Thursday, May 31, 2012

Nature Knows

wBlue_star

Have you ever seen a bad color combination in the natural world?

I didn't think so.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

There's A Little MacGyver In Everyone

Chris and Uncle Benny arrived in the wee hours of Friday morning and promptly fell into bed.  They awoke mid-morning to the music of the plumber busily completing the installation of the new shower.  "You're good to go," he said.  "But you can't use it until tomorrow morning.  Things need to set."  There was a bit of whining from our house guests.  But after all, we had been without said shower for three weeks.  They were only on day two.

Bright and early Saturday morning The Kid, eagerly anticipating the bliss of a hot shower, headed for the bathroom.  He was greeted with a paltry drip, drip, drip when the shower was turned on.  How could this be?  He fiddled, adjusted and fiddled some more.  Finally a decent flow was obtained and he quickly hopped in.  The boys decided they would fish first and get their showers at the end of the day.

Fast forward eight hours.  The boys have returned from a day spent fishing on the lake, in 90 degree heat followed by an hour of fish cleaning.  They were hot, sticky, and smelled of fish, definitely in need of a shower.   As they approached the cottage from the lake the unthinkable happened.  The power went out.  No power, no water.  (When you live in the country with a well power is needed to pump the water out of the well.)  They waited.  And waited.  And waited.  Around 1 AM they gave up and fell into bed hotter, stickier and still smelling of fish.

The first thing Sunday morning Uncle Benny jumped out of bed and headed for the bathroom.  Power had been restored sometime over night and he was determined to be the first one in the shower.  But it was not meant to be.  Drip, drip, drip was all that new shower could muster.  There was more fiddling, adjusting with a little cursing thrown in, but it did little to increase the flow.  It was then that their survivor genes kicked in.  Uncle Benny grabbed a bucked from the garage and filled it to the brim with hot, steamy water.  He emerged from the bathroom a few minutes latter and announced that if one was prudent one bucket would do the trick.

But it was Chris who won the day on creativity.

wChris_shower_1

He removed the screen from the kitchen window, headed outside, and lathered up.  The sprayer from the kitchen sink was passed to him and the rinse cycle began.

wChris_shower_2

The oohs and ahhs that spewed forth from his lips as the warm water washed away the dirt and grime of the previous three days was melodious.  And he was no longer malodorous.

wChris_shower_3

There is a little MacGyver in everyone.

Monday, May 28, 2012

The Weekend

wChris_2

Number one son came calling on the Little Red Cottage this weekend and brought Uncle Benny along with him.  Uncle Benny (a.k.a. Ben Buddy) is B's brother.  He is also the adopted member of my side of our Pennsylvania family.  Why I'm not sure, but everyone seems to love the guy.  (Okay Ben, I admit it, I love ya too.)

wBen

A visit from Chris means there is fishing on the agenda, and lots of it.  This weekend was no exception.  The pan fish were biting and I am eagerly anticipating frying up a skillet full of the tasty critters.

Pan_fish

On Sunday afternoon the rest of the clan arrived for an afternoon of boating and relaxing on the lake.   The afternoon thunderstorm that popped up did little to dampen neither spirits nor appetites.

wMom
The Matriarch

wcousins
Cousins

wJodi_Judi
Mother & Daughter: Sister & Niece

wThe_movie_star
The Movie Star

wPatch
The Teen

wJR
The Nephew

wPatch_Amy
The Aunt and The Clown

wWho's_Taller_Now
Hey Stephen, look who's taller now!

wPa_Patch
Pa & Patch, surveying the land.

The Kid had a little project for the boys while they were here.  The mild winter and dry spring have left the water at the end of our dock at a lower than normal level.  In order to prevent the motor from dragging  in the shallow water the dock needed to be relocated about 6 feet.  The crew gathered round and on the count of three gave it the old heave ho.

wdock_work_3

wdock_work_2

wdock_work_1

wdock_work_4

It's nice to have a little testosterone around the house.


Saturday, May 26, 2012

A Fairy Tale....I Wish

Once upon a time, in The Land Where the Dandelions Grow, there lived a fair maiden.  She frolicked about the countryside, with her trusty Nikon nestled in her hand.  Together they created breathtaking images inspired by the beauty of nature.

wDock_posts

One evening, well after the sun had set, the fair maiden was spotted strolling along the lake shore searching for the perfect way to capture the soft shades of pink and violet that had settled over the land. Her faithful companion resided securely strapped to its tripod.  The darker it became, the slower the shutter speed required, until finally an exposure setting of twenty seconds was needed.  The fair maiden placed the Nikon and tripod on the edge of the dock, tripped the shutter and carefully backed away in order to prevent any untoward motion from ruining the quality of the image.

But alas, something terrible happened.  The tripod began to wobble.  The fair maiden lunged forward snapping up the tripod just before it teetered over the edge and into the water.  But it was too little too late.  A loose connection on the head of the tripod allowed the weight of the camera to continue what had been set into motion and the fair maiden watched in despair as her trusty Nikon disappeared over the edge of the dock, crashing onto the rocky lake shore below.  A shriek of terror escaped her lips as she jumped into the cold, dark water to retrieve her loyal companion.

It was a sad, sad day in The Land Where the Dandelions Grow.  The Nikon was wet and the pricey 24-70mm Nikon lens would no longer zoom.  In a fit of anguish fair maiden rushed to tell the handsome king what had transpired.  Soothing words did little to comfort the girl who was certain her faithful companion and it's pricey lens had met an untimely death.

The Nikon was carefully dried and allowed to rest over night.  It was discovered that little water had seeped into it's sturdy body and by morning its electronics appeared to be in working order.  Unfortunately, the damage to its LCD screen seems to be of a more permanent nature.  And the pricey lens?  The death knoll has not yet been sounded and every effort will be made to resuscitate her at the Nikon emergency room before a decision is made to take her off of life support.  However the outlook is bleak.

Fair maiden is currently suffering from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and may never fully recover from witnessing her beloved friend plunging into the abyss.

It was a sad, sad day indeed.


Thursday, May 24, 2012

Twelve Days and Counting

wOur_dock

It has been twelve days without a shower.

Twelve days of splashing around in the sink.

Twelve days of "bird baths."

A shower was purchased.

We waited for the plumber to arrive.

And then we waited some more.

The plumber arrived this afternoon.

It now looks like it is going to be thirteen days without a shower.

But who's counting?

















Monday, May 21, 2012

Charging My Batteries

Yesterday we a took a break.  A break from cleaning, from removing the old shower, from researching what we  I wish could become of the old bathroom and what is practical, a break from planting and mowing.  A break from chores and all that is involved in the opening of a sixty year old cottage that sits idle for six months of the year.

My body was weary.  My muscles sore.  My arms so heavy that even the weight of my camera seemed more than I could bear.  (Apparently I am in much worse shape than I ever imagined.)

It was time for a day off.

wOn_the_lake

We took to the water, launching the old floater for the first time this summer.  Drifting along with the late afternoon sun warming my face,  with the soft click and whir of The Kid's rod reel finding its mark in the clear blue water and the distant hum of motors from the boats of the other fisherman dotting the lake I found myself drifting off to sleep.

It was the perfect way to charge my batteries.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Encased In The Fog

wTom's_boat_fog

I choose to live this day encased in the fog,
Cocooned in the contentment of a slow paced life.





Saturday, May 19, 2012

Green Acres

wWhite_flower

"You're not a very good farmer,"  he proclaimed as he stood, hands on hips looking at the overturned wheel barrow.  Top soil and peat moss unceremoniously dumped on the ground adjacent to the new raised bed vegetable garden.  (It is much like Green Acres around here.  Except that we don't have a pet pig.)

It took most of the day but the task was done.  Thirty bags of topsoil weighing in at forty pounds each were opened into the work cart, mixed with peat moss and shoveled into the 4'x8' frame.  It is now ready for planting (which will take place today).

I was ready for a hot shower (oh that's right, we don't have one of those) and a bed.

There is a great deal of personal satisfaction in physical labor. Accomplishment in falling into bed with every muscle in your arms and back aching from exhaustion.

If only I could get out of bed this morning I'd plant those tomatoes.

Friday, May 18, 2012

We Have A Mouser

04-14-12

12:30 AM:  Bark, Bark, Bark

1:25 AM: Bark, Bark, Bark, Bark,Bark,Bark

2:15 AM: Bark, Bark, Bark,Bark

3:38 AM:  Bark, Bark, Bark,Bark,Bark,Bark

4:07 AM:  Bark, Bark, Bark, Bar, Bark, Bark, Bark

Silence.

7:12 AM:  "Susan, you might want too look at this."

Mouse on the hearth.  Make that dead mouse on the hearth.

It appears Henna conducted her own version of the "Hunger Games" and emerged the victor.

We have a mouser.




Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Where The Dandelions Grow

wWhere_dandylions_grow

Peace,

wstanding_alone

Calm,

wDandylion_seedling_2

Tranquility.

wDandylion_seedling

It settles around me like a parachute floating softly to earth.

wseedling

In this place where the dandelions grow.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Good To Be Back Home

wdusk_boat

We arrived at the cottage on Sunday afternoon following two action packed days with the grandchildren.  I have a few photos to share from our visit once things settle here.  I am happy to report that the "Little Red Cottage" survived the winter splendidly, except for that little issue with the burst pipes.  An afternoon spent with our local plumber has things ship shape again.  Almost.   Showering is over rated anyway.

Yesterday we scrubbed and mowed and drug the outdoor furniture out of its winter home in the barn to its summer place closer to the lake.  The chores are many.  The results satisfying.

Early in the afternoon Henna sounded the alarm.  Three young white tails were wandering the neighborhood.

As the sun set over the lake I fell into bed exhausted and content.

It's good to be back home.




Thursday, May 10, 2012

Oh What A Beautiful Morning

Oh what a beautiful mornnnninggg.
Oh what a beautiful dayyyyyy.
I on my way to the cottttaggge.
Everything's going my way.

We are packed tight and on are way.  By the time this post activates we will be somewhere in Georgia with our sites set on Hickory and the grands.  (You didn't really think I could pass that close to my babies and not stop for a spell did you?)

As a final follow-up to my photo challenge I thought I'd share some of the contenders with you.  Images that for one reason or another did not make the final cut.  If you are tired of looking at pink bougainvilleas and palm trees I suggest you take your leave now.

wBoug_on_a_wall

wMore_Monet

wbougs_cotton_ball_clouds_2

wkaleidescope

It looks like a very long day in the car today.  Picture me with my nose tucked inside of Catching Fire, the second installment in the Hunger Games trilogy.  I will surface only for potty breaks and to assist in the reading of large green traffic signs.


Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Variations on a Theme - Final Installment

Today's challenge was exactly that, a challenge.  I chose to shoot with my 50mm lens.  The 50mm is a brilliant little lens.  It is what is known as a prime, which means it has only one focal distance.  The good news is that it is unbelievably sharp and fast.  Fast in photography speak means that the lens can be used in low light conditions and produce sharp images.   The bad news is that for this particular assignment the lens was extremely limiting.

I had a vision.  I wanted to somehow incorporate both the bougainvillea and the palms.  I knew that selecting the 50mm would make my task difficult.  I'm not certain I was prepared for just how difficult.  I experimented a lot which resulted in several worthy candidates.  However, the reality was there was nothing new in the mix.  Most of the angles and techniques I had used before in this exact location.

For me, the beauty of a challenge such as this means I can't quit, nor can I settle for the status quo.  I kept at it and was eventually rewarded for my persistence.

05-09-12

What did I learn from my little three day challenge?  I learned that I must push myself, slow down, take more time to work the scene.  There is no room in photography for a rush job.  Not if one wants to continue to grow.

On another note, blogging will be sparse for the next few days.  Just so you know.


Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Variations on a Theme - Take Two

It has been a busy few days.  We are in the process of closing up the house and packing our bags.  Little Red Cottage here we come.

There is little else to be said other than I am ready.  I am ready to rejoin the 7 AM walkers.  Ready to sit in the Adirondack chairs and watch the show as the sun dips below the horizon.  Ready to sip a glass of wine around the campfire and catch up with friends.  Ready to scour the local farm stands for hanging baskets.  And ready to see family.

There is still much to be done but the dye is cast.  We leave on Thursday....  bright and early.

For today's image I selected my 70 - 200mm lens.  The focal length is perfect for portraits and when used effectively the background melts into oblivion, like butter in the pan.  My dilemma was how to use this lens creatively in my chosen location.

Eventually I selected a single bougainvillea blossom almost half way into the frame.  I snapped a couple of images that did nothing for me and then the idea struck..... multiple exposures.  I adjusted the setting enabling me to take nine (9) photos which were combined into one image in camera.  Focusing on the white stamen I turned the camera slightly to the right after each shot.  I repeated this process several times varying the the amount of the turn with each try.

I knew immediately when I saw the image below that I had my shot.  The others were good, but this one was golden.  The tiny white center of the bougainvillea remained virtually intact while the surrounding pink blossoms dissolved into a blur of pink cotton candy.

wCotton_candy

Stay tuned.  I don't know where tomorrow will take me, but I do know that I will enjoy the journey.


Monday, May 7, 2012

Variations on a Theme

Once I admitted to myself that my photography was stagnating I began to consider what steps I might take  to remedy the problem.  I spent a lot of time yesterday afternoon perusing the internet in search of answers.  I found a new site that offers on-line classes.  Definitely a consideration.  On line photography classes are always fun, and given the right instructor and classmates, a learning opportunity that is as rewarding as any I have experienced.

I also discovered several new travel and nature photographers (at least new to me), and have begun devouring their websites and blogs.  One never knows where one might find inspiration.

And thirdly, I have given myself a challenge.  A short one as this is a busy week, what with the packing and the cleaning and the organizing that goes into relocating for the summer.  But that's tomorrow's blog, today is about photography.

The photo below is of our back yard, all 10 feet of it.  Beginning today through Wednesday I have challenged myself to make an image here, among the bougainvillea and the palms.

back yard-7911

Each day I must use a different lens and a different approach; such as this view taken a couple of weeks ago.  I used a wide angle lens (for those of you who have an interest, mine is a 12-24mm), crouched down low eliminating most of the middle and tilted the lens up.  I like it.  It's fresh and fun.  It's also something I've done previously and you won't be seeing again.  At least not this week.

04-22-12

This morning, using the same wide angle lens,  I was stymied.  What could I do that I haven't done before?  That's when I noticed the sky was filled with white, puffy cotton ball clouds.  I ended up lying flat on my back, in my pajamas I might add, placing the lens as close as it would focus to an overhanging cluster of flowers and shot straight up using the vivid blue sky and puffy clouds as background.  (Thankfully what few people are left in the neighborhood were nowhere to be found.  They already think I'm crazy.)

05-07-12

I don't know if this will solve my problem, but it's a start.

A start is a step in the right direction.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Peaks and Valleys

Peaks and valleys.  Bumps in the road.  We all have them.  Right now, at this moment I am in a creative valley.  I hope this is the bottom.  I also hope I stumble upon the babbling brook that I know is running through it.  The one that will lead me to the path upward and out.

wHenna

Looking back, I believe I peaked the summer we went to Maine (2009).  That summer it seemed I produced quality images on a daily basis.  My enthusiasm was high.  I worked each scene.  I saw the light.  I executed my vision.  Success bred success and I was excited to see what the next day would bring.  I was on the mountain top.  I had reached my creative summit.  And then I began the long trek down.

I think it started with the gallery.  A golden opportunity to sell my work in a prime location with little risk involved.  I moved inside, spent hours and hours scouring the archives, printing and framing images.  All the while my camera sat idol on the shelf.  As I chatted with customers, accepted their compliments and their checks my creative energy began to slowly shrivel and die.

That leads me to where I am today, three short years later.  I am producing images that all look alike.  Images that are uninspiring.  Lifeless.  Soft.  (Soft, what's up with that?  I can't take a tack sharp photo to save my soul.)   To the untrained eye I am certain they look great.  But those of you out there who have photography in your blood know exactly what I am talking about.  The truth is, I need a jolt.  A creative kick in the pants.  And I don't know where to find it.

Maybe acknowledging the need is the first step.

.

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Black Pants

Several years ago, The Kid and I were were scheduled to participate in a church program loosely based on the old game show, The Newlywed Game.  For days leading up to the big event we would toss questions at each other that we thought might be asked.  At one point The Kid stated that if they asked about my favorite color he would reply  "black pants."

For a few minutes I was miffed.  And then I started to think about it.  I gave up dresses about the same time I gave up panty hose....when we moved to this sweat tank we call paradise.  The fact is, I can't remember the last time I wore a dress.  I guess I'm a pants kinda (cover it all up) girl.  But what of the the black?  I went to the closet to have a look see.  And you know what?  He was right.  I have exactly two colors of pants hanging in my closet, blue jeans and black.  No bright neons, no khaki, no brown, no navy.  Just black. Well there is that one odd pair of white Capris but they don't count.  They're almost shorts anyway.

So, what does this say about me.  Drab?  Depressed?  Unfashionable?  Boring?   Perhaps just overly influenced by European style?  Or perhaps just smart.  That must be it.  I'm a smart fashionista.  Black is slimming.  Black is basic.  Black goes with everything.  Black is classic.  Maybe even chic.  That's me, classic and chic.

When I reach into my closet for pants I know exactly what I'm going to get.  Black.  And that's okay by me.  I am all about consistency.

But please,  do me a favor.  Don't pick up the phone and call What Not to Wear.  I couldn't bear to see Stacy and Clinton toss those white Capri's in the trash barrel.  


wpelican_walk




Thursday, May 3, 2012

Be-U-Ti-full

wPelican_roost

"It's going to be a Be-U-Ti-ful sunset" he proclaimed.

The Kid had just returned from picking up Chinese take-out and he was in rare form.   For those of you that know him, you've heard it before.  It is his mantra.  It's always a Be-U-Ti-ful something or other.  Day, sunset, morning, you fill in the blanks.  No matter the weather or the number of clouds in the sky it is Be-U-Ti-ful to him.

"Get your camera ready," he stated "as soon as we finish dinner we're going to the beach."

"Seriously," I whined?

I was in slug mode.  Ready to settle in for an evening of Idol watching.  I had my shot for the day, my shower, my book.  I was set.  But he is persistent if nothing else.

"It's going to be a Be-U-Ti-ful sunset,"  he repeated.  Get your camera.  We're going.

And so we did.

The sunset wasn't quite the beauty he predicted.  Thick clouds accumulated along the horizon obscuring the sun, preventing the glorious after glow we love.   But the light was heavenly.....while it lasted.

But most important of all I was forced out of slug mode.  I was smiling and happily clicking away doing what I love to do.

I guess it was a Be-U-Ti-ful sunset after all.

Thanks Kid.  You're the best.




Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Number 122

It is official.  As of today, I have completed 122 days of Project 365-12.  I am 1/3rd of the way finished.  My cup is 1/3rd full.

That is 4 months, 17+ weeks, 122 days.

I repeat; 4 months, 17+ weeks, 122 days of taking and posting one picture every day.

Unlike last year, I have not broken the rules.  Each picture was taken by me on the day on which it is posted.

And just in case you haven't been following along here is a recap of all 122 days.

365_1
365_2
365_3
365_4
365_5
365_6
365_7
365_8
365_9

123?   Bring it on.