Signs of Life

These are signs of the times that tickled me recently...

Not only do Portlanders ride bicycles,

we have designated parking!

From the neighborhood Frisbee Golf Park

(click on photo to enlarge)

And lucky me; this is one of my neighbors!

My Best Shot...so far

Carly nudges us again with a photo challenge asking us to post "our best shot."Being new to photography (and loving it!) I've been experimenting then tossing a whole lot of them ( Oh! the convenience of digital!) This angle shot was found on the Waterfront in downtown Portland on a bleak winter day with my Nikon Sistas! (It reminded me of a similar photo posted by Jama recently.)

A New Look

It was suggested that I redesign my blog layout to include a white background. I'm a plane-jane when it comes to color, etc. Any input would be welcomed, especially in terms of posting photos. Speaking of which, here's some eye candy for ya!

Round Robin Photo Challenge: Light Moves

Thanks goes to Julie for this neat topic for our RR challenge.

I call it Lampa-Dots.

Monday Photo Shoot: Birds

Taking photos is a great way to start a Monday...or anyday for that matter. Birds have been a popular shot for me of late! Here is my launch at Orthinology, but correct me if I am wrong; these are Red Wing Blackbirds, male and female. I just happened to hear their song after getting out of my car one day. Their music got my attention first, then the male's red shoulder.

Speaking of Rocks: A Riversuite

This is a song I wrote for my partner

which I sang to her on our wedding day.

Found you at the creek side, a place we know as Paradise

Searching for that rare stone, at the water's edge

One that's worn and rounded, by current it is placed there

A treasure for your pocket, a gift you carry home.

I'll find it in our garden, there among the wild flowers

A little bit of Paradise of our own.

Found my treasure blooming, underneath a boulder

Though it was unlikely as the creek had long run dry

Perhaps it was by bird wing, it had found it's way there

Little yellow wonder, springing from the sand

We'll find it in our garden, there among the wild flowers

A little bit of Paradise of our own.

So darlin' when the hard times leave us a bit jagged

Let's go back to those waters to hear the Riversuite

There, we'll be reminded, rocks with rough edges

Carried by the river, are the stones that make the song

I'll find you in the garden, there among the hummingbirds

A little bit of paradise of my own.

Wordless Wednesday:Life Lines

Who would have thought that when you needed a lifeline, the universe would throw you a rock?

Found on the Rogue River, Oregon

Collections from my journey.

Wordless Wednesday: Brush Stroke Moon

This is what happens when you move and the shutter is wide open!

Find more cool stuff here!

Joy In My World

Carly has done it again and challenged us with Joy: what makes your heart happy?

Our Wedding Day

Our Girls

Fly fishing with my big brother

Sea Kayaking

Making music with T

My latest passion

Family History

Things Left Behind

Wordless Wednesday









Lots more Wordless Wednesdays

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #23

Winter Days assignment brought to you by Carly.

These where shot in December during the worst winter storm we've had in about five years. We were snowed in for over a week and it was beautiful and relaxing and adventurous.

first robin

frozen curly willow

holiday hat knitted by Blanche

Wanna Be Photography

I long to spend more time with this creative outlet.

The other day, I went to our local park to photograph the resident hawk I'd seen several times before I owned my new Nikon and telephoto. One day, perhaps I'll have all the tools and talent to shoot the photos I fantasize about, but here are some recent attempts.

a poppy from my garden

tracks

Phun with Photos Part 2

Suzanne and Karen asked for the final product; not my best photo, but some cool rocks!

I call it Rocks full of Bowlies

Wordless Wednesday

By the way; the dog is invisable too!

Find more at www.wordlesswednesday.com

Fun with Photos

Carly prompts us with Photo Shoot #22: Rocks and Stones

Not only do I enjoy collecting them, I take pictures of them too. Here, my pal T and I are breaking in our new Nikons.

Baracko Bama!

I find it hard to put into words what our recent election means to me. Others around the globe have so adequately expressed many of my sentiments, if not in words, in pictures. This one is from our local paper by Jack Ohman. My friend's four year old grandson puts it well:

"Baracko Bama!"

New Lens on a Perfect Day

I managed these photos last weekend at the beach with my new telephoto lens. The weather was sixty-one degrees and as you can see, blue skies. Caught the gulls in flight and the Red Breasted Nuthatch having breakfast.

Not of This Season

It pays to weed the garden; found this little friend among the roses.

Other sunny shots here.

Booking Through My Life

Find more great prompts here.

This week's pondering is "Since “Inspiration” is (or should) the theme this week … what is your reading inspired by?

Often my inspiration is really driven by where I am - physically: in bed, on vacation, sitting on the pot! I am also driven to read non-fiction when my head needs to be challenged and I pick up something way out of my comfort zone to include science, genetics, philosophy. I usually read fiction in the winter, but I'm pretty picky about the fiction I read. It has to be more than an escape. I want intelligent fiction, which is why historical fiction attracts me. And quite often, I'm inspired to read that which my "mentors" are reading - to learn more, have more fun, or be challenged. I seldom read reviews. Books have a way of finding me. And I always delight in the plethra of childrens' books that out does anything I ever had as a child!

4x4

My pal Terri at Ways I See the World tagged me for this post: Take the 4th photo of the 4th folder in your photo folder and post it.

This is my brother, Sundance holding up a fish I caught.

Friday Fill in #107

FF-ins are so harmless!

1. Enough with the hot flashes !

2. Damn near everything causes me
to be conflicted.

3. I've been craving a new, more comfortable bed.

4. Big hair, TV evangelists make me laugh.

5. I wish I could go to visit my mom next week.

6. Our future has been on my mind lately.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to the beach house, tomorrow my plans include a long walk on the sand and Sunday, I want to enjoy having Monday off!

Every Day, One Good Thing

I must admit; I didn't even want today to happen. For no particular reason other than I was in a cranky mood that never lifted. Then, I turned on the radio and I hit my knees (again!) Once again, I was reminded that my Monday mornings are among the highest blessings one could ever ask for and if I felt an ounce of the pain that others around the world endures, I'm still one very fortunate individual. Before I got to work, I had offered a prayer of gratefulness and one of compassion. May others know a Day of at least One Good Thing!

What's My Line?

Here's a teaser I found on LibraryThing; wanna play?

Grab the book closest to you. Now*
Go to page 56.*
Find the 5th sentence and post it along with the name/author*
Don't go looking for your favorite book, or the coolest one you have - just grab the closest one.

Here's mine:

"With her words cold upon my heart, I have come to believe it would serve some purpose - whether personal or historical I cannot say - if I were to set down in my own words the story of how I cam to be a Saint and marry five wives."

from The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff.

Every Day, One Good Book

I love RR's blog Every Day, One Good Thing as it reminds me to take a few moments each day to remind myself of the goodnesses in my life.

This morning it includes two hours in bed with my current novel, The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff. I enjoy the quiet hours of reading that Winter allows. Cuddled up with my cat, Chole, and a hot cup of coffee doesn't get much better on a Saturday morning!

Photo Journeys

The Columbia River Gorge

This photo was taken by Lilly White, one of several photographers whose work is a part of Wild Beauty: Photographs of the Columbia River Gorge, 1867-1957. It seems Lilly led a privileged life, including traveling with her pal, Sarah up and down the Columbia river, taking photographs as members of the Oregon Camera Club. I envy their freedom to make these excursions, but today, I expect they'd envy my digital camera.

Photography was quite an ordeal in 1904 when this picture was "made." Professionals were usually men who were insulted to find Lilly and Sarah tying their boat up along the banks of the "mighty river" which was later memorialized in Woody Guthrie's Roll On Columbia.

The Columbia River has been greatly altered by the dozen of dams built on our behalf (not to mention the lives that were altered - particularly Native Americans' who once fished for salmon at the many falls along its course). This National Scenic Byway still holds tremendous beauty and rich historical journeys.

Sushi

Every Day, One Good Thing

I love sushi. No, I really love sushi. It was the best holiday present I received this year and I got to enjoy it yesterday with my partner after we visited Wild Beauty: Photographs of the Columbia River Gorge, 1867-1957 (www.portlandartmuseum.org) -the best gift I gave this year. I love the Gorge as much as I love sushi. Two good things!