Lesson Learned

Today...I learned a lesson....about photography. CARRY YOUR CAMERA WHEREVER YOU GO. If you're really serious about this, if you really are passionate about this....carry your camera wherever you go because if you don't, you will truly miss the 'shot of a lifetime'. I don't know if I missed that shot, but I know I missed some good ones. I took my mom and my sweetie downtown to a Pet Expo today and, of course, the perfect photography opportunities were every where. The one I really missed....the Boston Terrier, in a 'carnival stand' type window giving out kisses for a dollar. PRICELESS. Absolutely priceless...and I missed it.

Tomorrow...I will provide 2...whatever it takes, I will make up for it.

Neighborly Gifts

I've lived in many places in my life, having moved every 2 to 3 years when I was a child, and almost as much in the past 8 years. I've not always had the luxury of close acquaintances, best friends until I met my very best friend that I truly miss from down south. She was always there for me with a kind word to get through the day. We've been apart now for almost 8 years and lost contact for a few of those. Now, we enjoy each other from a distance as much as our crazy lives allow us...which isn't enough...it just isn't enough. I've been blessed with a couple other awesome acquaintances since my move to the midwest...a couple of those being my neighbors a couple doors down. Last week after 'the call', I was given a bulb in a vase, with some pale green leaves shooting out. A week later, in the midst of this long winter, just overnite, this awesome bloom spraying the most wonderful fragrance makes me smile and realize how very lucky I am....to have such wonderful acquaintances in my life.

Caught

Oops....sorry Mom. I know I'm not supposed to be on top of the cabinet. But...really...if you insist on letting those canine creatures invade my territory, then I insist on being a feline and utilizing my ability to climb to the highest point available thus protecting myself from their insane and annoying frantic chasing around the room. Remove the canines....I'll consider coming down...on my terms.

More...Winter Nite Lites

Normally, in more sane temperatures and when it isn't snowmobiling weather, I walk a trail that used to be old railroad tracks. Now with the onset of snowmobilers, that trail is closed to 'pedestrians' so on bearable temperature nights (this one being only 17 degrees) I wander the streets of my 'little village'. Each and every road, each and every side walk, is lined with snow banks. Most during these shorter winter days are dark during my walk back home from mom's. Every once in awhile, I'll wander upon one lightly lit. This one glowed brightly as the rays from one very little red light reflected off of the snow banks and lit everything around it....as if trying to reflect some much needed warmth, promising the tree that it will keep it warm until that bright light in the sky returns to do the same.

Winter Sunset

Just when I wonder what I could possibly find to photograph that might be refreshing during these long winter days...



I come home from a day of work when the days are slowing increasing in daylight and am able to capture one of the few awesome sunsets....or sun at all...during this time of the year. It brightens the day, or the evening, during a week where such a beauty is whole heartedly accepted and cherished.

A Rose......

Today, we said goodbye to the last uncle on my dad's side. The picture....a bit blurry. I felt it appropriate...as we wipe our tears, wonder about the unknown 'life after death', try to soothe each other's hearts and minds knowing how much Uncle Dave will be missed. We continue to have faith and know that now...he is at peace, as healthy as can be, no more pain and reunited with his family. For this we are all thankful. He was always an 'angel' here on earth. He's gone home now.

Frozen Flow

It's fascinating to me....what Mother Nature can do. This drainage runs off of a house, where it allows rain to run into the river, continuously feeding the flow...when it does flow. It's been 'still' now for weeks on end...as if holding its breathe, waiting, ever so patiently for the warmth of life to return. Somedays, the sun will shine just enough allowing some warmth to melt some of the snow from the rooftop, feeding some slow meltings down the pipe, which get slower and colder every inch it gets closer to the river, itself frozen and lifeless, no movement except that of the snowmobilers leaving tracks on top of the frozen waters as they themselves frantically try to enjoy every day they can of this frozen tundra.

Suns a Risin'

This one just kind of caught the 'mood' of the morning. The winter has already been long....the longest since I've moved up to the midwest from the deep south. It started to snow in November and it's been white ever since. The sunny days have been few and far between.

Today...it peeks out from behind the clouds...to let us know that there really is still hope. I'm guessing it's kind of difficult for Mr. Sun to rise out of bed in the morning also when the temps are below zero....before the wind chill factor is added in.

Urban Iceberg

The snow banks are all around us. Many of the parking lot exits and even side streets are lined with pile after pile after pile of snow. Many are difficult and dangerous to exit because you can't see the oncoming cars. On days when a little bit of warmth surrounds us from the few rays of sun that may exist, they slowly try to melt away, escaping into what ever drains they can find...and yet, the below freezing wind chill factors ever so lightly breathes on them, freezing them back, quicker than they can escape. And so...the urban icebergs remain to capture our attention for yet another month.

365 - Day 3 Rescue Me

Women's Rescuer

This might be 'Man's Best Friend' but it is also 'Women's Rescuer'.

In a world where we face so many challenges from day to day, so many roller coaster rides, so many tests and riddles, good days and bad days (hopefully the first being dominant)...when we are at our lowest, this four legged friend will always bring us to the top....keep us from drowning...stop us from jumping off the edge.

Full of understanding...with out fully understanding?
Patience....so much patience.
Definitely has a memory longer than 5 minutes regardless what the 'experts' say.
Loving...so much love....regardless of the periods of no attention.
Obedient....even when disobeying.

She makes me smile...even in this moment of deepest sympathy and concern.

Above, she waits patiently as I look up from my evening workout floor exercises.

How can you not love such a peaceful, forgiving soul?

365 - Day 2 Nite Lites

Don't you feel there should be a horse drawn buggy at the bottom of this hill....occupied by two sweethearts, cuddled together in a blanket...enjoying the winter wonders?

I walked my Lexi tonight....in 21 degrees....to mom's house ( a bit more than a mile each way probably). It was a walk against the wind on the way 'to grandma's house....over the hill...through the snow' but we trekked on...determined not to let Father Winter keep us prisoner this evening.

There's just something about walking through this little quaint 'village' that I have taken up residence in...here in the northern part of the cool MidWest. It's in no way....little (well I guess it's all relavent...if you compare it to Houston). It has it's fair share of vehicles that travel through it since the main road is a US Hwy that leads north. Regardless...it maintains it's relatively quiet, peaceful atmosphere where most people see familiar faces each and every day (even though the names may be not known). It's nice to take a walk and have someone wave at you and say 'hey, how are you?', even though they probably only know you from the grocery store (hehe...or more realistically from a frequent visit to the main street pub). It's an awesome feeling...to feel 'at home'.

It was still a bit light when we left home...dark when we returned. Although it was a two hour venture out, Lexi still had energy to burn when we arrived back home. Of course, her ears, knees, toes and fingers apparently weren't tingling with prickling of Jack Frosts oh so little needles. I could have gone in. She's good at hanging around even though the yard lacks a fence to confine her here. She's free to go if she so desires but I'm sure she is perfectly aware that no where else will she find the love she finds here.

As I detached her leash from her collar and stood up looking towards the back yard, the night lights golden glow on the snow, caught my attention. I grabbed my camera anxious to try some 'night shooting'.

The result....above.

365 - Day 1 Jump Start

By the seat of the pants!!!

I've been waiting for just the right day, the right event, the right incentive, to jump start this 365 day project. It's difficult during these winter months when it's too cold to venture outside and when one travels to work in the dark and arrives home in the evening in more darkness. It seems...I received via FedEx today....exactly what I needed.

What better way to start except to show off my pride and joy...or should I say the pride and joy of my pride and joy.

I'm guessing this 365 day project will begin by the seat of my pants also.

The Beginning

I have this passion...to be creative....to write...to photograph.

I always hoped that someday I might grow up and write a book. Maybe my blogging will be it. (guessing I better start improving, start being more creative.)

I always wanted to be an artist. To learn how to paint my own 'Mona Lisa' per se. Maybe this photo/blogging will be my 'painting'....my 'art'...one of my dreams come true (you know...like my other dreams of winning the lottery are coming true.) Hey....I do have control here (so I should remind myself).

I fell upon a wonderful 'muse'.

It's a new year. A new page...which hopefully will turn into an entire book of writings and owlography...of course.

Bear with me. I'm new at all of this.

TIME TO WAKE UP THE CREATIVE LOBE!!!!