Photo-A-Day: May 30, 2014 - Side View

It was wonderful sitting out on Jody's patio watching the birds.  I particularly loved these little chestnut-backed chickadees.

Photo-A-Day: May 24, 2014 - Sunrise

There was a time when I was always up before sunrise.  No more.  Except for when I was visiting Jody.  Then I loved being up and outside before the sun.

Photo-A-Day: May 23, 2014 - Black and White

Black and white is not a natural medium for me as I am so based in colors.  However, when I saw this photo, I knew it would be perfect for today's prompt.  Shot on the beach at Admiralty Bay, Washington, I loved all the driftwood.  This section really caught my eye, both for the textures and for the contrast stone within the depression.  Whether someone else deliberately put it there, or it ended up there by nature, I don't know.  Either way, it was perfect.

Photo-A-Day: May 18, 2014 - Something I drew

I love art but don't have a particular talent for it myself.  Still, a friend talked me into taking a one day, watercolor postcard class.  Our end assignment was to paint a portrait of the person sitting across fro us.  I find eyes impossible, so I was lucky she was looking down at her paper to paint me.  In the end, I was actually quite pleased with this.  I don't, however, think I'll take up painting as a profession.

Photo-A-Day: May 15, 2014 - From where I walked

While in Washington, each morning I'd be up around 7 a.m.  I'd quietly go downstairs in my jammies and robe, put on my boots and my friend's wool ruana, grab my cane and my cameras--great pockets in my robe--and head down her driveway to the road.  The entire week I was there, I only saw one car, two times.

I'd walk down the road, to the West, until I hit the path that led me into the woods. 

Photo-A-Day: May 14, 2014 - Lines

When I sent out, I wasn't very excited about this prompt.  However, within seconds, I realized there were lines everywhere and just how beautiful they could be.  The crosswalk, manhole cover, and  drainage grate were right in front of the post office.  The fence and floor mat--isn't that a wonderful floormat?--were across the street at the bank.  It's amazing what you see when you really start to look.

Photo-A-Day: May 13, 2014 - I Spy

Sitting quietly on Jody's patio, I spent a lot of time watching the deer.  There had been five of them.  I saw one wander off into the woods, but then I could only count three of them remaining.  It took me awhile, but I finally noticed the missing one peeking out at me from behind the large tree stump.  Their natural camouflage definitely did it's job.

Photo-A-Day: May 11, 2014 - Mother(s)

These are definitely the three most influential women in my life. 

Gram Nissen (left):  I strive to be as much like her as I can.  She was the most talented, kindest, lest judgmental person I've ever known.
Great-Gram Bingham (center):  A remarkable woman who raised 9 children in spite of being abused by her husband. 
My mom (right):  We went through some tough times--as all mothers and daughters do--but I've always known she loves me and I don't know what I'll do when she's no longer here.  I miss her hugs.

Photo-A-Day: May 8, 2014 - Blue

If asked where my dream place to live would be, it would be here, but a bit further back from where I shot this.  I would have a house on Whidbey Island, WA, with forest to the sides and behind it, a rich green grass in front going down to a marsh where an egret would stand, than a small beach with lots of driftwood, Admiralty Bay in front of  me and the snow-topped Cascade Mountains in the distance.  I've been there; I've seen it--it's my version of heaven.

Photo-A-Day: May 7, 2014 - From Above

Whenever I fly, I always try to get a window seat.  I love seeing the earth transition as we move across it.  This was taken. flying back from Seattle, as we were coming down to land in Oakland.

Photo-A-Day: May 6, 2014 - From Down Low

Cemeteries are perfect places for taking photos.  Besides being beautiful and restful, the mausoleums, headstones and statuary can be fascinating and lovely.

This one caught my eye, taken at the Mountain View Cemetery, both for the sculpture, as the deep blue sky and bit of green from the tree.

  

Photo-A-Day: May 4, 2014 - Us

My sweet Tigger turned 13 years old.  He wasn't always sweet.  When I first adopted him, he was all teeth and claws.  Anytime you'd pass him, he'd try to hobble you by grabbing your leg.  Anytime you'd try to pet him, you'd end up with scratches and teeth marks for your efforts.

I was his third, and probably final, home, however.  Although I did think about it, there was no way I was taking him back to the shelter.  So with lots of love and lots of time, he learned to trust me.  He still won't let me touch his feel or clip his claws, but I can work with that.  What he does now do is let me pet him, brush him, and nuzzle him.  He's a good nuzzler.