Exercise 2: Your reflection

Once again I took my Canon out to do an exercise from the book Shooting with Soul. This time the instructions said to go on a photo walk and push your creative edge by finding serendipitous reflections along the way. Document where you were and what you were feeling at that moment. Play with distortions, optical illusions, unusual perspectives and textures.

 I felt very awkward  carrying my camera downtown and shooting. That is something that should go away the more I carry my camera with me. Right now it seems strange and indulgent. I went to a few stores that I thought might be interesting and shot my reflection there.

 I also found this reflection to be interesting. Now that I am aware of reflections I will try to notice them more and shoot more.

Special effects

Pruning

This is a Hashiki Willow tree at the corner of our house. When we landscaped a few years ago I didn’t know that this tree would grow to be this big. I had it planted way to close to the house and now the branches were rubbing on the shingles of the roof. We all know that that isn’t good. So Yesterday I decided to do something about it. I grabbed the ladder, the pruning shears and the long pruner and went to work. I didn’t use the ladder because I ended up cutting most of the branches by reaching up with the long pruner. It wasn’t easy but it got done. 

I can see that there are more straggling branches that still can use a haircut but all in all it looks better.   Then there was a cleanup to do. I will keep a good eye on it from now on and not let it get that out of hand. 

This week

This week...Sara turns nine.

Coco the bear is coming to town. He will be the mascot of the Chocolate Factory, a new store opening in Bradford. 

This week...my summer flowers are getting leggy 

This week...the potted hydrangea is getting so large but only had a few flowers. 

This week...the Brown eyed .Susan's are magnificent. 

Art day

Yesterday was my last time to go to Mayville for art class. So I went up for an all day class where Susan taught in the morning and we made collages in the afternoon. Collage is not my favorite medium but it is good to get out of my box and stretch my imagination. It is always a fun time and I learn something new every time. 

There was a huge estate sale on the way and I picked up this colorful apron which mimics the colors in my kitchen. There was so much glassware at the sale. It is a shame that now people are passing and their precious teacups and fancy flowered plates are not enjoyed by the next generation. I hope we are not the last women who enjoy setting a fancy table and using our “better” things for company. There were also so many linens, table runners, and lace. It is like I’m seeing an entire way of life changing before my eyes. 

One of the girls at art class has an Etsy shop and made these delightful blocks that I had to bring home with me.

Now I will be on the lookout for children’s wooden blocks to decoupage on. These blocks just spark joy in my life.

 “It always pays to dwell slowly on the beautiful things...the more beautiful the more slowly.”  Atticus

Summertime

Dear Summertime,

  You need to slow it down.

Sincerely, Everyone

To say it was a beautiful day would not begin to explain it. It was that day when the end of summer intersects perfectly with the start of fall.” 

– Ann Patchett

August is like the Sunday of summer."

Summer’s lease hath all too short a date.”

– William Shakespeare

A fallen leaf is nothing more than a summer’s wave goodbye.” 

– Unknown

When summer gathers up her robes of glory, And, like a dream, glides away.”

— Sarah Helen Whitman

Summertime. It was a song. It was a season. I wondered if that season would ever live inside of me.” 

― Benjamin Alire Sáenz

I see summer leaving

Each day is bringing us that close to fall. I am not reminded of that when I see the thermometer reading 84 but all the orange colors in the store are pointing it out to me. Fall is my favorite season but I am balking at letting into my psyche just yet. I want to savor these last warm days as long as I can. I have stayed close to home all summer knowing that I don’t do well in the heat. I haven’t had a vacation since April when I went to Hawaii and I am longing for travel. Luckily my youngest sister loves to travel too so we are looking into a trip somewhere later in October. 

   This month has been my month of maintenance when I catch up on all my doctor appointments. I’ve had my eyes and ears checked, my mammogram done, and next week is my six month physical. All is well. When I see the troubles some of my friends are having I count my blessings. Today I went to Olean for my hearing test. They told me my hearing aids were obsolete (well in not those words...but I got the idea.) I’ve had them for seven years now and love it. The new ones can be controlled by your phone. (Do I need that? No) I declined. Since we were there I took some knives back to Cutco. If you do not know the brand it is an excellent brand of knives, silverware, etc. They guarantee their products so will sharpen or replace them free. I left two knives there. Then a quick stop at the library where I found four bestsellers I’ve been waiting to read. We recycled cans and then ate at Applebee’s. We also stopped at Don’s favorite...KFC... for a bucket of chicken for dinner. All in all a successful trip. 

Chris and Wendy

Only five more weeks till the big wedding day.  I’m so happy these two have found each other. They are so compatible. 

Exercise 5: Books

You can tell a lot about someone by the books they read. Books have always been a part of my life and I literally cannot live without them. Books show a history of our interests. I am not a book collector like some of my literary friends. I don’t have bookshelves loaded with novels. I find novels are like movies most of the time. I read them and then move on. That is why I am such a patron of the library. But nonfiction is another story. There are some non fiction books that I hang on to and you can see it on my bookshelf. 

Exercise 5 in Shooting with Soul was to photograph books. I took the lazy way out and used my ipad instead of the Canon. I think that is defeating the purpose of getting the book but I wanted to do the exercise. But I need to put a lot more effort into it. 

But this does give you a glimpse of the kinds of books I am interested in. I love Alexandra Stoddard who taught me that no matter the small thing you are doing you can make it luxurious. 

On my shelf are entertaining books, photography reference books, a pillow given to me by my sister and a postcard with a special meaning that was given to me by my other sister. In the postcard you can see roosters and a French farmhouse. My sister, niece and I traveled to Germany to meet up with a friend of Linda’s who was working there. We drove all around Germany and France touring and found ourselves one night at a Bed and Breakfast in a little town named Betchdorf which was famous for its salt glazed pottery. Linda’s friend thought we were booked for two nights but found out we were only there for one. So the lady who owned the house ( a sixth generation potter’s home) directed us to another bed and breakfast out in the country. It was a happy accident because this place was somewhere that regular American tourists would never get to see. As we drove into this century old farmhouse/b and b there was a rooster standing right in the driveway. We needed to enter through an arch and the rooster was determined that we were not going to disturb him and his scratching. We inched the car forward slowly. He did not move. Again we tried but he stood his ground. It was a standoff. Finally he must have gotten tired of the game and permitted us entry. We still laugh at the scene. When I got the postcard it couldn’t have been more perfect to bring that memory to my mind every time I look at it. The experience of staying one night in this very old, but very modern farm was delightful. There was a restaurant right on the premises where we enjoyed a lovely dinner. Our beds were fluffy and soft and we were so happy to have discovered it. 

What is on your bookshelves?

Late summer change

 I can feel fall coming.  Even though the hot summer weather is still here the small signs of fall are beginning to show. Everywhere you shop the fall merchandise is on full display. Orange is prevelant and pumpkins are filling the shelves. And even though I love fall I don’t want to rush it here. I still want to slow down and enjoy these waning days. 

  But I grew tired of my summer picnic theme on the baker’s rack so I changed it up. The new theme is olives.  

I used an old olive and artichoke wreath that I had made as a base and filled an old crock with olive branches and leaves. 

Behind the arrangement I put two olive plates. 

On the top shelf I kept my straw hat but added a few olive oil bottles. 

This arrangement will last until it’s time for fall. 

Dan at the piano

My grandson Dan is so talented. Besides being an engineer with his Master’s degree and inspecting nuclear submarines he is a great musician and plays several instruments. I don’t get to see him as often as I would like since he lives in Pittsburgh.

When it just comes together

Hi readers. Today I want to share you with you what happens when two random things come together in a way that it is so unexpected. 

I have been avoiding going to yard and estate sales in my effort not to buy so much and bring so much into my home but once in a while I succumb. When my sisters were here we went to a sale where I purchased these irises. There was just something about them that appealed to me.

When I got them home and was looking for a vase to put them in I remembered this pitcher I fell in love with at a consignment store. 

And voila! They went together perfectly. I was so happy that they found each other.

They look great in the sunroom. 

Now on a different note

The artistic side of me couldn’t help going out once more to take pictures. But this time instead of my big camera I took my iPad. You all know that I am in love with my ipad. So I took some shots and ran them through some of my photo editing programs. Here are the results. I would love your feedback. 

Shooting with Soul

Sometimes all you need is a little encouragement. I have been lamenting that I have ignored my photography. I love taking pictures with my iphone but I wanted to learn my big camera more. I have admired Sarah from the blog Paisley Rain Boots for some time and she has taken time to email me with some encouraging thoughts. She mentioned in her blog about a book...Shooting with Soul...that helped her focus on some projects so I immediately ordered it. 

When it came and I opened it up to a random page I felt that this was a book meant for me. The author Alessandra Cave gives many focused projects that allow you to explore photography. The first project I saw was Exercise 10: Your talisman. Talismans and lucky charms have been worn throughout history to offer protection and good luck. She believes that the power of a talisman is actually in the person who wears it rather than in the object itself. 

She invited us to create a photography that shows your talisman and how you access your own magic! I had recently acquired a talisman when my sisters and I were on our trip. It was a little shop in Ellicottville that sells unique things and when I came across a beaded chain with a circular brass pendant I was drawn to the letters stamped on it that said Oh, Yes you can. 

There was something about it and even though it was made particularly to hold your glasses I knew I wanted it, not just for its practicality but to use as a talisman. I have been trying to diet for a long time but needed some reminder and something present at all times to give me that little boost when I wanted to go off plan. I have been wearing it ever since and it is effective.

 It also reminds me that oh, yes I can learn to use my big camera. I am looking forward to doing more exercises from the this book.  Thank you Sarah for sharing this with me. 

 

Graffiti

American Graffiti is a movie that captures my teens.  I graduated from high school in 1962...yes, I’m as old as dirt.  When I want to relive those glorious years all I have to do is listen to 60’s music and I’m taken right back to high school and college days. So when the Bradford Creative and Performing Arts ended their summer concert series with a group that sang those old songs Don and I just had to go. 

  At first the group just started singing those old familiar songs and wove a little story along with them about them appearing on the Ed Sullivan show and practicing the songs. 

But then out came this fellow.  He was dressed like a nerd...and acted like one too. He added the comedy that was greatly welcomed and throughout the show made us howl with laughter. Not only was he a comedian but his voice was amazing. I have never heard a better falsetto.

But it got even funnier in the second act when they dressed like women and sang The Supreme’s songs. Don and I had a great time and really enjoyed this.