WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – PERSPECTIVE

A glorious day.

Clouds are paintbrushed onto a blue sky.

Bare branches are reaching for the sun.

A chill clings persistently to the air, but the sun’s being much more cooperative than it has in a while.

We walk, hand in hand, taking in this glorious day.

Look.  Up in the sky.  A bird? A plane? Superman????  No!

At first glance, we think it’s a nest.

But a closer look, and from a different perspective, and …

Spring is just around the corner! Hang in.  I swear.  Better days are coming.

In response to the WordPress Weekly Challenge.  I appreciate the visit.  Click on the WP icon for more on Perspective.

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WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – ONE SHOT, TWO WAYS

One shot, two ways. Love it! This is an opportunity to see a crazy number of photos and to learn from the experience of other bloggers (I won’t say other photographers because I haven’t earned the right to be included in that category.) ,  Professional or novice, there’s plenty to be said for both.
Welcome to my home – or at least two sides of it.

Click on the icon to see more of Cheri Lucas Rowlands’ post on One Shot, Two Ways.  Explore the entries and you decide which shot is the best.

If you’re interested in finding out more about this weeks challenge, photographer, Jeff Sinon, talks about finding the best shot here.

Thanks for visiting.  🙂

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – CULTURE

I have to admit, I was a little befuddled when I saw the WordPress Challenge for this week.  I am not a world traveler, nor have I studied any cultures to any great extent.  I was made in Italy, but born here, so that would make me a part of the American culture.  I was born in the 50’s and in time became a child of the 60’s – the hippie culture.  I won’t go into details about what I did or who I ‘hung out with’.  I’ll just say, I had the time of my life.  My husband says that time in my life – a time well before we met – has made me who I am today and that it is still a big part of my life now.  This was me back in the day – during The Age of Aquarius, yeah, yeah, yeah.  (I’ve pieced these together so photographically, they are less than adequate, but you’re lucky they’re not Polaroids!)

Fast forward to Halloween, 2008.  I’ve been through A LOT!  Times have changed, dramatically.  But still a part of the culture that shaped me still remains, in me, in my way of thinking, and in my heart.  Happily, for me, some of the clothing and, dare I say paraphernalia, has made a comeback as well.

That’s me, on the left!

This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius.  Some people may be quick to judge, and that’s ok. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. But I will always be happy I lived through that cultural experience, and  I will always fly my tie-dyed banner, wishing each and every one of you peace.

There’s more WordPress culture to be seen.  Just click on the groovy icon below, man.

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – KISS

A kiss is just a kiss. Or is it? Cupcake, from Cupcake Speaks, has turned kisses into an entrepreneurial, money-making, profitable event! Charlie Brown and Lucy got nothing on this kissing canine. Her love is unconditional, but her kisses ain’t free.

Cupcake’s person is a very near and dear friend of mine and an author of children’s book, Keep Your Ear On The Ball, and they are both very talented and entertaining. Stop by and see them, order a book or two, and then head over to see more kisses at WordPress.

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – ILLUMINATION

Morning mediation…

Sitting
Legs crossed
Mindful
Present
Winter sun floods the room
It warms me

Evening illumination…

The sun drops out of the sky
Colors morph
Pink, purple, red,
Fireball yellow
Then gone
Just til tomorrow

Click here to go to WordPress and more Challenge entries.

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE: RESOLVED

Out with the old, in with the new. 2013…

The old tree moves out and makes room for new growth

In looking up the definition of  “resolved” I found this:

1. firm in purpose or intent; determined.

PERFECT!

RESOLVED:  I am determined to be kinder to myself and others around me.

This may not seem like a big deal to you, but, to this girl it’s HUGE.

Me:  I’ve always been tough on myself, or so I hear.   I need to work on that, HARD.

Others:  I come off as obstinate and opinionated. I’ve got a very bad delivery.  That needs work, too. 🙂

I can do this!

More WordPress weekly photo challenges here ——->

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – DELICATE

A while back, I went out to the garage and lifted the door with the intent to retrieve my car.  My husband had left his motorcycle helmet on my son’s soccer net that was situated behind the vehicle.  Imagine my surprise when I spotted this nestled in the helmet.  There was no way I was going to disturb this delicate situation.  Instead, every couple of days, camera in hand, I chronicled the birth of these baby robins.  Our garage had been broken into and a window that hadn’t been fixed yet made a great entrance for the momma bird.

The photos aren’t the best, but it was tough trying to focus with the momma squawking at me every day.  Obviously, the helmet had been rendered useless, and since I don’t know nothing ’bout birthin’ no babies, I let nature take it’s course. The delicate little bird below was injured after his siblings had flown the coop.  This little guy was stuck in the soccer net.  I pulled on a pair of gloves and tried to free him, but he struggled so.  You can see the wing on the left was most certainly not as it should have been.  I went inside to get a blanket, but when I returned, he was gone.  I searched and searched and all I can hope is that he hid himself in the bushes, away from any prowling cats or other predators.

Nature has its own delicate way of taking care of things.  I can only hope he made it to safety.

Click on the WordPress logo for a look at other delicate posts. 🙂

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – FOREIGN

Here in the good ol’ U S of A, my vehicle would be considered “foreign”.   Well, be that as it may,  this American LOVES her “foreign” car.

I first purchased a ’65 foreigner in 1968. It was a blue four-speed VW Bug.  Now that, at the time, was “foreign” to me.  I didn’t know the first thing about driving that thing.  But I took to the hills, literally, and learned real fast about how to use an emergency break when the nose of my stick shift sweety was pointed at a 30 degree angle.

Since then, I’ve owned a ’61 bug, a 70 Karmen Ghia, a 64 VW bus (ahhhhh, memories!) and now, introducing, ta-da, my lastest “foreign’ car – my 2003 VW convertible beetle.  Ain’t she sweet?  🙂

 

And this girl goes nowhere without her trusty sidekick, Minkey the monkey.  I’m not sure, but I think he might be foreign, too.  He’s got that adorable, exotic, dark, handsome look about him.  😆

Click here for more foreign adventures.  Thanks to WordPress and Sara Rosso for a new, fun challenge.

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – SOLITARY

OK.  Maybe I’m not being completely serious with a topic that sounds like it might just should be that way :-), but I couldn’t help myself.

Celebrating both International Peace Day and the last day of summer, Jeff and I headed to the beach knowing full well that we would have our pick of places to plop our chairs.   The beach is nearly void of visitors this time of year, and me, being the – ah – introvert that I am,  find it most relaxing when I can hear the waves brushing the shore, sans the hum of human beach goers.  Far be it from me to begrudge people their holidays, nor do I wish to take fun-in-the-sun time away from anyone.  I just like the space and serenity afforded me when the real estate is less occupied.

I am a solitary man, except I’m a woman. (huh?)

Apparently, I’m not alone in my need to be alone. There’s this good ol’ boy.

Those of you that know me, know Rocky, my long-haired German Shephard.  Well, this is not him.  But it could be his double.  Except Rocky would not be sitting as peacefully in the sand.  Or anywhere else for that matter.  But that’s another story.
Thanks to Cheri Lucas  for this week’s topic. There are a plethora of posts that have been submitted this week, as always.  Worth looking into. For more on Solitary, click on the WordPress logo below.

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – EVERYDAY LIFE

Not too long ago, this was the beginning of my every day life.  Wake up at 5:15 am, be at school by 7:15, greet my students at 8:15, school day, school day, school, day, see the kids off at 3:00 and prepare for the next day, rest of the week, holiday, whatever… til 5:30-6:00 pm. 

Jeff spotted this in a store front window last week.  I felt a mix of nostalgia, sadness, and relief. 

This is no longer every day life for me.

What is, is getting up a little later, sipping Island Mango tea with honey, while checking my email in bed before having a healthy breakfast (instead of wolfing down a granola bar), and then taking a leisurely walk, most times to the beach.

This is now a quick look at my every day life.  Retirement. Ahhhhh…

A walk along the water’s edge (until the water gets too cold 🙂 ).

Watching Jeff enjoy the sun, sea, and surf.  I love how he loves it.

Collecting shells.

People watching.  (And yes, this gentleman was playing bagpipes on the beach!)

Sitting down and reading, just for fun. (something that’s nearly impossible during the school year) 😦

And later in the evening,  sitting and watching the sun set from our deck, often greeted by our neighbors cat.

Knowing that every day life is much simpler and I am oh so lucky.

Thanks to Jon Sanwell, of Without an H  for this week’s challenge.  For more of Everyday Life, click on the WordPress logo.  Enjoy!