Inspiration

Liberty Water

Well, earlier this evening I did a lot of talking.  My family got together to visit and, well, I was asked a pretty simple question about somethings that have been going on in my little world.  And boy oh boy, everything just kinda spilled out.  And I talked and talked and talked about some frustrations.  So, to those of you that had to listen to it all - thanks for listening.  It's always good to have an ear to hear you.  And since I have already talked a lot, tonight I am going to share several favorite quotes - and they are also very fitting for me right now, or at least very inspiring.  And sometimes you just need to be inspired.

Genius ain't anything more than elegant common sense.  ~ Josh Billings

Money won't buy happiness, but it will pay the salaries of a large research staff to study the problem.  ~ Bill Vaughan

And I think this is my favorite for the evening, and one that will need to be revisited at another time.

It's always too early to quit.  ~ Norman Vincent Peale

All For The Love of Funnel Cake

Me Love Funnel Cake

Okay, maybe not my best work artistically - or is it?  One of the things that I have loved over the years shooting things with my camera, is capturing those moments.  Those times that you may not ever have a chance to see or be a part of again.  I mean, life is all about each and every unique moment, never to be repeated again.  Yes, there are things that are done over and over - commute to work, cooking breakfast.  But the simple fact that these moments take place at a specific time on a specific day - well they are uniquely that moment. 

This photo is one that will always bring a smile to my face.  A long time ago, my entire family, the ones that live all together (my family, my parents, a brother and his family, and another brother) had a tradition of going to a pumpkin festival every year.  Come rain or shine, hot or cold, we were there.  We had the opportunity to watch this pumpkin festival grow and grow over the years until one year was their last.  It was a sad day for us when that time came - in more ways than you will know.  Because by the time the festival came to a close, the numbers of family members that were still going were also getting smaller and smaller.  And there died a tradition.

This photo is from one of the later years.  Enjoying one of my favorite carnival/festival treats - Funnel Cake.  I love the stuff.  It's always something that we put off towards the end of the day.  And, as you can see, my niece and especially my nephew really enjoyed their funnel cake that day.  (I must tell you, it's not that he was being a super messy guy, it was so totally windy that day!  And really, that sugar just goes everywhere!)

Great memories, and fun photos.

Too much of a good thing can be wonderful. ~Mae West

A Fine Dog

That's the Spot

Money will buy you a fine dog, but only love can make it wag its tail. ~Richard Friedman

There is nothing quite like the appreciation you see in a dog's face when you scratch that one special spot.  The one that makes them melt - and squish their face up in pure joy.  That is one thing I love about dogs, they are not good at masking their true feelings.  When they are happy, you know it.  When they feel cornered and afraid, you know it.  When they are hungry, you know it.  There's not much guessing that needs to go on.  They are pretty simple - lots of food, lots of praise, a warm place to sleep and lots of love.  They are all good.

This is For You

This is For You

This was one of those moments when everything just worked out perfect - to create this one, single, perfect, moment.  Love the lighting, love the expression, love the moment. 

So, a couple of weekends ago, we went through the car buying experience.  One of my favorite things to do.  Not really, not at all.  It ranks up there with buying a house - and quite honestly, I'd rather go through labor again than do either one of those things.  At least in labor you get some really good drugs to help with the whole process.  I'm not sure how I got roped into going along.  Everyone in my house knows that I am no good in those situations.  I just have no patience for the waiting and waiting and let us redo this and that.  Honestly, just offer me the best deal you can up front.  If that doesn't work, then okay, no big deal.  Well after going through this (and yes we did get a car - and yes it was an excruciating ordeal) I have been noticing other vehicles driving around with something on their car and I have always wondered why people do this.  I mean, maybe it's just me, but I don't really think car dealers are really trying to earn my loyalty and so why on earth would I keep their license plate ring on my car?  That has always struck me as a bit funny.  Unless I am related to someone that works there, why should I advertise for the place that just put me through two hours, or more, of buying torture?  Just a thought.  Anyone else out there wondered the same thing or is that just me and my wacky ways?

Okay, so enough of that line of thinking.  Let me find you a really good quote for the day.  There are a few I've been saving for just the perfect time.  And, well maybe today is the right time for at least one of them.  I have a favorite quote that I try to live my life by every single day.  I'm sure there are some out there that would disagree.  But, hey, I'm still working on it.  I have had this one memorized for like 20 years.  Unfortunately I did not memorize who the author is.  I'm sure a very quick Google search would bring it up, but I guess I'm more interested in the thought at this point.  And it goes like this:

Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.  ~Unknown

True so very, very true.  The past few years have been some pretty great ones for me on a personal level.  I turned 40 last year and let me tell you, that was very liberating.  Such a great feeling finding peace within oneself.  It has also meant a shift in where I want to place my attention and energy.  There is not as much focus on those relationships that seemed so one sided.  And there is more focus on those relationships that are uplifting and inspiring.  The ones that bring me joy and positive energy.  It has been such a joy reconnecting with wonderful friends and seeing the shift in existing relationships to fill a much more healthier role in my life.  Thank you to each of you for your support in my creative endeavors.  I cherish each and every comment that I receive from you - whether on my website, in person, on the phone or in email.  They touch me deeply and encourage me to continue on this path.

Nature and Upcoming Goodies . . .

The Waving Leaf

I hope everyone had a very productive Monday.  I did and then I did again.  Got my work done super quick - which is a very nice treat in itself.  And so I was able to take advantage of some free time - and some percentage off coupons and do some fun clothing shopping.  Good day - and now to a good evening of reading some chapters in my book before starting it all over again tomorrow morning.

I have been working on a couple of projects.  So let me throw out some teasers.  First of all, I am anxiously waiting some Valentine's cards I just ordered.  Can't wait to see the quality and such - and will let you know once they have come in. 

And second, I have a friend that has been wanting to learn some tips on using her new camera.  So, I am putting together an online "getting to know your camera better" class.  As I have more details of the class, how long and fees, I will keep you posted.  I'm very excited about putting this together and would love to hear if anyone out there would be interested in taking this class - let me know!

And here's the quote for the night:

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.  ~Albert Einstein

Long Weekend For Me

Liberty Market

Why is it . . . that when you take some time off you seem to be more tired at the end of that time than you would normally be?  Took a few days off from work to enjoy the weekend and boy, now that it's Sunday night, I am super tired.  But it was all worth it.  Had some fun this long weekend, got some things done around the house that have been needed to be done and spent an entire day visiting three of my favorite restaurants.  This one of those restaurants.  Although, when we were there over the weekend, it was super early in the morning.

I hope each of you had a terrific weekend.  Now it is time to get back to normal life . . .

Still Unwritten

Skipping Rocks

Here is an oldie, never shared before.  Taken many, many years ago during my black and white film days.  I know I've said it before, but I really love traditional black and white film.  So clean, so simple, so . . . . what is the word I'm looking for?  I'm not sure - if you can believe that one.  I am at a loss for words at the moment. 

So, instead,  I would like to share the chorus from a favorite song.  When we were driving around today, doing a little shopping, we had the car radio on and the song Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield came on.  No matter what type of music you enjoy - this one has an amazing message in it.  Take a read:

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

Now, most of you know that poetry is not my thing.  My family is nodding their heads right now.  They had to suffer through every poetry writing assignment I ever had to do - and it was sheer torture.  But, somehow you put those words to music and I can't get enough. 

So, the moral of tonight's post - Live your life with arms wide open because the rest is still unwritten.