Ladies Leaping

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In honor of 2-29-2012. 

Budding photographer

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I stopped to take a few shots, not even sure anything good would come of it. My girl jumped out of the car with her itouch and started snapping away. 

It makes a mother proud.

Friends make everything better

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Make you mark on the world

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We were walking back from dinner when my daughter saw foot prints that were imprinted into the sidewalk. She stopped and stood with her feet in the very place someone had stood before the cement was completely dry. 

There was no name but this individual left their mark. After I took the photo, I thought about how I'd like to leave my mark in the world. What will that look like? Will anyone notice and think about how they can change their corner of the neighborhood?

Energy and persistence conquer all things ~Benjamin Franklin

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Everybody needs love

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Calming

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When things around me start to get crazy, I try to grab my camera. Focusing on what I can see through the lens slows my thoughts. I am still learning so every twist of a knob is a thought I must make. Nothing happens on auto-pilot. 

I think about how I want my shot to look, I make setting adjustments, I focus, refocus, I shoot. Not necessarily in that order. 

I try not to chimp. Looking in my viewfinder after every shot is distracting to me. I do peek occasionally to be sure I'm on track with what I'm trying to capture. Mostly, I like the Christmas morning feeling I get when I download them and look at them in Photoshop.

 It's nice to shut out the daily noise that travels at the speed of sound and focus on what makes me happy.

Early growth

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We've had an extremely mild winter and the plants are starting to grow and bud. It's nice. Everything is starting to turn green; however, I know, as sure as I'm sitting here, we'll have a frost in March and all the tender shoots will turn brown. 

It happens every year.

Even though I have to stifle the urge to plant something, I'm enjoying the warm sun.

Remind me of that when it's 100+ this summer and you can't pry me away from the air conditioner.

Stepping into the past

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I'm ready!

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My boy has such an expressive personality. One look from him conveys more than most can say with a hundred words.

I invited him to go for a ride with me. He was anxious to get going.

As I walked out, I saw him standing in the van waiting. The sun was just right so I stopped to fish my iphone from my purse. That cocked head is saying, "Mama, enough. Get in the car!"

I always slide the seat forward and tilt it toward the dash so he can have a clear view. He loves the wind on his face. 

I had to catch one more shot before we drove off. Look at that face.

He sits so pensively sometimes. I wonder what goes through his mind. 

Is he thinking about how much he loves me? Is he hoping we stop for ice cream? 

Brother sister love

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They were so enamored with each other, neither knew I was watching. I quickly tip-toed to grab my camera.

Thankfully, it was ready. I've been teaching myself new techniques and often leave it on wacky settings that are only  appropriate to very specific situations.

I just held it up to the window and clicked.

This picture makes me so happy.

Me. Today.

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I've seen better days

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Stay on target

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Indecision

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Sometimes all you need is a push in the right direction.

Nothing like a roaring campfire

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When I want to get away, I head to the woods. I pack the camper, choose a destination based on how long I can be away, and I go. Simple as that. I don't care about planning meals, coordinating hikes, or looking like a fashion maven. 

I may wear an outfit more than once and eat hot dogs with mac and cheese.

I will probably sleep in, have too many cups of coffee, and revel in the fact that I can't be reached by anyone on my cell phone.

I will definitely nap in my hammock, read in my hammock, talk to my children in my hammock and when I decide to get out of my hammock, it will be to sit by the campfire.

My husband creates the best fires. Yes, I do say create, because it's a process for him. He brings starter wood, thinly chopped wood, larger pieces and then the beastly size logs that, when placed on a hot fire, will burn well into the night.

We talk, reminisce, plan, debate, philosophize, and cure all the world's problems. The kids will eat Smores, play cards, and ride their bikes around the campground in the dark.

Sometimes, we'll even invite others to join us. Most trips, we enjoy just being together around the fire.

We all need to take time to relax

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Remembering

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Isn't it awesome how a photo can take you back to another place in time? I can look at a picture and tell you where I was, what I was doing, and who was with me.

In this photo, I was with my family and we were on a photo walk with fellow photographers. This was shot at the playground. The kids had to climb up and into this tube to get to the slide. The sky was so blue, my husband was talking with another guy, and I was shooting away. 

The weather was warm. Almost too warm. I had 3 bottles of water, the girls pleaded for ice cream, and I made new photo friends. 

We drove home hot and happy from an afternoon at the park.

It's all about balance

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Nothing left

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Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

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A moment of reflection

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Up, up and away

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I've got my eye on ya

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Longing to run

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Where are the horses?

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This barn may have been empty; however, it had the most wonderful smell of horses and leather.

Sister secrets

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An afternoon out

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Shift in Technology

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I wonder what my Pappap would think about the world today.

He was a go getter.

I love to hear my mother and her sisters tell stories about how he started businesses, ran moonshine, married my grandma and raised a family of girls, sold cars door to door, traveled across the United States numerous times, spent time in jail, studied podiatry, and lived through the Great Depression.

Not in that order.

He loved to play cards.

I sometimes wish I had the opportunity to know him. He died when I was young, five or six, I think.

 I daydream about the stories I would ask.

I wonder what he'd think of cell phones and computers.  

I bet you he'd have them both.