365 Project - Day 89

It's Snowmageddon - please tell me, when is spring?

On a day like today, when we are snowed in with temperatures below 20 degrees, I can't help but dream of spring. I am thankful for these flowers I have around the house. I'm having a ball experimenting with the tulips especially since they are hanging on longer than expected. For this photo, I tried a different lighting set up. Rather than use natural, ambient or a speedlight, I used a handheld flashlight to illuminate the flower. This is my first attempt at this and because I did not use a long exposure, I doubt it counts as light painting.

The trial and error process was a kick. I laughed a lot at the mess I created with the flashlight as I attempted a range of placements around the flower(s). In the beginning, the results were more random than thoughtful. I finally got the hang of it, then added more flowers and lost control. The way I look at it, though, you never learn anything or truly grow if you don't try. And, I was by myself anyway so no one really knows what failures I endured on the way to producing this. ;-)

Best wishes!

Today's Photo: Light Hearted

“Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.” - Napoleon Hill




EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 320
50mm
f11
1/1s

365 Project - Day 88

Over the span of more than 30 years with one of the largest corporations in the world, I have participated in a lot of educational courses. Some have been classroom, some conference calls, some webcasts. Many have been brilliant, others have been duds. Today I spent nearly 7 hours in a webcast that is one of the very best training sessions I have ever attended. Creative Live's Studio Photography 101 with Lindsay Adler is a terrific course. And, while I know some of what Lindsay is covering, I learned much and as importantly, she is a knowledgeable, sincere and engaging instructor. She is not holding back, hoping we will buy the more expensive book or DVD! It's all here with enthusiasm and candor. I am looking forward to the next 2 days.

I stepped away from that session for 90 minutes to participate in a marketing committee conference call for Greenwoods Counseling Referrals, a wonderful nonprofit based in Litchfield, CT. I am thrilled to be working with this group that serves both the people in need of mental health services and private providers. Serving as a "virtual" mental health clinic, Greenwoods provides mental health assessments and refers patients to appropriate specialists within a few days, often providing subsidy payments. This service helps to remove the stigma associated with mental health, while accelerating access to high quality mental health expertise. I believe this is crucial work. I have long believed that there is no such thing as normal and too many suffer for fear of believing they are abnormal. I believe it is more common to need mental care than not and want everyone to have ready access without reservation. We're working to expand the deeply needed service Greenwoods provides.

Best wishes!

Today's Photo: We ALL need a little help now and then!

"Friendship is born at that moment when one man says to another: "What! You too? I thought that no one but myself ..." C.S. Lewis





EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 160
50mm
f11
1/1s

365 Project - Day 87

I have come to believe that embracing the full magnitude of me requires stretching beyond what I know, understand and believe is within my capabilities to strengthen my talents. It often also includes pushing myself to take actions that I had not imagined. Perhaps you have experienced this, as well.

While I like flowers, have adorned my walls with original paintings of flowers and marvel at flower photography by others, until stuck inside with little imagination, it never occurred to me to photograph flowers as art. I chose to begin with the purity of the flowers before messing with water and glycerin or anything ultra creative or unnatural. This series of tulips and gerbera daisies is simply these flowers in their native state. When I have more flexibility and space, I will get more creative. In the meantime, I have been obsessed with the tulips. They have both brought me joy and frustrated me over the last few days. And, yes, there are more 365 flower photos to come!

When I was choosing flowers for my wedding, I was picky and had a small selection of flowers I wanted for my bouquet. Unlike most, I am not enamored with roses. I think I've said this before, they are simply too common. I really wanted tulips in my bouquet and despite my incessant nagging, the florist was clear. Tulips would not survive the day. He was right. They are lovely, but far too delicate for someone like me. They very quickly get serious curvature of the spine. While they remain beautiful, they droop.

I wish I would look so beautiful when I also felt weak and weary. Perhaps the answer is in experiencing peace regardless of the situations we face. I used to find it odd that in the middle of turmoil people would speak of the "peace that passes all understanding" until I understood the context: "In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7) Now that makes sense, right? Tell Him what makes you anxious, turn it over to Him, let Him handle it, be grateful, move on, peacefully, knowing God is in control.

I found in toying with the tulips today that they are not quite as fragile as they appear. I have not been gentle. In fact, though they were droopy at the end of the day, when I rearranged and propped them up in front of the window, they were tall and fresh the next morning. A metaphor, perhaps. I am stronger and more capable than I tend to believe; made stronger still, with God's ever present help.

Best wishes


Today's Photo: The Light Strengthens Me

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." Philippians 4:8






EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 160
50mm
f/11
1/1s

365 Project - Day 86

I have been craving vegetables lately. It was so bad the other day, that I took a bag of frozen peas that was half full and usually preserved for our 10 layer salad, boiled them and mixed them in with mashed potatoes. Since breaking my leg and turning the cooking back over to my husband, vegetables have been rather scarce. One of my favorite places to shop for fresh veggies is Stew Leonard's. After my check-up with the Orthopedic Surgeon this week, I dragged my hubby into Stew's. Lucky for me, in addition to great veggies, I picked up a few lovely flowers as well.

I know I've said this before, but flowers truly are one of my favorite things. If I had the luxury of a macro lens and hundreds of flowers, I believe I could shoot endlessly. These tulips have been wonderful to photograph. The only challenge is that they are so delicate and I am not so careful. I should put it this way, I am far more ambitious than I am cautious. In reality, though, shouldn't our lives be that way? Shouldn't we throw caution to the wind and pursue our dreams with more faith and less trepidation? I wish I could say I am always like that, but the truth is I am not. I believe, however, that if we are to reach our full potential, God instructs us to believe more and doubt less.

The Bible is filled with passages that reference a call to strength over fear: Isaiah 41:10, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." And, with verses that speak to favor: Psalm 84:11, "For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right." So, therefore, it seems counterintuitive to walk with caution over faith, right?


Best wishes!


Today's Photo: "Lo, I am with you always!"

"I am still far from being what I want to be, but with God's help I shall succeed." Vincent Van Gogh





EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 160
50mm
f8
1/2s

365 Project - Day 85

My children had the honor of singing at a memorial service today for the father of their musical theatre and voice instructor. They were part of a small choir for the service. My husband and I went to the service and were truly blessed by having been there. The service was very nice. I am not Catholic, but several of my childhood friends were and my husband is so I have been to many Catholic services and am quite comfortable. This was extra special, though.

Father Bob, one of the grandchildren and a son-in-law spoke of a man whom they admired greatly and a man who loved his family most of all. Listening to their celebrations of his life, simply made us want to be better and we wished that we had known him. I am disappointed that I did not, but thankful I was there for the service today. Father Bob suggested that the celebrations be printed and distributed to both the families and the students in the choir. I wholeheartedly agree. We can all learn to be better people by being more like Lenny.

Yes, this was a sad occasion and I cried, but I was also grateful. Grateful to have been able to share in both the grief and the joy of my friend as she both mourned the loss of her father and celebrated the gift of his life. I am enjoying the opportunity to participate in moments like this. In prior years, it would have been difficult to arrange my schedule. Now, however, I am fully engaged in the moment and so much better because of it.

Blessings ...

Today's Photo: "He refreshes my soul"

"And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand."
From On Eagles Wings




EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 200
50mm
f/4
1/180 (off camera speed light)

365 Project - Day 84

My children have always had overactive imaginations, but this was especially creative. "Mom always bakes cookies at the end of the grading period," declared the youngest one. Never mind that I have historically rarely been home at the end of a grading period. Frankly, I can't recall being consciously aware of a grading period ending, ever. I remember the start of a school year, the end of the school year, big events, but a grading period? Hmmm - Nice try. Nevertheless, he wins!

Of course, I enjoy delighting my children, however, I wanted to do so with my favorite chocolate chip cookies, not theirs. Hahaha. My children love Bon Appetite's Salty Chocolate Chunk Cookies, while I prefer Alton Brown's The Chewy. Don't get me wrong, I'll eat both. I've just been making a lot of the former lately and I'm ready to settle into a big plate of the latter. That cookie is so tender, tasty and gooey that I am craving them. Unfortunately, I did not have the tablespoon of milk and the right chocolate chips for The Chewy. So, the children got the saltiness they wanted and, well, we're all smiling.

I guess I'll need to keep track of grading periods now. By the way, I get extra credit for 2 photos today!

Best wishes!

Today's Photo: Grade A Goodness!

Yummy!

"Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing." Pele

365 Project - Day 83

The meeting in Sturbridge had gone very well, but much longer than I anticipated. Before I left home, now 4.5 hours earlier, I had packed my camera and zoom lens in the trunk of my car, certain that I would have plenty of time to search southwest Massachusetts for great photo ops. Instead, at 3:00, I had no plan, it was cold outside and I was short on time. "Old Sturbridge" was not very exciting and aside from a couple of colorful ducks on the side of a busy backwoods two-lane road, I could find little of interest. I stopped to take a couple of photos of the the ducks, but I could not get out of the car with my crutches and the road was quite narrow. Frustrated, I headed home.

The sky as I drove West on I-84 was filled with a mixture of blue sky, clouds and sun. I snapped photos as I drove. "Say What??" Yep, I'm one of those ;-) I could tell the sunset would be really nice and wished I could stop and wait somewhere, but I knew my family expected me home and I was already quite late. I also knew I wasn't prepared for a sunset. Not dressed warmly enough and no tripod. A little later I noticed the sky turning a rich, deep blue color. There's much discussion in of the blue hour, in photography and this evening was truly spectacular. I thought I might make it home in time to capture it, but I got stuck in traffic.

I just arrived in time for the fading moments of the blue hour, just after the sunset and just as the darkness befalls the day. The color was so beautiful, that I almost did not care what else I captured, I simply felt compelled to capture the color of the sky. I stopped as I drove up my driveway, bracing the camera on the windowsill as a makeshift tripod. I knew that by the time I got inside the house and gathered my tripod for a more proper shot, the moment would be gone. So, composition may not be a standout, but I'm okay with that. I drove to Mass and back, my first long drive since breaking my leg. Enjoyed the inaugural board meeting of a newly formed nonprofit and am feeling blessed.

Best wishes!

Today's Photo: l'heure bleue bénie

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." Maya Angelou




EXIF: Nikon D7100
ISO 1000
35mm
f1.8
1/6