Appreciative Moments

I love my kids.

A LOT.

But when I come back from teaching photography class on Wednesday nights, and I pick them up at my parents' house, they are even cuter than ever and I adore them even more than ever.

Doing something for myself makes me happier, and more relaxed. So after I've had that little bit of me time, I am even happier to see them. And I am grateful for both of those things--those little moments that intensify my appreciation for all that I have. Most of all, I am thankful for my two sweet children whose lives have enriched my own immeasurably.

Who could ask for more than that?

End of Season

I've always loved the colours of November.

Everything turns gray and gold, the sign of one season ending and another soon to begin. The lushness of summer has dried into mere allusions of what was, not long ago.

And yet...

The parched and withered leaves hold the promise of summers still to come.

They are memories of times ended, and hopes for times not yet begun.

When Sleep Won't Come

Every now and again, I have a night where my mind just won't stop. The other night was one of those... I keep a notepad and pen in my bedside table for moments like these. I wrote a silly little poem that I thought up when I should have been sleeping:

Random thoughts won't let me sleep
Through my mind they casually leap
No destination, no road to follow
They jump and dance and seem to know
Rest won't come until I write
And release these thoughts into the night

Pines and Bunnies

Thanks to Annette of http://www.etsy.com/shop/dragonhouseofyuen for including my photo in her treasury on Etsy!

Here I was at the pet store with my kids just before returning home, looking at the fuzzy little bunnies, and when I checked my e-mail there was a message about my photo having been included in a treasury. So I clicked on the link, and here are all these wonderful images of rabbits!

Thanks again!

The Back Seat

As much as I can't stand it, sometimes photography has to take a back seat to other priorities.

Like report cards.

Those much loved, anticipated, dreaded, fraught over report cards. Ours go out on Monday, and it was only today I was able to see some light at the end of the long report card tunnel. It is satisfying to have finally made some progress.

Tomorrow, though, photography class.

So Many Hobbies, So Little Time

As I was knitting on my daughter's sweater tonight, I was thinking about the book that I am reading, and about what pictures I might make next.

There are so many things that I love to do, but time is always short. Too bad there is no way to do all of them at once!

I Can't Help It

People often ask me where I've taken my photography course, or how I do it.

For me, it's more a question of, how do I not do it?

I am so drawn to the visual design of things around me, that I can't help myself. I see potential compositions everywhere. And I mean, everywhere: When I am cooking supper, driving my car, running the bath, even cleaning. The possibilities are endless.

So, sometimes, it's an effort not to run and get my camera and forget supper on the stove. And I have remind myself to concentrate on the road and not the sky.

I don't know how I could not do photography.

More like an Obsession

I had a busy day today... I even managed to get the yard cleaned up and (almost) ready for winter. My trees still need protection to make it through the cold and the snow, but the toys and the bicycles have been put away. And we all got some fresh air in the process.

Amidst the cleanup, I found some time to make a few new pictures. I even added some items to my Etsy shop, including some photos I had handpained and some special deals on groups of 3 pictures.

My children and I read a book together then cuddled on the couch for a show before their bedtime.

Somehow, I put together a decent supper for us in there as well.

And I spend a lot of time thinking about photography. As usual.

It is my passion, after all.

Lately, though, it's been more like an obsession. But in a good way.

I think.

It's Not Easy Being Busy!

There never seem to be enough hours in the day.

I was finishing getting ready for my class this afternoon, after another busy week leading up to it. Every week I plan to be planned ahead of time, but every week I am at the computer in the hours leading up to my class, putting finishing touches on my PowerPoint presentations and handouts. I always get it done, though.

The drive to the high school before class, it was all I could do to focus on the road and stay awake. I found myself, once again, wondering how to get it all in. How to keep up with everything. Some things don't seem worth it (like cleaning!), others I question. But as difficult as it's been to find the time to plan for the photography class, it is totally worth it.

I don't know whether my students agree or not, but after class I always feel as though I want to get out my camera and start shooting. Not that I need any motivation to do that, but talking about photography for two hours always gets my mind going and the ideas flowing.

If only it wasn't almost bedtime!

Inspiration at the Dollar Store

I was planning a lesson on light for the night class I teach, and I was looking around for some items that the students could photograph using flashlights. The intention was for us to be able to explore the way light changes your composition.

I needed to stop at the dollar store and pick up a few more little flashlights to use. While I was there, I decided to take a look around and see if there were a few things we could use as subjects. The more I looked, the more I noticed... Glasses, vases, Christmas lights, and otherwise tacky little decorations suddenly became possible works of art. I could see the way the light reflected from their surfaces, and knew that with just a little creativity, these cheap items could make awesome compositions.

By the time I'd left, I'd gathered a collection of objects that not only would I use in class, but I also couldn't wait to experiment with them myself.

Who knew such inspiration could be found at the dollar store?