Are We Having Fun Yet?

Doing the 365 Photo Challenge back in 2012 taught me so much, but the main thing I learned is that I don’t want to be a purist. I thoroughly enjoy taking pictures and playing around with them after I upload them to my computer. So I’ll leave the purist photography to the purists. I’m having too much fun.

Are you having fun taking pictures? I sure hope so. It doesn’t matter if you have high-priced equipment, a disposable camera, a starter camera or a phone camera. Just capture what you see and have a good time doing it. Yesterday I took a picture of my right foot and put it on Instagram. Why? Because I’m in need of a pedicure and was laughing the whole time my toes posed for the photo.

The image below is of my friend “Photog” taken when I lived in Tucson. I loved photographing him because he loves to take pictures, too. I imagine that makes us kindred spirits 🙂 This is his version of the Selfie. Namaste’

Regina (Reggie) is a “flunked retirement” entrepreneur, co-author of the Art & Science of Recruiting, an award-winning photographic artist, and photo blogger.

 

Backyard Buddy

Hope all the Dads out there had a wonderful Father’s Day.  Someone once told me that every child needs a champion and, in most cases, it’s Dad.  Oftentimes, though, in the case of divorced families, Mom has to be Dad and Mom both, so if that’s you, Mom, I salute you.  I know what that feels like.  So to all of us Moms who had to be Dads, too … celebrate your masculine side and I say Happy Father’s Day to you.

It rained here on Saturday and I was so excited.  A good rain, too.  Not some piddly excuse for it where we get only about 20 drops.  It was great!

Today’s image is that of a new friend I found in our back yard.  Saturday and Sunday it was just cruisin’ around and landing on the pool enclosure every once in a while.  So I asked it ever so nicely if it wouldn’t mind staying put while I ran into the house for my camera.  It kindly obliged and this is the image I got.  First time I’ve ever seen a red dragonfly.  At least I think that’s what it is 🙂  Namaste’

I haven’t seen it since yesterday, but I do hope it comes back to visit.

Fun with the Muse

Well, here I am again.  This time without the pressure of a photo a day … but how long did I last without posting a photo?  Only a couple of days!

I’d like you to meet my new muse.  In fact, that’s her name – Funky Monkey Muse.  I struggled with a name for her and while I was contemplating that, I decided to play with some editing software.  And of course this photo became my latest creation.  Made me laugh just to do it.  I hope it brings you at least a smile, too.

Maybe that’s what this new year should be all about … less struggle, more laughter, more light-heartedness.  More of feeling like a kid and being playful.  I’ll tip my hat to that.

Keep an eye out for more Funky Monkey Muse adventures.  I think she will travel with me.  Namaste’

Happy New Year!

THIS IS IT!  WOW!  The end of my 366 challenge.  Please read the photo to know how I feel about all of you, my faithful readers.  (Click photo to enlarge). I’ll see you on the other side in a bright and shiny new year.   I’m taking New Year’s Day off for sure 🙂  Namaste’

Morning Bun in the Afternoon

Cold and overcast day so I decided to go with WS over to the local barista and have some coffee and a snack this afternoon.  This morning bun caught my eye and it sure tasted good; I ate the whole thing.  So what if it was 2:30 in the afternoon!

We then came home and took down some Christmas decorations.  Kind of a lazy day.  I liked it.  Hope yours was really good as well.  Namaste’

Maude

Today I delivered all of the “artsy” photo cards I made for my client of those 17 horses … well actually it was 16.  Somehow I forgot Maude, so I photographed her today while I was there.  She’s such a sweet and gentle horse and is for sale.  If you know someone looking for a chestnut with soulful eyes, she’s your gal.  Namaste’

French Soap Label

Yesterday was such a surprise with two gifts coming in the mail.  The clock (yesterday’s post) from WS’s daughter and then the antique French soap label from my daughter.  She even framed it for us in an antique frame.  I promise not to polish it 🙂

We love both of our gifts, girls!!!!  Namaste’  Only three days to go, people, until the end of my 366 project.  But I’ll keep blogging 🙂

 

Tick, Tick, Tick

Well, here it is, folks.  We’re on the downhill slope of 2012.  Just a few days to go.  We received a Christmas gift today from WS’s daughter in New Hampshire.  And one from my daughter in California.  But that will be a photo for tomorrow.

I’m afraid this image doesn’t do it justice – it’s simply a WOW! clock.  (Click to enlarge the picture) … Swarovsky crystal elements and it plays one of 48 different songs on the hour.  And yet it won’t do it once the lights in the room are out, so as not to wake us up during the night.  Pretty clever, eh?

I finally finished the horses.  I photographed 17 horses, all edited to be artsy, had prints made and then created 144 handmade cards out of the photos.  I’ll post some of the photos in the new year.

2013 is almost here! Namaste’

Gorillapod

WS got me a gorillapod for Christmas.  I’m so happy!  It’s very portable, easy to use and those legs are just as good as Gumby :-).  (For those of you not into photography, it’s a tripod for my cameras).  It twists and turns and can bend into just about any way I need it to.  Namaste’

Christmas Day

What we thought would be kind of a sad day turned out very well.  We were hoping to have my stepdad out of the skilled nursing home at least for Christmas Day, but that turned out to not be the case.  Instead, we took all the presents and went to where he is.  His daughter and her husband were there from the midwest and we all had a great time.  Stepdad was happy that we were all there.  Everyone ate lunch together at the nursing home.  I guess if I had to be in one of those places, I would sure want my loved ones around me.  I hope he’ll remember at least some of the moments we all shared today.

Here’s a shot of me and WS.  Obviously I didn’t take this picture, so I’m breaking the rules of the photo-a-day project, but hey, I’ve broken lots of rules before – LOL!

Hope your Christmas Day was spectacular in every way.  Namaste’