Holiday Greetings

Circle of Friends

I am blessed with a wonderful circle of friends!

Simple Blessings

I like surprises that make me smile inside — out-of-the-blue moments that give a boost to dry routine. Like a sudden burst of warm sunshine on a blustery afternoon, an unexpected hug from a giggling toddler, or an old friend standing at my door with a loaf of warm bread and two plates. Simple blessings that lift me up.

~Missy Buchanan

Fire in the Sky

Thanksgiving morning I was busy working and had been in a room with the drapes closed. When I walked into my living room…that has windows all across the front…I was astonished to see a blazing red sky; the whole room was enveloped in an intensely bright red glow. Such a dazzling sight I’ve never seen!

Knowing the magical moment was about to slip away, I dashed upstairs and grabbed my camera out of its bag.

I knew there was not a moment to waste. Forgetting about a tripod…or even a jacket…I hurried outside. Much to my dismay, the fire in the sky had already subsided. In fact, in just the 30 seconds it took to shoot half-dozen images, the dramatic color in the sky disappeared completely.

This photo (color is much more vibrant on my computer) was shot hand-held on Aperture Priority (F8.0, 1/30) and is straight from the camera (no computer manipulation of color). It’s a scene I’ve posted before, but the only one available to me on a moment’s notice!

My friend, Leslie, spotted the fire in the sky Thanksgiving morning as well…and she did a great job of capturing that magical moment. You can see for yourself at: http://www.zezeesview.blogspot.com/

Thankful

There is always something for which to be thankful.

~Charles Dickens

Appearances are Deceiving

It matters not what’s on the outside…

It’s the inside that counts.

Beauty is not in the face;

Beauty is a light in the heart.

~ Khalil Gibran

Challenges Bring Opportunities

“The pessimist sees challenges in every opportunity and the optimist sees opportunities in every challenge.”

~Winston Churchill

Sunday Driver!

“Sunday driver!” we’d shout in fun at the slowpoke car in front of us.

Growing up, the term “road rage” hadn’t been invented yet. So when we kids were bouncing along in the back seat (that was before seat belts!) while Daddy drove and Mommy sat beside him, holding the baby in her lap (before mandatory car seats, too!)…we’d simply giggle and yell “Sunday driver!” as Daddy sped by the poky car ahead of us.

Ah, one more sweet memory…and yet another “Bits ‘n Pieces” of my life!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

The Point After

Sometimes that’s all it takes.

William & Mary won their Homecoming game yesterday…by one point!

GO TRIBE!!!

Drive-By Shooting

My friend is a wonderful photographer, and he continually amazes me with the images he produces from the inside of his car. While we all know that texting while driving is illegal, nobody ever told Steve he couldn’t shoot while cruising down the highway!

Yesterday as my husband and I were running errands, the sun peeked out from behind the clouds, revealing a beautiful autumn morning. I thought of my friend and tried emulating his technique. While I can’t claim his fame…these were, after all, shot from the passenger side of the vehicle…they were taken as we traveled down the highway at 50 m.p.h.

Steve…these are for you! J

I wonder...

I wonder why barns are always red?

Anniversary Wishes

One year ago today, Dee and Jack exchanged wedding vows.

Wishing you both all the happiness your hearts can hold.

Happy 1^st Anniversary, Dee and Jack!

Autumn has arrived!

Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn. ~Elizabeth Lawrence


Foto Fun

My friends and I had fun yesterday, clowning around with some stiff we met on the street.

A Splash of Color...FINALLY!

Grab Shot

A few weeks ago I was walking along Main Street, when this big truck came roaring down the street. As it slowed to make a turn, I grabbed this shot. Not my best work, but it IS colorful.

Which brings me to my point. “A Splash of Color” was my intended post for today. Not a splash of color from a truck, but a splash of color from flowers.

So what happened? Your guess is as good as mine!

Over the course of a few frustrating hours, numerous attempts were made to upload the flower image. However, each endeavor resulted in something called “Internal Error.”

Hmmm. Sounds nasty, doesn’t it? I wondered if it meant my internal or its internal. Things were getting just a bit too personal.

I finally surrendered and grabbed this shot instead…and it worked. Go figure.

Early Morning Light

The beautiful glow of early morning light lured me away from my soothing cup of tea.

The Gift of Knowledge

My son, a voracious reader, gave himself a gift. He purchased it online, sight unseen, and had it shipped here. It will be waiting for him when he comes home for the holidays, but in the meantime, here is a sneak peek for him!

A good book on your shelf is a friend that turns its back on you and remains a friend. ~Author Unknown

CAUTION:

NO Bicycles or Skateboards

What about photographers?

Umbrella Wisdom

Nobody will lend you an umbrella when it’s raining.

~Really important stuff my kids have taught me by Cynthia L. Copeland

Then and Now

1996

2010

Vanessa and Dave…friends from childhood to adulthood.

Friends are the sunshine of life! ~ John Hay

Main Street

Spent a lovely afternoon on Main Street with friends.

Remember…it’s not where you are, it’s who you’re with!

Hoop Girl

Look at the size of that earring. I once had a hula-hoop smaller than that! J

Be thankful for the Past,

Have courage for the Present,

And have faith for the Future.

Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse

…was first lighted on July 10, 1860 and has been operated by the United States Coast Guard since 1939.

View approaching the lighthouse…

Views from the top…

Grumpy

Looks like somebody I know!

Lucky shot!

Last week my husband and I were out for a drive and stopped at a red light. Just before the light turned green, I realized I was sitting in front of a photo op. Luckily, my camera was plopped on my lap, ready to shoot. I quickly fired off a shot…there was no time to compose…and hoped for the best.

I think I was lucky!

Connie's Party

To Jayme:

Thank you so much for helping me photograph Connie’s retirement party last night. I really appreciate your support!

We must have looked professional, because one partygoer asked if we were partners, and another asked if we do weddings! J

I love the image you posted, and can’t wait to see the rest of your photos!

Now here are a few of mine…

Happiness is not solitary, but social; and so we can never have it without sharing it with others. ~Henry Van Dyke

It is NOT Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood

…but it IS Mrs. Fields’!

Take time to enjoy quiet moments with yourself for inner reflection.

~Author Unknown

Missing my little brother...

I “sworda” like this one!

Seashell Art

Time you enjoyed wasting, was not wasted.

~John Lennon

It's never too late

...to act on your dreams.

Taekwondo

Jack gets promoted!

Remembering...

Each happiness of yesterday

Is a memory for tomorrow.

~George Webster Douglas

Pictures of Pictures

Photography serves at least two important functions: it not only preserves our memories, but it also provides a visual documentation of our history.

A few days ago, members of my photo group spent a couple of hours at the County Archives, poring over old photographs for our exciting new project, Main Streets of Montgomery County.

Image #75 depicts the NW corner of Main and Center Streets in Fonda, circa 1926.

#514 portrays Main Street in Fonda “before the demolition.” Can anyone help identify the year? The auto in the lower LH corner may provide somewhat of a clue.

You’re probably shaking your head and wondering what in the world does #586 have to do with Main Streets? The answer is nothing. I was simply intrigued with this 1976 image of the Fonda Bicentennial Committee. I recognized several people on the Committee, including my 9^th grade science (or was it math?) teacher and a current co-worker! How many people can YOU name?

Considering these images were shot thru plastic sleeves under fluorescent lighting at ISO 3200, I was pleasantly surprised at the results. Of course, these photos would not have been possible without the assistance of my friend, Steve, who did a terrific job of helping to minimize the glare by holding the binder upright…and steady…while I photographed. Thanks for your help, Steve!

Bokeh

In photography, bokeh is the blur, or the aesthetic quality of the blur, in out-of-focus areas of an image, or "the way the lens renders out-of-focus points of light." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bokeh)

This was my first attempt at bokeh, and I found it to be incredibly difficult and challenging. Nevertheless, I gave it a shot!

Thanks for the assignment, Linda. It was certainly a learning experience I won’t soon forget! “If at first you don’t succeed…try, try again!”

And I will.