...:::On the Coast:::...

A familiar sight along the coast.....we are having a fantastic time......
More to come!

Springtimes Sunny Weather

A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in.
~Robert Orben



As you can see, Time's Up!! We're getting ready to pack up the car, take the kitties to the sitters house, and then head on our merry way........It's so nice to have everything done and we can take our time this morning. I still don't think that the "I'm on vacation & going to California feeling" has really set in yet! Although, I do sort of feel some butterflies right now :o)

I don't know when I'll post or what I'll post, but you'll hear a peep out of me soon enough. I will most likely do single photo uploads with tiny descriptions on the {366} Photographic Journal blog (link on right) so be sure to check in there!

I hope everyone has some lazy Springtime Sunny Days ahead of them!

WW

Make Everyday Earth Day

I always have been, and am pretty sure I will always be a sucker for trees. A quick search for "trees" in my Flickr photostream brought up a number of imagines which were centered around trees or just had trees in the photo.



I am always compelled to shoot a tree or two. In any season or time of year they are always lovely, with or without leaves, tall, short, aspen or pine......you can learn from them. And they could teach you a great deal given the chance.



I think of their roots embedded into the ground, and it reminds me to anchor myself when I'm feeling unbalanced. I see how resilient they are, and it reminds me that I too have the power and will to survive and succeed against the odds.



Although they may be aesthetically pleasing, they are also ecologically important and provide a great deal to the environment in which we all live. From the air we breathe to the shade upon with we seek shelter, they are there, unfailingly and without asking for anything in return.



Donating to a worthy cause on Earth Day was the very least that I could do. I thank you all so very much for enthusiastically participating to help rebuild the Brazilian Rainforest through the efforts of The Nature Conservancy. The "Plant a Billion Trees" campaign is far from reaching their goal.



When I first put up the "Where's your Green" post, they had 237,000 trees, now six days later they are up to 263,588! So, they're getting there slowly but surely............My total donation was $40.00 which equates to 40 trees; I had 18 request total to "Plant a Tree for Me!" and some who simply left a comment with the word tree in it, which I counted any way!



These photos are of all sorts of different trees, some here, some there.......from North Carolina, to Florida, and even Nevada.......a little of everywhere! None of which ever made it to the blog, which works out great since now I have something to share with you :o)

Thank you all again for keeping me inspired......it means so very much to me.

It's Easy to be GREEN..........

BRAZILIAN RAINFOREST

(From Conservation International)

So far, I've only had 12 requests to plant trees with the Nature Conservancy in honor of Earth Day. My intention is to match the total request, each request being $1.00, right now the total donation would be 24 trees. If you have yet to leave a comment on "Where's Your Green?!", you may do so now. I don't plan to donate until this evening, so there is still time!!

Start by making small changes.
Today, implement one change that will help the environment.

Start with the grocery store:
Look for products with minimal packaging, and while you're at it, take a reusable canvas tote instead of answering the all encompassing question of, "Paper or Plastic".

More than 380 million plastic bags are thrown away in the United States every year, and those plastic bags can take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade in landfills. And while paper bags do eventually biodegrade, an estimated 14 million trees a year have to be cut down to make 10 billion paper bags.

At home:
Instead of buying individually packaged bottles of water, why not upgrade to a water filter, and fill up a reusable container. Any plastic container, that has the numbers - 2,4, or 5 is safe. You can find this number by checking the bottom of the bottle in the middle of the recycling triangle logo.

Eliminate plastic utensils and paper plates/cups in the kitchen, these items most likely can not be reused.

Get rid of the junk.......CATALOGS......I suffer from receiving unwanted catalogs on a constant basis. No matter how many times I've called to be removed from the mailing list, I continue to receive them month after month! I read about this new and FREE service the other night called: catalogchoice.org A quick sign up allows you to search, select, and decline those unsolicited catalogs you don't really need.

Not only does junk mail clog up your mailbox, it also requires an estimated 100 million trees and 20 billion gallons of water every year.

And of course:
Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) use four times less energy than incandescent ones. If every American family substituted five CFL bulbs for incandescent, it would be equivalent to taking eight million cars off the road for a year. Ball says "They cost a little more up front, but they last up to 15 times longer."

REDUCE.REUSE.REPURPOSE.RECYCLE.

Profusion of Pink

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.

~John Muir~



I don't recall a time that I've ever been so thrilled on a Monday morning, EVER! I look at our little countdown clock, and with a smirk on my face think, "In two days, I will be FREE!". Free for a total of 11 days, free to do what I want, when I want. The anticipation of a vacation is very liberating! I'm pretty excited about flying in a plane again too, for those of you who don't know, it will only be my second time. The first being when we went to Las Vegas in October for my birthday. This will be my first time going to California, and I think that we've picked a fabulous location for our debut. I can't wait to sleep under the stars at night, and awaken in the morning to the fragrance of fog bouncing through the forest. Sleeping in the woods is one of my most favorite things to do......it's been so long it seems.

Sleeping in the woods aside, I have planned some wonderful activities for us to do while in Big Sur. The weather forecast seems pretty agreeable as well, I checked last night and according to the 10 day forecast we're looking at highs of 69 with lows of 47, not too bad. Since being in the mountains, I've become pretty spoiled so those temperatures are right up my alley..........I hate sweating, unless I'm exerting myself. For someone who hates sweating, I lived in Florida waaaaaay too long! Anyways, so yeah a lot of fun, exciting, and picturesque things to do and see.....my laptop is coming with me since I feel like 4 memory cards will not be enough to accommodate the substantial amount of photos I plan to take. And plus, one or two of the campsites have wi-fi!!!!!! How crazy is that?!?!? I'm sure that I'll be dying to blog about our adventures at some point....I can't very well leave you hanging for 11 days, now can I?!?!?



EARTH DAY IS TOMORROW

So far, I've only had 11 requests to plant trees with the Nature Conservancy. My intention is to match the total request, each request being $1.00, right now the total donation would be 22 trees. If you have yet to leave a comment on "Where's Your Green?!", you may do so now. I don't plan to donate until tomorrow evening, so there is still time!!

High Shoals Falls

1. Upper Falls Bridge, 2. Lower Shoals Falls, 3. High Shoals Falls, 4. Trail Options

(Click on the links above to see photos larger.)


We visited these falls two weekends ago. It was about an hour and a half away in the South Mountain State Park. We only had time to explore this trail to see the falls, but it was the reason we went there in the first place so that was okay. The entire loop was only 2.5 miles in length and the most strenuous part were the millions of steps it took to reach the upper falls. Okay, so it probably wasn't a million, but it was a whole lot! My calves and thighs were burning, but once we reached the the top, it was a piece of cake. Upon reaching the upper portion of the falls we crossed a nifty little bridge, and it was all down hill from there.



This particular fall proved to be extremely difficult to capture, mostly due to the copious amount of visitors crowding the trail. I had to move every time people needed to get by, and then there were those nice people who didn't want to cross in front of the camera. I didn't really want to make them wait, then a line would start forming! The High Shoals Fall was throwing off buckets of mist. I could barely keep my lens dry, and there really weren't any other angles to shoot it from further away. The trail was nothing but stairs closer to the top, so deviating from the trail was not an option. Had their been less people it would have allowed more time to get a better shot, but it's not a perfect world, now is it?!?!



It was an overall great hike, with a beautiful fall. The only issue I have is that I didn't get as much time as I would have liked to just linger. I'm sure there will be a next time. I'm thinking that I would like to go back in the fall?! The books beauty rating was a 7, I thought that this was a pretty grand little waterfall to only get a seven, but maybe it was because of the decks, or the people?! I don't know.......my beauty rating.....hmmmm....maybe 8.5......what's your beauty rating?

Where's Your Green?!

Don't blow it - good planets are hard to find.
Quoted in Time

*I made this artcard without Earth Day in mind, but I figured what better time to post it than now! To me it is somewhat plain, and I have found that the cards have become bigger than I need to be working with - too much space to fill. I'm trying to break into layering, that I have a problem with because I like them to look too clean. Don't worry, I'm working on that, for now it is what it is........

For every person who leaves a comment on the blog that says, "Plant a tree for me!" I promise to donate $1.00 to plant a tree for you to the cause above in honor of Earth Day on April 22nd.

The trees will be planted by Conservancy staff and partners working in The Atlantic Forest of Brazil. The Atlantic Forest is considered one of the world's most endangered tropical forests -- only 7% of its original area remains.

Tropical forests like this one play a particularly special role in the fight to end global climate change. And this reforestation effort to Plant a Billion Trees in The Atlantic Forest will remove 10 million tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere every year -- that's like taking 2 million cars off the road.

*The above photo was taken by Cody when we were in Mt. Charleston - Las Vegas*

+ Going Green Interactive Tip Guide:
Some are easy, and some are a little more extensive. *A lot of great ideas!
+ Earth Day 2008 Events Worldwide
See what's happening in your neck of the woods. * We're having a festival that I didn't know about!
+ How to go Green Guides:
Treehugger.com


Don't Forget:

For every person who leaves a comment on the blog that says, "Plant a tree for me!" I promise to donate $1.00 to plant a tree for you to the cause above in honor of Earth Day on April 22nd.

You Never Know What's in Store

"What you see, is what you get"

When people say to me: "How do you do so many things?" I often answer them, without meaning to be cruel: "How do you do so little?" It seems to me that people have vast potential. Most people can do extraordinary things if they have the confidence or take the risks. Yet most people don't. They sit in front of the telly and treat life as if it goes on forever.

~Philip Adams


This quote is appropriate because I got mad at myself last night. I was perturbed due to the fact that once I got home from work yesterday, I sat on the couch, and basically, my butt got glued to the cushions. I don't know how on earth it happened since my to-do list is 10 miles long right now!?! I should be making final preparations for the trip, and I should be tidying up the house - so that we don't have to come home to a pig-sty...........Why?! I asked myself did I just sit there, and do nothing!. I remember complaining quite frequently about how there isn't enough time in the day to do all of the things I wish to accomplish, but who's to blame when I am wasting perfectly beautiful sunlight to sit on my rumpuss.....ME, that's who.....no one else.....ME.

I'm just being extra hard on myself right now, I don't do it all the time. I'm just attempting to keep myself motivated so our trip doesn't creep up on us like they usually do. I am a notorious procrastinator, and it really stresses me out when I allow that to happen. Okay, so, I'm stressing about low-stress........how the heck does that work?! Breathe in......Breathe out........I suppose a freak out on top of excitement is a weird combination of feelings, but it keeps things interesting, don't you think?! Enough about that.

The artcard above was made about 2 weeks ago, although I added the black and thin blue border after the fact - FYI. I really like the message this one conveys, simple yet powerful. Sometimes it takes people longer to find what's hidden beneath layer upon layer, it may be years, possibly decades before you realize a true passion or hobby or (fill in the blank)......the story I shared with you about what I've been through a few posts ago, was a heartfelt message that I was deeply compelled to share......within my story were twists and turns that I didn't expect. As some mentioned in comments, there's a silver lining and I truly do feel that everything happens for a reason.

Without climbing in the picture, I reawakened the passion that I have had for photography in an all new way. Here I am taking photos like mad, and getting positive feedback from what I produce. Even though this is not where I intended to be initially, this is where I am, and I am pleased with where I've ended up so far........as the title suggests, "You Never Know What's In Store."


What are your hobbies or passions? And did they happen by accident or.....

FYI - Competition Winners

Dale King and his image Solitary Cloud entered in the Blue Ridge Parkway Vistas Category took top honors receiving Best In Show. Category Winners acknowledge the top image in each of the seven competition categories and will receive Mast General Store prize packages with a retail value of $275.

Adventure		Stone Mountain Climbers by Patrick Pitzer
Blue Ridge Parkway Journey		Beneath the Viaduct by Colby Rabon
Blue Ridge Parkway Vistas		Rough Ridge 360 by Rick Rapfogel
Culture		Dave Duke Sorts Tobacco by Robert & Shiiko
Environment		Venus by Brad Douglas
Flora & Fauna		Hosta 800 by Pat Pilchard
Landscape		Rainy Woods by Rick Rapfogel

This year marked the largest participation in the People's Choice Award sponsored by Footsloggers Outdoor and Travel Outfitters with more than 1,100 individually registered voters casting nearly 2,400 total votes. In the end Scott Hotaling and his image Mountain Calm will take home the $350 cash prize.

Judges were also asked to identify images of distinction and merit to receive Special Mention honors and an additional ten photographers have been recognized.

Adventure		Meadow Nap by Heidi Hatcher
Blue Ridge Parkway Vistas		Valley Farm by Tommy Shine
Blue Ridge Parkway Vistas		Bird's Eye View by Dale Forrest
Culture		French Swiss Ski Rental by Roger Bodo
Culture		Neal's Grocery by Robert and Shiiko Alexander
Environment		Pumping Station by Kerry Puckett
Flora & Fauna		Brook Trout by Scott Brown
Landscape		Sunrise After Ice Storm by Bob Peterson
Landscape		Elk Mountain by Charles King
Landscape		Angry Morning by Neal Auspitz

All forty-six images selected for the 2008 exhibition will remain on display in the Mezzanine Gallery of the Turchin Center for the visual arts through June 7 and images can be viewed at HighCountryPhotos.com. This summer the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation will take select images on the road to community and art centers along the Blue Ridge Parkway corridor.

* Magical Effects *

The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do.
*Sarah Ban Breathnach*

WOW! I am blown away by the wonderful comments and insights shared based on my last post. Those conflicted feelings are beginning to dissipate, and it is largely due to the tremendous amount of support you all have shown. I truly am grateful, and I feel so lucky to have folks like you to share my thoughts, hopes, and dreams with. THANK YOU!

A couple weekends ago Cody and I went to South Mountain State Park, that's where the above photo was taken. I have more to share from that day, and hopefully I will go through them tonight and have them to post tomorrow. I've fallen a little behind, but hope to be caught up before we leave next week, since I know I'll be coming home with like 1,000 photos from California!! Check out the {366} Photographic Journal Blog to see a couple more photos I posted last night. The fire one is pretty cool!! Yeah, I said fire.....check it out. (Link on the right)

Forgetting that Fear

*WARNING: This is from my heart.

I've distanced myself for the past few days, as my mind has been clouded with all sorts of worriment that should have only been contemplated instead of dwelt upon. I can't help it though, sometimes, I'm that guy. As some of you may know Friday was the photographers reception in which the winners were to be announced for the competition. I am saddened to report, that neither of my photos were selected for any awards, no category winner, no special mentions, or people's choice award......Nothing! I'll admit that the defeat was disappointing for me, until the end, my hopes were high. In retrospect, I feel lucky to have even been a part of the competition at all - and I am deeply honored. The whole process brought upon so much anxiety for me, choosing the photos to enter, waiting to hear whether or not they were selected, framing the ones that were actually chosen, going to the shows grand opening, everything.........but I took a chance, and I did it! For most of my life, I've been quite afraid of putting myself out there for fear of rejection.



There was a point in my life when I was finally able to let that go. Last night, I realized when that was, and how exactly that was achieved.It took a gigantic leap of faith for me to move nearly 500 miles away from my family and friends to a place I had only been once, Boone. I honestly feel that I was drawn here by some divine force that I have never really been able to explain. This is my home, and I belong here. My life has changed so much since the summer of 05 and with every step, I never really knew what was going to happen, but I stuck it out, and I stayed. Almost two and a half years later, I am doing things, and living in a way that I didn't really imagine for myself back then.


After the reception, we picked up the free tickets I was awarded to see the Banff Mountain Film Festival movies that go on every year here in Boone. They are always everything you expect them to be out of the festival contestants. The caliber of movies they show are always on a level that really touch me in several different ways. One in particular that we saw last night, really hit home, it was called "20 seconds of joy". The 60 minute film was about a girl named Karina Hollekim who was a BASE jumper, an extreme and upbeat girl who was living her life to the fullest. From the start of the film, I knew that it was going to strike a cord with me, and in the end, I knew that I would be crying. I was short of a sniffling baby when her life was flipped upside down. I identified with Karina's story, because I too had been deeply involved with something that I loved so much, to only have it taken away before I was ready for it to end.



What happened with Karina, is that she suffered a terrible landing on a particular jump, and shattered her right leg in several different places, and has been through many surgeries in attempts to restore her leg. Our particular injuries can only be compared to a certain extent, and neither one can be measured the same way. After overcoming tremendous odds, Karina asked the question that I knew would break me, "Will I ever be able to jump again?", I started shaking and tears flooded my eyes..........I too remember asking my doctor prior to my neck surgery whether or not he thought I would climb again.......I felt her pain.


It's been since Sept of 06 that I climbed, and I think about it on occasion, I miss it so much sometimes. If I see photos, my hands will start sweating, and my heart will start racing, I can recall exactly what it felt like to be on that rock. Earlier I mentioned that there was a point in my life when I learned to let go of the fears that I harbored.......it was when I became a climber. Aside from being in the best physical condition of my life........I felt stronger all around, my mind as well as my body were well conditioned. I pushed myself to do things that I never imagined I would be capable of physically, but when I was finally able to achieve my goals, those accomplishments influenced my daily life, and gave me the courage to go that extra mile - I could do anything if I put my mind to it.


Climbing was my life, I did it four days a week, watched videos, trained......it was all I cared about quite frankly. But like Karina, in a matter of days my life was changed. Unlike Karina, I wasn't injured while climbing or in her case BASE jumping, but it happened four days before I was going to enter a rock climbing competition, something I had been working toward FOR MONTHS! I was crushed. I have come a long way since then, and I accept the course my life has taken.....Will I ever climb again? Well, I sure hope so.....Do I have any regrets about anything that happened? No. Would I do things differently given the chance? Probably not. However, I do need to continue my fight to overcome those fears that I have on a daily basis and against all odds stay motivated and driven by the desires I have for the chapters in my life story. Right now, I feel like I'm headed in the right direction.

Be Strong. Stay Determined. Find Inspiration. Never stop pushing myself.

Behind the Bloom

Everything is blooming most recklessly; if it were voices instead of colors, there would be an unbelievable shrieking into the heart of the night.

~Rainer Maria Rilke



I just can't seem to stop taking photos of these splendid little blooms I'm seeing all over the place. As spring wears on you'll notice how big of a flower freak I really am. Taking photos isn't the only thing I find fun about the becoming blooms. For the ones I can't name, I take great pleasure in finding out what their names are. I'll come home after taking photos to scour the internet until I know for sure what it is I have captured. We moved into the new house during the late summer of last year, so I don't know what other wildflowers will pop up until spring blossoms even further. So far I've spotted crocus', daffodil's, and grape hyacinths. Last year we had all sorts of wildflowers sprout unexpectedly between summer and fall, so I'm hoping that spring will offer a bounty just as delightful.

One person who knows how deep my love of flowers goes is dear ol' Cody. He even brought me a bouquet of Alstros home the other day as a piece offering. He called them, "be nice to me again flowers", as I'm sure some of you will understand; it's that chocolate craving, I hate the way I look, time of the month! At least it won't be going on while I'm on vacation in Big Sur!!

I've been in my own little world somewhere on the west coast today, making plans for all the places I/we intend to go and stay at while in Big Sur. Cody's in charge of camp food, while I take care of the other details! I have read through the entire guidebook, and the locations that I marked in the book with little red sticky arrows have now been added to the google map I created. I sound obsessed, don't I? Well, it's sort of a deal for me, I can't help it. The time off is what I am most looking forward to, especially since this week has been extra difficult for me in the pain management department, but today I get the deep tissue massage, and tomorrow I have my Acupuncture, hopefully relief is in sight. Alright, enough complaining!
Back to my dream world until it's time for my massage!!

* Enchantment *

A flower's appeal is in its contradictions - so delicate in form yet strong in fragrance, so small in size yet big in beauty, so short in life yet long on effect.

Adabella Radici

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

In Other News:

The "Help Me Name My ArtCard Poll" is now closed.
With a whooping 20 votes, the most popular selection was "Rise and Shine".
"Rise and Shine" (link to card) is the new name for the ArtCard!!
Thank you to all who participated in voting, as well as the ones who wrote in their own ideas:

• Hello Sunshine
• Salute the Sun
• New Sunsation
• Here comes the sun
• Soulstice :-)
• the sun play's the blues
• Salute the Sun of Soul Renewal

*Moo cards were sent to those who voted, left a comment, then forwarded their mailing address!

Speaking of VOTING:

This is the last week to vote for my two photos in the Appalachian Mountain Photography Competitions "Peoples Choice Award". The winners will be announced on Saturday at a Photographers Reception that will be held at the gallery where my photos are being shown. Please click here to be taken to the post with the voting instructions. It takes less than a minute to register, they only ask for a name and email address. And again, to all of those whom have already voted, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

What's your Traveler IQ

This new obsession started when I read another post which had a geography game I attempted to play. I did very poorly, as I know nothing about where republic's or kingdom's are located within a map. I did, however, get better at it as I continued to play the game, but I was still left with a sour taste in my mouth about the game overall, as addicting as it was. So, I set out to find a geography game that I liked better, and after many other games, I have finally found one that I like.

I can't say that I'm that much better at this game since I can't get past a certain level, but it's still fun. And honestly, if I ever expect to be a "real" traveler, hadn't I better know where these places are on the map?!?! Now, I actually want to get a huge world map and put it on a wall in my house so that I can study it, and dream about this places on my list of destinations to see, mark places that I've been to, and those I wish to go. Oh snap, here it goes, my wanderlust is kicking in!! Good thing my vacation isn't too far away.........15 days to be exact!

My Final Score: 152,310
My Final Level: 6
My Traveler IQ: 89

I'm sure you all can knock my scores out of the park - DO IT!!!!
*And for big fun, post your scores in the comments*

presented by TravelPod, the World's First Travel Blog ( Part of the TripAdvisor Media Network )

Greeting from Fairford!

"Fairford Mill" By: Diane Setek

• I received this psotcard from Fairford, a small town in Gloucestershire, England.
  

Ancient times: Fairford, first mentioned in written records in AD 850, gained its name from the Saxon "Fagrinfordia", which means "fair" (easy to cross) ford. The ford was an ancient crossing place for the river Coln, before the town bridge was built in the 13th century. In 1787 the river was excavated, making it much deeper and narrower.


"FAIRFORD MILL"



Places of interest in Fairford include the beautiful St Mary’s Church, noted for its world famous stained glass windows, probably one of the most spectacular displays of stained glass windows in the Cotswolds.

*Image found on Cotswolds Guide Website*


I found a website with some beautiful photos of the church if you want to see more.
Click HERE for photos
and HERE for more history of the church.


I didn't know much about this place before receiving this postcard, now I know, and knowing is half the battle. ~ GI Joe




Other information found here:
Fairford Website
Fairford Mill History - Website


"I Love Postcards in the Mail!"
*help add to the collection*

Roaring Fork Falls

~ROARING FORK FALLS~

Wide Angle View

Depending on who you ask, this waterfall is either 45ft high, or 100ft long. Either way it was a very picturesque and edifying cascade. We ventured here on the same day we went to Setrock Creek Falls. We barely had to put forth any effort to get there, as the hike was very easy.

According to my NC Waterfalls book, the author boast a mere beauty rating of 7 for this waterfall. It may be that I'm easy to please, but I was utterly enraptured by the angelic essence it held. I watched the cascade of water rush down as it meandered through the moss covered rocks, it was beautiful. Beauty rating, beauty schmating.......his is always different than mine would be :o)

I finally got my new tripod today, although the weather wasn't conducive to me running out to break it in. I did, however, take photos of the tripod itself. I really am in love with it, and it does make me feel a bit more professional; especially when it's compared to the cheap old Samsonite that broke on me a few weeks ago. Tomorrow I'll be using it for sure, no if, ands, or buts about it!

See some other waterfalls I've been to:

• Lower Cascade Falls
• Harper Creek Falls
• Blue Hole (TN)
  

Three Down........

"{366} Photographic Journal"

Toward the end of this month I began to get a little disappointed in what I was presenting in terms of 'good photos'. I had some major ups and downs this month, but I made it through. Three down, and nine to go. I know throughout the remainder of this year I will continue to have my ups and downs, but I suppose that what really matters is how quickly I am able to bounce back. Throughout my years I have come to realize that I am a pretty resilient creature. Every experience forming me into who I am at the moment, things change, I change......it's really interesting to have the ability to look back on it as a whole. It really puts things into perspective for me.

I am glad to have the opportunity to share with you as this new phase in my life unfolds, and I grow that much more thankful as the days pass. Thank you for the support, it means a lot to me :o)

1. I Love Gifts in the Mail, 2. Thunderhole Falls, 3. Going Strong #63, 4. Floody Waters, 5. Brookshire Barn, 6. Branchlets On Blue, 7. Outside Looking In #67, 8. A Long Way Down, 9. Barn: Neglected, 10. Luck Remains, 11. S P I R I T L E S S, 12. My Appreciation, 13. Unknown Patch, 14. Go with the Flow, 15. Portal of Refuge, 16. Reciprocity, 17. Roots, 18. What Past My Bedtime Looks Like, 19. Like a Stone, 20. Bridge @ Greenway, 21. Hard Workin', 22. Setrock Creek Falls, 23. Inside Out, 24. Daffodil, 25. Outdoor Photography #85, 26. Queen Size Fantasy, 27. What Tea @ Bedtime Looks Like, 28. Boone Special, 29. Converging Pattern, 30. ArtCard in the Making, 31. Bella Blue
*Clicking on the above links will take you to Flickr*

~My Favorites from March~

71. S P I R I T L E S S



76. Reciprocity

From the beginning:
{366} Photographic Journal

• February
• January

Today I Voted

"Rise and Shine"


I have come up with too many names for this ArtCard, so I thought, who better to help me pick one than you all. Voting is anonymous, so any lurkers can stay that way and still vote! I made this card last week during the four day period of gloomy, and dark weather we were experiencing. I try not let that sort of weather affect my mood, but it's inevitable when it goes on day after day. I was planning to post a photo today, but instead decided that I/we needed more sun since the weather isn't all that favorable outside right now. According to the forecast we are looking at the same type of weather we had last weekend. Although this time I plan to not let it put a damper on my weekend. I have been pretty motivated these past few days, and I truly hope that I stays this way so I continue getting things done.

For anyone who leaves a comment on the blog after voting with the title of their choosing, I will send them a Moo Card! Now, what's a Moo Card you ask.........well, it's better if I show you instead of trying to tell you.....click HERE to see what a Moo Card is. Now that you know, maybe you want one, and maybe you don't. But if you're anything like me, you love to get stuff in the mail!! So, once you've voted and left a comment with the title you chose, just shoot me an email with your address and I'll get one out to you. Who knows maybe I'll add a little extra?!?!
HAPPY VOTING :o)

...:::Time Well Spent:::...

"Relax"

I made this one about a week and a half ago after an Acupuncture appointment. The person administering my treatment (we'll call him N) was concerned that I don't "Relax" enough. N's right, sometimes I don't. More often than not, I feel like I should be doing something, you know. N insisted that I go home and soak in the tub, if you know me, then you know that I'm not a bath person. I feel like it's a waste of time! Go figure. I heeded his advice, and once I got home, soaked in a hot steaming bath. It was much easier for me to relax because I wasn't trying to read a book or anything. The last time I tried to take a bath was a complete disaster, trying not to get the book wet, and my feet wouldn't reach the end of the bathtub......I tell ya.....It was not relaxing AT ALL! This time was different, I was so calm that I actually fell asleep! I woke up and thought to myself, "hmmm that must have been relaxing!". Yeah yeah, I know that I could have drowned or something but whatever, at least I did it long enough to stop fidgeting! I have taken a bath since then as N instructed, although those times I didn't fall asleep, basically just soaking for my muscle's sake. I find that I am usually feeling pretty tranquil after an Acupuncture treatment, so following up with a soak is just what I need.......

What do you do to relax after a long day or week at work?

If you liked this post, check out these:

• ~My First Two~
• Tub Flub

NEW POSTS

{366} Photographic Journal (link)

*I still have to get completely updated to round out the month of March, but I hope to get caught up completely come tomorrow.