Random Musings

It was the perfect day for a photo walk. It was an early spring...

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 17:34:15 -0400

It was the perfect day for a photo walk. It was an early spring day March 11 with a high of more than 10 degrees. We wandered downtown and after two hours of walking, grabbed a latte and went home to enjoy it on the back steps.

This photo walk was brought to you by the themes...

Sat, 24 Dec 2011 02:34:00 -0500

This photo walk was brought to you by the themes “bored” and “dog walk”… oh, and “shots I wanted.” We packed up the dogs and went to east London again, but to a few spots I’ve taken notice of over the last few weeks - and longer - years - for some. We were gone for almost three hours, and we only made it to half the places I wanted. Some abandoned garages, fields, trees are still on the list - for another day. Today was cold, wonderful and exciting, and who could ask for more than that for your holidays?
~ Dec. 24

November Rain. We came back from a photo shoot of old houses and...

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 23:16:00 -0500

November Rain.

We came back from a photo shoot of old houses and that was okay… No great shots. But I couldn’t go in the house without checking out the front yard and the drops on the fragile plants, the remaining leaves, and the bare branches. There are many days I want nothing more than to go for a photo walk. Alone. My camera. The world. I’m not even saying the end result is that great. It’s the process. The challenge. What I can see, find, and capture.

Today’s photo walk was a walk to the Covent Garden Market....

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 20:46:00 -0500

Today’s photo walk was a walk to the Covent Garden Market. There were lots of sights and smells and photo moments. There was still some produce at the market, but there were also a few farmers selling Christmas greenery. The most interesting image was the shoe in the tree. Oh, my. What is the story there?

My Italian Angels - These statues were one of the first we saw...

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 13:22:10 -0500

My Italian Angels -

These statues were one of the first we saw on Day one of our trip to Italy in 2010. What magnificence and grace. Their wings are what made me fall in love. Their broad, stone wings.

Memories of San Diego. It was never I city I planned on...

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 23:42:00 -0500

Memories of San Diego.

It was never I city I planned on visiting, but when the opportunity came up, we jumped at it, and what a beautiful city. Here are just a few of my memories from the west coast trip.

Another reason to love Wortley Village It was a lovely Friday...

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 23:11:00 -0500

Another reason to love Wortley Village

It was a lovely Friday afternoon and Curiosities was having a sale. Better yet, they had a lovely display table outside with some gorgeous dishes and bright vibrant colours. I just couldn’t resist.

Happy Birthday, Otte We had a nice and leisurely morning and...

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 22:45:00 -0500

Happy Birthday, Otte

We had a nice and leisurely morning and then in the afternoon it was off to Port Stanley. What a beautiful November day. A few pretty things caught my eye.

The Embrace I’ve always liked these trees. I see two trees...

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 22:23:00 -0500

The Embrace I’ve always liked these trees. I see two trees embracing against the elements. Holding each other up. Holding each other close. I see comitment and strength. I see beauty and nature and strength. And finally, after years of admiring it, I captured an image and played around with it.

The challenge was to find a fixer-upper house or one that should...

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 11:13:00 -0400

The challenge was to find a fixer-upper house or one that should be demolished. I just had to throw in a few random buildings as well.

I heart photo walks

Mon, 23 May 2011 11:17:00 -0400

I often realize I am happiest when I am taking pictures. One day, after a not-so-fun day at work (nothing major, but they can’t ALL be fabulous), I popped out into the front garden to take some photos of the spring flowers. A half hour later I was feeling much better and had 50 or so photos to sort through. A snapshot. Capturing one moment, some light, some colour, a feeling. It’s the most creative I ever feel. I’m not saying I’m good at it. I’m saying I enjoy it and don’t much care about anything else…Happiness matters. I heart happiness.

~ May 23/11

March 11, Lion or Lamb?

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500

This morning the beagles woke me up at around 6:30 and wanted to go outside. I had been in a deep sleep and certainly not expecting the view that greeted me when I looked into our back yard. I quickly grabbed the camera trying to capture the magic of the white blanket and the stillness of the early morning. When I look at this picture I see everything tucked in, warm and cozy and the backyard nieghbour’s lights indicate the stirring that happens, the day that’s about to come to life. There were lots of posts on Facebook, blogs and Twitter about enough snow already, and slowly they were replaced with comments about people thinking about those if Japan who were affected by the largest earthquake in that country’s history and the possible 1,000, or more, people who lost their lives. Weather. We try so much to anticipate, plan, predict and control it, and yet, we’re always at its mercy. And what actions we do take, only seem to have negative effects in the long-term. Weather. It’s always there and more and more I try to just accept, because what choice do I have? Accept, and if that’s difficult, than capture the good that I can find, the magic, the time between darkness and light, between sleeping and stirring. The time we have a clean slate and can make anything of a day.

~ March 11/11

Front Porch Invite

Sat, 15 Jan 2011 16:46:00 -0500

Pull up a chair.

I’ve been waiting for you.

It’s been a long time

Since we sat down like this.

So much to catch up on,

So much we can share.

I want to hear your stories,

I want hear you laugh.

When we sit down like this

The world goes by around us

But there’s nothing I’d rather do

Than sit here beside you

Hearing about you being you.

~ Jan 15/11

This Moment

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 09:35:00 -0500

From Soulemama - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.

Jan 14/11

Reflecting upon Christmas 2010 It’s the second year in a...

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 18:00:00 -0500

Reflecting upon Christmas 2010

It’s the second year in a row we didn’t have a Christmas tree, and we survived just fine. Christmas can be a wonderful, or very difficult time of year, and for me, it’s a bit of both. I wasn’t in much of a mood to decorate, and I was raised in a house where we were told we shouldn’t decorate before Advent was over.

This year, just a day or so before Christmas, I dug out some decorations and we again took a very minimilist approach. There was no big tree, we had a few lights to untalngle and we put on the mantle. We were done in under an hour, and, if I may say so myself, it looked pretty comfy cozy. I like the minimalist idea and we sort of adopted that with our gifts as well. There wasn’t anything extravagant, and we don’t have to dread the credit card bills that will soon arrive.

Maybe we’ve found the secret - a balance between not celebrating at all and going over board. And maybe after a few more years, I can feel less weird about it - feel less that I gave up and more that it’s purposeful, well-thought-out and meaningful touches that matter most.

One day, I’ll get around to writing about the Christmases I have celebrated, endured and mourned through. But the last few have been blessings of peace, love and happiness, and for that I am truly grateful.

~Dec. 30/10

If it stops snowing, and if it stops raining, someone will walk...

Sun, 12 Dec 2010 17:32:00 -0500

If it stops snowing, and if it stops raining, someone will walk to his or her car and see this.

Just two quick swishes in the snow as he walked by, and he can make me smile.

Snow Day! We didn’t go in to work today. It was iffy in...

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 23:04:00 -0500

Snow Day! We didn’t go in to work today. It was iffy in the morning and by noon things were closing down across the city. Dogs, however, need to be walked regardless. They certainly get us out there each and every day - okay at least O takes them.

Today we all bundled up and all went for a walk. Of course I had to take my camera. It was so pretty out there, and I was certain I could capture some good shots. It took us about an hour to do a fairly short walk, but the snow was deep, and I was stopping every few feet to see what I could capture.

This photo wouldn’t have been taken if I was looking straight ahead. I could easily have missed it. Imagine what we miss when we only look in one direction - even if it’s ahead.

I call this one, “Another of God’s canvasses.”

Dec. 6/10

I’m pretty much a routine-based person for some things,...

Sun, 28 Nov 2010 19:45:00 -0500

I’m pretty much a routine-based person for some things, and a little more spontaneous for others. What I find interesting is that I can go the same route every day and then suddenly I notice something new that couldn’t possibly be new. Why did I notice it today? What changed - the object or me? Or both? Was I less pre-occupied? Was I looking around more, and more open to my surroundings?

Last night we were on a usual dog-walking route when suddenly I noticed these Chinese Lantern plants (Physalis alkekengi), and I knew I had to come back with a camera. We have some in our yard, but they were well-hidden this year behind the bbq. The brilliant orange last night was a visual treat in the now winter-ready world with bare tress, decaying leaves, and wet, soggy grass. They showed colour, texture, and resilience. They showed colours of fall when I thought fall was long gone. They taught me a lesson: keep looking, keep looking for signs of hope, life, and promise, because they are all around us. Dad used to say, “In the deepest of the night the new day is born.” We’re not yet into the deep night, but what a brilliant sunset orange.

Nov. 28, 2010

Another day, another beagle walk, another photo walk, only this...

Sat, 20 Nov 2010 18:21:33 -0500

Another day, another beagle walk, another photo walk, only this time O. came along, and that’s much nicer. The sun was shining, the beagles were excited, fall was still in the air, and our beagle-powered, latte infused walk was a time for taking in our surroundings with all of our senses.

So far a lot of the photos have been red, so I thought I’d throw in a little yellow. This oak is by the bank, and I can’t help but think of my dad when I see oaks. From little acorns these might trees grow. Red, burr, black, pin, white, English…all sorts of oaks and memories of younger days.

Naked photos. That’s what most of mine are. Untouched....

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:25:52 -0500

Naked photos. That’s what most of mine are. Untouched. Unedited. And there’s a part of me that likes them that way. Natural. But then I see other photos and love the added shades, texture, highlights. I don’t know a lot about photo editing, but today, I’m sharing this one. I took the photo today on a beagle/photo walk. The house is in our neighbourhood. The bright blue siding is so different than the houses to its left or right. And today I noticed the porch lights. It’s amazing what having a camera in your hands allows you to see. We should all walk around with cameras in our hands.

Also, on my walk today, I ran into Danielle and she must be a kindred spirit. She’s a fellow dog lover, and seeing me with my camera, she said she’d just been thinking about a photo walk - because she feels so happy when she’s taking pictures. And that’s exactly how I feel. So happy.