Still not complaining

I admit it, the closer it gets to the official start day of Spring, the more difficult it is to “enjoy the current season” (humph!)

And then, I talk to my wonderful friend in Florida today who told me that he was heading to the beach (the one I went to last summer) and that he was having difficulty hearing me with the top down on his convertible.

Not that he was rubbing it in. (yeah, right! he was totally rubbing it in! lol!)

So here’s his view today:

And here’s mine:

At least we both have blue skies!

And in my defense, the snow is melting!

But suddenly, one of us is re-thinking their choice in winter-weather homes.

I wonder… can you guess which one?

(ps: I mentioned I’m still not complaining, right?!)

Lines blurred

To paraphrase Confucius:

If you choose a job you love to do, it’s quite possible you’ll never feel like it’s work.

And if the fun job-thing doesn’t work out, at least you can try to  have a fun hobby! (<— silver lining!!)

Saturday Signboard #28

Signboard #28 on the 28th!

That’s a fun coincidence (and maybe a good sign?!)

I couldn’t have planned it better if I tried!

 

PS: Happy Birthday to my brother (the one whose birthday is today! hehe!!) Hope you’re having a great day!!

Tropical Dreams

I looked back on the last week or so of posts and realized that they’ve mostly been of snow.

Add to that the current dreary, cloudy, rain/freezing-rain, waiting-for-six-to-12-inches-of-snowfall kind of day.

Then add to that a few family members and a friend who live in Florida that have called and asked “How’s the weather?” (snicker-guffaw) and “Is it sunny and 85 there today, too?” (did I mention snicker-guffaw?!)

And it makes a gal wax nostalgic for a short 6 months ago when I was lounging in the warmth of the Florida sunshine.

beautiful water and breaking waves! wait… is that green grass?!

ahhh… feel that warm sun!

Again I want to make clear that I am not complaining about the current weather here (ok, maybe I am a little bit… I mean snow is ok but icy roads? that’s crap!) but even the photos of the blue ocean and sky and the sunshine are warming me up and putting a smile on my face.

Hope you all have a warm and happy Friday!

PS: You can take advantage of a free upgrade to next-day shipping if you purchase any of my photographs and posters from imagekind!  (offer ends at midnight tonight)
Here are the links to my galleries:

www.artbycarol.imagekind.com/pop

www.artbycarol.imagekind.com/nature

www.artbycarol.imagekind.com/posters

What better time than now?

“The trouble is, you think you have time.” (Buddha)

…or as a friend of mine would say ~ Carpe the hell out of this diem!

Live life fearlessly!

Corn Moon

Can you tell it’s (almost) a full moon?

Yes. I. Can.

Not just on how I am being affected, but that big-ol-moon is pulling on everyone ~ it only makes sense considering the human body is made up of about 65-70% water!

(ok, I’ve also read the range is from 65-90% water, depending on the body make-up of an individual… but we’re doing full moon, not physiology and human anatomy today! gee, ya smarties!!)

This particular full moon is called the Corn Moon, many refer to it as the Harvest Moon (next month is the Harvest/Hunter’s Moon, which can be really cool around Halloween! Since the lunar month is only 29 days, the moon names and dates can shift from year to year…)

Want to know what else I learned from the Farmers Almanac today?

“Full Moon names date back to Native Americans, of what is now the northern and eastern United States. The tribes kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring full Moon. Their names were applied to the entire month in which each occurred. There was some variation in the Moon names, but in general, the same ones were current throughout the Algonquin tribes from New England to Lake Superior. European settlers followed that custom and created some of their own names.”

Interesting, right?! I think so!

My homage to the corn moon, in photographs:

Corn (ready to harvest!)

The Corn Moon’s name is attributed to Native Americans because it marked when corn was supposed to be harvested.

Full Moon (over the Atlantic)

At the peak of harvest, farmers can work late into the night by the light of this moon.

It’s the time to harvest what you can now to put aside for later use.

Also, it’s a great time harness some of the Corn Moon’s “fiery energy” for your spiritual and physical health heading into Autumn (which starts in a few days!)

Then… the colors burst! Can’t wait!

Saturday Signboard #10

It’s summer here again… I just mean that the temps have (finally) gone back up to summertime 90’s (yay!)

Yeah, I’m that person who wants the seasons to feel like they’re supposed to here.

Hot summers and cold, snowy winters. YES!

Of course, hot temps make me daydream of sandy beaches…

Sounds like a fantastic idea…

I’ll meet ya there!

A few tips…

When I began as a photographer with a digital camera (I specify because I actually began in photography with a 35mm film camera!) these are some tips that helped me get going ~ and still help me when I’m feeling ‘stuck’ (which happens more than I’d care to admit!)

1. Don’t go crazy buying the most expensive equipment right away.
It is possible to get good quality photos with an inexpensive point and shoot. In fact I have even won a few contests with photographs from my first point & shoot camera. The more you practice & learn now, the more you’ll know about what kind of camera to get when it’s time to upgrade.

cool cloud formation!

2. However, do consider a tripod.
Some photographs are just plain better when you take out the “shake factor” ~ especially good for when you’re using dim lighting and/or longer exposure time.

feeding time

3. Enjoy the learning process.
The best part of photography is never running out of things to learn. Inspiration is all around you. Look at everything with the eyes of a photographer and you’ll see opportunities you never noticed before.

can I interest you in some insurance? haha!

4. Keep your camera with you all the time.
I’ve mentioned this already in previous posts. Photo ops often come when you least expect it. If you can keep your equipment relatively simple – just a small camera bag and a tripod – you might be able to take advantage of some of those unexpected opportunities.

wave crash

5. Make a list of shots you’d like to get.
For those times you can’t carry your camera around (for shame!), keep a small notebook to jot down places you’d like to come back and photograph. Or, if your phone has a camera, use it to take “notes” on scenes you’d like to return to with your regular camera. Make sure to note any important details, like the lighting, so you can come back at the same time of day or when the weather’s right.

I think that last tip is key. I have an ongoing list, one that I add to when something new strikes me as photographable.

Or maybe…

The key is to actually use the list and take the photographs?!

Saturday Signboard #6

Deep reflection:

 

Online Sale!!

It’s officially ON!

These are the images I’m selling:

For details, prices and to view images, click on this link:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.663633233666003.1073741826.118770594818939&type=1&l=595342e732
OR
this one to my facebook page and click on the “Online Sale!!” album
http://www.facebook.com/ArtByCarolCook

Thanks & enjoy!!