137/365 New

Back from vacation and feeling renewed! I was excited to see that the garden is already starting to produce fruit! A tomato makes its debut!

Being away from the fast pace of the city really helped me to put some things in perspective. I live in a relatively small place, but vacationed in an even smaller rural area in the mountains of Mexico. Wow do Americans have things backwards when you compare our way of life to the way others live. Lots on my mind, and I'll share over the next few weeks.

Lesson: Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.

--Howard Thurman

136/365 Garden

A vision that I've held for about a year manifested today with the help of Martin! Martin has started a new business that I hope will take off exponentially! He's building and helping people to maintain their own raised beds. He filled mine today with veggies for the summer. Yes, we're a little late getting them in, but that's okay! As I said, it's a dream realized and I am elated! Thanks Martin!

Lesson: Our dreams truly are illustrations of coming attractions. Hold tightly to them and never let them go!

135/365 Relax

I actually laughed out loud today! It's been awhile since I laughed after hearing a little person tell a funny story. My schedule is much too tight when I don't have room to laugh, would you agree?

My constant companions are away this week at camp and they are loving EVERY. MINUTE! I'm so relieved! It's been great just hanging out with me and making plans for me. Just 4 more days and I'll be off with girlfriends for some more me (and them) time. I don't know if I can stand all of this....freedom!

Every time I see a flower, I will remember to relax and laugh!

Lesson: Earth laughs in flowers.
--Ralph Waldo Emerson

134/365 Ugly

I was out with my constant companions today when one of them spotted this moth stuck to the wall. I ran to get my camera because I was curious about what the head of the moth really looked like. As I focused with a macro, one of my companions said, "It sure is ugly". How do we decide what is beautiful and what is not? Experience plays a roll of course, but what else?

For the past two days I've been thinking about how I would see the world if I only had a short time to live. Ones perspective really changes when you *know* your time on the planet is limited. Experiences become richer and those things that usually get a casual glance are somehow worthy of study, like this moth. There is a need to take everything in because you may not see it again. One of the things I love about being a photographer is finding the beauty in all things and in all people.

Lesson: Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it.
--Confucius

133/365 Delightful

This image makes me smile.

132/635 Confusion

The leading lines take the eye to the stamen that appear somewhat entangled. The soft fold of a petal contrasts with those same leading lines that surround it. This is how I've been feeling for the past couple of weeks--a bit jumbled, not very creative and just confused about where I need to be heading as a photographer. It could just be fatigue that's clouding my thoughts, but I'll be taking some time to get things sorted out and find my focus once again!

Lesson: The key to success is to focus our conscious mind on things we desire not things we fear.

--Brian Tracy

131/365 Reach

Playing with negative space again and trying to get back into the habit of one image a day! Things got pretty busy for a moment!