as rays kiss the sky
sunrise o're snow capped mountains
~ a new year begins~

***

here's to a bright and wonderful 2013

***

((the photo for today was taken right outside my front door))



to all my friends and family...
wishing you a new year of peace, love, health, wisdom and happiness.

364:365:2012



I took my dreams down
and held them gently in hand
and wished them safe flight

***

as many of you know... I have a vision board in my studio.
It showcases photos and snippets and text of things I love,
things I hope to get...
things I hope to accomplish
... and experience.

It's interesting to see it after time...
to see what has happened... what has transpired.
Some things haven't happened yet or come to fruition... but others have.
And I am grateful.
.very grateful.

***

the photo for today's post is one I took out in Seattle back in July.
Traveling... is one of the things I was able to do more of this year... and it was awesome.


363:365:2012



I'm not a fan of statistics. Math is not really my thing... but I've been running a few numbers so to speak.
This is now (as of the 26th) the beginning of my 5th year writing this blog.
In that time... I have had almost 48,000 page views... with roughly 20,000 of them being this year.
I have viewers in several countries! Including the US, Russia, Turkey, Pakistan, UK, Indonesia, Ireland,  India and Jamaica! It boggles my mind. 
I've written about 1400 posts *not quite every day*... but alot.

This year, it seems like alot of my posts have contained haiku... which I just started writing about a year ago. 
In this year... I've written about 400 haiku... most of which are printed here. I never thought I was much of a writer (and still don't)... but I do enjoy the process of writing haiku. .. and I hope to publish them someday.

In the meantime; I am finishing up work this week on "The Sketchbook Project" for this year 
(due in January)... which for me... means a journal of my haiku and photography.

What do all these numbers mean? Nothing really... 
just interesting stuff for me ... and perhaps fodder for the thinking ... 
and of course... I am glad you are still reading.

362:365:2012



I love photography... and I take photos and work on photos (and other artwork) every single day.
It is my lifeline.

Photography is what prompted me to start this blog back on December 26th, 2008... and has kept me posting most every single day since. 
I wouldn't change that for a minute.

For any of you who do not know... I started taking photos way back when I was about 6yrs old.
I became the "unofficial" photographer of the family; as my father had a tendency to cut people's heads out of shots... and I didn't.
My first camera was a Brownie Hawkeye with a flash attachment... and I vividly remember taking it to school a few times to take candids of my friends. (where those photos are... I have no idea).
I used that camera, and my father's Polaroid ... up until 1981 when I cashed in all my pennies and got a Kodak 110 instamatic to take with me as an exchange student to Germany. ( I still have a box of about 200 slides that I would love to convert into digital files from that trip).

After graduating from nursing school in 1986, I got a Ricoh 35mm camera/ lens/ kit... and started in the world of 35mm. I was in LOVE.
 In 1990, I got my first Nikon (N90 with a basic lens)... and around 2000; got my first Nikon digital
( I bought a used d70 and short zoom from a friend).
Since then... I've used 2 additional little point and shoot cameras... a Kodak Easyshare and a Nikon Coolpix (when the Nikon d70 broke)... and now... my current camera is a Nikon d300. I only have one lens... which is a short zoom.

I discovered several things along the way...
First, it doesn't really matter what camera you use. Beautiful photos can come from any camera.
Say... a gorgeous shot can be had from a simple toy camera... and likewise, a crappy shot could be taken with the most expensive and high tech camera around... it's up to the photographer to bring out the best in what they have to work with. Now, that said... it's always fun to get new equipment... and if you have the means... go for it.

There will always be a camera on my "wish" list... or two... and that is OK. It's a process.
One of my goals for this coming year... is to work on converting the 1000s of film photos, slides, and negatives into digital files.
And I think I can do it.





361:365:2012




This year has been pretty rough... especially this past month; with the news ---
 bringing me to tears at times. So much tragedy and misfortune in this world.
On top of that, I have been dealing with illness, low motivation, low energy,  no inspiration, seemingly too many household chores... tons of projects sticking their wicked tongues out at me in disdain due to my lack of attention to them... I worry for my son and his future here... I worry about my extended family... their health and well being...  the list goes on. I worry too much. I know this.

I am not fond of winter here in New Mexico. It is cold, windy... icy... and yes, it has it's own beauty... but if I'm gonna suffer temps in the teens...
 it would be ice to have some snow and some sparkly to go with it... just sayin.
And so... I have been huddled in my home... packed in under more than one quilt... attempting to keep the chill off  my skin... and out of my heart.

It's a work in progress... and I am trying.... and I keep reminding myself of all the good in the world...
 all the places I've yet to see... all the people I've yet to meet... all the goodness to come...

358:365:2012



it's nearly the time
as we settle in our homes
waiting the fat man

***

it's been a rough week.
People have been sick, cranky... time has flown by...
rush, rush
too much to do... and not enough energy to do it with.
And then there is my son's upcoming court case (yet another)... and he has a bleeding ulcer from the stress.
Life isn't fair.

I feel like I need a (very large) glass of wine.

357:365:2012



he may be at malls
but I know where Santa lives
right here in my heart

***

I know it was potentially crazy... but we made a quick stop at the mall tonight
... but it was after a fabulous dinner date with BAJ, and before coffee at Barnes & Noble...
so it was all good

355:365:2012



I have no haiku
as sweet as this yummy bread
just a pretty pic

***

stumbled upon this fabulous cafe/ bakery yesterday...
it was awesome.
see more: HERE

352:365:2012



stroll the avenue
walk down the streets you used to
ev'ry move matters

***

this photo is one I took downtown here in ABQ.
I love the look of this side street... and was fortunate to capture it.

348:365:2012



weathered old barn doors
flapping in the winter wind
remembrances of yore

***

When BAJ was in the military, we moved 8 times in the first 6 yrs we were married.
One of the places we lived, was in Fairborn, Ohio... and the area was full of nostalgia.
Barns, farms, quaint little shops, coffee shops... all just waiting for you to step in... and step back in time.

One of the things I really enjoyed while living there; was taking photos of barns. 
At the time; I had 2 very little ones to take care of as well... 
so the photography was definitely on the "back burner"... 
however, this is one I really like.