Young Love

Do you remember....

That first crush?

Those first 'butterflies' in the stomach?

The excitement from the first 'date'?

The desire to get up and go to school each day because you knew....'they' would be there?

The giggles?

The freedom?

The....youth of it all?

Wonderfully Supportive

For those of you that know me in the least....you know when I get involved in something...I tend to go head over heals. I throw my every minute, every effort, and unfortunately sometimes....my every penny in to it. I grasp a hold of my passions and I run with them....as if they were the last thing in the world...the last thing in my life that I would do.

I want to exel at it.

I long for...something to be remembered by....maybe.

I need something to satisfy my creative cravings....a purpose...a challenge for today, tomorrow, the next...to keep my mind challenged...to keep it active and hopefully strong.

Sometimes, those around me....don't understand but....worst yet...sometimes....they don't support me...no matter how simple my goal might be.

So that is where my photography is right now...I believe....although in reality, I could be spending a whole lot more time, energy and money in to it. I have my camera every where I go...practically.....bag and all....lenses, flash, tripods....and all. And yet...I don't know where I'm going with it. I know where I'd like to go with it....but fear daily that there just isn't enough time to get THERE....away....from....behind...the....desk.

More than anything...I want to do it. I need to do it. It gives me that 'purpose', that 'creative purpose'. Although I make a big conscious effort to 'compromise'...I still fear I am 'in the way' with it all. But...my two BFF's just follow along...patiently...encouraging....supportive in more ways than I've ever experienced. And yet...I fear...someday.....he too will run.

I hope not...because...I do enjoy the support, the encouragement but more than anything....his company....his ability to be so free.

Scary??

My daughter has a friend that says it is really 'scary' that I have so many of these little woodspirits adorning my home. This...is just a very small sampling of my collection. I purchased ONE many years back that had a bird's nest in his hands and being the avid bird watching lover that I am, I couldn't resist him. And...that's it....from then on out it seemed every birthday and Christmas, I would add two or three to my collection. Today, I would say less than half my collection is out in the open. Many are still snuggly packed in a box...some have not been unpacked way up here in the Midwest. I...of course...don't think they are scary. They are all....little people, little friends...each and every one with their own name and story. They each have some sort of coin, generally a red hat, and bird prints on the bottom of their feet.

The above photo, although a bit blurry as I was focusing on my reflection in the mirror, actually seems to bring them to life....as if they are laughing, smiling, saying cheer...for the prime photo opportunity.

My favorites are these that have faces carved into their beards also.

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.