365 Project - Day 17

I confess that our dining room is rarely used. In fact, this evening, my husband was setting out a plate of homemade oatmeal raisin cookies (yep, he baked them) for my son's cast bonding party and asked if he could use a plate from the dining room buffet. Without breathing, I firmly said "no". Seriously, a bunch of teenagers eating off of my china? At the same time, I suppose someone should see and use the beautiful decor we have so lovingly displayed in this room. This candle vase and painting (would be interesting to know if someone could guess the painting from just the amount exposed here) are two simpler examples of art and joy in the room. I chose these for this photo because I love the glass mosaic and its reflections dancing off the navy blue walls, juxtaposed with just the corner of the painting.

Today's Photo: Dancing Mosaic

"Remember yesterday..Celebrate today...Imagine tomorrow."

"Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do." Ecclesiastes 9:7

365 Project - Day 16

A few weeks ago I shared a photo of a bird flying over the open water, actually over the Pacific Ocean, with the online community at Light Stalking. I had just joined the community and they offer a wonderful sharing and learning opportunity. As a result of the rather lively dialog around that photo, I decided I would spend time developing bird photography skills, beginning with my birthday gift of a Nikon 1.4x teleconverter. I have big ambitions ;-) but you always have to start somewhere.

My husband was kind enough to prime my efforts by filling the backyard bird feeder. In no time the birds arrived, but I was preoccupied and didn't get out until dusk. Few birds remained and I had lost a full stop of light by using the teleconverter. This is my favorite photo of the evening, simply because she is singing. I am thrilled that I captured that moment. I know the quality isn't good, but I have all kinds of issues playing out here - the use of the teleconverter with its stop loss, extreme cropping of an underexposed photo where ISO was over 1000 AND I had this lens (70-200mm f2.8 VRII in my hand when "the accident" occurred. I'm not yet convinced that it fully survived. For now, I'm happy with this photo as the starting point in developing my bird photography skills. I'm anxious to get out again.

Today's Photo: "The Winged Singer"

“The earth has music for those who listen.” ― George Santayana

365 Project - Day 15

I've been playing around with my flash unit and am learning a lot. I am not a big fan of using flash, but I suppose I have a choice: hibernate in the dark, take super grainy photos or figure out this beast. On top, it's not lost on me that I am missing all of the other benefits of flash in eliminating shadows, capturing action photos, making subjects standout, increasing sharpness, etc. So, I have a long way to go in sorting out flash, but had fun shooting some of my favorite things: beautiful flowers from a friend, ever-present crutches and a delicious Snickers bar. All 3 make up my triad of encouragement these days. I chose this photo shot with a bounce flash using the fluorescent filter.

Today's Photo: Encouragement: Beauty, Brace, Bliss

“There are moments when troubles enter our lives and we can do nothing to avoid them.
But they are there for a reason. Only when we have overcome them will we understand why they were there.”
― Paulo Coelho, The Fifth Mountain

365 Project - Day 14

Oddly, I believe that starting this project shortly before "the accident" was a blessing. There's certainly no way I would start it now. I was only on day 2 or 3 when the leg break occurred and I remain deeply committed. I am so grateful for this gift of photography. It is precisely the distraction I need.

Many years ago, when I had the luxury of free of time I would walk through antique shows in Houston. I was attracted to a few items: crystal stemware, silver serving pieces, numbered art prints by the masters and dusty old cameras ;-) I love the look and feel of these vintage cameras and they have remained on display (dust and all) since I picked them up. I haven't tried using them, though I know a lot of people do use the Argus 75 still today. My son picked up both while I was shooting the photos saying, "I don't see how anyone can see anything or take any pictures with these cameras!" If only he had to survive in the 1950s.

I would polish them, but frankly, I love them with the dust. Seems to make their "vintage" more life-like.

Today's photo: "Vintage Style"

"In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different." Coco Chanel

365 Project - Day 13

Happy Birthday to me ... I enjoyed a fantastic birthday today. I experienced both more pain than I would have hoped and more joy than I likely deserve. Fortunate am I that I should be remembered and offered good wishes by so many. I am full!

On several separate occasions this summer, I have photographed our "double knock-out roses", but haven't been satisfied with any of the photographs. I decided that I would force myself out to take more in celebration of my birthday and then force a "best of the day" selection to post for today's project. Of course, I was limited in the amount of time I could spend taking pictures. The bushes are also tiring of blooming, as they seem ready to give way to rest for the winter. Most of the few remaining roses look quite spent, but they are still enjoyable.

Today's photo: "Celebrate"

This just made me laugh so hard:
"I kept a diary right after I was born. Day 1: Tired from the move. Day 2: Everyone thinks I'm an idiot." - Steven Wright

365 Project - Day 12

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am grateful for so much today, including the opportunity for rest as a result of my broken leg... Grateful for the love, grace and peace of God, the love of family, the laughter of children, the warmth of my parents' voices, the gift of flowers, the comfort of a caring husband, the safe return of a son, the hugs of friends and children, the generosity of a kind note, energizing crisp weather and the beauty that surrounds us every day. Abundance and gratitude are inextricably intertwined. And, again, I am thankful!

Today's photo: "Gratitude"

"This a wonderful day. I've never seen this one before." Maya Angelou

365 Project - Day 11

I suppose I will be grounded for a few days. I certainly felt that way yesterday, in preparation for my surgery. It looked like a beautiful day outside, though cold and windy. And, while there were lots of opportunities to photograph indoors, I longed to be outside. However, I was hooked up to a cold pack machine to reduce the swelling. The good news is I was sitting in one of our front rooms, looking out a large picture window.

All my best wishes!

Today's Photo: "Grounded"

"March on. Do not tarry. To go forward is to move toward perfection. March on, and fear not the thorns, or the sharp stones on life's path." Khalil Gibran

"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control, and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1