Weary

I've wearied of this 365-Challenge.  Not the photography but the "have to" of it all.  I find that any day that I've not found anything photographically inspiring I end up taking a picture just so I can fulfill the letter of my challenge.  Those days are coming more often and I don't want to continue to put out sub-par work, at least not if I want to be taken seriously as a photographer.

This wasn't a decision made lightlyand I decided I'd rather post work I can be proud of 3-5 times a week than post even one more that is only mediocre.  Hopefully the removal of the "daily" pressure will restore some inspiration and creativity.

An Ordinary Day? - Daily Photo 115/365

Today I got to spend a lot of time with The Amazing Ones and loved every minute of it.

The Amazing One Mommy needed some help getting some errands run so it was the perfect opportunity to spend time with the Amazing Ones.

I took the Amazing Ones I & II to co-op and got to hear a presentation from Mr. Russ of the state's Wildlife Reserve(?) with Amazing One II.  It was pretty cool and he made learning new things very interesting.

Did you know that in our state, technically it's illegal even to kill an insect?  That's one of those funny laws you read about that was written for a good reason (protecting wildlife) but turned out to be ridiculous.

The state is pretty lenient when it comes to insects & vermin, after all those people working in pest control businesses haven't been arrested. LOL

Then I went over to listen to Amazing One I give a report on some leaves & vegetation that she'd found and pressed.  They also made soup & had snacks from things that grew (things they'd been studying).

After co-op Amazing Ones I & II went to a friend's house so I dropped some stuff off with Mommy.

The afternoon was so beautiful that we sat outside with The Amazing Ones III & IV - they'd been longing to be outside.

Yep, it was a pretty ordinary day...absolutely wonderful.

Feeling Bubbly Daily Photo 114/365

The Amazing Ones are home.

Last week they were on a much-needed vacation, having a wonderful time.

We got texts, pictures, videos, even post cards.

But it's just not the same.

They got home last night and we went over this afternoon.  Too soon?  We had Easter baskets to deliver so that meant today.

We got our Amazing Ones Fix (if only we could also get an Incredible Ones Fix too) so we're feeling bubbly now.

Daily Photo 113/365

I'd written something that can only be called a rant and decided I didn't want to end the week that way.

So I deleted it.

Tomorrow we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus - my Savior, my Hope.

Behold the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world!

Daily Photo 112/365

It's been a regular day, a normal day, but then, what is regular?  normal?

Perhaps uneventful is would more accurately describe my day.

I suppose some would translate uneventful as boring, but not me.  At least not today.

There are actually times when uneventful is comforting...safe.

So here's hoping you also had an uneventful and safe day.

But not wanting to forget what today really is...Good Friday. Yes, many are celebrating Earth Day but for me the greater celebration is what Jesus did on the cross all those years ago.  It's that sacrifice that makes it possible for me to have an intimate relationship with Him. 

Thank you, Jesus, for bearing my guilt.

Wishing Antiques Roadshow was Coming to Town - Daily Photo 111/365

I'm glad to report that  Mom went home this morning.  I got to talk with Mom this afternoon and, though she sounded tired, she's doing fine. 

Today I decided to look at some of my old things as possible subjects for today's photo.

This is a piece of china from the set my parents got as a wedding gift.  Do you see the crackling?  I love it, it makes it seem more precious.

About five years ago during a visit to the local Goodwill store I found the irridescent blue of this little 7.5" bud vase captivating.  Since it was only $2.99 I bought it.

As I was looking at it for today's photo I really looked at it.  It's a signed piece!  Right there on the bottom is the artist's signature and date.

Have you ever heard of Carl Radke?  That's who signed it and it's dated 1984.

Where's Antiques Roadshow when you need it? 

After doing a quick intenet search I learned that this is a jack-in-the-pulpit style.  I didn't find this particular piece just similar pieces.  I couldn't figure out the value other than it's worth a lot more than $2.99.  Pretty cool, right?

Daily Photo 110/365

It's been an interesting day.  My DH was off today (he has to work Saturday) and he was looking forward to being able to sleep in.  And that he did...very well.  He finally got up at about 12:45 p.m. (that was about 14 hours of sleep) and he didn't have a headache, that would have indicated that he slept too long.

His day was short but at least he got some much needed sleep.

This afternoon I got a phone call that my mom is in the hospital.  I just got off the phone with my step-father and she's supposed to go home tomorrow morning.

Mom had what the doctor is calling Global Amnesia and he's not anticipating a recurrence.

All seems to be well so we won't be driving up to Mom's.

I will have to look up Global Amnesia though because I don't know anything about it.

Daily Photo 109/365

This morning I had my semi-annual visit to the dentist for cleaning and I'm happy to report that no further work needs to be done and the next appointment is scheduled six months from now.

Those who know me know that cooking isn't one of my favorite past-times.  Oh, I know how to cook, it's the menu planning that I find tedious.

Today I was feeling sorry for my never-complaining, long-suffering DH so I cooked a real meal for dinner tonight.

It smelled so good while it was cooking and it was timed perfectly so it could be served when my DH walked in the door.

But it wasn't to be.  No, that's not right, it was just delayed...by two hours.

My DH always calls to let me know he's on his way so when the phone rang this evening I thought, "perfect timing."  I was wrong.  He needed a ride home because his car is having problems and it wouldn't be safe to drive on the interstate.

I drove the 45 minutes down there then followed him to deliver his car for repair.  He surprised me by making another stop at the parts store before we headed home.

I envisioned a drive where we told each other about our day but while we did talk all the way home it wasn't to each other.  He had to call his brother back and I got to talk to my DIL.  So we both caught up on family news.

Dinner had to be re-heated, but it was delicious.

Fortunately my DH is off tomorrow but we're going to have to figure things out for Thursday - we both need the one car that's working.  Is this a problem?  Sure, but we're up to the challenge.

Rocky - Daily Photo 108/365

Is anyone else fascinated by the layers & fissures to be found in rock formations?

If only the photographic image accurately displayed what my eye sees.

What I find odd is this, when I see something - and it's usally a landscape or something similar - I want to permanently capture the beauty with my camera.

What I find though, is that there are just some things that God has created that are meant for the naked eye and no camera [of mine] will ever do it justice.

Follow the Water - Daily Photo 107/365

Last night we had to turn on the furnace and today it's 75 degrees and sunny.

One thing about this ever changing weather - I genuinely appreciate days like today a lot more than I would if this was the usual.

An Experiment - Daily Photo 106/365

This is an experiment.  I've never posted a picture on my blog straight from my phone.

You would have gotten a chuckle out of watching me try to figure it out.  I may love technology but sometimes I'm completely clueless when it comes to figuring things out.

Eventually I got it and this incredible (yes, my tongue is firmly in my cheek) photo was taken with my phone.

I rather like the lighting and composition but if it was blown up to a bigger size it might prove to be a little grainy.

I am proud of myself for figuring this out though...mission accomplished.

Farewell Bamboo - Daily Photo 105/365

Seems like during the past few weeks my posts have been late as often they've been on time.

We had more heavy storm systems move through yesterday so I got my work done (my last day) then shut down my computer about 10 a.m. and it's been off until this morning.

It's a good thing I had it unplugged.  We were watching a moving last night when there was [we think] a power surge.  The electricity went off, but came back on in less than a minute.  Here's what's weird...our furnace kicked on!  But it wasn't on, at least we had the thermostat set to "off" because we don't need the a/c and it wasn't cool enough to turn the furnace back on.  It ran for a few minutes then finally turned off on it's own.  Good thing it did, after all, how does one turn off something that is already off?

We had the power pop off again today but no storm in the area so I'm at a loss as to what caused it.  Fortunately it was only for a minute or two.

I captured this image late yesterday morning but this has been my first time to get to my computer to edit and post.  This is my homage to a potted bamboo plant I'd had since 2007.  Guess I shouldn't expect it to thrive in the crazy weather we've been having.  Farewell, Bamboo, I enjoyed you for four years.

Red - Daily Photo 104/365

I'm pooped.  Done.  Really tired.  This getting up at 6:00 a.m. isn't as easy as it used to be.

That means it's way past my bedtime, but a quick post first.

Amazing One IV got his first haircut today and I'm so happy that she leaved some of his curls in the back.

Before dinner tonight I got to take Amazing One I & Amazing One II to their soccer practice, then it was back home to celebrate Amazing One The Mom's birthday.

This afternoon I squeezed in some shots for today's photo and while I did get several good ones I'm only posting one.  My brain is too fuzzy tonight to edit more than that.

Are you feeling sorry for me yet?  Good.  My work for today is done. LOL

Too Beautiful to Stay Inside - Daily Photo 103/365

Today I got up very early and got to work.  It's the last week for this job but will hopefully return in the fall.

When one has a window in a small den/office with the gorgeous morning light pouring in, concentrating on work can be a challenge.

I'm not really an "outdoor person" but today it really did beckon me.

Once my work was done for the day I pulled out the camera and headed outdoors.

Just walking around the neighborhood I found things I'd not seen before.

Perhaps it would be more accurate to say things I'd not noticed before.

My absolute favorite flower is the tulip.  I bought a box of bulbs a few years ago but we keep forgetting to plant them.  The DH keeps trying to do it in the spring but one of the few things I know about planting tulips is that the bulbs are supposed to be put in the ground in the fall.

Please, if someone knows different, tell me!

The dogwood trees are still so beautiful, but I see that the leaves are beginning to overtake the blossoms.

The vivid red of a japanese maple always catches my eye.

Help!  Who can tell me what this flower is called? 

I don't remember ever seeing this kind before and I think it's both beautiful and intriguing.

Carpet of Pink - Daily Photo 102/365

All that waiting for the blossoms to open...

Then the storms come through and we now have a carpet of pink.

All Wet - Daily Photo 101/365

Monday (yesterday) was another day of storms.  Translated, that means minimal photo ops and computer shut down for hours.

Sorry, I've not joined the wi-fi generation, I'm still attached to my desktop computer and I like it that way.  I like a full-sized keyboard and my big monitor.

I've tried editing photos on a small (read laptop size) screen and it's painful so until the two worlds of my finances and huge laptop screens converge this is just how it's going to be.

Last Minute - Daily Photo 100/365

Day 100, I feel rather proud of myself.

Today, I forgot to take any pictures until about 7:30 p.m.

I think they speak for themselves.

This little light of mine.

Seeing things in the abstract. 

Celebration - Daily Photo 99/365

Tomorrow The Amazing One IV will mark his first birthday.

This year has gone by so quickly and just in time to celebrate, he doing something new.  We can't really say that he's walking but he's standing and taking a few steps.

He definitely lives up to his name of The Amazing One IV.

We celebrated today with a fun party.

We had cake.

We had ice cream.

We even had bubbles.

It was a fun party.

Something Unexpected - Daily Photo 98/365

The tree is finally in full bloom.  As you can see it doesn't have a pretty shape but it's better than it was last year.  Last fall I got out the pruning shears and cut it waaaaay back - from the sides - in hopes that it would quit growing wider and start growing taller.

It's a favorite climbing tree for The Amazing Ones.

The blossoms are so lush and they're packed together tightly.

This pale image is an indicator of the scent given off by the blooms.

Even with my allergies I stick my nose straight into them hoping that this time there will be a sweet fragrance...any fragrance.

I'm always disappointed. {{{sigh}}}

Reaching to the sky.

Now for the unexpected.  It's so much fun when a picture is more than a picture.

Think of this as my version of "hidden picture."

Can you find the face?

In the Pink - Daily Photo 97/365

The past couple weeks I've been thinking a lot about this Daily Photo Project.  It's hard to believe that we're 97 days into 2011 already, but I wouldn't have noticed that if I'd not been pursuing this project.

This project has been a struggle and I'm only about 25% into it.  For someone like me, to whom creativity doesn't come easily, I find myself toying with dropping the project...every single day.

But I don't want to be a quitter.

So what is good about this project?

Discipline would have to be the first thing on the "good" list.

My technical skills with my camera are improving.

It's forcing me to venture out each day and to look at things, really look at things, in order to see their photographic potential.

Part of me is frustrated because it seems that I'm drawn to the same thing every day for a week or two, then I move on to something different.

Today though, it's not so frustrating.  Why?

Because what I'm drawn to are the amazingly beautiful evidences of spring - new life - and it should be capture me every day.  It should be just as breath-taking today as it was yesterday.

The beauty doesn't fade, it just changes into a different beauty.  And if it's something that doesn't change I still want to catch my breath when I see it.  The beauty of God's creation is impossible for me to articulate and the day that it no longer captures me is a sad day.

So if you find yourself bored with my pictures thinking to yourself, "that again?" maybe it's time to stop and shake off the trappings of the everyday and and once again bask in the newness of each day that God has given us.