Things that'll get me running outside

Besides the glory of an early morning fog slowly settling into the trees and open spaces, a color drenched sunset and big, glowing moonrise will get me running outside for a look.  We had both tonight,
and I was out there enjoying as if they would never happen again.


The view from our backyard deck.  Give me some more of that blue with the dwindling, rich orange and pinks.

The Wolf Moon

With you

With you
with one another
in understanding
in truth.


There's a point when you just have to let it all go to feel yourself and others around you.  To be able to see and feel the world with clarity and openness.  That's how I felt yesterday while spending time photographing horses for a friend who is starting her own equine therapy business.  There was something so freeing and honest in sharing space with the horses, and my friend, too, that I walked away a better person.  I am so very grateful.

#LOVE 

Rain painting

Painting with the rain, using the colors of my soul

I believe that the deluge of rain for the past 3 days is starting to have its effects.  It permeates and quiets me, and gives a melancholy feel to the world.  

 

With camellias

How could I not return to the secret garden the following day?  It was another cool, vibrant day, and the camelias welcomed me into their cove of colors and fallen blooms.  I love having to bend to walk past them and then looking up as they tower above.  Their pinks, whites, and reds popped against the bright blue sky and greens of their leaves.  The bees were very active amongst them, too, and I actually saw a couple rolling around the stamens like little puppies with one another.  There is no other to enjoy them besides the little creatures, and probably many years ago they had the company of a gardener or children.  Now I am the one who gets to sneak a peek now and then, and it's a wonderful treat and very uplifting for me. 

These deserved some captures with my DSLR instead of my cell on the previous visit.  I shot them as RAW files, and the top and bottom shared here are #SOOC - straight out of the camera.  The light was so lovely.

Through the secret garden and farm fields

I treated myself today and walked home through the 'secret gardent' and farm property after work.  The air was cool and refreshing, and the sky a vibrant bright blue.  I only had my cell with me, and while going past familiar spots I smiled knowing that if I had my DSLR I surely would have settled in for closer looks.  I did take a few, and when going through the set I was surprised to find this one.  It must have been taken without me knowing as I was in motion putting my phone away.  This curving effect has happened before, but never to this extreme.  I'd so love to duplicate the method and consciously decide which objects to include in the frame.  It could be lots of fun.

The gifts of kakizome

"This year I wish for good fortune, great beauty, and good wisdom."

I'm back to work in the classroom with little hands and creative minds.  Today I shared the practice of kakizome, the 'first writing' of the year practiced in Japan, with the children, and asked them to share their wishes and hopes for the upcoming year.  This little girl connected her thoughts to the kanji I presented and selected fortunate to represent her ideas.  It was a wonderful gift to read through their visions and hopes, as well as sit with them while they were so engaged.  Fortunate, indeed.