Happy Birthday WW!

Nobody trips over mountains. It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble. Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find you have crossed the mountain.
~Author Unknown~

Today marks one year that I have had my own little corner in the blog-universe.
I could very well start this off with the 'little did I know', but I won't.....I'll spare you.
But I will say that, so far this has been one extraordinary adventure.
Looking back, I can see the change, and I can hear the change.....
and the exact moments of my progression are carefully preserved to revisit any time I am feeling nostalgic.

As people and/or artists we are constantly evolving,
and it's so exciting to see how much our ideas and styles change with time and experience.
I have gained a much greater perspective and appreciation for who I am, what I am capable of, and what I have the potential to become as a person, and a creative individual.
Coming to terms with all of the changes and expectations aren't always easy, but are required.

Along the way I have come across many people who have inspired and encouraged me to do what I love, and if it weren't for them, I probably wouldn't be doing this now. But I am, and for that, I am eternally grateful.


Create the Journey. Capture Adventure. Get Going!

Dazzling Dahlia

There are people that take the heart out of you, and there are people who put it back.

Last week while at the bank I noticed these little jars when I got to the teller that said "Take a thought of the day". So, feeling obliged to do so I took one and the above quotation is what was revealed when I unfolded the little piece of paper. For some reason it seemed appropriate at the time, although it wasn't until recently that I could actually relate to the message I chose. It's fairly difficult at times to detect the intentions of others and, we've all had those not so reputable people waltz in and out of our lives throughout the years. As for me things have gotten easier since I don't constantly have that turmoil in my everyday life, as it should be.
I was unbelievably productive last night, obviously trying to make up for the fact that we didn't go out shooting like I planned. I printed out some more pictures with my brand spanking new Epson printer, which I'm very happy with as far as quality goes. I have had this album where my plan was to have 2 of my favorite photos from every place we have been to this past year, but before I got my new printer I was still on Natural Tunnel State Park. So to give you an idea of how long ago that was - Natural Tunnel was a place we visited in the beginning of June! Needless to say I was pretty far behind, but I'm catching up. Now i'm up to Doughton Park which is where we took the Bambi picture (my favorite). Later this week I will work on it some more along with my various other ongoing projects.

*The photo above was taken the weekend before last while we were in Roan Mountain.

Taking it all in..............

My Happy Birthday message from Stephen:

We know ourselves to be made from this Earth. We know this Earth is made from our bodies. For we see ourselves and we are nature. We are nature seeing nature. We are nature with a concept of nature. Nature weeping. Nature speaking to nature. The Redwinged Blackbird flies within us, in our inner sight. We see the arc of her flight. We measure the ellipse. We predict its climax. We are amazed................We fly.
May you see the Redwinged Blackbird within you!

*This photo was taken last weekend when Cody and I went to Roan Mountain. This hike was to the top of Carver's Gap which happened to be extremely popular last weekend. I could definitely see why once we reached the top. We surely plan to go back and explore a little further sometime soon.