Little Scraps of Magic

Why Photography?

 
"These are little scraps of magic and when you paste them all together, you get a memory of something fine and strong...."

                                                           Brian Andreas

Kat, over at "The Kat Eye View of the World" challenged those of us taking her course, "Finding Your Eye," to figure out why we shoot pictures. I've been mulling it around in this already overcrowded brain of mine these past few days.

And, I've finally decided, that I'm trying to capture the magic, whether it's an abandoned building with the most gorgeous layers of colors or my grandson't smile.

 
I find myself taking pictures of "things" far more often than people. When I do shoot people (Doesn't that sound awful?), they're family members. I want to capture the babies, my dad as he ages, my husband's grin. It's all going by so terribly fast.

 
The camera helps me to "focus" on all the tiny details of life, especially the ones I could so easily overlook as I rush to get things done. The camera slows me down, gives me a chance to breathe. It gives me a chance to tell my story, and I firmly believe that we need to tell our stories. After all, as someone said, if we don't tell our stories, someone else will.  And, that someone else is going to get it wrong. I want my grandchildren not only to see me as "Baba," but as a woman in her own right as well.

 
Color, line, and texture grab my attention. I don't remember my first camera; it seems as if I've always owned one. And, of course, the first shots were willy nilly. I chopped off heads, for example, and it amuses me not end that what people once told me was a bad shot, is now considered "arty!"

My camera is a natural extension of my arm; it feels right. It feels like it belongs there, and it does.

I need, and need is not too strong a word, to capture the magic of the everyday, to preserve memories, to tell my story. I get lost for hours when I'm shooting. And, even when I'm not, my mind's eye snaps away, framing the magic in my mind.

 

Life Is Large

Just a bit over 7 years ago, we lost mom to breast cancer. We began with ways to honor her...a walk on Mother's Day, contributions to funds when and where we could. My sister has taken it one step further; she's walked the 3 Day, 60 Miles walk several times now, and mom is with her in the form of a picture hung around her neck.

Yesterday, we ventured onto the grounds of the Washington Monument to honor not only mom, but all women who have been touched in any way by this disease, and really, who has not?

Denise's son came into D.C. from NYC, just to see his mom cross the finish line, and to give her that much needed hug.

 

I wish I had the words to describe this...the sheer energy that bounced everywhere. The smiles...on faces of women who had just finished 60 miles of walking, much of it in horrendous weather. Women who camped at night in the mud, and all but crawled up hills at various times.

 
And, from somewhere deep inside, these incrediable women pulled out some more energy, because they didn't walk in. Oh, no..they danced in! Their smiles were wide, they just vibrated. I cried as I snapped pics. I just cried, and I didn't much care.

 
Some women couldnt walk, but they needed to honor their loved one, and so, of course, another woman would push her. Yes, push her all 60 miles! Can you say courage? Determination?

 
And, the men? Well, they were there as well, all decked out in their pink, hoping to make the walkers smile and laugh.

But,it was the little touches that pulled at me...

 
The big burly construction worker sort of guy, who...

 
...who decked out that pink helmet with all sorts of "bling."

 
Or, maybe just some pink pom poms on some well worn sneakers. This gal was bouncing along in flip flops. I don't think she wanted to stuff her feet back into those sneakers for anything.

 
As all the walkers come in, they form two long lines, creating a special path for the last group...the survivors. Look at these women...all ages, colors, races, sizes, and shapes. This disease has no boundaries; it touches us all.

 
Look at her face; it says it all. I see triumph, mixed with pain, mixed with endurance, mixed with sheer joy at finishing.... a survivor, in my book anyway, or more than breast cancer.

 
Yes, everyone deserves a Life Time, don't they?

 
As we made our way back to the Metro, these 2 pink balloons drifted slowly across a gorgeous blue sky, carrying someone's hopes and dreams. Dreams for a cure. Dreams for that Life Time.

 
The metro ride back to my house was long and packed with bodies, many of them in pink. Many of them sharing smiles and stories. These two faced an even longer ride back to Philly and NYC, both of them tired. But, I don't think either would have it any other way.

This has been a long post; I took so many more pictures. They're on my FlICKR blog. If you've stayed with me, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I needed to share this story. These women are my heroes.

Sunday Morning Musings

Outside my window cars speed by, some on their way to church, and others...well, who knows where?

I am thinking that weekends are far too short, and that I need more of them.

I am thankful for Autum Roast Coffee from Einstein Bagels...so good!

From the kitchen, well not much is happening. We seem to have survived on fast food and take out these past several days.

I am wearing a black flannel sort of nightgown, dotted here and there with leaves and berries in shades of pink and purple.

I am creating a "Ta Da" book, a collage or two, and many journal pages.

I am going into D.C. later on to see my sister finish the 60 mile Breast Cancer Walk.

I am reading a few second hand books - mysteries - by Lawrence Block. Phil and I bought these in a really neat little book shop in Purcellville a few weekends back.

I am hoping that it won't rain while I am on the grounds of the Washington Monument today! I've had quite enough of walking back and forth in the rain lately.

I am hearing our cats try to convince Phil that they haven't already been fed this morning.

Around the house, bodies are crashed in various places, and one or two is stirring. (And, if the don't start stirring here shortly, let's just say that I'll help them along!)

One of my favorite things is to take more camera and just go see what I can capture.

A few plans for this week: lesson plans to write and papers to correct, getting caught up with Lesley Riley's class, starting Kat's photography class, journaling, and some "Dancing With the Stars."

And a picture to share:

 

 
My grandparents went to Panera and all I got was this lousy bag!

Monochromatic Color

 
Over at Kat's blog, some color wheel exploration has been going on! Kat covered several different color wheel "schemes," but as I've wandered through my photos tonight, I seem to be focused (not a deliberate pun!) on monochromatic photos. As Kat explains it, let go of the idea of black/white or sepia. Think instead about the feeling of one dominant color. I shot this scene while waiting to go on our moonlight sail at St. Michael's in Maryland. This might even be a bit "analogous" since as I look a bit closer, I'm seeing shades of blues and greens.

 

 
A bit of a different take on "blue!" My sister and I shared this delightful rum raisin scone and some spiced coffee. I loved this bunny plate; it just made me smile!

 

 

The coolness of the forest floor...so many greens!

 

 
Shades of gray...an "altar" found along the shores of Lake Erie.

 

 
More grays, but a very different "feel." Shot on the deck of a restaurant in Wacherpreague, VA. This place has a melt in your mouth crabcake salad. I've sampled many a crabcake, purely in the interest of science, and I put the gold seal of approval on this one!

 

 
Another forest floor, and a photo I nearly deleted instantly! I'm so glad I didn't, because I've fallen in love with the blurry background...shades of glorious color and light!

So many more pictures that I could share. I hope you've enjoyed these! I'm learning to look and to "see." I'm beginning to put it all into play before I shoot, and I'm loving this play time.

Tomorrow brings Friday...smiles here! And, I'm pleased to report that even though they haunted me every time I passed the faculty workroom....I did NOT eat the brownies!!!!

Figuring It All Out

 
Wouldn't you think that by now I'd have figured it out? Life, that is...what I want out of it, what I want to do with the rest of it? How to get there? And, why do I keep doing the same dumb stuff over and over? Like that second brownie I happily devoured this morning, when I shouldn't have even had the first? (But, I do have to tell you that they were both delcious!) At any rate, if I want to lose weight, I should not have been eating that brownie (those brownies!).

I just finished listening to Lesley's podcast (Artist's Sucess), and my homework this week is to set some goals..some very specific measurable goals.

And, here's my problem. There is just so much that I want to do! Journaling. Photography. Writing. Drawing. Figuring out watercolors. Can I marry the photography with my journaling? Then there's fabric, espcially working to create my own designs. And, oh, yeah...paste paper. I love, love, love paste paper.

And, that list goes on and on.

So, what parts of it are really really important to me? And what parts are momentary distractions? Geez, but I wish I knew!

But, I do - at least some of them.

A camera feels like an extension of me. I am blissfully happy with one in my hand. I abosolutely know that this picture taking is part of what ever it is that I want from this life.

And, the journaling is a huge part of it as well...both the creating of my own journals and the filling of them.

I think that the fabric, stitching, and sketching are more "interests." I'm not so sure that I really need to be doing them or is it just that I wish I could do them better than I do? So, maybe they're the bright shiny objects that distract this magpie mind of mine!

I have some catching up to do with Lesley's class, but I'm already seeing some benefits. I am keeping a "Ta-Da" book, which has jump started my journaling re-entry. I'll be relistening to both podcasts and getting my rear in gear over these next few days. And, that's a good thing.

Oh, and well, while it doesn't negate those brownies, Phil and I took our second walk this week. It felt good. It needs to be longer and I need to be faster. But, we did it, and that's a start. It's 2 more walks than I've taken in a very long time!

What My Mind Knows

 
What my mind knows and whatmy heart accepts can be so very different.

I know the progression of dementia; I know that my dad will continue to spiral madly downhill.

My heart longs for the man who had an unending twinkle in his eye and a smile as big as the Mississippi.

My mind knows that the present means nothing much to him; he's truely lost in time and space.

My heart longs for him to say his name.

And so it goes.

So it goes.

Yesterday, I sat and finished this page. I had created the layered background early in June, but then I wasn't sure where to take it.

A few weeks ago, I added a photo I took last summer in Saratoga Springs, NY. I love the pop of the black against the color. I love the peace on her face.

Then the page sat some more.

Finally, yesterday, I picked it up...stamped and journaled.

My dad doesn't know me; he's not really even aware that I'm feeding him.

I sat and rubbed his back and his head; it seemed to calm him.  We held hangs for the longest time, his grip firm and unyeilding - my hands, an anchor of sorts.

For him, it seemed to be enough, and that's a good thing. It's what I can give him now and it's what he seems to need.

We're continuing this journey into unknown territory together, and I'm simply glad to hold his hand along the way.

The tables have really turned, haven't they. He held my hand; he held me up as I struggled towards adulthood.

Now, it's my turn to be the adult, as he regresses toward childhood.

He has no clue as to how many lessons he's still teaching me, the biggest one...well, to live my life fully and as completely as I can.

Here's to you, dad!

Sunday Morning Musings

Outside my window, clouds blanket the sky and peeks of autumn are everywhere.

I am thinking a great deal about my father and just how hard yesterday was.

I am thankful for all the days I spent with him, loving him, and being loved back. I am really thankful that he said "I love you, too" aloud. My dad was of the generation where men didn't really ever say that aloud, and I can't tell you the last time I heard those words from him.

From the kitchen come the sounds of Phil cooking.

I am still wearing my nightgown. It's been hard getting started this morning.

I am creating pages full of color and thoughts in my journals.

I am going to be spending hours on schoolwork and at the computer.

I am reading and re-reading different publications and blogs, soaking up the eye candy and inspiration.

I am hoping that my computer gets hooked up this week and that my social studies books come in. Life will get much easier then!

I am hearing the sound of the keyboard, bacon or sausage sizzling, and traffic flowing by.

Around the house the cats and dog are hoping that something falls as Phil cooks. Various things from dad's house wait to be dealt with and the school bag mocks me. I want to curl up and read instead.

One of my favorite things is a glorious fall day ablaze with color with pumpkins everywhere.

A few plans for the week: schoolwork, "Back to School Night" on Tuesday, sorting through the button box found in the attic, and taking photos.

Here's a picture of a journal page I'd like to share!

 
Done in my "recylced pages" using dad's National Geographics, part of a bag from yesterday's breakfast, some new tape, and a painted over magazine image altered a bit!

 

TGIF!

 
Every part of me aches.

Every part of me is sagging.

Whew...........it's been a great week, but a hectic one.

Picture me trying to teach 20 some sixth graders place value, 2 ways, both ways involving rather large numbers.

Know that the blinds meant for my room have gone missing and that I face the playground. I am on the ground floor.

Also, know that it is the end of the day.

Now, add to the picture 3 or so people busily washing my windows.

Want to guess what enthralled my sixth graders? It wasn't the math!

But..........the fellow teacher down the hall had it worse. They were drilling through the wall right outside his classroom. I could hear the drill in my room and he is around the corner and at the far end of his hallway!

My sixth graders and I have worked our way through 3 of the 4 schedules.

There is one that takes care of M, T, and Th.

There is another one for First Friday.

And, yet another for Friday.

They have lockers for the first time...with combination locks!

I am just beyond proud of them. No matter how many times we needed to change procedures, because we are in a new building and what looks good on paper doesn't always translate well to reality, they went with the flow. They are trying hard to please, and really, really want to know the answers to questions such as "Why are angels always naked?" Please know that the questioner was not trying to be a smart alec. He was looking at a picture of a cherub at the time. This led to another student pointing out, quite sincerely, that adult angels were clothed and only the babies were naked. And he wanted to know why angels were never shown as teenagers.

And...the above discussion took place during math. (It got even more attention than the window washers.)

Inquiring minds want to know.

I love these kids; they make me proud. It's going to be a fabulous year!

The page spread you see finishes up a little journal won in a giveaway from Dawn a while back. The right side of the spread was done on the inside side of the back cover, which happened to be some recylced cardboard, complete with stitching. I had a great deal of fun working on it and now "get" why so many artists love cardboard!

Now, off to take a shower and to soak away all the achy bits!

Happy weekend!

Random Bits

 
Random bit...no great plan.

Sometimes it's fun to just grab all those leftover pieces and glue them down.

Sometimes it's the Starbucks bag, simply because I like the clean bold graphic design. (I liked the berry crumble cake that was inside the bag even better.)

I'm loving the zebra striped tape, aren't you?

Yesterday, we hit nearly 90 degrees. It's in the mid 50's as I type.

Pumpkin spice lattes are back.

Life is very good indeed.

Taking A Minute Just to Breathe

 
Inhale. Exhale. Repeat.

For some time now, my life seems to be the next reality show, or maybe a soap opera. To put one foor in front of the other is all that I could do some days. Nothing that anyone else hasn't had to deal with, just so much of it in a short period of time.

So, I've promise myself to reclaim some balance, to make some time to do the things I've wanted to do.

I've given myself two gifts, two things that will nourish my soul.

The first just began last night. Well, today really, at least for me. Because, of course, the podcast occurred during "Back to School!" I'm taking a 10 week course, or series of coaching classes, with Lesley Riley.  I've taken classes with Lesley and loved them along with her! She's one awesome lady. I'm not sure, lately, what my style is or even where I want to go with my art. The gods have dropped some lovely gifts in my life - publication in books and magazines, and the opportunity to create an art journaling kit. Some opportunities have plainly scared me  -the chance to sell postcards of my work, for example. I was just so darn sure that no one would buy them. I was scared to fail, scared to claim the label, "artist." These coaching sessions are meant to help me figure all of this out. Life's flying by, and watching my dad decline has been a catalyst, one that's screaming, "Don't waste your time!" Claim all the experiences you can, young lady. (Well, to an almost 86 year old man, I am, indeed, a young lady.)

And, I've signed up for two classes with Kat, whose work I admire and get lost in. I've already learned so much from her blog, and I am just itching to get started.

Would I rather do these in person than on line? You bet! But, I'm also learning that I can't wait for things to be perfect or for long stretches of time. I need to make it work with the life I am living at the moment. (And, don't get me wrong, that life is pretty darn cool!)

So, I'm putting myself out there and you are all welcome to hold me accountable!