Salvation Army find

I love the salvation army! Got this skirt there last week and it is so unique with these buttons sewn in one corner at the bottom. You never know what treasures you might find there.

With a litttle bit of luck and magic.

This morning on the way to church, I was stunned to see a beautiful hawk resting gracefully on a hay bale. I've seen this before, but in a different place. I wonder if they like hay:) I couldn't get a good shot because my stopping the car startled him and made him fly to a farther hay bale so the resulting image is not sharp, but I still think it was a beautiful sight and with a little bit of luck and magic (photo editing) I came up with this:Also, I was practicing some shots at church and they were all coming up crummy. Lighting in there is awful and I really need to practice working with poor lighting conditions. But again, with some perseverance, I was able to conjure up this shot:

Everyone hopes to get that perfect shot, but sometimes it just doesn't happen. I love that photo editing can help you save some shots you think are worth saving. It's not was you saw when you were shooting, but it's just as special because you helped create it.

A beautiful morning

Today, Mike woke me up at about 6:00am and we headed off to do some canoeing, which I love to do but haven't done in a while. What a perfect morning! Clear, crisp air met us at the shoreline along with calm, warm lake waters. The lake was an empty painting, nothing moving, no sound except the soft breath of our paddles. While fishing, we saw a beaver swimming nearby and watched the majestic flight and rest of a Blue Heron. The fish were definitely nibbling, but not really biting. We sat in silence, listening to the birds and occasionally, being startled by a jumping fish! Finally, Mike caught a small mouth bass, just a baby that he threw back in. He was determined that I would catch something before we left. Nestled by some lily pads and with his help, I reeled in a sun fish, again too small for much of a meal, but beautiful all the same. It was better than I had thought it would be, just the two of us, in a world all our own. I had promised myself that today would not be about taking pictures, but would be simply the two of us enjoying a quiet morning doing something we both enjoy. That being said, I shot these two pictures just before we got into the canoe.Too bad I didn't have the camera...I nearly tipped Mike into the lake while trying to pull the boat ashore!

Nature

A proud day

Today was a proud day because I won my very first "prize" in photography...two blue ribbons at the fair!!! Yes, I know the Fonda Fair is lame, but hey! It's nice to get my stuff out there and see how people feel about it. It definitely made me proud that 2 out of my 3 entries were chosen for this honor. It's an even better feeling than winning the trophy :) Here are the two prize winners. Bridget's assignment was to take one photo in color and one in black and white...but I was so wrapped up in my blue ribbons that I forgot to take the second picture in b/w, so I did this with photo editing: Sorry, Bridget! Hope it's acceptable :)

You never know what there is in store for you!

I had an idea for a picture all day long and just knew that I would take it. No rush, I said, it is something I can take at any time of day. I took an brisk evening walk and then did some kick boxing which always makes me feel empowered. A good time to take a picture! I went to get the camera, which I had left in the car. Suddenly, there was a glorious moon in front of me. I toyed with the tripod for a bit, but couldn't get the moon picture I wanted. Turning to go back into the house for the real picture, I saw a tree in the backyard. Flashback: Yesterday, Mike and I did some yard work and he was pruning some trees and cutting down some others. It was wonderful to work together on the land which will someday be ours together. Seeing that simple little tree reminded me of yesterday and of us being together. So I took the picture. The tree, of course, is just a simple little ambiguous thing...but just behind it...

Just goes to show you that you never know what is in store for you and that we have to be thankful for the simple moments we share on this earth. I look forward to more of those days with Mike here.

Honoring two special men

Today's post is to honor two special men in my life: My stepfather, John and my little brother, Jonathan. Jonathan is currently serving in the Marine Corps in North Carolina. He is waiting to be placed in the special school where he will learn his military job skills. John served in the United States Army in Vietnam. While I am honoring them for their chosen service to our country, I'm also honoring them as the men that they are. Both are caring, determined, and protective of their families and loved ones. Both are willing to give of themselves for others. And without both of them, I wouldn't be the person I am. I sewed these patches myself onto my camera bag so that every time I reach for my camera I will be reminded of the sacrifices of those in the service and of these two men who have greatly impacted my life and so many others!