Behind the Lens

Busy Bees

2011-09-14T22:19:00.001-04:00

“Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.”
- Winne the Pooh

MoonPie and I are proud to announce a new addition to our family. A precious granddaughter was born on September 10. I have pictures. Unfortunately, they are all on my iPad and I am not iSavvy enough to get them into .jpg format to post them.

We have been very Busy Bees around here. We thought we would have at least another week or two before Baby Girl met the world, but she decided she was ready to meet her big sister. Or maybe she just wanted the birthdate 09.10.11.

Thanks go to all those who offered prayers when our Angel Baby was in the NICU. We feel very blessed to have such supportive friends!

Bee-ing Busy

The Last Hoorah of My Summer Blossoms

2011-08-15T16:51:00.001-04:00

“August creates as she slumbers, replete and satisfied.”-- Joseph Wood Krutch

I found this quote and I’m not sure what it means. I’m not sure why I put it on here since I don’t even understand it. If I weren’t so lazy, I would look for another quote that had something to do with hydrangeas and verbenas. Or maybe pink or red. Or summer heat. But I am lazy so it will have to do.

Pink Hydrangea

Verbena

Carry on..

Things I can’t eat…(but can take pictures of)

2011-07-31T17:23:00.001-04:00

Last Sunday I photographed cookies for a friend who is starting up a cookie business. I’ve never attempted food photography before so this was an entirely new challenge for me. It turned out to be a challenge not just from a photography standpoint. Since I can’t eat gluten, I could not take a single bite of these cookies. Looking at them, touching them, and smelling them almost made me jump back on the wheat wagon.

I had to exert willpower. I’ll say the word again…willpower! I’m talking willpower like only eating one potato chip…or saying no when they ask if you want fries with that…or wearing nice shoes instead of your flip flips.

Since I really wanted to know if they tasted as good as they smelled, I shared them with my friends, family, and coworkers in return for their honest opinions. They said things like…

“These are the best oatmeal cookies I’ve ever tasted. Seriously. The best.”

“I took four home with me after work. I gave my parents each one, but I ate my sisters.”

“These cookies are both crisp and chewy. How did she do that?”

“These cookies are awesome. I’m having a few showers thrown before my wedding. Can you get some more?”

“Is there caramel in these? There’s something different. I need to figure it out. Do you have more?”

Where are the cookies?? Seriously???? You took them to work??!!!??”

*insert lots of whining, begging, and drooling*

The last two were from MoonPie and Woof. Okay, Woof only said one of those. Even dogs love Leigh’s Cookies.

If you’re on Facebook, check out Leigh’s Cookies page. Or better yet, check out the real things!

Now, are you drooling, too?

Randomness

2011-07-29T09:59:00.001-04:00

These are a few random photos I’ve take over the past couple of weeks…

After the Rain

Lizard Stare

Sunflowers

Coneflowers

I had the most fun experimenting with food photography for a friend who is getting ready to go prime time with her cookies. Since my kitchen is a nightmare for lighting, I had to shoot all the photographs early one morning on my deck when the light was just right. This story will be my next post… Until then.

Blessings!

Hot Summer in Cool Black and White

2011-07-17T20:10:00.001-04:00

This is the first time this summer that a cool day and a day off from work have coincided. By a cool day I mean no triple digits and high humidity. I realize that if I’m not whining about the cold weather I’m whining about the heat. It’s what I do. Anyway, here are a few snapshots taken in my yard this afternoon. It felt good to once more take a look at life from behind the lens.

Little Alien Flower

Sunflowers

Coneflowers

Why MoonPie does the cooking

2011-02-16T18:13:00.001-05:00

Today I had comp time that I needed to use so I was able to leave work early for a change. I was debating…turn right and go to Barnes and Noble for a soy latte and a little free Nook Color browsing or turn left and go home and try out a recipe that I saw on a gluten-free blog. I decided to turn left.

I should have turned right.

This is the recipe that started the disaster:

Photo courtesy of Gluten Hates Me But I’m Surviving

My results:

I know this post has nothing to do with photography. The pictures weren’t even taken using my camera. Maybe I’ll go get that latte after all.

Happy Single Awareness Day

2011-02-13T21:29:00.001-05:00

“Without Valentine's Day, February would be... well, January.” ~Jim Gaffigan

From MoonPie to Zippy

From Zippy to MoonPie

I love you, MoonPie! Thank you for making every day feel like Valentine’s Day.

Cabin Fever

2011-01-12T09:59:00.001-05:00

Waiting on the Thaw

Letting the pictures do the talking

2011-01-11T17:35:00.001-05:00

Here we go again…

2011-01-10T21:17:00.001-05:00

This is South Carolina.

It snowed seven inches this morning.

Then it sleeted for several hours during the middle part of the day.

This afternoon it rained and froze another layer on top of the seven inches of snow topped with sleet.

My neighborhood is a huge skating rink.

This is our second big snowfall in two weeks.

Remember the song Where is Thumbkin?

Global Warming Alarmists please meet “Tall Man”.

Palmetto State

Early Morning Walk

Almost Knee Deep

This is South Carolina? Really?

2010-12-26T23:01:00.001-05:00

Sheely Cemetery

Snowy Morning

MoonPie and Zippy’s Place

Merry Christmas Eve

2010-12-24T09:38:00.001-05:00

“There are no strangers on Christmas Eve.” ~~ Adele Comandini

MoonPie and I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas Eve!!!

Baby it’s cold outside!

2010-12-13T21:38:00.001-05:00

The cold weather means that I am outside as little as possible. We are flirting with record-breaking lows this week. I predict many indoor photos until we get past this cold snap. I hope we aren’t repeating last winter’s temperatures because there isn’t much farther south I can go unless I take a boat ride to Cuba. Tonight MoonPie told me again about living in Minnesota and walking with wet hair uphill both ways to and from the bus stop with temperatures in the teens while carrying a violin case. I will hear this story multiple times before spring. He will hear me whine multiple times before spring. It’s just what we do each winter.

Jeers to 1-888-BESTBUY

2010-12-12T17:58:00.001-05:00

After several weeks without a camera I finally have a replacement battery. Many thanks to the lovely Customer Service Girl who took my plight to her manager. It was my last phone call to ~~India~~ 1-888-BESTBUY that pushed my crazy button. After 50 minutes of being shuffled from person to person one of them accidently spilled the news that I was waiting for a battery that had never been ordered. I did not have my camera during Thanksgiving. I had no confidence that I would have my camera for Christmas. It was time to revisit Best Buy. MoonPie went with me so he could step in if things did not go well. I’m still not sure if his intent was to be an intimidating presence or merely to post bail.

I calmly told the Customer Service Girl that no one should have to go through calling ~~India~~ 1-888-BESTBUY after 1)paying this much for a camera; 2)paying for Best Buy’s extended “worry-free” warranty; and 3) having a store with batteries sitting on the shelf. Luckily she could sense that my strings were close to breaking and agreed with me. MoonPie breathed a sigh of relief that his services were not going to be needed and toddled off to see what was new in the big-screen tv world.

Although this picture in no way reflects the season, it was the first picture I took after charging my new battery so I am posting it.

A side-note to ~~India~~ 1-888-BESTBUY…. I’m still waiting on that confirmation email you promised. We’ll see if a battery actually makes it to my house. I won’t hold my breath.

Song stuck in my head

2010-11-07T20:15:00.001-05:00

“Hear heaven's voices sing;
Their thund'rous anthem rings
Through em'rald courts and sapphire skies.
Their praises rise.”

After church MoonPie and I stopped at Walmart to buy groceries and an electric blanket. I always leave church with good feelings, but today I also left with our closing hymn stuck in my head. I started humming it as I was walking into Walmart. I thought I was being quiet, but MoonPie heard me so he starting humming it, too. Neither of us could remember the words so we just kept humming it. Soon we were just pushing our buggy through Walmart and humming in harmony. Yes, people were staring. We didn’t care.

Faith

I found it on YouTube so you can get it stuck in your head, too.

There Is a Higher Throne, by Kristyn and Keith Getty

Don’t be fooled by the cuteness

2010-11-04T18:34:00.001-04:00

“A squirrel is just a rat with a cuter outfit.” ~~ Sarah Jessica Parker

Thief

This is the little thief who keeps raiding my squirrel-proof birdfeeder. Look closely. He is still clutching the birdseed booty in his cute little paws. I’m not sure why dogs, dolphins, and monkeys get credited with being the animal-world’s Einsteins. Squirrels are the ultimate problem solvers. When all else fails the little dudes hang by their toes and shake the feeder until the contents spill out. In the past five months I have provided enough seeds to see a small army of these little critters through the winter. Woof hates them. I am beginning to see why.

Goodbye October

2010-10-31T21:01:00.001-04:00

Capturing Fall Colors

Fall Colors 10.22.10

I took this picture over a week ago. I posted it on Facebook, but I never got around to posting it here. It’s been a crazy busy week at MoonPie and Zippy’s house. Keep reading…

Toys for Tots Halloween Motorcycle Ride

Usually I am the only one riding shotgun behind MoonPie, but yesterday I had company.

Bones

We were participating in a Toys for Tots Halloween Ride to benefit the USMC Toys for Tots Foundation. It was so nice to have this before the Holiday madness begins and the temperature turns cold. We had fantastic weather, fun people, and a really great time. So what does this have to do with us having a crazy week?

Following the ride everyone who participated was invited back to our house for a cookout. Last Sunday MoonPie starting cooking stuff for the party, but then we would eat most of it before it would cool enough to go into the freezer. We kept this up all week. Buy food. Cook food. Eat almost all of the food. Repeat. I think he made chili every night. I wonder if the people at Publix think we’re hoarding crushed tomatoes.

My job was basically to make sure we had things like plates, eating utensils, napkins, and clean toilets. At the last minute I decided that I would like to make something to contribute to the party mood. Big thanks to my Facebook friends who responded to my plea for Jello shot recipes. I thought I had made way too many, but I was wrong. It seems that some people like Jello as their appetizer, entree, and dessert. Who knew?

Happy Halloween everyone!

Dragonfly Guy

2010-10-22T17:51:00.001-04:00

I have been quite neglectful at keeping current on this blog. There’s a reason for that. MoonPie and I have been on The Great Dining Room Furniture Hunt for weeks. Every weekend we strike out for furniture stores and antique malls with the goal of finding furniture that we can both agree on. So far we’ve covered three states (seriously). We finally compromised on a table, but we still have nothing to sit on.

I have lost count of the number of pretty chairs that MoonPie has wiggled in and pronounced them as being unstable, uncomfortable, and/or not “real” wood. He has lost count of the number of sturdy comfortable “real” wooden chairs that I have pronounced as being aesthetically unpleasing. (Okay, I actually used the words “butt ugly”.) So far we’ve come home with lots of stuff that has nothing to do with the dining room. Neither of us remember what it was that we were initially looking for.

Today I put The Great Dining Room Furniture Hunt on the back burner and headed out to my favorite park with the intention of taking a picture of something fall-like to put on this blog. Forty-two pictures later and the best something fall-like I give you is an insect. I think the antique dust has clouded my vision. It has possibly seeped into my brain cells.

Dragonfly Guy 10.22.10

Next Saturday is our deadline for having the dining room completed. We aren’t going to make it. I don’t think we care anymore. I miss my photography outings. MoonPie misses his woodworking. We really want our lives back.

It’s all how you look at it

2010-09-11T07:38:00.001-04:00

"People take pictures of the Summer, just in case someone

thought they had missed it, and to prove that it really existed."
-- Ray Davies

Summer’s Last Fling ~ 09.10.10

Signs that summer is on the way out:

My current Yankee Candle tarts are called Autumn Leaves and Harvest.
I planted pansies and ornamental cabbages around my mailbox yesterday.
I keep eyeing the gorgeous mums in garden centers.
I have a fall wreath on my front door.
I almost purchased a pair of black leather slouchy boots yesterday.
I may cook pumpkin spice cake after work today.
The potted flowers on my deck are fading.

When Autumn officially arrives MoonPie will celebrate the lack of humidity. Woof will continue his mission to terrorize all the neighborhood squirrels. I will try to celebrate the good things that the season brings instead of dreading the drabness of winter. Who doesn’t like pumpkin spice cake and new boots?

Over My Shoulder

2010-09-05T21:22:00.001-04:00

Ever have this weird feeling that you’re being watched?

Pucker Up

At least it wasn’t a spider.

Some Like It Hot (Letter to Summer)

2010-09-01T18:46:00.001-04:00

Summer Stuff

Dear Summer,

I know that you are about to leave us and that makes me sad. It always seems that once September arrives you disappear and Autumn takes your place. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I hate to see Autumn arrive. The problem is that Autumn is quickly replaced by Winter who hangs around for an eternity.

You take so many things away when you leave, but here are a few things that I will miss the most:

the smell of newly mown lawns
daylight when I get up in the morning
hydrangea blossoms and Gerber daisies
daylight when I get home from work in the evenings
hummingbirds
the sound of children splashing in the pool next door
flip flops and sandals
browsing through summer produce and talking to farmers at the All Local Farmers’ Market
sitting on the deck with MoonPie
listening to cicadas and watching lightning bugs
late afternoon thunderstorms
tomatoes from a real garden
peaches
skin that isn’t dry and itchy

I decided I would make a list of things that I was glad you were taking with you, but all I could come up with was men in Speedos.

Goodbye, my friend. If I survive Winter’s visit I will see you again on Memorial Day. And always remember that no matter what my menopausal friends say, I don’t think being hot is a bad thing.

Love,

Morning Dewdrops

2010-08-31T14:04:00.001-04:00

“What Youth deemed crystal, Age finds out was dew.” ~~Robert Browning

Sunrise caught in a Dewdrop

Wanted: One Photography Muse

2010-08-29T16:42:00.001-04:00

Friday was my day off and I was determined to dust off my camera and take a few photographs. As I was walking down the path to the dock I realized I had not even bothered to remove the lens cap. I think my inspirational muse is still on summer vacation.

I took off the lens cap and started looking for something..anything..to photograph. Finally out of desperation I took a picture of a yellow flower.

Then I took another of a flowering vine that had an ant on it.

Umm hmm…it was thrilling for me, too.

Lord I hope my muse returns before winter or I may as well start using the camera on my phone.

I Like Big Butts

2010-08-07T09:07:00.001-04:00

“When you're young and you fall off a horse, you may break something. When you're my age, you splatter.” ~Roy Rogers

7.28.10 – Del Mar, California

One of the highlights of our vacation was a day at the races in Del Mar, California. If you know me at all, you know that I have a deep love and respect for equines. If you know me well, then you know that I have had this fascination for 50 years. My grandfather plunked me down on a pony named Dolly when I was three-years-old and I was hooked forever. I passed this sickness to my own two daughters and much of our shared stories revolve around memories made while on horseback. Unfortunately these days I have to admire horses from the sidelines. Life takes twisty roads and when my last horse passed away, so did my days of riding.

Probably my favorite photographs from our vacation were the ones that I took that day. Security actually told me I had to move a total of four times because I kept edging into areas that were restricted. I would smile, apologize, and kindly ask for one picture. It worked like a charm and they would say, “Just one picture, okay?” Here are a few that I took that day:

Again I apologize for bombarding this post with vacation pictures. I will try to rein it back next time.:)

Have a wonderful weekend!

It’s My Birthday

2010-08-06T20:33:00.004-04:00

I always think old age is 20 years older than I am. The problem is that now when I add 20 years to my age I come up with probably dead. Or at least wearing diapers. Tonight I’ve decided to reflect upon the good things about being my age.

I know that got your attention! What good things, right?

Listen up, Young ‘Uns. Here are a few perks of getting old:

You can tell people what you really think and they forgive you because they think you’re senile.
Things like having your joints work when you get up in the morning means it will be a great day.
Swollen fingers mean you’re less likely to lose your rings.
There’s nothing left to learn the hard way.
Gray hair actually adds body.
You can get discounts at restaurants because you always eat before 6 pm.
People don’t call after 9 pm because they assume you’ll be asleep.
All the politicians that you hated in your 20’s and 30’s are now dead.
You discover that fiber can be tasty.
You make peace with the fact that you’re never going to be an astronaut….AND…

…Wrinkles are beautiful!!

(Maybe by next year I’ll believe that last one.)

A big THANK YOU to all my wonderful friends, family, and co-workers who have wished me a Happy Birthday today! And special thanks to Moonpie whose first comment to me this morning was to tell me I’m still his cougar. Love you, too, Sweetie Pie.:) Sidenote: the photos above were taken when Moonpie and I visited the San Diego Zoo

Hang Glider For Sale**

2010-08-02T22:35:00.001-04:00

**Used once. Small stain.

Warning: Vacation Pictures Ahead

The problem with vacation pictures is that they are only entertaining to the people who were there. Maybe it’s because we (the vacationers) always bombard people with too many pictures. Maybe it’s simply because we are thinking about capturing the moment and not focusing on getting a pretty picture. So go ahead and get that glazed look on your face because the Vay-Cay pictures start now.

Torrey Pines Gliderport ~ La Jolla, CA ~ 7.25.10

When I took this picture of the hang glider (above) I was very aware that I was standing on a very high cliff above the Pacific Ocean with no safety railing. At the same time I was watching people run to the edge of the cliff and then hurl their bodies off trusting that they would fly. I didn’t really think about the camera settings until after I had taken the picture. At first I thought this was just crazy California people’s idea of fun. Then I realized that it’s the same thing down here in South Carolina when someone says, “Hold my beer and watch this!”

In addition to my “lurvely” photos, I also must share a few of Moonpie’s awesome point-and-shoot moments:

Zippy and Moonpie’s Reflection ~ Cabrillo National Monument ~Point Loma, CA ~7.25.10

Moonpie and I wanted to have a picture of us together, but we didn’t want to ask anyone to take the picture. We wrestled with this conundrum for a few minutes and then Moonpie noticed that we were reflected in the glass windows of the building. We struck a pose and Moonpie snapped our picture. It wasn’t until I downloaded the photo that I wondered what the people on the other side of those windows were thinking as we “cheesed” in front of them.

Zippy ~ Bubba’s Smokehouse BBQ ~ La Jolla, CA ~ 7.25.10

We also stumbled upon Bubba’s Smokehouse Barbecue in one of the ritziest areas of Southern California. I was so happy to find fellow Bubbas in California that I actually asked Moonpie to take this picture so I could give them a shout out. In addition to having real pit-cooked BBQ, collard greens, and cornbread, the folks at Bubba’s know what gluten intolerance is and can tell you what is safe to eat off their menu and what is not (stay away from the sweet barbecue sauce). I know why it was voted one of La Jolla’s Best of the Best!

There will be more vacation pictures to come. I will also include Moonpie’s point-and-shoot moments. Consider yourself warned.

Blessings!

A Regal Reptile

2010-07-22T13:46:00.001-04:00

“I am the lizard king. I can do anything.” ~Jim Morrison

Last night at dusk I looked over the edge of the deck and saw this guy sitting on a Hydrangea leaf right beside the railing. I went inside to get my camera, but knew I had no time to swap out my long lens or set up a tripod. By the time I got back outside there was hardly any light left. Because I have this weird aversion to using the flash, I bumped the ISO to a redunkulous fast speed and hoped for the best. (It also didn’t help that Moonpie kept “coaching” from the sidelines.) None of this bothered the lizard who continued to sit regally upon the leaf.

The Lizard King

I didn’t actually plan on posting any of these pictures because I knew they would be grainy. At the last minute I’ve decided to share one of them anyway.

Blessings!

The Very Best Season

2010-06-27T18:57:00.001-04:00

“Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.” ~~ Russel Baker

All Local Farmers’ Market

Where is my camera?

2010-05-25T21:13:00.001-04:00

Moonpie and I are moving this weekend. We have known about this for six weeks. We agreed that all the years of accumulated “stuff” would be trashed or given away. Our vision was that on moving day it would be a simple transfer of our newly organized things to the new location. It was a good plan.

Then we strayed. Instead of going through his things, Moonpie packed up my stuff. Instead of packing up my stuff I watched The Biggest Loser on Hulu. Every weekend we would glance at the empty boxes in the garage and then leave home.

We move in two days. Currently Moonpie is watching NCIS. I’m blogging. The dog is clueless that anything is about to happen. We still have lots of empty boxes.

Lord help us.

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T22:32:00.001-04:00

These are four unedited photographs that I took this morning before church. I have no idea how they will look on your monitor. When I move my screen a weird retro-60’s-psychedelic effect occurs which makes editing them a nightmare. To get the same effect, move your laptop screen or monitor back and forth. Listening to Jefferson Airplane’s White Rabbit (Go Ask Alice) may enhance the experience. (Bell bottoms are optional.)

Star Flowers in Sunlight

Pretty in Pink

Center Bud

Easter Bouquet

Blessings…

Experimenting with F-Stops

2010-03-31T21:22:00.001-04:00

"There is no such thing as a failed experiment, only experiments with unexpected outcomes. "

~Richard Buckminster Fuller

Sunday night I had dinner with my 10-month-old granddaughter. Out of the blue she suddenly took a tiny piece of bread and put it on top of her head instead of in her mouth. The experiment delighted her. Who knew wearing food on your head could be so entertaining? She would smile, clap her little hands, and then do it again.

That same day I had ventured into the backyard to take a few photographs. At first I set the camera on the settings that I usually use when photographing in the shade. On a sudden whim I decided to take one last picture using settings that didn’t make much sense just to see what would happen.…

Baby Leaves

When I downloaded the photographs this one was the equivalent of putting food on my head. I smiled, wanted to clap my hands, and I will do it again.

Blessings,

Solomon’s Song

2010-03-28T11:06:00.001-04:00

“See! The winter is past;

the rains are over and gone,

Flowers appear on the earth;

the season of singing has come,

the cooing of doves

is heard in our land.”

~Song of Songs (ch. II, v. 11-12) NIV

The authorship of this book in the Old Testament is uncertain, but is thought to have been written by Solomon during the tenth century B.C.

Blessings!

The Return of the Pollen Makers

2010-03-24T21:45:00.001-04:00

"The earth laughs in flowers."
~~ e e cummings

Bradford Pear Tree (No Partridge)

This picture was taken today in the parking lot as I was leaving for lunch. Our building is surrounded by blooming pear trees. They smell like sweaty socks, but who cares? It’s finally spring!

Spring? Is that you?

2010-03-16T22:13:00.001-04:00

"I stuck my head out the window this morning and
spring kissed me bang in the face. "

~~Langston Hughes

Daffodils

My photo mojo is slowly coming back. Too bad my tulips didn’t.

The Deep Freeze

2010-02-16T18:47:00.001-05:00

Winter came down to our home one night
Quietly pirouetting in on silvery-toed slippers of snow,
And we, we were children once again.
~Bill Morgan, Jr.

Icy View

In July I will look at this photograph and wish it could be winter again. Not.

The Optimism of Eeyore

2010-02-15T11:30:00.001-05:00

"It's snowing still," said Eeyore gloomily.

"So it is."

"And freezing."

"Is it?"

"Yes," said Eeyore. "However," he said, brightening up a little, "we haven't had an earthquake lately."

Neighborhood Snapshots

I complain about the cold, but I must admit this past weekend’s “snow event” brought a bit of magic to our lives. Thanks to waterproof fur-lined boots (that I’m not even sure why I bought), even I was able to get out into the cold and participate in the merriment.

The excitement of the neighbors’ children having a “snow war” in our yard made Woof forget that he is actually an old arthritic dog. For a few blessed hours he reverted back into our young puppy as he ran and chased them through the snow. I will always be grateful to have seen him like this for one more time.

That same magic affected Moonpie. I was surprised when he suddenly dropped into the snow and made a snow angel. Luckily I had a camera in my hand to record it although I was laughing too hard to get a clear picture.

I also felt like we had been magically dropped into a scenic snow globe. Everything in the neighborhood looked so clean and fresh. The flakes swirled outside our windows like a scene from Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

We laughed at the creative snowmen in our neighbors’ yards. I wanted to build one, too, but couldn’t bring myself to mess up the pristine white blanket that was now our yard. Maybe next time…

The magic is over. Today we’re back to a cold grey day and a steady rain. I find myself once more counting the days until this winter is over. Then I realize that if the melancholy Eeyore could find a bright spot in the midst of winter, then I should be able to do it, too. It may be cold, damp, and raining, but at least we haven’t had an earthquake lately.

Moonpie Hearts Zippy

2010-02-14T08:28:00.001-05:00

“Love is a friendship set to music.”

~~E. Joseph Cossman

Sometimes even a walk around the park can remind you that you were meant to be together.

I ♥ you, too, Moonpie.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Inclement Weather

2010-02-13T22:15:00.001-05:00

in-clem-ent

-Adjective

1. (of the weather, the elements, etc.) severe, rough, or harsh; stormy.

2. not kind or merciful.

It’s hard to think of something this beautiful as being inclement…until you see the cars being pulled out of ditches and abandoned beside the road. Fortunately most of these photos required no more than opening the back door and aiming the camera. We’ve already established that I just don’t do cold stuff well.

Yesterday afternoon Inclement Weather photographs were posted on Facebook literally seconds after the first flakes fell. By now I have seen so many Snow on Tree photographs that I think my retinas have burned. Am I the only one who thinks all these white photos begin to look alike? At any rate, I could not let The Inclement Weather pass without posting a few of my own. I was out there at dawn this morning so I could get pictures of The Inclement Weather before The Great Melt began.

I discovered there are only so many ways I can photograph white stuff. Perhaps tomorrow I will post the photos of Moonpie making a snow angel. Now that was unique!

The Snow Begins (2.12.10)

Snowflakes on the Myrtles (2.12.10)

Sunrise Through the Trees (2.13.10)

Dawn’s Early Light (2.13.10)

The Road Home (2.13.10)

It was beautiful. And inclement. And like houseguests we were delighted to see it arrive and were equally delighted to say “Goodbye”.

Winter, Winter..Go Away…

2010-02-12T13:58:00.002-05:00

“It's going to keep snowing in DC until Al Gore cries "uncle".” ~~ Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC)

Today I ventured out to the walking paths to get some fresh air and brush the cobwebs off my camera. It went like this:

Get out of the warm car.
Think about how cold I am.
Look at the cold ducks and ask them to say “Cheese”.
Realize that down-filled clothing is highly overrated for both of us.
Think about how cold I am.
Head back to the warm car.
Go to Barnes and Noble for a latte.

Hiding from the Snow

Right now I am waiting on snow to arrive in South Carolina. It was just two weeks ago when we had an ice storm move through. Snow is usually a very exciting event here in the deep South, but right now I am too tired of the cold to be excited. Last night I told Moonpie that we may have to retire to Florida. He said “No way.” Then he said we should go to Aruba instead. I love Moonpie.

Aruba it is.

My Fan Club

2010-01-26T20:26:00.001-05:00

“You can say any fool thing to a dog, and the dog will give you this look that says, ‘My God, you’re RIGHT! I NEVER would’ve thought of that!’” ~Dave Barry

Woof Blitzer

The Power of a Photograph

2010-01-24T19:49:00.001-05:00

“A photograph is memory in the raw.” ~Carrie Latet

This morning I opened my email and found my daughter had sent photos that were forwarded to her by a family member. I opened the first one and was frozen. For a moment I think I quit breathing.

My eyes filled with tears. Then they overflowed.

I remember the smile. I remember the laugh. I remember the hands. I remember the love.

Mama

I think this was taken before I was born, but I still remember you this way. And it’s a happy memory.

That’s the power of a photograph.

Pooh-Ism

2010-01-20T22:10:00.003-05:00

“Sometimes, if you stand on the bottom rail of a bridge and lean over to watch the river slipping slowly away beneath you, you will suddenly know everything there is to be known.”

~Winnie the Pooh

Under Gervais

I think I need lots and lots of river watching.

Man Shopping

2010-01-15T19:01:00.001-05:00

“Bikes don't leak oil, they mark their territory.” ~Author Unknown

Color and Chrome

Moonpie picked our shopping spot this afternoon. We did not go to Barnes and Noble.

Brain Fogged

2010-01-12T20:50:00.002-05:00

“She’s a few feathers short of a whole duck.”

~unknown

Feather on Ice

Have you ever had one of those days where nothing terrible happened, but you just haven’t been in sync with the rest of the universe? That was the kind of day I had today. Like when you come home at lunch, put $12 worth of meat in the crock pot, and then remember after you get back to work that you forgot to turn it on. That kind of day.
At my age I’m never sure if it’s normal or if IT is beginning…
What’s next? Will I forget and leave the oven on all night? Oops..already did that last week.

For a Long Time

2010-01-11T10:10:00.001-05:00

“Three feet of ice does not result from one day of cold weather.” ~ Chinese Proverb

Sunset on Ice

It has to be cold For a Long Time to get ice on ponds, lakes, and rivers here in the Deep South. Ask any of us and we’ll tell you that it has been cold For a Long Time now. Yesterday after church I put on multiple layers and headed to Target to see if they still had “texting” gloves available. I figured if I could find a pair of those gloves then I could get outside with my camera and only lose my forefingers and thumbs to frostbite.

I had success in finding the gloves, but by the time I made it to walking trails it was late afternoon. I couldn’t take the cold temperatures for long, but I’m glad I had the opportunity to at least get out with my camera and capture nature’s Ice Capades. By the end of this week the cold air is forecast to retreat back to Canada where it belongs.

I hope we don’t see a another cold snap like this For a Long Time.

Brrrr!

2010-01-10T09:04:00.001-05:00

“Winter is the season in which people try to keep the house as warm as it was in the summer, when they complained about the heat.” ~Author Unknown

Winter Branches

The number 1 reason that I love living in the South is because I don’t expect temperatures to dip much below freezing in the winter. Imagine how much I am enjoying life right now as frigid temperatures continue to grip us.

How cold is it? Even Minnesota Boy has pulled out his heavy leather Harley jacket…and he’s not riding the Harley.

Moonpie

While out-and-about yesterday we spotted a frozen fountain with an old Jeep parked under it (don’t ask). Moonpie told me to get a picture of it, but I wouldn’t leave the warm truck. He said it wasn’t that cold and I was just being a wuss. (I figured he was paying me back for telling him last summer that he wouldn’t sweat so much if he lost weight.) Anyway, he was the one who got out and took these pictures of the frozen Jeep fountain.

Jeep Under a Fountain (we don’t know why either)

According to our local news this is the third coldest start to a new year ever. I am now thinking of all the things I said I would do when Hell freezes over. It’s going to be a busy week…

Winter Angst

2010-01-03T12:29:00.001-05:00

“Every mile is two in winter.” ~ George Herbert

It isn’t raining and I would love to be outside with my camera right now. Unfortunately, I have the cold tolerance of a tropical fish. I know my family living in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan think our temperatures are flip flops and shorts weather compared to what they are enduring this week, but that doesn’t make me feel any warmer. I happen to be one of those whiners who thinks temperatures in the 70’s require a sweater, Seriously, my only complaint about our hot sticky summers is that restaurants are kept too cold. This morning I finally accepted the reality that I may be taking many indoor photos this winter.

Last week my co-worker brought in Cyclamens as gifts for us all and told me to pick which one I wanted. Most were brilliant pinks and reds, but this white one called to me with it’s one polka dot flower. At first sight I began mentally composing a photograph. How could I best capture that one different flower? There was no doubt which one was coming home with me.

Polka Dots Rock

I love this little flower that dares to be different. I hope you do, too, because it may be showing up on here again. I am not going outside with my camera until it at least warms into the 50’s.

Letter from the Dogs

2009-12-29T18:24:00.001-05:00

Note: I am currently dog sitting for a very special newlywed couple. As I warm my feet by the fire, they have theirs toasting in the beach sand of Jamaica. I am trying not to feel intense jealousy! The dogs want to send a little love…

Dear Mom and Dad!

Greetings, Mon!

We certainly hope you are having a great honeymoon! We know that you are worried about us, but we really are fine. We admit that it was nice that you felt a certain amount of guilt at leaving us. The bones that are the size of compact cars were a very nice parting gift. We are also happy that you told Zippy to pour beef broth on our food. We would have eaten it anyway, but that little extra flavor gives it such a gourmet touch!

After we ate our dinner this afternoon Zippy went outside. We thought she was leaving, but she was really only going out to the car to get her camera. We did what we usually do when she leaves…

Busted

We can explain why we’re in your bed…really! And that drool mark that Cassie left on your pillow? It will be dry by the time you get home. We promise.

Caught

Anyway, we know that you are soaking up the rays down in Jamaica right now. Please don’t worry about us. We are soaking up the rays here, too.

Davis

We can’t wait to see you again. Next time we would like for you to tell Zippy to leave the TV on for us. We tried to turn it on ourselves, but there is that whole issue of the missing thumbs. And your bed? No worries, Mon! No one will take it while you’re gone. We’re making sure of that!

With all our love…

Cassie, Olive, and Davis

The Grate Underfoot Series

2009-12-27T22:41:00.001-05:00

“There is nothing worse than a sharp image of a fuzzy concept.” ~Ansel Adams

Moonpie and I spent Sunday afternoon viewing the Ansel Adams exhibit at the Columbia Museum of Art. It was absolutely amazing. I was so inspired that I couldn’t wait to get outside and pull out my camera. Unfortunately, by the time we left it was late afternoon and overcast. And it was cold. And there wasn’t much interesting between the museum and our warm vehicle. Did I mention it was cold? I needed to focus on something that I could capture in the time it took me to walk one block. I looked down to think about it and there was my concept.

The Underfoot Series

Curvy Grate

Rectangular Grate

Signal Grate

Sewer Grate

My apologies to Ansel. These aren’t great. But they are grate.

Blessings to All

2009-12-24T16:30:00.001-05:00

^23"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” -Matthew 1:23 (King James Version)

Wishing you and yours joy and peace…

Sweet Gum Balls

2009-12-13T21:47:00.001-05:00

This morning as dawn is breaking I pour a cup of coffee and look out the window. I notice that the Sweet Gum tree is covered in seed pods. Some folks call these “porcupine eggs”. Moonpie and I call them Little Balls from Hell.

I think about how they become projectile weapons when run over by a lawn mower. I think about how impossible it is to rake them up without tearing out the grass. I think about selling them to Japan as payback for introducing us to Kudzu. (My mind actually skips around like this. Very. Scary.)

Then I begin to think they look kind of cool out there in the early morning fog. I quickly grab my camera and go out to snap a picture before the light changes. Afterwards I look down and realize that I am in the yard wearing my red reindeer pajamas and orange gardening clogs. I am glad Moonpie is still in bed. I hope the neighbors are.

Nature’s Ornaments

(Taken in the fog at daybreak. Resized, but unedited.)

Until next time…

Trespassing for Photo Number 100

2009-11-27T20:49:00.001-05:00

“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It's what sunflowers do.” - Helen Keller

Today Moonpie and I were out-and-about when I spied these growing beside the road…

I yelled out, “Stop! Go Back!” (I consider it my version of a cardiac stress test.)

Moonpie has a strong (and very kind) heart so he turned the truck around and waited while I climbed down a hill onto Someone Else’s property and into Someone Else’s garden.

The wind was really gusting, but I have never seen such a clear blue sky. I quickly snapped a few photographs and then bolted back up the hill and into the waiting truck. Moonpie gave me a high five and we resumed being out-and-about. I’ll bet Someone Else will be wondering how those little footprints wound up in his garden.

This is my 100th blog photograph. I think these were worth risking a trespassing charge.

Warning: Whining Ahead

2009-11-23T22:37:00.001-05:00

I think I was “glutened” at Chili’s on Friday. Even though they have a GF menu, they also have a disclaimer that cross-contamination is possible. Yes. It. Is. They were extremely busy that night, the waiter’s eyes glazed over when I said the word gluten, and, well… I just should have known better.

Saturday I woke up with a really bad headache that wouldn’t go away no matter how many Advil I consumed. (My liver is probably toast.) Sunday I had fatigue, muscle/joint aches, abdominal cramps, and crankiness. Lots and lots of crankiness. Today the final symptom showed up, but it would be TMI to describe it. Let’s just call it the “ridding of the gluten”. I am less cranky now. This makes Moonpie very happy.

This photo has nothing to do with gluten, but it does reflect what I’ve felt like all weekend: dull and lifeless.

Stick in the Mud in King’s Creek

Chicks with Sticks

2009-11-18T21:59:00.004-05:00

“I like making a piece of string into something I can wear.” ~Author Unknown

View Full Album

Basket of Yarn and Sticks

How to have a great day at work…

help a co-worker with her “Chicks with Sticks" program
spend the afternoon knitting
get paid to do it
WOOT!

Autumn Jewelry

2009-11-17T20:33:00.001-05:00

“Every leaf speaks bliss to me,
Fluttering from the autumn tree.”
Emily Bronte

Canopy of Gold

Hanging On

Giving Thanks

2009-11-15T11:18:00.004-05:00

The weather is perfect. Nature is putting on it’s most beautiful show of the season. I have a pot of spaghetti sauce cooking on the stove. Moonpie and I are truly blessed to have our health, our family, our friends, and our faith.

“Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy."

~Guilaume Apollinaire

Leaf in King’s Creek

The Road Home

A Walk in the Woods

2009-11-14T22:46:00.001-05:00

falling leaves
hide the path
so quietly

~John Bailey, "Autumn"

The Path to King’s Creek

Going Around in Circles

2009-11-08T21:28:00.001-05:00

My plans for today:

make a gluten-free Devil’s Food Cake with Coconut Pecan Frosting
go to church
eat lunch/cake
spend an afternoon in the park taking dazzling photographs with my camera
eat dinner/cake
post dazzling photographs on blog

My day as it happened:

spent two hours making frosting
searched for round cake pans
barely made it to church on time
purchased two new cake pans after church
ate lunch/no cake
spent almost two hours making the cake so the frosting wouldn’t be wasted
spent 1/2 hour frosting the cake
ate leftover frosting for dinner while admiring the ~~frickin’~~ cake

I don’t know what the cake tastes like, but it can’t be worth missing an afternoon out with my camera. I don’t even like sweets. My purpose was to check out the recipe to see if it would make my Thanksgiving menu. The jury is still out on that one.

Fall leaves photograph taken while the cake was cooling

The infamous Gluten-Free Devil’s Food Layer Cake with Coconut Pecan Frosting:

Side note: This cake/frosting may not have gluten, but it does have a total of 6 whole eggs, 6 egg yolks, and 8 sticks of butter. Paula Dean is smiling.

My Yard has Seasonal Affective Disorder…

2009-11-06T16:57:00.001-05:00

Doctor appointments ate up my entire morning and part of my afternoon, but I refused to let the day go by without taking a few photographs. Since a road trip was out of the question, I ventured out the back door. While looking around for something to say “Pick me! Pick me!” it dawned on me that my yard is having somewhat of an identity crisis. What season is it?

Is it Fall?

Or is it still summer?

At least some things never change.

Woof needs a haircut no matter what season it is.

Head Shoulders Knees and Toes…(wear out)

2009-11-04T10:34:00.005-05:00

Getting old is not for sissies. I’ve already had both my shoulder joints give it up. Now it’s a disc in my neck. As I was walking up the stairs to my doctor appointment yesterday my knee began to hurt. I didn’t mention it. I can only concentrate on one joint at the time.

Anyway, I have been officially sidelined for a couple of days. It only took one afternoon off from work to allow the boredom to set in. These are the things I amused myself with late yesterday afternoon while sitting in the chair with the laptop:

created a music playlist of old songs (flashback to the 70’s when my joints all worked)
installed Windows Live Writer
spent two hours trying to figure out why Windows Live Writer wouldn't work
discovered that the neck pillow bought in an airport as an impulse buy feels wonderful
realized that ice on my neck is annoying, but a steaming washcloth is divine
revisited several folders of old photos that were never deemed "blog worthy" --(including the one below)

I can relate to Ms. Turtle. I’m not wanting to stick my neck out either.

Rainy Weekends and Mondays (get me down)

2009-11-01T20:58:00.000-05:00

We ended October with rain. We have begun November with rain. I know the sun will come out tomorrow because I have to go back to work.

Woods, Water, and Wildlife..Oh My!

2009-10-23T21:42:00.000-04:00

I was going to do laundry today. Truly I was. But the leaves were orange, and yellow, and gold. I will do laundry tomorrow. Really.

Smokey

2009-10-12T08:34:00.001-04:00

You have met our Yorkie, Woof. He is loud, yappy, and assertive. He thinks he is a big dog and guards his domain as though it is his job. Unfortunately there is seldom a time when Woof is not barking so I tend to tune him out. It is our neighbor's dog, Smokey, that actually keeps an eye on our property. He hangs his arms over our neighbor's deck railing and watches our yard for activity. If anyone comes in the yard that he doesn't know, you can bet he lets loose his "I will eat you" bark.

We will be leaving this neighborhood soon. There are so many things that I will miss when we move from this home.

Smokey's watchful eye is one of them.

Happy Fall, Y'all!

2009-10-03T21:51:00.000-04:00

October is my favorite month. It is cooler, but still warm. The landscape lights up with oranges, yellows, and reds. I went out today with the purpose of capturing this glorious season. Instead I wound up with multiple photos of duck butts. Go figure.

HGTV, where are you?

2009-09-27T22:06:00.000-04:00

Today we stopped to ~~snoop around~~ admire an old Victorian home (circa 1800's) in Prosperity, SC. I told Moonpie that if I won the lottery I would restore an old home like this one. He said that if he won the lottery he would build a big new house on the lake. The more I thought about it, the more I liked his idea.

As you can see, this home would best be called a "Peeling Painted Lady".

As we were walking around the house I spied some old bottles sitting in the doorway of a storage shed.

This turned out to be my favorite photo of the day. I wanted to see what other interesting things were in there, but my fear of spiders kept me out.

While we were ~~snooping~~ looking around, the realtor stopped by and gave us his "bidness" card. If you're interested in taking on a restoration project, let me know. There is a very old Victorian lady who would love to get some new makeup.

Peace

2009-09-26T21:17:00.000-04:00

Peace Lily

F 5.6; Exposure: 1/60 sec.; ISO: 400; Focal Length: 250 mm

Digitally inverted using PhotoImpact

Living Life in Color

2009-09-13T19:05:00.003-04:00

When I was born there weren't many television shows broadcast in color. It was such a big deal that in 1956 the NBC Network began making their announcement with a big peacock.

He would fan out his tail feathers and proudly proclaim that the following program would be "in living color". This gave everyone time to adjust the rabbit ears on top of their set or, if you were truly high-tech like my family, the antennae on top of your house.

Since I usually love posting black-and-white photos I would like to warn you that this blog will be brought to you

... in living color...

Exposure Time: 1/1600 sec; F/5.6; ISO: 400; Focal Length: 235 mm

Exposure Time: 1/320 sec; F/5.6; ISO: 200; Focal Length: 250 mm

Exposure Time: 1/60 sec; F/7.1; ISO: 200; Focal Length: 250 mm

Exposure Time: 1/250 sec; F/5.6; ISO: 640; Focal Length: 250 mm

Exposure Time: 1/40 sec; F/16.0; ISO: 200; Focal Length: 250mm

Exposure Time: 1/200 sec; F/5.6; ISO: 200; Focal Length: 250 mm

Exposure Time: 1/200 sec; F/11.0; ISO: 200; Focal Length: 250 mm

Exposure Time: 1/25 sec; F/10.0; ISO: 200; Focal Length: 250 mm

Does she or doesn't she? Hair color so natural only her hairdresser knows for sure!

Exposure Time: 1/160 sec; F/13.0; ISO: 800; Focal Length: 250 mm

Have a blessed (and colorful) week!

Back to Black (and White)

2009-09-08T10:19:00.001-04:00

I know..I just can't leave things alone. I always wonder what a picture would look like in black-and-white. Sometimes I see patterns that I miss when color gets in the way.

(Above): The Princess always looks happy in both color and black-and-white.

(Above and Below): Sometimes I think things that have a pattern do better in black-and-white.

(Above:) Ever wonder how animals that only see in black-and-white ever see Mr. Gator?

Note to self: wrinkles show up more in black-and-white.

Now I must go to work. It is really a blessing that I have a job or I would probably never get up from this computer.

Where the Wild Things Are

2009-09-07T23:34:00.005-04:00

Today we visited the Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Wow is it pretty! I have so many great pictures that I've found it hard to decide which ones to post first. These should probably be cropped, tweaked, edited, etc, but it is too late and I'm too tired so I'm just putting them up the way they are.

One of my favorites was taken as we were leaving the park. I looked over and this little girl in a bright dress was playing in the dirt. I loved the bright colors so I quickly turned around and snapped this photo:

Another favorite photo was taken when we passed the elephant exhibit. I took this through a fence between two screaming children. I didn't expect much from it, but it turned out to be one of my favorites. Can you tell where the dirt bank ends and the elephant begins?

While we were touring the gardens, Moonpie called me over and pointed out this weird "bird bug" that was flitting from flower to flower. When it was flying around it looked like something that was half hummingbird and half insect. The wings were going so fast you couldn't see them. Who knew they were this pretty?

Wait...Moonpie just looked it up and tells me it is called a Clearwing Hummingbird Moth. Hey..never say you don't learn things from reading this blog! And this is why I love it so much! Until next time...

Enjoying My Labor-Not Day

2009-09-07T08:56:00.000-04:00

I hope everyone is enjoying your day whether you are truly laboring on this holiday or just being bums like me and Moonpie. Here are a couple more pictures from yesterday. It just didn't feel right posting these colorful ones with all the black-and-white ones so they get their own spot.

The Butterfly has been cropped, but otherwise unedited.

F-Stop: f/7.1; Exposure Time: 1/200 sec.,; ISO- 100; Focal Length: 55 mm.

The Elephant Ear is unedited.

F-Stop: f/6.3; Exposure Time: 1/160 sec.; ISO - 400; Focal Length: 55mm

The "Insert Name Here" Park Safari

2009-09-06T23:20:00.000-04:00

Today Moonpie and I decided to head to a park downtown for an impromptu photo safari. It was during the very hottest part of the day, but it seemed like a good idea at lunch when we were sitting in the Arctic temperatures in Chili's. Seriously, it was so cold in there that even Moonpie asked them to please turn the air conditioner off...and he's from Minnesota. But I digress...

This park has a name, but I'm not sure what it is and I'm too lazy to look it up right now. It's a beautiful place with the river on one side and the canal on the other. Inside an old pumphouse you can see some of the old machinery that was used when making hydroelectric power. The picture of the gauge was taken inside there. I also climbed inside an old wooden tower and aimed my camera straight upward. I got some weird stares from people when I was doing that. These aren't typical pictures from a place this scenic, but I sure had fun taking them.

The Tree Man from Ecuador

2009-09-01T19:04:00.001-04:00

He was part of a forest once. Then one day someone took a carving knife and turned him into a man. He was purchased and brought home where he lived inside for many years. Later it became apparent that insects had made him their home. So so he had to go outside. Now, although the weather has taken its toll, he is proud to once more be part of a forest.

Let Me In

2009-08-29T23:22:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I was heading downstairs with the laundry basket when I noticed the Woofster looking through the back door. I set the laundry down and picked up my camera because I ~~hate doing laundry~~ love taking pictures of my dog.

He looks really cute until you get this picture and zoom to 100%....

.

...and get a good look at the droplets hanging off his nose. Yes, I had the same reaction.

Carry on...

Making Sawdust

2009-08-23T14:09:00.006-04:00

Every morning Moonpie begins his day by venturing into the garage (aka "the Man Cave") and turning a piece of wood on the lathe. Sometimes it turns into a bowl, sometimes a walking cane, and sometimes he just makes odd little wooden things that have no purpose at all. As a result of this obsess..umm hobby, the wood dust covers everything from my car to the floors inside the house.

Anyway, this morning before church I was sitting here sipping on my first cup of coffee, listening to the familiar "man noises" coming out of the garage, and thinking that I should really pick some of the larger wood chips out of Woof's hair before he deposited them on my newly vacuumed stairs. Then I began to wonder what it would look like if I photographed Moonpie's sawdust as it was being created. As a result, here are the chips falling where they may...

The Birth of a Bowl : Shutter: 1/20 sec.; ISO: 800; f/5.4; focal length: 79 mm

Letting the Chips Fly [Shutter: 1/30; ISO: 800; f/5.6; focal length: 100 mm ]

Moonpie's Fairy Dust [Shutter: 1/30; ISO: 800; f/5.6; focal length: 100 mm]

New Baby Bowl [Shutter: 1/10; ISO: 800; f/5.6; focal length: 116 mm]

The Winnsboro Rural Safari

2009-08-22T19:41:00.007-04:00

Today Moonpie and I were out scooterpooping (something old people do) and decided to pull over in Winnsboro to take a few photos. After we got home I began playing with the photos using Photoimpact. Well let me tell you that this computer program can be quite addictive.

The first photo demonstrates what I did. Moonpie's right side is the unretouched photo. The left side has been "enhanced". I may have gotten a bit carried away, but I guarantee you that Winnsboro has never looked more interesting. I'm not sure if these photos are artsy or annoying. Regardless, here they are in their "tweaked" glory.

Photographing a Moving Target

2009-08-19T20:26:00.009-04:00

"Why do you keep pointing that black box at me?"

Photo Tip #32: You can sometimes get your dog to stop barking and look at you by saying "Do you wanna treat?" Be prepared to snap the picture quickly because he will immediately bolt for the treat jar. This trick only works once.

Zoom Zoom

2009-08-15T20:31:00.008-04:00

One of the deciding factors of going with my Canon Rebel Xsi was so that I could use Moonpie's telephoto lens. Unfortunately, I discovered on my Urban Safari that it wouldn't work with my camera. I was disappointed at first, but then I remembered that Canon makes more of them things everyday and would just be tickled to death to sell me one. So last night Moonpie and I headed to Publix's Coinstar, cashed in two year's worth of Moonpie's loose change that I had earmarked to be Vegas gambling money, and then paid a visit to Best Buy.

At dawn this morning I could not wait to try out the new zoom lens. I ventured out in the fog and spotted the beautiful Crepe Myrtle blossoms surrounding my deck. Since I was still wearing my pj's, the ability to zoom in without venturing into the yard was appreciated by both myself and the neighbors. I immediately discovered that the longer the lens, the harder it is to keep the camera from moving. (I have a feeling that a tripod is in my future.) Even when I propped my arms on the deck railing I could tell that the camera was moving.

I had to wait until after work to see my results from this morning. I was actually pretty impressed with a few of them..and surprised. This lens isn't a professional one, but I'm just thrilled with it..and that's all that counts, right?

Above: f/5.6 ; ISO: 100; Focal length: 55mm; Exposure Time: 1/2 second

Above and Below: f/5.6; ISO: 400; Focal Length: 250mm; Exposure Time: 1/60 Second

Yee and Haw!

The Urban Safari ~ Architecture

2009-08-09T21:01:00.011-04:00

This afternoon Moonpie and I decided to go to downtown Columbia and take a few pictures. I was reading about interesting ways to make artsy-fartsy photos (a technical term) using architecture and figured that Main Street was as good a place to start as any.

I was walking back to the truck when I noticed Moonpie taking this picture. For a minute we were dueling cameras. I took one of him, but it wasn't flattering so he made me get rid of it. I agreed though. I did not want him posting the one he took of me where it looks like I have four chins. Anyway..I digress...

Here's part of our Urban Safari beginning with a very modern building reflecting one of the oldest.

The next picture is the building that is in this reflection..

Moonpie thinks this looks like something that would be in Europe. He would know since he has been there. I would not know since I never get to go anywhere.

For some reason I became obsessed with this gate beside an Episcopal Church that they are renovating.

Here's another gate picture..

..and another gate picture.

These are windows in the church. Except for resizing the photo, nothing has been changed in this picture.

We also spent a good bit of time in a very pretty neighborhood, but those photos will have to wait for another day.

Hiking to Photograph the Saluda

2009-08-09T00:28:00.006-04:00

Yesterday my dear husband, Moonpie, and I decided to scope out the Saluda River. We picked an area that was near the Riverbanks Zoo off of Greystone Boulevard. It was a spur of the moment decision to stop there as was evident by us having a truck full of perishable items and an outside temperature of 95-degrees. We parked in the shade and figured we would only be gone a few minutes. What we didn't know was that getting down to the actual river would require a hike that would make mountain goats proud.

Moonpie bravely forged ahead jumping down over some really sharp rocks carrying my camera bag. I hyperventilated behind him and grasped onto whatever I could so as not to tumble down. My thoughts weren't for my own safety, but for the safety of the new camera that was hanging around my neck.

The photograph above was taken when we finally hit level ground and I found a rock flat enough to stand on and still keep my balance. As you can see, Moonpie is on a mission!

(Above) While I was snapping a few pictures I had no idea that Moonpie was snapping pictures of me. When I saw this picture two things came to mind: 1) I need to color my hair; 2) All those years of my mother nagging me about my posture paid off.

(Above) This picture was the one that I had the most fun editing after I got home. This is how the camera caught the scene in its entirety. Look carefully in the lower left corner. Do you see the shoes to the right of the blue and red coolers?

(Above) Here are the shoes after zooming, cropping, and tweaking using my photoediting software. (I use PhotoImpact). It has most of Photoshop's bells and whistles, but is a bit more user-friendly. Unfortunately, I have explored only a very teeny part of what this program is capable of doing.

(Above) In this picture I was trying to capture the water's movement without it being a blur. I'm still not doing this successfully, but will keep trying. I guess I need to up the shutter speed another notch.

(Above) I was also capture the water in movement in this photo. I think I was a little more successful in the previous picture.

(Above) This was a quiet little cove area that we discovered while taking a different path back out. By this point I was dripping sweat and really wanted to go lie down in this water. But alas...

My fearless partner-in-crime, Moonpie, led me back up the hill, over the rocks, and through the vegetation (enough prepositions for you?) to some well-earned air conditioning.

Thanks for joining us on this random photo trip.

My Inner Ansel Adams

2009-08-07T20:28:00.017-04:00

This afternoon after work I was looking through the book Ansel Adams 400 Photographs and came across this black-and-white photo of poison ivy.

After thinking about this for a while I decided to go find some poison ivy of my own to photograph. (This is the way old women live on the edge, by the way.) Living in the Deep South like I do, it just so happens that I didn't have to go far to find the stuff. As a matter of fact it is just a few steps from my back door (which in hindsight is a bit unnerving).

Once I got out there it was after 7 pm and the light wasn't that great. I also discovered that if I used any of the automatic modes the flash would try to activate and that was just annoying. All of the photos using the automatic settings turned out rather poopy (a technical term) and wound up in my computer's recycle bin. Anyway, I reset the camera to manual and got a few shots that I can live with. Here's the results:

This is my version of black-and-white poison ivy. I'm missing the little white flowering weeds that Ansel had in my inspiration photo. It did get a bit more interesting when I viewed the photo in the editing program...

I had no idea that the leaves were so hairy or that there were little spider webs draped across the leaves. I do have a backyard with grass, but where the grass ends..

...the backyard becomes deep woods. (Note-to-self: Buy mosquito repellent) While I was back there finding the poison ivy I decided to snap a photo of all the ferns growing wild. I just have to shake my head when I think of how much we paid Home Depot for the same kind of ferns to put on our deck. On the other hand, we didn't have to risk rolling in poison ivy to get them either. Until next time...

Happy Birthday to Me!

2009-08-06T18:15:00.008-04:00

Why is it that I never have a camera when I need one? Tonight when leaving Chili's I saw a hawk sitting on top of a light in the middle of the large shopping center parking lot. Photo op...missed! Then across the street there was the Moe's Restaurant car parked at a Rush's Restaurant..'nother photo op...missed!

I, on the other hand, did pull out my camera for a few pictures today...

I should be reading these books instead of taking pictures. I have storytime tomorrow and haven't a clue yet what I'm going to read. What I really want to look at are...

...these books! I checked them out today. I want to be inspired. I want to channel in my inner photographer so that I can...

..take pictures like this one instead of taking pictures OF pictures like this one..did that make any sense at all? (Zippy's Photo of a Photo by Elliott Erwitt, Personal Exposures)

Okay..back to those storytime books...

Out of the Box

2009-08-02T22:08:00.012-04:00

Here are two first attempts with my new Canon Rebel XSi EOS 450D. This was taking the camera straight out of the box without using the instruction booklet. The learning curve on this camera is pretty steep. (Old dog + new tricks = yikes!) Another problem is that I tend to jump into something with both feet and then find out later what I did wrong rather than just do it right the first time.

This picture below was taken on the Tv setting with a shutter speed of 1/200 in late afternoon. I was hoping to catch a water drip in a nice crisp picture. It isn't nearly what I had hoped, but it still did a much nicer job than the point-and-shoot.

The picture below was taken on the auto-focus mode inside my house. I cropped the photo to center in on the detail. I know..another flower picture. Could I be more predictable? I wish I had at least had a bug on here to liven things up.