Sometimes a picture, [or four], is worth a thousand words…
Or in this case 500 words.
I’ve been rather wordy lately.
And thought you might like to see more images then words this time.
Enjoy.
Taken with my cell phone camera…
If you are interested there are some more photos on my Instagram site, click on the icon on my sidebar.
I woke up this morning.
Now that’s always a really good thing.
Trust me.
But I had a hangover, and I don’t drink.
So that’s not a good thing.
I woke up at 4 am, and 4:30, and 5 am, and 5:30, and 6 am.
You get the picture don’t you, my head hurts.
They say it’s spring, I don’t believe them, except.
The alarm clocks are well wound, and working fine.
First we have the Bootsie clock at 4 am.
And every half hour or less after that it chirps, chimes, meows, pings, knocks stuff down off of the furniture, scratches on the door. Jumps on my head…
We might need to upgrade to a quieter model.
Say one that automatically puts itself in the garage at 4 am.
Then the crows start, the cawing the complaining, the screaming, oh what neighbours they make, they have issues. We have to up the rent in those trees outside of our bedroom windows, to see if we can get better tenants.
The furnace was on at night which means despite the time of year, it’s probably snowed, again. And the roaring noise and sparks was from the snowplough getting more overtime this season.
Phil the flirting pheasant was pecking at the shiny bumper on the truck, peck, peck, peck… he’s in territorial mode who’s that other handsome bird he sees… there are no photos, it was dark outside.
The robins trill, that’s one alarm clock I love to hear… they can leave holes in the lawn everywhere, they make up for it by singing so beautifully.
But then the eagles start in and everyone is tense… fly by breakfasts are only good when you are not on the menu.
The doves start to coo, the owl stops hooting, the chickadees are complaining that I still haven’t cleaned out the bird house from the last rental tenant… but it’s cold outside, because it was spring, and then suddenly it wasn’t. But no one thought to tell the cat, or the birds.
My head hurts… I’m going back to sleep, wake me when it’s really spring.
My friend, Flowerishous, and I decided to do a nursery tour the other day. We planned to visit two of our former workplaces that have moved onto new owners. We were excited to see the changes, and planned on finishing at another favorite nursery.
Good thing that we did, because the first two have left such a bad impression, that I don’t think that I am ever going back to them again. I take my camera everywhere with me, and I am always politely asking for permission to take photos of the flowers before I do anything. At the first “just reopened under new owner’s” store, I asked for, and was given permission by a staff member to take photos of the flowers. Flowerishious and I had introduced ourselves as former employees, and asked about the nursery cat, whom we loved. The new owners were a bit standoffish, and unwilling to communicate, but we thought they were just busy. As I was approaching the flowers preparing to photograph them, I was rudely yelled at, and told that the offer was rescinded. No explanation was given, and rather annoyed, we left, we had planned on purchasing items, but didn’t. We won’t be back, and I have doubts that many former customers will either.
The second nursery also just reopened under a new name, was a similar story. I politely asked permission to take some macro shots of flowers. Both times I had made it very clear that I was only interested in the flowers, not shots of the store, fixtures, or giftware. “ Oh no, company policy, no photographs of anything! Especially if there is a chance that the photos might be used in a commercial way. We wouldn’t want you to make any profits off of any photographs that you took.” I had wanted to feature both stores on my blog, and was about to tell them that when the “no photographs” situation unfolded. I am so tempted to ask what the difference is if I photograph a flower at their store, or purchase it and take it home to photograph. Do they want to charge me a royalty because it came from their store? Yes I realize that it is their store, and they can make the rules. But I doubt that the poor reception at the first store will increase business for them. So it’s company policy not to allow taking flower photos flowers in a nursery? Just how are you going to stop all those customers with camera phones?
Jen.
Somewhere along the line you decide to try “real people.”
Your family, your friends, your spouse.
Eventually most of them shy away from the camera when they see it pop up in your hands. There might even be a few confrontations involved when you over enthusiastically click away at them.
But none in my opinion are as difficult a subject as yourself.
I had a very challenging client the other day.
Whining, complaining, pouting, wouldn’t look at the lens, wanted to focus on the image on the screen instead. That’s my job, not hers.
Wouldn’t take my gentle directions, wouldn’t sit still.
Complained about her hair almost continuously… bad haircut by her former stylist in December, it’s not growing out… those new grey curly hairs are taking over… ”look at them ugh.”
She spent most of the session insisting that she was not photogenic, all the while tilting her head in odd directions, covering her face with her hands, and moving at the last second.
She complained that she didn’t have any makeup on, that the light was too harsh, she was hot, she was cold, she was tired, and the chair was too hard.
One time she picked up her cat, and despite the struggling of the fur covered beastie managed to subdue it long enough for a shot. Bribery was involved… kitty treats.
Difficult? Yes. Challenging, yes, fun? Not too sure about that for either of us.
Was it possible to get a good shot of her? She insisted that she was not photogenic, and that’s why she is always behind the camera, instead of in front of it.
We chatted about inner beauty, and how women are always self critical, learn to see the beauty inside, and you won’t focus on the faults I told her.
Was she one of the hardest subjects I have ever shot? Yes
Was she me?
Yes.
Did I learn more in this session about posing, making my subject comfortable, finding the best angle, making her look her very best, and coming up with a pleasing shot for both of us because of this? Yes.
Will it make me a better photographer, definitely! I have so rarely been in front of the lens… too many 6 foot tall beanpole shots as a teenager, stop shooting me from below, I’m not a tree. Reality in a 4 x 6, “hey is that really how I look,” for me to trust anyone with a camera in their hands.
I’m camera shy, and that’s why I hide behind the lens… it’s where I’m comfortable, watching, looking, recording…
I’ve included a few tutorials on Selfie’s… I know that I needed all the help I can get, and maybe you will find something in there helpful.
Christina Greeve how to take a great professional selfie. [This is my favourite, she’s amazing]
How to take a great selfie
7 tips for great selfies
My advice, relax, enjoy, watch your background, and keep clicking, after all one of them has to turn out eventually, let your inner beauty shine.
OK, so now you’ve read the entire post, and maybe even gone back to check, and you are wondering where the photos are… take a look at my About page, there is one there. I’m not big on having lots of photos of myself out there, so that will have to do for now. Jane @ Muddy Boot Dreams
Those last few days when winter blows.
Harsh, unpredictable… unforgiving.
Make you realize that although spring is hovering nearby, winter will not give up yet.
Winter is upon us, snow flakes larger ending up on the ground than any others we have seen all season.
White ground, frozen water, gloomy skies.
And then suddenly it will change.
The sun will come out, snow melts away.
Birds sing with such a force it’s easy to disbelieve that winter was even here.
Outside the doors, a feathered orchestra tunes up, each player trying to drown out his competition.
Harmoniously out of tune… bird song is never harsh.
Flying, hopping, fleeing, jumping, dashing, spring is in their hearts.
It’s made them mad, and not in anger.
A cacophony of trilling, cawing, calling, chirping, singing.
Cat’s roam, they know that the birds are careless this time of year.
Sullen eagles perch on dead trees, all the better to see you my dear fine feathered friends.
Hawks visit feeders left alone the rest of the year.
Deer search the yard for green grass, and are as disappointed as I.
But the feathered ones sing, call, and hope.
Winter may be upon us, but spring is waiting.
It’s lacking in subtly…
The ground bares it’s dark grin from under the trees.
Opens it’s mouth to show the slow decaying of the snow.
Fields patchy with pearly white, speckles of winter, fir needles, dust, fallen branches. Pretending to be open and honest, but hiding ground h ardened with ice, rocks unmovable, abandon the rake for today. Foolish gardener, dragging out tools, gloves, and hope. A long winters rest soon to be broken, but today, no fingers in the dirt.
Sun warms the skin, breeze cools it down, walk it off.
Forecast that varies from day to day, inaccurate by so many degrees no one pays attention to it anymore. Winter jacket, scarf, gloves one day, change to t-shirt, tank tops, shorts the next.
Bare winter white legs, not yours, glowing like florescent worms, blinding eyes, sunglasses needed, and not just for the sun. Can’t see where you are walking, don’t fall off of the road.
Dogs frolic at gates, when only last week they chased snow from the blower. Watch where you walk, roadside messes, no one picks up after them. Stinking treasures long hidden under melting snow.
Birds fly, worms in mouth, stark branches easy to perch on.
Stock up, there’s a sale on twigs, and there are nests to be built.
Pairing off, deciding who’s to stay home with the chicks, and who will go out and work.
Trees feel a stirring deep in their roots, sap warms and migrates. Buds swell with the increased light.
Snow still hides new shoots of grass, ice coats shaded ditches while water melts, and runs in full sun.
Black bird clinging to bull rush sings such a haunting melody you cannot help but stop and listen, twined among the heart, tugging so softly it’s ages before you realize it’s stopped. Play that again you ask, and he does, it’s as beautiful as you remembered, he does well at Natures version of the dating game.
Floating whispers of fuzz from deconstructed cat tails line a nest, pulled by a bird so small it hardly shows up. Massive in attention to detail, only the softest parts for it’s new nursery.
Sheep watch from across the field, the ram at full attention, it’s his flock, and you are the interloper. Go away, nothing to see here he tells you, unfriendly woolly creature not at all like Mary’s little lamb.
Cows, milk chocolate, and dark brown, stare out of the door of the red barn, languidly chewing cud. The smell of manure fresh on the air, pungent is too soft a description for it’s strength after a long winter inside.
No muskrat available to come for tea in the stream today. Woodpecker drills new holes in the poplars that hang out by the stream. Pussy willows soft grey cushions, just out of reach of finger tips, icy slopes make wet feet less appealing.
Horses stand, three down, fourth up, no tipping over here, sleepy, ignoring your sweet nothings, no food in your hand, go home.
The long stretch of road that leads to home, fields of farm animals on one side, golden grain to be grown on the other. Chicken barns reflect the light from the mountains, eagles watching for clean out days from the park nearby.
Walk the last few blocks slowly, make them last as long as possible… acknowledge the sun, smell the scent of spring, feel a deep stirring in the soul.
It’s spring, and it’s calling to you.
What I have learned from my new 100 mm macro lens. That I really need a heavy duty tripod just like the experts say, after all that is why they are the experts. And the sight of my camera falling forward due to the weight of the lens is just not nice. That I need to do a lot more arm curls, like Gar says, after all he is the work out expert. Then maybe that sore spot in my arm will go away. That no matter how long you can hold your breath while taking a shot, inevitably when you let it out is when you will click the shutter. That the details in life are just as important as the big picture. That no matter how expensive the lens was, it was worth it.
That Gar is getting a little tired of being my photographic model. His saying "No, not again" every time I pick up the camera has given it away. That getting the lens is not going to make me a better photographer instantly, I need to practice, practice, practice. After which, I might finally have a good enough shot to show you. These are all from the telephoto lens. That's what I have learned from my macro lens.
I was out taking flower shots on one of our last sunny days before the week of monsoon rain that is coming, and I found some crocus blooming. Now, I am kind of a “do not trespass” photographer, I have this sense of decorum drilled into me from childhood. Be nice, smile and great people you see on the street, and never, ever trespass on other peoples lawns. And never ever walk in the flower beds, no matter what. No matter if the absolute best clump of early spring blooming crocus is just a little too far in the bed to focus on. That’s certainly not a excuse to step into the beds uninvited. Never ever. Anything you can shoot from the side walk is fair game, as long as you don’t step onto the front lawns without permission. That’s just how I work. Too many years in the garden center watching as careless customers and swinging purses destroyed beautiful blooms. So to get these shots of the crocus, I had to be a little creative. There was a clump of heather blooming too close to the crocus for the camera to focus. So all 6 feet of me, [that’s a lot of photographer] had to crumple up at the edge of the bed, and gently swish back the heather. Poking the camera into the heather, which by the way doesn’t hurt it at all, and aiming from the nicely warmed dirt up, I shot blind. That is I shot without being able to see where my camera was focusing. And actually, I think that they turned out pretty good. Hmmmm, maybe I am on to something, a snails eye view of flowers.
Other people are tiptoeing through their thawing gardens searching for signs of spring, peering under bushes, smoothing back soggy brown leaves from under gently budding branches, but that’s not us. We’re still slipping and sliding in a rapidly melting cover of white slimy stuff that seems to have coated every inch of brown lawn. Our weather people are still gleefully describe the weather as wicked, and bitter, and we don’t even live in the frigid part of Canada.
We judge spring’s immanent arrival by the cessation of the oncoming rumble of the snow plow. It’s loud grumble shaking windows, and tipping paintings on walls, red sparks flying 12 feet into the air from the contact of a metal blade on a dry road.
Up here we prepare for spring by watching for snow tire removal specials to show up in our local paper, and look for “remove chains to avoid fines” signs to be posted on the highways. That’s when we know it’s really spring.
Our first spring up here we were puzzled to see neighbours emerging onto what had been in the winter a deserted street, and raking piles of dark sandy gravel from their front yards. It was only when maintenance crews drove by picking up the gravel that we understood. The sand and gravel that is spread here is counted in the thousands of tons, per month… not like the coast where a truck load lasted all winter. And the accumulation on your lawn can run in the inches.
When the glass replacement companies start to offer chip repair, and windshield replacement times are booked solid, that means it’s almost spring. It is now safe to book the annual windshield replacement and hope that it lasts through the fall.
It’s a far cry from being one of the first to find the snowdrops in my secret place on the coast in January, gleefully emailing photos to every contact I could think of, smirking over the relative lack of snow in our previous climate. Don’t they say no good deed goes unpunished.
In response to my lamenting the lack of snow drops, my husband merely told me “there are lots of snow drops out there, a whole yard full of them falling from the sky. Just not the kind that I was looking for darling.
We know spring is coming when we start to get a early morning 4 am wake up call consisting of cawing, and screaming, as newly returned crows defend previous summer territories despite the foot of snow. Phil the pheasant is feeling frisky, flirting, trying to talk to the hens into a starring role on “ My 5 wives.” Our purchase of bird seed, and suet goes from two or three mega bags at a time to a more sedate ordinary sized bag once a week.
As the convocation [yes, a group of eagles is called a convocation] of eagles start to find food in places other then the rank smelling manure piles of deceased chickens from the commercial chicken farms down the road, we know that Bootsie, our cat can go outside unescorted. As long as someone keeps a eye out for bears, or raccoons in the backyard, or the newly emerging mosquitoes don’t carry him off.
When our pristine mountain water turns cloudy, and suddenly smells of chlorine, we know that it’s spring time, and the water turbidity has forced the township to revert to wells temporarily.
Big changes compared to where I used to live, would I move back, never. Yes my snowdrops come in liquid form now, but think how many I have… more then I would ever have if I still lived by the ocean.
My spring comes a little later, but it’s just as blissful.
For the last little while I've been talking about some changes that my blog is going to be going through in the future. And both Laura, and I have mentioned another project that is dear to our hearts, it'll be ready soon. You'll just have to be patient for a little while longer.
While you're waiting can we talk about upcoming changes to MBD. If you are anything like me, the thought of change can make our stomachs flip. Pancake's anyone, hot off the worry grill.
Change is hard, most of us don't like it, I know that I might can say that it doesn't bother me, but there are equal amounts of times that I worry about it. You might be wondering why do it then? Taking a step back to look at what needs to be improved can be invigorating and inspiring. I n the end it's worth doing, because I'm getting a clearer view of what my blogging journey looks like. And that's a pretty big mountain I've been hiking. Muddy Boot Dreams started out as a personal blog promoting my art cards, and photography. It evolved into documenting our dreams for a move up to the Okanagan, now done. Checked off. Along the way I've talked about how we're each on our own personal blogging journeys. My blogging route seems to have taken the long trail up that virtual mountain. That's why it's called a journey, and not a short trip, right?. Along the way, I've met fellow hikers [that's you] some of the most amazing people in blog land. Many bloggers know me as Jane@Muddy Boot Dreams. I've worked hard at building my reputation, and brand under that name. I've had those Muddy Boot Dreams for so long, that I didn't realize they no longer accurately described where I am in my journey now. So I've decided to change my blog name to more accurately describe where I am now. MBD will start to redirect automatically to my new domain in the coming week. The light up here is phenomenal.I've never seen anything like it, and that has influenced my choice of new domains. This isn't a decision that I've made lightly, but it's a change that I need to make. I'm pretty sure you don't have to do anything unless you subscribe to my RSS feed and get my posts emailed to you. Easy peasy, right?
Thanks so much for being part of this, and I sincerely hope that you will come along for the next path of my blogging journey, and allow me to follow along on yours. I've got some wonderful things to show you, and look forward to seeing you there.
I love Pinterest it’s full of wonderful ideas being churned out by super creative people, even though there is no way we will ever get them all made. But that’s OK everyone needs a goal in life. [I’m joking].
I found a easy to create idea for painting photography backgrounds. I have made many of these, and although they are a bit of work, they are well worth it. Make more then one at a time, switching back and forth as you go, and it's half the work. I really like how they turn out, and how realistically they photograph as backgrounds.
Those of us that love to shoot vignettes, or do a little food photography are always looking for interesting props, and backgrounds to add some depth to our photos. It's wonderful to have old weathered boards hanging around, they are a bit of a pain to lug back and forth when you are inspired to shoot something, not to mention rather heavy. So when I came across this tutorial from Sara at Home is where the cookies are , I was hooked. I can’t believe how well this turned out, she’s written a great tutorial on the process, and I am going to let her tell you how to do it. Click on the link above to read how she does it, brilliant.
I used a dollar store foam core board, with a paper cover, and was a little perturbed when the paper came unglued when I put on the first few coats. I peeled the paper off, and painted directly onto the foam board. This one is a bit dark, I would like to try a few lighter colored ones and some brighter backgrounds for flowers. A bit of acrylic paint, some foam board, a old bristly brush, and I gouged in some lines with my bone folder used for card making. I used 3 colors of paint to achieve this look. Black, off white, and brown… it’s so simple. The secret is in the layering, using a dryish brush to create contrast, use the darker color in the gouges, and lines, and a very dry brush with your lightest color to make them stand out.
I love how this one looks in photos, it’s very similar to my old pieces of barn board. It looks weathered, like something that has been out in the sun, wind, and the snow for decades. And the best part, it’s light, and portable, and I can stick it behind a door until I need it.
I’m running a little far behind in the last few weeks.
Still heavily into delete mode, with 40,000 of my over 60,000 images deleted, or reorganized.
Not quite done yet.
There are a few things I’ve noticed when I lift my eyes from the computer screen.
By the time…
By the time I realize it’s been a hour I’ve most likely deleted a couple of thousand shots.
And there are still many more to be done.
The housework isn’t finished, the dinner isn’t planned, and Boo is hungry again.
By the time I realize it’s late and I haven’t written a blog post, it’s the next day.
All of this deleting is making everything slow because it’s reorganizing itself internally, at least that’s what it tells me. I have no idea, I just know it’s still backing up on Google backup, it’s been a long week.
I seem to have deleted something in my files, my social media icons along with some headers on my blog have been missing, it’s on my list, I’ll get to it one day. Just have to finish deleting more photos.
By the time you forget to write a new post a couple of times, it’s easier, and easier to play hookey.
So that’s how that slippery slope gets so slick.
By the time I realize that there are comments piling up in my inbox from over 3 days ago, it’s almost embarrassing to have to start the reply with… I’m sorry for taking so long to get back to you. I’ve always tried to read your blog posts, and return your comments within a day or two.
By the time that I am done this I will have to pick up the camera and take some photos again, it’s been a week, and I miss my camera. The uninspiring brown and white landscape has taken it’s toll on my creativity, it’s lurking in there somewhere, don’t worry about that.
Oh do I crave some color.
By the time I get back to regularly posting, and reading so many exciting things will have happened in blog land that it will take days of reading just to catch up. You’ve got a what? You did that? How on earth, well, my goodness…
By the time I got back to sleep after a thoughtful neighbour decided to ride his snowmobile up and down the fields here at 4 AM on a Sunday morning, it was almost 7, and my day had started once again.
And the best of all,
By the time I am done.
I’m hoping that this tail end of the polar vortex is nothing more then a distant memory, and spring is hiding around the corner. I need spring, you need spring, we all need spring. These freezing cold temperatures, and snow are really wearing thin now… it’s March, let’s bring on some better weather for everyone. Stay warm, and keep that spring hope burning in your heart.
The other day the phone rang, I picked it up.
Click!
Hello, pause, hello?
Buzzzzzz… click, Hello?
A snarky, nasal sounding voice intoned “hello, please hold for SPRING!”
Okay… I’m holding.
And holding.
Waiting…
There is no sign of spring here, in fact it’s colder now, than in January.
I think it was a prank call.
Spring is probably sitting down on a cushion of verdant grass, under a canopy of sweetly falling cherry blossoms that sparkle with dew, surrounded by nodding snow drops. Laughing at us, she prank calls unsuspecting gardeners on her diamond encrusted cell phone. Spring is always up to date on technology, she just doesn’t seem to follow a calendar.
Spring will be sitting there giggling as one by one the lines are lit up, each one a gardener on hold, never daring to let go of the phone, after all, it’s SPRING, and she doesn’t call more then once a year.
She takes her time planning her moves, using a giant chessboard made of fresh leaves, and pastel colored petals… a touch of whimsy here, yes a soft breeze will blow there and they will think it’s me, Spring. Here I will allow the bulbs to show a bit of green, and then it will snow for weeks… this place will have frost hit the new seedlings, and this one will flood.
And this place, ah ha… this is a good one, snow, and more snow, cold temperatures, and then, just when they give up hope, I will show up. Her giggles, and laughter are like soft iridescent bubbles that float in the warm sun sparkled air.
For she has a wicked, teasing side to her, planning hail storms, and snow falling out of season… she’s bored, a young season, never to grow old, and it’s gone to her head. Like the young, she thinks she has all the time in the world, and she does, I suppose… it’s up to us to wait her out.
So I hold on the line, while a tinny, musak rendition plays in the background… Vivaldi's four seasons, it’s winter deep tones coming through my phone speakers right now. Will it ever end?
Hello? Spring?
Hello.
Doors open onto land transformed. Bird song echos through yards. Pitched off tree branches where sap runs bathed in light.
Quail scatter at the sight of.
Sun warmed black cat's fur. Following a meandering path through the garden. Gracefully stepping over brown striped feathers.
Green sprouts, white snow, brown grass. Sun pushes through faded summer blossoms, stained glass in muted tones.
Blue jays squawk, scatter compost clippings. While denim colored feathers fly. Cedar Waxwings trill in tree tops, replacing Eagles. If the cock Pheasant crows. And the Magpie builds it's nest with twigs. Do we dare to question? Can spring be far behind? When the bird that is black sings? Did you enjoy this: you might want to read this post also.
It’s a late posting today.
We are experiencing some interesting weather around here, never thought we would see thunder and lightening in February. But we did, and are.
It’s knocked the power out usually when it’s time to start dinner, that sounds like fun, until you realize that it’s pretty cold outside, and once you get cold, and hungry… Boo of course is all for snuggling into us, and stealing what little body heat we have left. Survival of the fittest, isn’t a joke around here.
Add to that the phones and the internet coming and going with no warning, one minute it’s there, and the next it’s gone, “there is a problem with the lines, the repair man is aware of it, and trying to find the source, thank you for your concern, we will get back to you… never.”
Returning comments, and reading your blogs has been a bit of a challenge, rest assured, I will persevere and keep at it, expect me in the next few days, once my cold fingers thaw out.
I’m deep in the middle of deleting old images from my computer, there was over 60,000 so it’s taking quite a while.
It’s been interesting to see how my photographic journey is processing, but you have to wonder what I was thinking a few years ago… who needs 16 images of blue muscari? Did I think a bulb catalogue was going to contact me to use some of my shots? And the Boo, talk about proud pet guardians… there are few shots of us, but so many of him.
No wonder our PC has been running slow. I am on my 2nd external hard drive, and looking at a 3rd one in the near future.
I have worked out a system that works for me, to process my multitude of shots,and have been diligently applying it to each new image that I download ever since. Along with now being a discerning editor of the bad, the poorly shot, and the blurry, it’s starting to keep the new image count down to a manageable level.
Now just to plough through the old 50,000 + images, and delete, delete, delete… and hopefully things will go forward from there.
Onwards, and all that, now just let me delete one more photo, and I will be right with you. I have a new to me “take me to the top button” on the lower right hand side… I love it, and honestly wish more bloggers had this button. Many thanks toBrenda’s Blog tips for sourcing the tutorial that makes it so simple to do.
Start a blog blog today and you will be reading posts that explain how to figure out who you should be blogging for. How to tailor your blog for your ideal reader.
To conjure up a profile of who your reader is, right down to where she shops for her clothing, and what kind of coffee she drinks. Mocha, anyone? I find it fascinating that anyone can be so specific. Fascinating, and rather difficult. To me it's like planning your wedding before you have found a special person. Carrying around this huge binder full of ideas, samples, colors and possible venues hoping that you will meet that perfect someone to fit your specifications. I think that binder's kind of heavy, but it works for some people. I wasn't sure I was capable of being able of figuring out who my perfect reader would be. Beside if it was my wedding I'd change my mind so many times…you, pointing at a potential one, Oh no you…no maybe… Although it would certainly make it easier to come up with ideas, to write content that is pertinent to a reader's needs, and wants. Sometimes I feel like I am stumbling, lost, and other times I think I have a very clear idea of what I am supposed to be doing. Wonder if we all get that feeling.
So I thought I would try to figure out who my reader was, I gave it a really good try…even got as far as the first few sentences about who I imagined I was writing for. I kept drifting off on a tangent, following dreams, planning other stuff, thinking of what I had to make for dinner. Being interrupted by the Boo,"dinner, you're thinking of dinner?" See what I mean, there I go…off down another trail of the black hole of blogging. That's me…following trails, exploring, wandering, gathering. Learning, and being inspired by it. But I figured out who it is I blog for.
Whom I love to share my photography with? You.
Simple isn't it… You've been here all along…visiting my blog, leaving those wonderful comments, saying such nice things. So I guess when it all comes together, I've already found my perfect reader. And I just wanted to say thank you so much! I'm so glad that you are here.
Add caption Now that I buttered you up, can I ask for a favor? I'd like you to help me out a bit. Give me a idea about what it is that keeps you coming back to my blog. Is it my charming wit? My sincere devotion to filling in the details, to staying on track? Stop laughing. Can you tell me what it is that you love. And, [oh gulp,I'm being brave here], what you you don't like as much. Please let me know what it is that you are looking for in my posts, what you enjoy. And if there is anything that I can add to make them more enjoyable for you. Would you leave me some suggestions in the comments.
I would really appreciate it. Now I've got something to share with you. Drum roll please.. After much thought, research, and dreaming, I've decided to move my blog to Word Press. Wipes sweat off of her blogging brow. It won't happen until sometime in the beginning of March. Most of you won't notice anything if it all goes to plan. I'll give you lots of heads up, it's going to be exciting. But if something were to happen I have a back up plan… I'll bring out the Boo…he can entertain you for awhile. Meow! I'll give you more details when it's all firmed up closer to the move date. If you enjoyed reading this post, you might like this one also.
Certainly he is no snowdrop? I’m laughing at the thought. But he is my Boo, and we adore him. And since he likes to hang out in the little patch of garden in front of our place, where the snowdrops live, they seem synonymous in my mind. The snowdrops are up, much more advanced then the photos that I am sharing today, and finally maybe, I will be able to capture the whites without washing them out. It’s a challenging shot, they are deep into the garden, and dark, and if you light them, they wash out. And I don’t want to step in the soil, so I cantilever myself and my camera out over the dirt. Quite the sight, I assure you. Almost as good as the times I have chased the Raccoon in my nightgown, but that’s a old story. Of course then you have your assistants, both the Boo, and whichever “next door kitty” who is around must check out what is going on. The swish of a tail caught in the corner of the shot, a curious paw whisking away dirt. Recognisance missions in fur coats. All for the shot. Speaking of cameras, does anyone else ever have these dreams that you are somewhere beautiful, and you forgot your camera? I have been having them regularly, and they wake me with a sweat. It must be all the rain we have had, the flu, and the inability to get out there and shoot. Such a feeling of regret, I wake up sad. Tell me that you have them also, please!!!!
Another storm lashes at the windows, the cat stirs in his sleep, restless dreams, quiet fur.
Feathers fly, snow falls, hail come from the sky, thunder roars, lightening flashes, and we are powerless.
Birds flock to the feeders, suet, and seed poured, and placed with fear it’s not enough to last the night.
Mornings awaken to coffee, and a fresh coating of white, shadows of small tracks, deer, pheasants, quail quilt the batting left behind.
Eagles in the trees always watching, keening. Observant, at all times hungry and opportunistic, watch your back.
Winter is hard.
So why should we be thankful for it?
If all we encountered was good weather, would we learn to appreciate endless sun, perfect days of glowing light.
We need winter to act as a contrast to the warm spring days, sun reflected in a pearled glow from inside a soft petal, the buzz of a bee the song it sings of spring.
Winter is there to keep us in check, to give us a moment to think, to reflect. To wear heavy clothes, while trying to keep warm, remembering what sun feels like on bare skin, instead of wool scratching, and chaffing.
Snow is needed for the fields, desperate moisture to start the summer cycle of growth, to harvest. To feed streams, to soothe fish, to replenish the rivers.
To continue the circle of birth, and death in nature, and man.
Without winter how would we learn to appreciate the taste of a red, sun ripened, home grown strawberry instead of a refrigerated, trucked in winter replacement? How would children know the sublime texture of a just picked grown from seed tomato, compared to the greenhouse plastic moulded conveyer belt driven pale replicas we are given during the cold.
Would fresh berries dusky with bloom, gently slipped from the prickly branch of the vine taste as good, if we were not forced to eat winter spray painted pieces of shredded paper that passed for fruit?
I don’t think so.
So blow wind, and fly snow, winter may be long, it may be harsh.
During this time of year we may struggle to find something beautiful to say about you, but winter you have your place.
Your time is soon to end, and for that we will be thankful.
But we also understand what your role in the circular seasons is, and how grateful we should be that you are here to help us enjoy the other times of softness, warmth, and growth.
The harder you blow, the more snow you drop on us, the colder it gets, the more beautiful the first spring stirrings are.
And for that, we thank you.
Some of you asked if there was something going on the other day when I posted about gone fishing, nope nothing exciting at all, no reason, just… well read on and find out for yourself.
Ever have one of those really good days?
When the sun shines, and you think about writing a really happy blog post.
But you decide to go out for a drive first to enjoy the rare winter sunshine.
Because after all, life is about living in the moment isn’t it?
And then just as you raise your cell phone to take a quick photo of a old barn as your husband drives down the highway a little too quickly to really capture anything, but you have to try, your phone rings.
And you get to go out for lunch, unexpectedly, and isn’t life just generally good?
And then after you get home, the sun is shining, and wow, did you see how the sunshine highlights the dusty floor, you had better vacuum, and then you should really sit down and write that blog post. But first you grab the camera and take a few shots.
Then it’s almost time to make dinner, but as you sit with a cup of tea, and realize you kind of forgot to write a blog post, you think, I’ve had a really great day and I’m just going to sit and relax for just another minute… or two. Life is about living in the moment isn’t it?
And then I will write a blog post, I really will.
And the next thing you know is it’s much later, and you still haven’t written that blog post.
And dinner isn’t made.
There is a great show on TV after dinner, you think you will write that blog post after you watch the show. Sure you can.
The next thing you know, you’ve almost spilled the cup of tea all over yourself, because, well, you kind of had a little nap. It was a eventful day, and life is all about living in the moment isn’t it?
And now you should really write that blog post. After all, you more or less promised to post it didn’t you. And yes, your feet are sore from the long walk that you took today, and it was so cold outside that you were sleepy when you sat on the couch, but now it’s time to write that blog post.
But life is all about living in the moment… so you sit for just another moment.
Oh dear… you fell asleep again.
Now it’s late, and you still need to write that blog post. The cat is snoring besides you, the husband has gone to bed.
And you have a great idea for the post. What was it again?
Right, you can’t remember… could you claim to have nothing to write about, and write about that, but hey, didn’t you do that last week?
Well, maybe they forgot, but they will understand, after all you had to go out for lunch, the sun was shining, it’s almost expected to live in the moment. And you certainly had to vacuum, no one will hold that against you. That’s important, and so was making dinner, and all that. Blame it on the weather.
Now what were you going to write about?
Stop nodding off, stay awake, live every moment, life is about living in the moment. n ot nodding off in the dark.
Now you really should write that blog post.
Wishing all a very Happy Valentines Day!
February, that month that although short, is so hard for gardeners. This year for us however it is a little different. Spring has moved in and looks like she is making herself at home. Turn the page quickly for us Spring, we can hardly wait for April.
This is the February page of the calendar that I made for my Mom and Dad. Since they live where it is much colder, and spring takes her time to arrive, I thought that they needed a little splash of pink. I used Picasa to make the collages for the calendars, and if you are a Picasa user, and you regularly use that program, I would like to pass on a little info to you, that might save you a huge headache. I was told by my very reliable photofinishing lab that Picasa saves all of your files in a thumbnail size. This won’t be a problem unless you are enlarging the image, and then the loss of resolution will just blow you away. So if you have any plans on enlarging your images, maybe using them in a calendar, or a enlargement, don’t use Picasa for this. Other than that, it is a great program. I love it’s simplicity for blogging. I also heard a story about a customer who had saved everything to CD’s using Picasa, and then deleted the memory card. She was devastated to find out that her images were practically useless. Sad to learn from someone else’s mistakes, but good information to have. Jane
