The Swing

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

This is a picture I took yesterday of the rope swing that hangs off the tree house on San Juan. Originally, I was going to get it against the sky, but that was too hard...My friend and I have much fun on the swing and it's something we always remember - doing crazy synchronized rope jumps/swings up on the island...

Quote Of The Day:

"We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they're called memories. Some take us forward, they're called dreams." ~ Jeremy Irons

50 Word Story:

Blue Sky Memories

Giggling children, touching the sky, back and forth, back and forth. Enjoying the wind in their faces and feeling as if they couldn’t go any higher. Rowdy teenagers spinning each other. Pushing their friends up to touch the blue sky. Adults, back to the tree house. Touching the swing. Remembering.

Journeys

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

This is a picture I took today of the ferry off our cabin deck. There's quite a bit of ferry traffic up here and they make for very nice pictures. Today's weather is very nice and sunny...nice and mild. Must be a beautiful boat ride...

Quote Of The Day:

"Too often we are so preoccupied with the destination, we forget the journey." ~ Unknown Author

50 Word Story:

Embrace Journey

Rushing, honking, need for speed. Always in a hurry to get there. Always to there. What’s so great about there when you don’t embrace the journey? Journey is the real travel. The journey is what matters. It’s what you experience and will always remember. Stop. Take the time to breathe.

Amour

Monday, June 28, 2010

I took this picture the other day. It's of the heart stone in my front walk and I decided to take some chalk to it and "decorate." I ended up writing the word love all around the heart. It resulted in a pretty good picture. Enjoy!

Quote Of The Day:

"The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in." ~ Morrie Schwartz

50 Word Story:

Whole Heart

Abandoned when he was young. Abused, ignored, and starved. Yet he did not break. They thought he was weak, but he was really the strongest of them all. Because after all that had happened, after all the cruelty, misery, pain, darkness, and depression, he still had the capacity to love.

On Wheels

Sunday, June 27, 2010

This is a picture I took yesterday when my family and some of our good friends went to a festival called "Artopia." It was full of weird/crazy/cool forms of art from galleries, to giant turtle shells, to something along the lines of tribal Thriller imitators, to power tool racing. This is the shiny skate of a performer and I thought it would make a nice picture.

Quote Of The Day:

"Once you're on the wheel, you don't come off." ~ Ian St. John

50 Word Story:

Mountain Biker At Heart

He had always longed to ride the two-wheeled contraption called a bicycle. His father taught him, helping him along the way, through many skinned knees and elbows. He finally did learn to ride it upright. He was so proud. Then he saw the mountains and their trails. He rode them.

Delicate Beauties

Saturday, June 26, 2010

This is one of my favorite pictures. I took it not too long ago when my family went river-rafting down the Rogue River with some of our friends. We were wandering around town and I had my camera. I saw this flower and thought it would make a nice picture.

Quote Of The Day:

"Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams." ~ Ashley Smith

50 Word Story:

With Right Eyes

The days were dismal in the camp. Many people stayed inside, only leaving if they had to hunt or relieve themselves. It was dark all day long across the barren ice that stretched for miles. Even the young children stayed in. All but Aiyana, who found beauty in nearly everything.

Hidden Faces

Friday, June 25, 2010

I took this picture this morning at my house. My friend and I came down for the weekend for an art show, then are going back up to San Juan. We have many trees in my yard and a few of them have faces. This is our Weeping Beech.

Quote Of The Day:

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow." ~ Helen Keller

50 Word Story:

Nameless And Faceless

They trusted the council to make good decisions, to keep them safe. They were sheep. They had nothing. They were put through many horrible things, thinking it was for their own good. The council was two-faced. They were betrayed. There was no way out. They became the nameless, the faceless.

Kayaker's Dream

Thursday, June 24, 2010

This is a picture I took a while back when my dad, who whitewater hardshell kayaks, was trying to sell his old boat. I am currently learning how to kayak and have almost completed a roll...My dad and I are looking forward so spending some fun time on the river...

Quote Of The Day:

"You don't drown by falling into water. You drown by staying there." ~ Robert Allen

50 Word Story:

Kayaker

The river always called to him. To play and discover. He wanted to learn to ride the waves. He was given a boat and a paddle. He spent endless hours practicing and learning the roll and strokes. When he paddled down that river, he was serene. He is a kayaker.

Always There

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

This is a picture of my other Cavalier, Zorro. My family is convinced that Zorro is probably the best dog on the planet. (No offense to all your dogs...) Zorro isn't 100% obedient, and he's not always clean, and he eats dead things, and he is deaf. But he is the most loving, happy, comforting dog there is. And that's what counts.

Quote Of The Day:

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." ~ Roger Caras

50 Word Story:

Always There To Love

They got him as a puppy. They played with him and trained him. He grew to be an adult and still they loved him and played with him. After all their work, they received only one thing: his love. He loved them more than himself. That was all they needed.

Why Hello There!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

My neighbor down our street owns three horses named Raven, Sugar, and Decaf. This here is Decaf, probably the most friendly one. This picture expresses D's usually crazy, friendly, and hungry personality.

Quote Of The Day:

"Horses are uncomfortable in the middle and dangerous at both ends." ~ Christopher Stone/Ian Fleming

50 Word Story:

Painting Wind

She couldn’t walk, ever since she was little. She dreamed of running, of painting the wind with her song. At age twelve, she was given a horse, the giver not knowing she couldn’t ride. But she persisted. When she was lifted into that saddle, they ran. They painted the wind.

Bizarre Findings

Monday, June 21, 2010

This picture has a very funny story behind it. My friend, her mother, and I were all taking a walk up Mount Young. It's a nice little walk/hike that leads out to a spectacular view. I brought along my camera, hoping to get some good pictures for my blog. I saw this knothole and thought it would make a cool picture, but when I got closer I realized there was a little gingerbread man pinned to the knothole. Go figure.

Quote Of The Day:

"Every day is bizarre." ~ Mia Kirshner

50 Word Story:

Eye Opener

Nothing ever happens in Prisdon. The winter I said that, Dad challenged me to find one bizarre thing before spring. I couldn’t find anything even remotely weird. Then Kaylee came. Kaylee knew how to find something different anywhere. My eyes were opened that winter. I found more than one thing.

Happy Father's Day

Sunday, June 20, 2010 Today's blog post is dedicated to my wonderful father. This is a picture taken by my good friend. I am standing on the beach and this is actually my shadow, making a heart over my head. So to my father: Happy Father's Day. I love you so much!

Quote Of The Day:

"Dad, you're someone to look up to no matter how tall I've grown." ~ Author Unknown

50 Word Story:

My Father

My father is a good man. He does the right thing. My father is a smart man. He pursues his dreams. My father is a kind man. He helps whenever he can. My father is an adventurous man. He likes to have fun and be outside. My father inspires me.

Better Than A Palm Tree

Saturday, June 19, 2010

This is another picture from San Juan Island. This is a great tree outside what we call "The Big House." This pictures the magnificent view of the house's back deck. With good friends, good food, and plentiful laughter...Pah, who needs a palm tree?

Quote Of The Day:

"He who plants a tree, plants a hope." ~ Lucy Larcom

50 Word Story:

Sanctuary In Branches

The tree was gnarled. When she was little, she dreamed of its branches. As soon as she could, she climbed the soft bark, feeling beneath bare feet. She climbed high, the desire to fly driving her on. The tree was her place, holding secrets, hopes, fears, love, beliefs, tears, joy.

Loyal Companion

Friday, June 18, 2010

This is a picture of my beloved Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Tavish. It was a hot day and he was lounging on the deck. I grabbed my camera and captured him with his pink tongue out, panting. He's a funny little dog, but very lovable.

Quote Of The Day:

"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." ~ Josh Billings

50 Word Story:

Loyal Mascot

He had a dog, they were best friends. Then he was drafted. He took her. She became troop mascot. The bombs struck. At the time to return home, he searched. Boot on the stair to the plane, his gaze caught; a dog streaking toward him. In his arms; loyal dog.

The Mirror

Thursday, June 17, 2010

This is a picture of one of my very good friends. We had a camera, some new sunglasses, a beach, and a sunny day, so we decided to take some pictures. This is her standing on the beach and you can see me taking the shot in her glasses. This, by far, was our favorite picture.

Quote Of The Day:

"Behavior is the mirror in which everyone shows their image." ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

50 Word Story:

Character Mirror

Hiding from yourself isn’t easy. Scared, she hid from seeing herself truly, from others seeing. She was withdrawn, preferring to fit into the stereotype of others. Until one day she picked up pencil and paper. There she discovered who she really was; through her characters; mirrored in each of them.

The Light In The Darkness

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

About a year ago, my family went to some botanical gardens during Christmas time. We go there about every other year and the display is fantastic. This is a dove made out of Christmas lights that caught my eye.

Quote Of The Day:

"We cannot hold a torch to light another's path without brightening our own." ~ Ben Sweetland

50 Word Story:

Light in Darkness

Aiya viewed the black wall like the other children; uninteresting and not threatening. Becoming more curious, Aiya tested it. The wall angered, draining the soul from her. The villagers were attracted, watching Aiya drained lifeless. In one last tribute, a dove of light rose from Aiya’s chest. Light in Darkness.

Sky Fire

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

This is a picture of a brilliant sunrise we had a few years ago. The view is from right on my front lawn and you can see the Weeping Beech tree silhouetted against the "flaming sky," hence the title of today's blog.

Quote Of The Day:

"I saw a star, I reached for it, and I missed. So I accepted the sky." ~ Scott Fortini

50 Word Story:

Sky On Fire

Early morning was serene and quiet. Until they came. Gunshots. The morning’s calm had instantly turned into devil’s chaos. Running feet, screams, and sobs. One collective thought: Get out. Tearing down streets, nobody knowing where to go or what to do. Bombs shook earth. And the sky was on fire.

River Secrets

Monday, June 14, 2010

A couple years ago, we had a blanketing of snow in our little town. It wasn't enough to make snowmen and it was a Sunday, so school wasn't cancelled, but it looked pretty. My dad and I decided to go out and take a tour. I brought my camera and got some nice pictures. This is the river. Enjoy!

Quote Of The Day:

"The river delights to lift us free, if only we dare to let go. Our true work is this voyage, this adventure." ~ Richard Bach

50 Word Story:

River’s Treasure

River’s serenity lapped over the bank, creating a cool atmosphere. Eagle perched in a willow tree, broad wings folded tight to body. She scanned the water and found what she was searching for. Diving down, she snapped the fish in her talons and flew into the tree, holding River’s treasure.

Out To Sea

Sunday, June 13, 2010

First post on my new blog! Woot! I am currently on San Juan Island. This is a picture of a sailboat taken from the deck of the "Big House" overlooking the water. This beautiful little white boat was out there, just begging to be captured. Today's theme is boats and sailing. Enjoy!

Quote Of The Day:

"I keep sailing on in this middle passage. I am sailing into the wind and the dark. But I am doing my best to keep my boat steady and my sails full." ~ Arthur Ashe

50 Word Story:

Blood Under Stars

Shrouded in thick, grey fog, the black bow cut sharply through the icy waters. On the deck, Captain paced. Shout from the first mate – pirates. In hidden waters, a bloody battle ensued, sword clangs and grinds of metal on metal ringing. The former captain chained. Only twinkling stars for witnesses.