In the Dark—Chasing Light

Ethereal

2009-11-08T16:34:00.001-06:00

and that concludes Polaroid week.

2009-11-06T21:41:00.001-06:00

More Polaroid

2009-11-04T17:58:00.001-06:00

Cassie is my favorite model. Polaroid week continues with day 2 and day 3 entries.

Fall Polaroid Week Begins

2009-11-02T16:36:00.001-06:00

Flickr's Fall Polaroid Week 2009 began today and runs through Friday. Be sure to drop by the group pool to witness even more Polaroid goodness.

Happy Halloween

2009-10-31T10:26:00.001-05:00

Soft Optic Focus

2009-10-29T10:02:00.001-05:00

I played around a bit yesterday with the soft optic focus lens and really like the background (bokeh) blur.

Much to do today like buy some additional bags of Halloween candy. What? Did I hear photo op? You betchya.

I Love My Wonderdog

2009-10-28T20:53:00.001-05:00

Isn't she just the sweetest? I did something I so rarely do. I bought a new camera lens and accessory. Curious? I bought the Lensbaby Muse with a double glass optic for the optic swap system and the new soft focus optic. After all these years, my Lensbaby Original is completely broken in. This new one will take some time but I think I'm going to love it just as much.

Aside from that, we had a new gas furnace/ac unit installed. I can now say I've spent way too much money and must resist all the temptations placed in front of me for a while.

A leaf

2009-10-23T22:56:00.001-05:00

As much as I would like to get out and about to find autumn color in all its grandeur, until the weather improves that won't happen. I'll have to make do with leaf studies.

Untitled

2009-10-22T16:24:00.001-05:00

What did I see as I glanced at my front door? Could it, could it actually be a bright, sunny day? Indeed, yesterday was one of the best days of the month. Warm, sunny and fall color bursting forth all around. Yep, perfect.

Today, it's not only cloudy, but raining and cold.

Apple Crisp

2009-10-20T17:35:00.001-05:00

I've had a headache all day and decided to fill the house with the smell of baking apples. I chose this recipe from King Arthur Flour. The only thing I changed was to use a cast iron skillet. I have a few other apple crisp recipes I want to try before I decide which is the best. This one is okay but with my sinuses and headache, my sense of taste has been off. When the Mister arrives home, he'll be the final taste check.

Golden Woodland

2009-10-19T17:38:00.001-05:00

Just playing with my Lensbabies lens and special effects. The border was created with a film canister I modified and placed in front of the lens. It was toned in Lightroom

Are You Calling Me Chicken?

2009-10-18T07:30:00.000-05:00

What can I say? SallyCat as a chicken and through a wide angle lens. The flash and closeness of the lens create the angry eyes that you see in this. I was holding her up slightly trying my best to get a some w/a distortion and never really succeeded.

But I am a chicken, this week's photo.

I finally got a much needed haircut.

It Figures

2009-10-15T07:55:00.000-05:00

That's what Cassie's expression says to me. It figures, she's at it again. This was a session from Tuesday. I've done nothing today but run to the bathroom (TMI--need softer toilet paper).

Hoping today is a better day.

Oops

2009-10-14T11:27:00.001-05:00

A bit of me as I was placing the Wonderdog and SallyCat for their Halloween portrait. I may keep trying this but it will have to wait until I feel better. Not sure what it is, but I'm feeling sickly. Mostly, it's sinus right now and I'm a bit tired.

On a side note, I still need a haircut and thinking I'll just have to try someplace else once I start to feel more human.

Christmas Cactus

2009-10-13T13:00:00.001-05:00

I'm as impatient as this Christmas cactus, which is blooming early (and the other part will most likely bloom in December). I left a message at the place I get my hair done and waiting for a return phone call and about to give up. Maybe they aren't open today because of the Monday holiday. They are never in on Mondays. Who knows but I have things to do and left my home phone number.

Plus, I'm not feeling 100% and with H1N1 so prevalent in the area, I'm half afraid to venture out anymore, especially places like the salon. I do have to run to the post office, though. Catch y'all later. File this under the mundane.

Surprises

2009-10-11T16:17:00.001-05:00

The Mister has been full of surprises lately including this very cute OU teddy bear. I suppose it has to do with the changes in me as I attempt to be a kinder, gentler me. Not always easy but the benefits are evident and not just in the tangible gifts. It's much more relaxed and that is something I need.

But I did receive another gift, the Kindle Reader. It'll be awhile before it becomes totally incorporated into my reading as I've a ton of books scattered about, waiting for me to read but I do appreciate the thought and the gift.

I've since downloaded a few free books and set it up to check my gmail account and Google's RSS reader. The Internet portion is a bit slow but functional. The purchasing and downloading of books is quick and painless. Only time will tell if I enjoy reading electronic books.

And with that, I'm going to have a cuppa tea and try to fend off a cold that I feel developing. I wonder if it has anything to do with the furnace not working Friday night, followed by a costly repair Saturday morning and most likely a new unit next week? It's always something around these parts.

Umm, Err, Okay

2009-10-09T15:21:00.001-05:00

"You might believe that you'll be able to float through the day in a cloud of illusions, yet something you didn't bargain for can shock you out of your reverie. But even if you successfully handle an unexpected situation at work or at home, you still could miss the real meaning of what's happening. Instead of minimizing the importance of a surprise, try to understand the message that the cosmos is attempting to deliver to you."

Filed under horoscope spookiness.

Speaking of spookiness. Me and my daughter walking on a flooded road. Yes, road. Taken by my sister at a state park in the Upper Peninsula and converted/toned by me.

A New Day

2009-10-09T11:54:00.001-05:00

Okay, so this is an extremely edited image as the color was nonexistent but it fits with the news of the world. The Nobel Peace Prize is now a Major Award much like the leg lamp in A Christmas Story. I'm sorry but having a vision and inspiration is not, to me, prize-worthy. To me, awarding the Prize to President Obama cheapens it and those who have come before him. There are far more inspirational speakers out there that offer real hope and encouragement to people every day and yet they will always go as unsung. I'm just saying, it should take more than hope for change to win an award. Hope and a buck will get you a bottle of water.

Onto the mundane, I'm getting frustrated with Comcast Cable again. I don't watch much CBS but when I do, it's in HD. Lately, HD signal has been going haywire and I miss sometimes important dialogue. Oddly, this doesn't seem to happen during commercials, just the airing of the program. And last night, my DVR screwed up and didn't record Bones so I'm off to watch it on the computer.

*now playing Brandi Carlile, Pride and Joy

Sunset

2009-10-08T14:41:00.001-05:00

With a Lensbaby lens and flower aperture. And my latest necklace style. This will take much more practice to keep the loops a consistent size.

It's another of those cold, rainy days. The kind that makes me want to curl under a warm blanket in front of the fireplace, watching a movie or reading a good book. Maybe even munching on some air popped corn.

And with that, I'm going to wrap my hands around a steamy cup of hot green tea (yes, I said tea) and try to take the chill out of my bones.

New Music Tuesday

2009-10-06T15:08:00.001-05:00

Lots of new music in the last few weeks.
*A Fine Frenzy-Bomb In A Birdcage. You've heard me reference this CD in the past.
*Miranda Lambert-Revolution
*Lynyrd Skynyrd-God and Guns
*Sister Hazel-Release
*Luke Bryan-Doin' My Thing (except the song Apologize has been done many times).
*Brandi Carlile-Give Up the Ghost
*Toby Keith-American Ride.

Several just purchased today so I've not had a chance to listen to all of them yet. But I really like the Lynryd Skynyrd, A Fine Frenzy and Miranda Lambert has some good tunes, too.

Music and coffee on a dreary day, it's what is keeping me going today. Otherwise, I think I'd be curled up in bed.

Birthday Cake

2009-10-03T17:38:00.001-05:00

Not mine but rather my dad's 82nd birthday. This January will mark 10 years since his near fatal heart attack and by-pass surgery. Each day is a gift.

Dad at Ocracoke Lighthouse (Obx).

Flamigos

2009-09-26T11:03:00.001-05:00

Just a few flamingo photos taken at the Milwaukee County Zoo. See, it really is about the birds.

Sometimes It's All About The Sunset

2009-09-25T22:18:00.001-05:00

Ocracoke Island, waiting on Rt. 12 for the ferry back to Hatteras, the sky turned gorgeous.

What?

2009-09-24T07:58:00.001-05:00

I can't hear you? Sorry but this shell looks like an ear to me.

And another bird or two.

Beach and Birds

2009-09-23T11:58:00.001-05:00

Sometimes it's all about the birds.

Outer Banks, NC.