Wordless Wednesday ~ Things I Like

Around & About: Shooting the Familiar

Thanks to Jessica at Jessica Rogers Photography and her weekly photo gallery, I've been inspired to get out on a regular basis to shoot pictures. And I've found there is plenty to photograph right in my own neighborhood. (Click on images to enlarge.)




Sunday I spent some time at the Gilsland Farm Audubon Center, located about 3 miles down the road from my place.



There is a community garden there, and while exploring it I came across this lovely double lily (below). I've submitted this photo to both Jessica's Photo of the Week and Illustration Friday, where this week's theme is Double.



I also discovered some marvelous outdoor sculptures made of metal.



These huge animals make a striking statement with the meadows as a backdrop. A quick online search brought up the details about the massive pieces:

"Wendy Klemperer salvages industrial materials to construct expressive gestural sketches in steel. This exhibition features extirpated wildlife species including life size wolves, elk, caribou, and mountain lions along with native deer, fox and porcupines. Sculpture will be sited along the entry drive, woodland trails, by the pond and apple orchards of Gilsland farm, re-imagining these species on the Maine landscape."



I'm looking forward to seeing what I'll find this week during my quest for the next great photo!

I Look Up and I Dream

I look up into the leaves and I dream, I dream –
Of another time, another scene;
Another life, another way,
Another night, another day.
I look up into the leaves and I dream
Of what was and what might have been.

Wordless Wednesday ~ July 21st

I do have to add a few words today:
Happy Birthday to my wonderful friend Maria & my lovely cousin Liz!!

Wordless Wednesday ~ July 14th

Dreaming & Doing ~ July 11th

It's Sunday, a good day for dreaming and doing. Today, for the first time, I am going to take part in Illustration Friday. My friend Silke at Metamorphosis has been participating for awhile now, and I think it looks like fun. This week's theme is diary. As soon as I saw that, I thought of a series of photos of my journal that I had taken last year. I've posted one above.



Keeping a diary, or journal, means different things to different people. For me, it is a tool I use to focus. I don't place any pressure on myself to write in my journal on a daily basis. Rather, I wait for the inspiration, or in some cases, the need, to come. Then I pick up my journal and my pen and begin letting the thoughts, dreams, and words flow. I've found that it is a way to open a door to my deeper self and to explore whatever is waiting for me there.



I know that lots of folks resist the idea of writing in a journal or diary. But there are unexpected gifts to be gotten from this process. If you haven't considered writing down your thoughts, dreams, and hopes, I encourage you to give it a try. You might be surprised at what you find waiting for you, deep within yourself.

Wordless Wednesday ~ July 7th

July 4, 2010 ~ Independence Day

Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom. - Einstein



Our ultimate freedom is the right and power to decide how anybody or anything outside ourselves will affect us. - Stephen Covey



Just living is not enough, said the butterfly, one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower. - Hans Christian Anderson



As you barbecue the hamburgers and watch the fireworks this weekend, why not take a moment to appreciate what you have? Whether or not you are an American, chances are you have much to feel good about. Your friends, family, home (be it humble or grand), community, talents, passions -- and most important of all -- the freedom to choose what you'll focus on in any given moment. More than any other person or event, it is your focus that will ultimately determine your personal happiness. Use your freedom of thought wisely this weekend, and have a wonderful holiday!