School's Out, Spirit's Free At Last

School’s out, for me anyway. Now I have time to stretch my creative spirit beyond where it has been before. To let it out of it’s cage and let it wander just to see what it comes up with that is out of the ordinary. It has been a struggle to find the time to blog because something else always desperately needed my attention, or at least I thought that was the issue. But no excuses now, I am free, and plan to take my camera out on dates as much as possible so I will always have fresh material to use to yap about. One thing I am really fascinated in is quotes, love them and how they apply to your life if you let them. So I took some favorite quotes to put with my favorite photos. I think an excellent match.

So here are arrangements of sunflowers dressed up in their Sunday best= quotes.

Our Heros

Mother’s Day is such an extraordinary day. We pay tribute to our mothers who gave us existence, who lifted us up when we were down, kissed our hurts, and dried our tears. Made us believe we could soar if only we tried. Believed in us when no one else did. Thought we were the greatest things that ever walked this earth. Our own one person cheering squad that always cheered the loudest and knew we would always win at whatever we did. They were on our side, whispering in our ears “Try…try harder….make it materialize!” They sacrificed everything so that we could be anything. That unconditional love was always there, the valiant tiger that could rip apart anyone or anything that dared to cause us pain or unhappiness. They enthused, they motivated, they inspired, and they stirred our passions with their wooden spoon of life. They made us feel 10 feet tall and could slay dragons. Our mothers, our heros.

Baby goosling and duckling

Reflections

Chad taking in the beauty of his land

Late afternoon sun

Look closely, you will see Troy hiding

Sun casting warm glow on tree

More reflections

Today was the perfect Sunday morning for me. The gentle rain was softly covering the earth with a much needed drink to quench the hard ground’s thirst. I love listening to the soothing pitter pats on the roof and windows. It sounds like it is saying “Be still, be calm, and be at peace.” I feel the tensions of the week begin to slide away. Silly things that don’t matter or need my attention have no place. Nature is always telling us important matters that tend to make our lives easier and exciting, but we are too busy being lost in time of yesterday’s troubles to listen. God provides the rain, the birds that sing us awake each day, the warmth of the sun that shakes us alive emotionally as well as physically-chasing away the blues, if we just let it. The breeze that blows away the dust from our sadness, the thunder and lightning that commands our attention to the present, not days past.  If we just pay attention, we discover, with astonishment, that we have everything we need. It’s the not paying attention that steers us off course. Get out of your own way and let peace and joy reign. Make it queen for the day of happiness. (This is from the post I made in my journal today, thought I would share)

Great Combo

What is family, who are they and why are they so important in our lives? Mine are all so very close to my heart. I hold them dear to my soul as they are a part of me-cementing us together by our blood. We share history, joys, sorrows, love, thrills, and happiness. We walk together down live's path, changing each year, realizing how much we mean to each other the older we get.

But families come in so many shapes and sizes. They can be close friends, distant friends, two legged or four legged, etc. Just as long as they have a place in our hearts and soul, then the ribbons of life tie you together as one unity. They are there for you, they've got your back, you've got theirs. Holidays tend to bring these families together, Easter being just such a holiday. Families, holidays, and Easter-GREAT COMBO!!!

I tend to write these blogs thru life experiences, yesterday being Easter and my family was here visiting. I realized how lucky I was to be surrounded by family and what a privilege it is to have such a wonderful, loving family, including the 4 legged variety.

Such a blue, blue sky

Am in love with these clouds

It's springtime finally

Early morning sun

Peaceful

Gone In A Flash

There is a fine block of time that rests between the fierce winter gales of compelling winds and the blazing, scalding heat of a summer sun. It is called spring and it lasts but a second, or so it seems.

 

It is gentle and kind, lovely to gaze upon and oh so even tempered. It whispers in your ears of beautiful days to come, such as fields peppered in glorious bluebonnets and daffodils with lime green blankets of fragrant grass. Parks with their mighty oak trees lined up like solders across the landscapes, filled with laughing children climbing their boughs. Crabapple trees all dressed up in their Sunday best, bending towards the warm sunny rays of warmth.

It’s a magnificent time to stretch out the frigid snow from your stiff limbs and shake them off. But be forewarned, do not blink, do not nap, do not miss a beat, because if you do, it will be gone in a flash.

Spring Break Week

Just a quick post to get these photos published as I am running behind.
In and around gorgeous spring settings all week but decided to show something different this time. Hope you like them.

Patiently??? Waiting For Spring

Today it is a cold rainy day with overcast skies in different shades of somber. Some of the trees and bushes have burst out in screaming colors of spring, yet others choose to sleep in; not quite ready to shed their winter coats. They lean over, bowing to the wind, letting the dismal weather have its way with them. Yet they look so forlorn and gloomy. Just the kind of day where you want to draw the drapes to ward off the dampness that seeps into your spirit and drags you down.

But soon the earth will once again come alive with warmth, allure, and exuberance. Skies will burst forth with their dazzling blues; every living thing will come awake and make itself known. Photos will be taken all over this earth of the riots of color everywhere you look.

So dust off your camera, and introduce it to the new spring palette.

    These photos are from the Dallas Arboretum

Just one more shot

Being behind my camera trying to create magic is sheer fascination; I always have to get just one more shot. The afternoon sun shimmering thru the trees to drop playful shadows along the way, while the reflection of the huge billowy clouds, soft as silk on the pond is so gorgeous, I have to take the shot a million different ways. Laying flat on my back to get the tip top of the barn, the grandiose trees and crystal blue sky was my goal, hoping all the while that the ducks and chicken didn’t discover me just at their eye level. My kids kept calling me, losing patience over why I was not coming. But I kept thinking, just one more shot and that will be sufficient. But sadly, it never is because I savor each new discovered I will find thru my lens.

Photography takes us out of ourselves and carries us far away to a world we can only dream of. Look at life thru your lens and you will see something you never expected to see. Something that is savvy, meaningful and clever is right in front of your eyes to be discovered.

Texas Bluebonnets

These you had to be careful of when laying down on the ground

Love the rustic

Watching tiny Meg

The muddy photographer beside Ronnie

Gorgeous reflection

Reflection and barn

Love these colors

On my back for this one

Wheels