great advice

…for so many situations…

say it like it is

Recently seen on an arabic-language carton of cigarettes:

"Warning: Caution, Smoking destroys health and causes death - M.O.H."
this was in 30-pt. type, taking up a full one-third of the side of the carton.

I'm not sure who or what "M.O.H." is, but I've got to say I like his style better than our Surgeon General's Whisper…er, I mean warning.

up close

I got a new lens recently, and am enjoying getting some shots with this speedy guy. I can get shots in much lower light than I could get with my kit lens. It's this one here, if you want to know more.

my dad bought me my fist slr camera when I was 15. It's a Pentax K1000 that I still use occasionally to this day. (now ask me the last time I had a roll of film developed from it!) I had always intended to collect some lenses for it eventually, but never moved past the 50mm that came with it. I'd have to check to see what the f-stop is, but I know that I loved to keep it wide open to get a real shallow depth of field pretty much all the time.

you'll find a lot of people who think that if they just get a bigger, better, more expensive camera, they'll be able to take better pictures. More megapixels must mean better pictures, right? Actually, more mp just means more information, and if the camera is pointed at the wrong information, you're still going to get a bad picture. I can take some pretty terrible pictures with my great camera! And I've seen some fantastic photography lately coming out of old polaroid cameras.

It's really more about the eye than anything. Mind you, I'm not saying I've got the best photographer's eye out there. I'm FAR from it. But when I see a photo that draws me in, I more want to know what drew the photographer's eye than what kind of equipment they are using. It's about seeing things differently, and capturing what you see in the viewfinder…whether that viewfinder has a three thousand dollar lens attached or if it's a hundred-dollar point-and-shoot with a 2-inch screen as a viewfinder.



There's a verse in the Bible that I've always thought a little odd & mysterious:

"The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness." (Luke 11:34)

What we look at both affects who we are and is a reflection of who we are. I think when this is talking about a "single eye" it's talking about focus, and purpose. One thing is needful.

What am I looking at? What am I focused on? Is my eye full of light? or evil?

I'll let you meditate and see what you come up with on this verse!

A couple of definitions I found of single:
Uncompounded; pure; unmixed. [1913 Webster]
Not deceitful or artful; honest; sincere. [1913 Webster]

a great day for a walk

If I could order up a day of perfect weather, it would probably be like yesterday. I love the chunky clouds carrying rain around while deciding where to drop it. The bright white clouds that make the sun shine brighter. The blue blue sky. The cool breeze.

I snapped these shots on my walk back to work after lunch at home. Have I mentioned how I love working this close to home?


either the artist's initials were RRR or this was a sound effect added to each of his drawings (can you see it at the top?).


I was brave. I didn't even carry an umbrella.

finished!

why, oh why does it take me forever to finish things? I had six months to work on this…do the crewel work, cut a mat & frame the thing. my intent was to give it to my friend in March. yep, 3 months ago. total hours used: probably 3 or 4. maybe 5, I don't know. but it sat around for ages between each and every stage.

I guess I can blame it on the full time job. or freelance work. or all the other things that take up so much time. but seriously, this is just more proof that I deserve to be the queen of procrastination.

too bad I'll never get around to making me a crown.

Now if I actually get this to the recipient, it'll be amazing. I don't think she reads my blog.




for anyone interested in the crafty details, this was created with a kit from Wool & Hoop.

celebrations

fireworks & bonfires & trampolines & cold soda & burgers on the grill…the stuff summer is made of. happy birthday to my friend's little boy. oh, to be seven again. or not.

miscellany

these roses are so fragile…they've been torn apart with wind and rain since this photo was taken, but the pollen has been gathered…


I love the scent of the lilies of the valley…and love it that they just appear every year without me putting forth one iota of effort.


another bunch of flowers that appeared without me putting forth one iota of effort :-)


and another.


I even like the stems!


I've almost hit this guy a couple of times driving into my driveway in the evening. He tends to freeze up, presumably thinking that if he doesn't move, I can't see him/won't hit him with my car. I had to actually get out of my car and shoo him off one time.

random silliness

alarmed
adjective
experiencing a sudden sense of danger


Oh, and I think I found Nemo.



I know, I know, I'm really too deep sometimes.