Today...

Winter is still trying to keep Spring from Happening.....but Spring will eventually win out....Hope!

Happy New Year!

A New Year is upon us...

Oh, those new year's resolutions. Why do we resolve to do one or more things at the beginning of a new year?  Perhaps we feel that this will be the year that we finally break an unhealthy habit like smoking or drinking too much alcohol.  Maybe we'll finally shed those extra pounds or get organized, go back to school, start that hobby we've been thinking about, or maybe just stop being too busy.  Maybe we should spend more time with our family and friends, or go on that dream vacation that we've talked about for years.  

So why do we have this ritual at the beginning of each new year?  Maybe the answer is hope.  Hope is something that can motivate and help us to move forward.  It gives us a chance to start over and review what we have learned from past mistakes.  Maybe this will be the year that we succeed.

The fallen leaf in my photo, will soon be composted back into the earth to become nutrients for new life.  It is a symbol of the end of a purpose fulfilled and it knows that it will become nourishment for those new sprouts waiting to spring forth when the temperatures start rising and the snow melts.  Mother Nature knows instinctively that life will begin anew and every year is another cycle completed and a new beginning.  Maybe that is what gives us hope, and enables us to try again.  After all, if we lose hope, most of us would just give up.  Trying and falling short is part of the human condition.  We have to take what we have learned and do things different the next time.  Not trying for fear of failing is the biggest mistake of all.  Like a line in a well known song:  ".....we go round and round and round in the circle game".  Right now as I am writing this, I've just figured out why we make New Year's Resolutions! It is all in the Grand Scheme of life.

Good luck on your journey through another year and yet another opportunity to accomplish whatever it is that your heart desires! And don't forget to be mindful and enjoy the journey along the way. Many times, it is more important than the 'reward' at the end!

Late Bloomer

"Late Bloomer"

What is so special about this Dandelion? Well nothing except that is was blooming so late in the year. I photographed this on the 2nd last day of November, the 29th to be exact. That is exactly 23 days before the Winter Solstice, the official start of Winter. I was outside with my dog and I couldn't believe that it was newly sprouted, growing in between all sorts of falling leaves. In fact there were 4 others growing nearby. I was struck by the fact that our seasons are changing and evolving. Whether it is in the natural order of things or man made or a combination of both,  I believe that we are in a global warming cycle. 

Baby Deer After Losing Spots

In many parts of Northern Ohio it is a common sight to see deer in your yard. Well, where I live in the West Park Area of Cleveland, we have several families that hang around in many of our yards. I've been watching the Mama and her two babies for several months now. I've taken zillions of photos. Within the last 3 weeks or so, the two fawns lost their spots and grew a little bigger. Mom and babies will actually pose for me as long as I move very slowly and don't startle them. It just amazes me that in the middle of the city that I can walk out side and they are hanging around 15 to 20 feet from my back door. This baby somehow scratched it face on something. You can see the fur missing in a few spots in the middle of its face between its nose and its eyes.

Delicate Delight

"DELICATE DELIGHT"

I must love these daisies that my daughter planted around the gaslight in the front yard about 10 years ago, because I take so many pictures of them. I pick them occasionally and have so much fun photographing them. I'm always coming up with some new ideas. This shot was actually taken a little over a year ago when I was experimenting with soft northern window light in my kitchen. I  love the soft and delicate look of these and being in a jar gives it a down home country appearance. I was able to retain the nice backlight and also fill in some reflected light to show more detail on the flowers.

The Lady Has Class

"The Lady Has Class"

A few days ago I was walking down my driveway and a Rose of Sharon was  

growing right next to the house by the downspout. I probably should pull it out

so it doesn't get too much bigger and ruin the foundation. But in the meantime I took

a few pictures with my camera phone because I was in a hurry to go someplace and

I didn't have time to get my camera. That's the story of my life, always in a hurry. 

So today I downloaded the files to my computer and they were surprisingly

quite good. I have tons of captures of these Rose of Sharons which are in the

Hibiscus family by the way, because they are growing all over my yard. I was in

a very creative zone so I started playing and stylizing and somehow this emerged. 

I really like it and I think would make a great photo transfer for a totebag or tapestry.

Or perhaps on just the right black material it would make an awesome cocktail dress.

Only my imagination knows for sure where she will end up...

Beer Daisies

"Beer Daisies"

I had some daisies I wanted to photograph outside in a natural setting. I also had this neat beer bottle that worked perfect as a 'vase'. So out I went and this is what I came up with. I shot several as usual, but this one was exactly what I was envisioning.
A tree stump 'table' some grape vines, some cut logs and more grape vines in the brakground, great lighting - Perfect!