gifts and so much more....how can you be bored in this life. Probably the other thing that I should do is give my mind a rest...it's always running somewhere...

So I know it all won't get accomplished but I'm going to try to do some of everything so my computer time will be less.. I will keep up my lessons, work on my blog, and in general do only those things that make me feel good and in control.   I will check on you all often...you might not know it but I do love looking and seeing all that you do..you so inspire me to do much more than I ever though possible.  I won't be far away...just behind the sun...watching over all of you and hoping you all accomplish your summer dreams also...

Perhaps if you visit you could leave me a note about a wish you have for yourself for the summer...whatever it is just enjoy the process...

"The beach is not the place to work; read; write or think. I should have remember that from other years.  To warm, to damp, to soft for any mental discipline or sharp flights of spirit. One never learns.  Hopefully one carries down the faded straw bag, lumpy with books, clean paper, long over-due unanswered letters, freshly sharpened pencils, lists and good intentions. The books remain unread, the pencils break their points, the pads rest smooth and unblemished as the cloudless sky. No reading, no writing, no thoughts even...at least not at first.  At first..the tired body takes   over completely."  Gifts from the Sea..Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Wednesdays With The Boys..He Not Heavy, He's My Brother

Here in New England we are experiencing one of the hottest summer that I can ever remember.  I don't dare to complain to much because we complain all winter about the cold and the snow so when summer hits, I just like to enjoy it and endure it, however I can.  One of the ways to do that is to go to the beach.  What better way to enjoy the beach than to take my two little guys along for the ride.

I was over at the Cafe this morning and this weeks lesson for BB is to go on a scavenger hunt and post some photo's of what we find. Since it was just yesterday that we were at the beach, and one of the photo's that Kim posted was of someone she loved, I thought I would do the same. I sure do love my boys and so another episode of Wednesday With the Boys came to mind...

Wednesdays is my favorite day of the week.  They boys come early and we always have breakfast together. Nana, Papa, Liam and now Jaxson joins us at the table..everyone eats something different, that's just how we roll around here on a Wednesday. After breakfast off to an adventure....every week.

When I was a small girl I lived 5 minutes from the beach.  Back in the day, I would pack myself a lunch, get an old sheet or blanket, grab my doll and head for the beach. My Mom worked and my Grandmother took care of us 4 kids.  She never asked when I would be back, I never had a life jacket, and lots of times I would go by myself and usually see whoever was there.   When I got bored or the tide was to far out, I would come home, safe and sound.

Yesterday when I told Liam that we were going to the beach he said "I'm excited Nana, I haven't been to the beach in a long time".  Didn't take much to get him moving and he even helped with the packing.  While him and Papa were in the shed getting soooo many beach toys, I was making the lunch..again, something different for everyone.  As I was making the lunch I was reminded of my childhood days and how much I loved the summer and the sea.  It was always a wonderful day and still brings back lovely memories.  I'm always hoping to make those memories for my Grandkids..

Time to load up the car and I have to tell you,  when I went to the beach, I walked.  I had to carry whatever it was I was taking.  No cooler back then, brown paper bag.  No sand chair, maybe a towel if I could sneak it out of the house.  No life jacket, no blanket to speak of and no phone, and no change of clothes..you wore your bathing suit down and you wore it back.  When I got done packing yesterday the back of my car was jammed, we even had a sled in there for Jaxson...he eats the sand, so I was going to keep him off of it, and it worked for the most part....

It was a beautiful, sunny day, warm.  The kind of day that begs being outside.  The kind of day that says, stay in the moment and enjoy.  No reading, no napping, just playing with my boys.  It was easy to see that they loved it also.  Oh I take back the napping part, Jaxson fell asleep on the way over and anyone who knows Jaxson is aware if he falls asleep...leave him alone. Liam, on the other hand, is roaring to go, in a hundred directions all at once.  He keeps Papa on his toes all the time.  So they commenced with castle building, trying to catch little fish in Liam's net.  They swam and found a frog and dug big holes.   Then when Jaxson woke up and had a snack, Liam and Papa took him in the water in his sled around the waters edge.   Then Liam decided to pull him in the sand.  Jaxson, in all his naked baby beauty, held onto the sides and enjoyed every moment, laughing at this brother and his Papa...and yes a few times, when I took him in the water and we sat to play, he did get some sand for dessert...

Life is what we make it some days..you need to find the joy and go after it.   These boys will be grown up faster than the sand drifting in and out on the tide.  I know this because I know how fast my own kids grew up.  All that we can give them is wonderful and lasting memories of their childhood.  Summer is for fun, especially for kids.   It should be full of beach trips, sand digging, building castles and yes, tons and tons of ice cream at the end of the day.  Running outside, enjoying nature, finding and losing your favorite frog all in a matter of a minute.  Naked babies and bounding boys...that's what summer was for me yesterday..and I loved every moment of it.   Yes, I'm hoping to be building special memories for Liam and jaxson...but guess what, I'm building them for myself also and in the process I get to live in the memories of my own childhood and in the memories of summer fun with my kids.   I am blessed to have these two boys not 5 minutes from my house and to also have them every Wednesday...Wednesday with the Boys is the Best.

So that's how my scavenger hunt started...I started with "someone you love"...and I promise during the rest of the week I'll go out and hopefully find some other great treasures..but If I don't, the Treasures I found yesterday will last me a life time.