The Un-common in Common

We plant yellow and purple pansies in the fall 

since the winters are so mild.

This year was no different.

But the common place proved to be uncommon.

Snow, ice, sleet pelted the southern states

making us wonder if we had been transplanted to another sphere.

We stared wide-eyed at our world cloaked in shards of ice.

Then I learned that "delicate" pansies are uncommon in tough conditions, they are strong, sturdy, sensuous in their cloaks of ice.

I value their uniqueness.

That which seems everyday-common, becomes beautifully uncommon

when removed from their normal context. 

Joining Kat at Photo-Heart Connection

Photo-Heart Connection

        Do you have favorite photos, ones that really touch your heart, bring back beautiful memories, or preserve a special someone or sometime?  Are they usually the very "professional" well composed and perfectly exposed shots?  Or are they just a great "capture" taken spontaneously?

Every year Kat Sloma hosts a Photo-Heart Connection. It is open to everyone who loves to take photos.

At the first of the month, participants  go through photographs taken during the previous month, culling for those that really speak to them.

Hmmm January what should I choose...well there was Chinese New Year with the tradition of throwing oranges with notes attached high into our trees, (ours are still swaying high), fresh cooked duck and fish, lo mien noodles...fresh not dried....yes a beautiful, colorful, fragrant time to celebrate.

Then we had unexpected snow and cold weather here in the south. That certainly warranted picture snapping since it isn't common place.

We went to Chicago to spend time with our daughter and her daughter. That was the time of the sub zero storms and closure of the Chicago airports...well not too many pictures then....afraid I might crack my lens.

So hard to choose, but choose I did. TECHNICALLY they are the least well done with their cluttered backgrounds, wiggly-moving-jumping little people, poor lighting and lots of extraneous things going on inside our home.

Storyline: Our kids from the eastern side of North Carolina spontaneously came for a visit, wanting to share their dogs and  prepare an authentic Chinese New Year feast. Lemon and Frito are rescue dogs who had been badly abused but through lots of care and oodles of love are now healthy, loving and beautiful dogs. We were excited to introduce them to our three grandchildren, the Funny Bunnies, who live down the street.

Number One and Two Bunnies took to the dogs like kids take to ice cream....sweet, messy and fast.

But the littlest Bunny was extremely nervous, hesitant, clinging to mom or Grammy, and screaming if the dogs got near.  Well give her a few hours, lots of reassurance and she adopted the more gentle one, Lemon, running around holding her tail...(yup one of the blurry photos, beyond repair! but still precious)

Out of dozens of photos I have only had time to work on a few...as I needed to get rid of the clutter of table, chairs, furniture, background people, etc. Not knowing what I was doing, didn't help.

Then I wanted to try a few textures...well one thing led to another...

However, these are the photos that touched my heart as I think of the past, fast paced month of January.

Fritos was once a very sick, neglected and abused dog.  Lemon instantly, bonded with her. They are now inseparable.  

 Kim Klassen's texture Gracie 

Lemon and Fritos have the cutest outfits....I love this one.  Funny Bunny One is growing up....in this reflective photo I can see the maturity in her face...she sat with the dogs for long periods of time, just loving LOVING them.

Kim's Belize Texture

Rad Lab/Sugar processing.

To love an animal is a beautiful thing.

When taking photographs.....it is the memory that counts.

Thank you Kim for your textures and thank you Kat for making it possible to share our favorite photographs.

A Day Well Lived

I have wanted to rejoin Kat Sloma's

Photo-Heart connection, where at the 

 beginning of each month, we post our favorite photograph from the past month.

You would think that choosing a favorite in the month of December would be fun and spontaneous.

But this year, December was different.

Yes, always a few too many things to attend to.

Yes, shopping, wrapping, gifting.

Yes, decorating and baking.

Yes, making time for service to others.

But then the unexpected occurs, drops in like an unwanted

visitor.

Eight out of Ten Women

Breast Cancer.

The unwanted visitor with its fearful shadow: two friends, diagnosed within a few weeks of one another. 

This placed a pall, a deep shadow over the golden holiday.

Rejoicing turned to Earnest Prayer.

And this is why the photograph I share is the most meaningful to me.

Each day becomes important that it is well-lived; makes every yesterday a dream of happiness; and each tomorrow a blessing of HOPE. 

My friend created this simple, wooden, vessel for me.

It is simple. It is lovely to feel. It gleams with good intentions. It sits on my desk.

Each day, as she awaited tests and surgery

she thought of others, living in the moment, with a positive attitude and a desire to serve others.

Hearts are Vessels.

We each have one to fill

 to overflowing with 

Love-Compassion-Joy-Attitude-Inspiration-Insights-Memories

tightly encircled with a Pink Ribbon of Love. 

Both of my friends are doing well. I believe that because they have hearts filled with positive gifts they will return to Tomorrow, better than they were Yesterday.

Much love, Sharon

Sentimental Reasons

This past month has had more than a few challenges, funny how they come in bunches. The weather was in a tug-of-war between winter and tiny tantalizing bursts of spring. Days were becoming heavy.

An unexpected knock at the door reversed my inner grayness.

A smiling delivery man handed me a huge bouquet radiating Sunshine and Light.

The timing was as perfect as were the chosen blossoms and color.

A gift from a thoughtful son, far away, saying he "Understood."

Each blossom radiated happiness, hope and gladness.

I like this photograph on several levels: an unexpected love-gift; a metaphor for light and goodness; the cross shadow reminding me of the many "crossroads" in our lives.

Visit Kat's, Photo-Heart Connection and you will find many beautiful and inspiring photographs.

Texture, Subtly Yours, provided by Kim Klassen.

Artistico Blurro

No, I don't speak Spanish, but it would be nice.

However the words "artistic blur" seemed more catchy written as Artistico Blurro. Which is this month's challenge on Exploring with a Camera, presented by Kat Sloma.

"What is all of this about?" you might ask.

"Got it made," says I.

"No big deal, easy-peasy." I continue.

"This is something I excel at--shaky hand blur,  out-of-focus blur or paying-no-attention blur. I am Queen of the Blur." 

Fortunately I think that Kat had something  else in mind.

What she is suggesting is the INTENTIONAL--

THOUGHT-THROUGH BLUR.

This implies a photo a little bit soft at the edges;  a change of intentional movement; a deliberate change in camera settings; something placed over the lens, etc. 

 Once a month Kat offers a challenge which is really a very nice learning experience. She supplies lots of suggestions to make it easier...and it is complimentary.  It is open to all. Come join us.

One week ago we had our First Snow Storm.  Actually "dumped snow cone" is more accurate. When the sun peaked over the neighbor's ice covered roofs I was outside with Big Mama.

Getting inside the car and photographing out of the ice glazed glass was my goal...but the doors wouldn't open. So I settled for the outside.  I like the combination of "blur" and "focus."

You will think I am exaggerating, but this is the same icy morning. We still have one brave, endearing geranium clinging to life on the porch. There were filaments of crystal moisture clinging to the buds....while the blurred red petals are achieved using DOF.

A final farewell to a very hardy geranium.

This is my favorite picture. I am sitting inside a very bumpy car with nine passengers, lens glued to the window and attempting to catch scenes as they whizzed by.  What I love about this photo are the reflections that came through and the flash of light.  

Blur exaggerates exuberance.  Little Niko is practicing his fanciest hip hop moves. The movement is so fast that there is a translucency through his clothing.  Too bad the BBQ is in the way.

This week at Pixel Dust, Bonnie suggests sharing a photo that is simple.  Actually I think a blurred photo is a hallmark of simplicity as it eliminates distraction.  This is my choice. I processed it with Bonnie's  Monet's Morning texture.

What I learned from this Artistico Blurro assignment: I won't always discard photos that are slightly blurred. Rather I will think about how to use them in a more artistic form.

And I still need to try putting a piece of plastic over my lens.

Please join us next month when we will explore the Blur from another point of view.

Another reminder: simple can be beautiful. Thank you Bonnie and Kat

PS. remember that Photography and Prose is now part of this blog.

See preceding blog post. Thank you for dropping by. 

Next week will be the original painting give away.   See you then.