One hundred eight 181/366

Yep, it's HOT today. I walked out to get the mail and stopped to stand on my back porch. Closing my eyes to take it all in, I could hardly breathe. Hot air swirled around me and made my skin prickle. The only noise were children playing in the distance. Chirping, hooting, and general animal scurrying were non existent. If they're smart, they're somewhere cool taking a nap.

Freedom Fighters 180/366

As a former service member who fought for our liberties, I don't think people realize what we lost today with the decision made by the Supreme Court.

Bliss 179/366

Things are different when you're under the water. Perspective changes and cares drift away. As a child, one of my favorite places to be was in the pool. Under water.

I wonder what she's thinking right now?

Stink removal 178/366

Loose fur and smelliness determined the need for a bath.He, generally, does not like getting one. While he's the first to jump in a lake, regardless of the temperature, he does not like getting cleaned up. Pull out the hose and he'll tuck tail and try to sneak away.

My daughter gathered the soap and towel and he tucked tail. After the initial wetting, the soap began to fly.

Mostly, he'll stand still for you. Occasionally, he tries to walk away. Usually, I'm the one washing but today, I was the photographer. 

I think rinsing is the least favorite part of the whole ordeal. 

Finally, the end has come and he's on his way inside to get his treat. 

Bug removal 177/366

Round 'em up 176/366

Grilling out, we spent a great summer evening with friends around their pool. The girls played in the pool while their dog herded them. When they'd separate or go under water, he'd go crazy barking and running back and forth until they were back together with their heads where he could see them. It was the funniest thing but he was very serious.

In a field of sunflowers 175/366

I couldn't resist stopping to take a few shots of the sunflowers. There were hundreds of them. 


I wandered around looking at them from every angle. 


There were hundreds of them. Some tall. Some in partial bloom. 


I just couldn't get enough of looking at them. I captured what I could but also stood in the middle of the field and just took it all in. Such a cool field in the middle of our town square. 



When I finished, I took myself to McDonald's for a frozen strawberry lemonade. I can't seem to get enough of these. Maybe I should figure out how to make them myself. Surely, I'd save money.

Waiting for a friend 174/366

Summer evening play 173/366

I had an itch to go out driving as the sun went down. There were flowers at the library I wanted to photograph so off I went. Feeling the temperature difference as the light got softer, I rolled down the windows and opened the roof letting the air blow through the car. Music set a relaxing mood and a McDonald's frozen strawberry lemonade rounded out the evening as I tried out my 35mm lens.

Pleasantly surprised at the clarity, I may keep it on as my go to lens while I play with it some more.

Here's to summer nights.

Inside the mind of a 14 yr old 172/366

Growth and life 171/366

Now that the garden is in full bloom, there is watering going on just about every night. Harvesting is happening regularly and we have more cucumbers than you can shake a stick at. I hear there might be some canning going on soon. 

Colorless strawberries 170/366

I did not know that strawberries were first white and then turned red. Thanks to the Olloclip, I now know that, along with the fact that my tomato vines have 'hair'.

Happy Father's Day 169/366

A walk, a wonderful dinner, and sunlight breaking through the trees (not in that order) make for a great end to a wonderful day.

Transportation 168/366

I love traveling, seeing new places, and meeting new people. I think I might have been a gypsy in a former life, a girl on the move.

Peak into my plant place167/366

Looking at my garden through the lens of my Olloclip was so much fun. I noticed the hairs on the tomato vines, micro thorns on the raspberry bushes, and the delicate curl of the tendrils of the cucumber plants.

Patterns 166/366

I love patterns. Repeating and uniform, they make me happy. Why? Because it represents neat and orderly which suits my personality. I am a girl who likes things in their place. 

This linoleum floor pattern in the orthopedists office was very soothing to me. That was a good thing since he was running over an hour behind. 

She has tendonitis but hopefully, we caught it early and, with physical therapy, she'll come out this experience a much stronger swimmer.

High key 165/366

I love this photo. Love.

Raindrops keep falling on my head 164/366

Rain and a breeze on a spring afternoon. That's something to smile about.

Truth 163/366

Different angle challenge 162/366

One thing I'm learning through this photographic journey is to always try looking at a mundane subject from a different perspective. Just like this downspout, I stood looking for a few minutes before taking the shot. I like it enough but when I'm pressed to change my view, I go low. I need to push myself out of my box because, obviously, low is in my comfort zone.

Here's to pushing outside the box.

Neighbors 161/366

I was out photographing our line of maples when my neighbor walked up wit her dogs. I remember when she first brought them home.

Meet Veronica (AKA Bonnie).

P.S. These are my mother's names, both her given name and her nickname.



This is Maggie.

Great profile, Maggie.

And here's my disinterested boy.

Remember, he's a human. Sshhh, don't tell him. He's the best four legged one I know.

A moment to focus 160/366

Daughter feet 159/366

I want to go camping. It's time. The weather is perfect and the bugs are not out in force...yet.

Lover boy 158/366

I have a chocolate lab who thinks he's human. He doesn't really care to spend any time with other dogs. When he sees our neighbor's dog, he is sure to stay on our side of the yard, opposite her electric fence.

He does love chasing squirrels, riding in the car, and snuggling. From the time he he came home with us, he never resisted being wrapped in a blanket or held really close and tight. 

Sitting at the open basement door is a favorite pastime. That and napping. 

And treats. Except when humans try make him do stupid tricks.

I love my boy.

Exploration 157/366

Spring evenings lend themselves perfectly to a glass of wine and photography research.

Jumping dog 156/366

He'll do just about anything for a treat.

Lessons 155/366

Now that school is over, I am loving the free time to play with my camera. There are things I've read before but had no idea what I was reading. After working through my 366 Project shooting every day, I've worked on different facets of photography and I'm noticing a difference. I still shoot a ton of shots that I wouldn't show anyone but the ones I share, I'm happy with. I know I still have a way to go but discovery is so much fun.

Returning home 154/366

My baby's been at camp since last Saturday but she's home now. When your child gets in the car and spends the next 3 hours telling you about her week and letting you know that next year she wants to be a part of the camp counselor training program, you know she's had an amazing time.

I'm glad she had a great time but I'm even happier to have all my people under the same roof.

Stories on the ledge 153/366

These rocks tell a story. Memories of past adventures sit on the ledge as a reminder each day to live each moment to the fullest. 
On this day, I was in my daughter's room and noticed the light streaming in the window. Spending time thinking about the tale I wanted to tell, I feel this image captured what I saw in my mind.
That makes me so happy.

Intention 152/366

I'm taking this as a reminder for the summer.