Memorial Day

Monday, May 30, 2011

Happy Memorial Day! I found this was an interesting shot with the flag in the background and the barbed wire in focus... Provokes interesting thoughts... Though I don't support war, thank you to everyone who has served in the armed forces to keep us safe.

Quote Of The Day:

"True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost."

~ Arthur Ashe

50 Word Story:

Stoic and Heroic

A waving banner of stars and stripes, of red, blue, and white. It flies high on the pole and flaps loudly in the wind. We stand under it, the land of the free and the home of the brave. It stays up through the night, as a memory of heroes.

Scrapyard

Sunday, May 29, 2011

I pass this scrapyard every time I go through the valley, but I've never thought to poke around and take a look. All that was outside were four beat up, ancient forklifts. They were very, very cool. Here's two shots I thought turned out pretty well.

Quote Of The Day:

"To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk." ~ Thomas Alva Edison

50 Word Story:

Rusted Whisperings

Rust eats away at the aging machines that have found their ways to the scrapyard on the corner. They aren't paid much mind. No one is ever seen going inside the gates. Each of the machines has a history it whispers to whoever takes the time to stop and listen.

Bucket List

Saturday, May 28, 2011

I took this picture not too long ago. I really liked the metal buckets on this fence and I thought it looked neat shot at this angle. I thank my mother for the idea of this blog, as I was running out...Oh, and, by the way, I already have a bucket list for this summer... (No, I don't plan on dying this summer.)

Quote Of The Day:

"The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who's going to stop me." ~ Ayn Rand

50 Word Story:

Put it in the Bucket

Everyone has wishes, everyone has dreams, and everyone has some experience they wish they could have. Parachuting out of an airplane, biking across Ireland, or simply going to Disneyland. A list of things to do before one dies, before time runs out. So many places, people, and endless opportunities.

A Good Vibe

Friday, May 27, 2011

This is a fun little burger shop in the valley...I've never been there, but it always seems happening. I love their sign... "We specialize in grease, salt, sugar and caffeine!"

Quote Of The Day:

"...I don't know these guys; they seem kind of kooky and crazy. I like their vibe." ~ Adam Levine

50 Word Story:

Sizzles and Smoothies

The smell of grease and sugar hits the nostrils the moment one steps into the small burger joint. The inside is decorated to look like an old diner and a smiling chef flips sizzling hamburgers on the grill. The atmosphere is laid back and welcoming, happy to introduce new customers.

Sky and Steeple

Thursday, May 26, 2011

This is a shot of the steeple on my friend's church. His mom is the pastor there. I've always liked church steeples and I liked the contrast this filter brought out with the white and the blue.

Quote Of The Day:

"I have stretched ropes from steeple to steeple; garlands from window to window; golden chains from star to star, and I dance." ~ Arthur Rimbaud

50 Word Story:

Welcoming Sign

The blue sky stretches on for miles in every direction, puffy, white clouds drifting lazily across it. The church bell tolls loudly over the soft din of traffic and neighborhood noises. The steeple marks a sanctuary, a place of safety. Worshippers all arrive in their Sunday best, happy to come.

New Driver

Wednesday, May 25, 2011
I grabbed this shot when we were in town the other day. This was a great old Cadillac...It was very, very shiny and red and very oldstyle and fun. Whoever drives this car must be pretty cool... The reason for today's title is that my good friend, more of a sister, got her driver's license! Yay! *Cough* Clear the roads! *Cough* No, she's actually a very good driver. :)

Quote Of The Day:
"Patience is something you admire in the driver behind you, but not in one ahead." ~ Bill McGlashen

50 Word Story:

Licensed

It starts out slow, involving many adjustments of the mirrors, misused blinkers, and unexpected windshield wipers. Learning to back out, drive on the highway, and merge lanes. Soon there's parallel parking and corners to take on. In a flash, you won't be able to get her out of the car.

Peephole

Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Sorry for the delay, everyone...I've had math finals and such this week. Next week will be crazy as well - I have Spanish finals. Today's picture is a shot of my cousin looking through the knothole of a tree...I thought this was a cool perspective.

Quote Of The Day:
"Life is a peephole, a single tiny entry onto a vastness - how can I
not dwell on this brief, cramped view of things? This peephole is all I've got!" ~ Yann Martel

50 Word Story:

Small View of Things

The peephole was a small, round, unnoticed imperfection in the marble wall of the ever locked door to the outside. No one ever came in, no one ever came out. It was as simple as that. However, the young boy pored over what he could see of the great outside.

Daycare Days

Monday, May 23, 2011

I liked the look of this daycare we passed the other day. The name especially jumped out at me. I've always had compassion for kids who had to go to daycare while their parents worked. I never had to go and I'm quite glad.

Quote Of The Day:

"Two year old Alex was getting ready to potty train. He brought all the supplies he would need to daycare and was so proud to show all the other kids his new 'thunderwear.'"

~ Daycare Teacher

50 Word Story:

The Circus has Come to Town

A class of wild kids is free to do as they please in the daycare's playground. Some sit in the sandbox, driving tractors and trucks. Others race down slides and through tunnels. A teacher stands by the door and yells the magical word: snack. It's a stampede of little feet.

Butterfly

Sunday, May 22, 2011

I've always been fond of butterfly bushes...not only for the beautiful rainbow of creatures they bring in, but for their smell and looks as well. I have a very large, very purple butterfly bush in my yard.

Quote Of The Day:

"The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough." ~ Rabindranath Tagore

50 Word Story:

Wings of Time

From the moment she flaps her wings for the first time, the butterfly's time is limited. But she doesn't complain, she makes the most of it. She takes in bright flowers, laughing children, sunny days. And at the end of the day, she's taught many people a valuable lesson.

I'll Help You, Mom

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Another shot from our downtown photo shoot. I really loved the look of these two from behind. I don't think the kid is even close to being as tall as the lawn mower.

Quote Of The Day:

"A toddler believes that if you love a person, you stay with that person 100 percent of the time." ~ Lawrence Balter

50 Word Story:

A Little Shadow

A little boy dressed in colorful shorts and a juice stained shirt toddles after his mother. It doesn't matter what she is doing, whether it be cooking, cleaning, or mowing the lawn. He tries to help, usually making a mess of things, but she just patiently smiles down at him.

Melancholy

Friday, May 20, 2011

Another picture from our fun little photo shoot. I found this picture kind of cute, but kind of sad as well. I remember having a swing like this...I think it was yellow. The main difference was that it was hanging from a tree in a large backyard...

Quote Of The Day:

"Melancholy is a sadness that has taken on lightness." ~ Italo Calvino

50 Word Story:

Minute Playground

Two swings hang from the porch of an industrial looking home. The yard is about the size of a fourth of a soccer field. Not large. However, two little children play outside in the sand as if their home was the biggest jungle out there. Curiosity overcomes all their boundaries.

Slight Detour...

Thursday, May 19, 2011

I went on a fun photo shoot with a friend today. We picked out some really cool shots, this being one of them. These are the types of shots that make me want a Canon...

Quote Of The Day:

"Failure is a detour, not a dead-end street." ~ Zig Ziglar

50 Word Story:

Briefly on a Different Track

When walking down the road of life, sometimes mountains and boulders stand in the way. Or maybe a river, swiftly carrying tree trunks, blocks the turn. A dark forest that's too deadly to cross through. Slight detours are made, but that doesn't mean that the road is lost, just distant.

Tokens

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Woohoo! I'm all caught up from last week! Hooray! That feels good...I've only got 26 more posts. After I reach 365 days of blogging, I'll be doing a joint blog theme with my friend from http://islandfever44.blogspot.com/. We'll come up with a photography theme for each week and will post on Saturdays or Sundays. On to today's post! We have a bay window in my kitchen and my mom keeps trinkets and tokens, mostly heart shaped, in the window. I've always liked to look through everything up there since I was little...

Quote Of The Day:

"The most evident token and apparent sign of true wisdom is a constant and unconstrained rejoicing." ~ Michel de Montaigne

50 Word Story:

Simple Reminders

The small shapes in the dish sparkle in the afternoon sunlight, catching the eye. The are easily pocketed. They're symbols of bonds, of courage, of perseverance. Tokens of success, leadership, happiness, and curiosity. A light weight in the pocket, a reminder of values, of family, of strength and open mindedness.

L'Arche

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

For the greater part of this school year I've been volunteering at a place called L'Arche. L'Arche was originally started in France and has since spread all over the world. It's an organization that devotes itself to the wellbeing and health of developmentally delayed adults. The main thing that they do at L'Arche and what they're known for is the candles that they make by hand. I own four of these candles and I'll treasure them. My school recently did a candle sale as part of our service to them and we raised over $1,000. It was great. I've been so very privileged to work with six of these adults. As much as they've taken away from me, I've taken away from them. Today was my last day with them and it very nearly broke my heart...I'm definitely coming back in the summer...

Quote Of The Day: (The quote on their site)

"The cry for love and communion and for recognition that rises from the hearts of people in need reveals the fountain of love in us and our capacity to give life."

~ Jean Vanier

50 Word Story:

Simply Together

I know that when I walk into the building in the morning that they'll be happy to greet me. One of them will be talking about jumping baby kittens. Another talks about vacation and flying. They talk to us, they work by us, they welcome us. I miss them already.

The "Schnufflapuffamajig"

Monday, May 16, 2011

One thing I really love about my yard is how much yard art we have in it. This is only one of the many pieces we have. This guy, we're not really sure what to call him, looks like he walked right out of a Dr. Seuss book and into our front garden. Tonight, Dr. Seuss has officially become one of my heroes...

Quote Of The Day:

"My alphabet starts with this letter called yuzz. It's the letter I use to spell yuzz-a-ma-tuzz. You'll be sort of surprised what there is to be found once you go beyond 'Z' and start poking around!"

~ Dr. Seuss

50 Word Story:

Fun is Good

From Sneeches on beaches to the Grinch in green breeches. From green eggs and ham to Sam-I-Am. With Yertle the turtle and McElligot's Pool, Dr. Seuss has shown us, "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."

Macro

Sunday, May 15, 2011

I really have enjoyed seeing how much this blog has caused me, as well as forced me, to grow and expand in my photography. I've found that I have an eye for photos and I really enjoy going out on photo shoots. I only wish that I'd discovered this sooner...

Quote Of The Day:

"A close-up on screen can say all a song can."

~ Stephen Sondheim

50 Word Story:

Little Hints

Often the little things are taken away in the big picture. Most people pay attention to the subject, not the minor but key details in the background. Small blue flowers, a barking dog, a large porch, lemonade. The little things hinting at a stranger's life, not usually picked up on...

The Last Show...

Saturday, May 14, 2011

So today was the last show for the Wizard of Oz and the last middle school show for a lot of us. It's hard because though we may continue acting, which I know I will, I'll miss the people who are going to different schools. The tradition for the leaders of the production is that the director gives each one a rose. A lot of us were trying not to cry. I didn't succeed...

Quote Of The Day:

"Practice as if you are the worst, perform as if you are the best." ~ Author Unknown

"I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being." ~ Oscar Wilde

50 Word Story:

A Stage in the Passion for Theatre

As the music ends and the final bows are taken, the weight of the ending sets into every joint in each actor's body. Screaming themselves hoarse, the tears come along with the joy and bittersweet ending. Theatre will continue, though it will change, nothing can keep us off the stage.

The Waves' Song

Friday, May 13, 2011

The show we had today was definitely a Friday the 13th show...EVERYTHING broke. Other than that, it was pretty good - the acting was good and the lines and singing were great. Here's another shot from our class trip...I miss the ocean so much...

Quote Of The Day:

"Either you decide to stay in the shallow end of the pool or you go out in the ocean." ~ Christopher Reeve

50 Word Story:

Where I Wish I Was

It's hard being across the country from what your heart longs for the most. Soft sand, sunny weather, blue skies with puffy clouds, and the pounding of the surf seem surreal. In replacement there's rain, cold, and snow still on the mountain. Let's get on that plane to the Bahamas now...

Tiles for America

Thursday, May 12, 2011

These are another few shots from Greenwich, NY. We stopped at this memorial and I thought it was a really neat way of honoring the victims of 9/11. All the tiles were different, including some that listed names, others with pictures of the skyline and the towers, and one that said, "Proud to be a firefighter."

Quote Of The Day:

"I am he as you are me and we are all together." ~ John Lennon & Paul McCartney

50 Word Story:

One Emotion

What won't kill us only makes us stronger. Through the pain and the fear, brave souls stepped up to help those who were less fortunate. Those who were injured. Race, religion, beliefs, grudges, and any stereotypes were thrown out the window. Devastation and urgency brings out the best in some.

Polly Want a Cracker

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Another shot from the market place...This parrot wind chime was hanging outside a pretty cool shop dedicated to summer. Oh, how I wish this lovely November weather we're having would just go away...

Quote Of The Day:

"The parrot's so funny. He imitates me and I don't even realize he's doing it. I'm walking around the house talking to myself and whistling and the next day he's said something I've said...it's scary you know?" ~ Mick Ralphs

50 Word Story:

Keep the Parrot in Mind

With a friendly, though slightly unsettling disposition, the parrot sat on his perch, watching the customers in the pet shop. He'd occasionally swoop down to steal something shiny, though he mostly listened to the words spoken. The regulars could tell when the town gossip had been looking for a hamster...

Froggy Prince

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

A quick shot from the same market place as the giant chicken statue I mentioned a while back...This little frog prince caught my eye in the daffodils. Cute. :)

Quote Of The Day:

"And I kissed a lot of frogs as well, but no, I kissed a lot of frogs and now I've found my prince." ~ Joan Collins

50 Word Story:

Fairytale?

A pond full of frogs is full of life outside the castle window. The little amphibians swim between the cattails and hop from rock to rock. A princess stares out of the window. She'd kissed nearly every one...none had turned into handsome princes. How many more until she found him?

Patience

Monday, May 9, 2011

Another shot of my doggy, Zorro. Zorro is funny. Like he is in this shot, he'll wait on the rug in the bathroom for someone to get out of the shower so he can lick their legs. He'll wait quietly and sometimes you'll open up the curtain and just find him there. He'll see you and jump up, wagging along. Also - quick note - we're in our second week of tech for my school musical, so I very well might be off on posts this week.

Quote Of The Day:

"Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

50 Word Story:

Silent Patience

He sat there patiently, not making a sound nor shifting in irritation. He'd been waiting for a while, but it didn't matter. He could wait as long as it took. The cold wind chilled his bones. But his patience was rewarded when black sky turned to vibrant pink and orange.

Happy Mother's Day!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers out there! I love you, Mom! This post is dedicated to her, of course, and all other mothers (oh look, a rhyme!) who are thanked especially today.

Quote Of The Day:

"The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness." ~ Honore de Balzac

50 Word Story:

I Love You, Mom

When I tripped and fell, she was there to help me. When I cried at night from a bad dream, she was there to sing me to sleep. She answered my questions, she paid me attention, she loved me with all my heart. She still does. And always will.

Crab Cakes

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Observe the golden patties of all deserving praise. These are the glorious crab cakes. Really, if you don't like crab cakes, you are beyond salvation. They are an enlightenment to the tastebuds.

Quote Of The Day: (Only good one I could find...)

"You cannot teach a crab to walk straight." ~ Aristophanes

50 Word Story:

22 Crab Cakes, You Say? Enough for Me, with One for You!

The unique, tantalizing smell of crab cakes fills the kitchen, the aroma too much to handle. Dinner has never been waited for this intently. "Is it dinner yet?" "No, not yet." Of course, in this family, it's important to count how many precious cakes there are. They must be rationed.

Closing Day

Friday, May 6, 2011

Last weekend was closing day at the summit. No new snow, though it was sunny and enjoyably groomed and a tad slushy. I think the ski season went out on a good note. There were costumes and crazy people and ultimately, a lot of fun. I'll be looking forward to next year! Now it's time to bring out my new mountain bike...

Quote Of The Day:

"We have an opportunity to play on the last day of the season. That's something we talked about at the start of the season." ~ Mike Eaves

50 Word Story:

One Last Run

Spring snow covers the slopes of the mountain, slushy and fun. It's a total day for groomers - too chunky in the expert areas. It's closing day at the pass, and it seems that everyone is determined to hit the last of it. Some are in costume, most are just excited.

Ice Cream Parlor

Thursday, May 5, 2011

This was a great little (I should actually say big - the place was huge) ice cream shop at the beach we went to. It had a great vibe and, I swear, the place smelled like heaven.

Quote Of The Day:

"Age does not diminish the extreme disappointment of having a scoop of ice cream fall from the cone." ~ Jim Fiebig

50 Word Story:

Small-Town Ice Cream Parlor

The wooden floorboards of the outdoor porch creak under the feet of hot, hungry girls. As the bell on the door rings, the classic smell of an ice cream parlor washes over them. Sticky and sweet, it's enough to drown in. Rows of ice cream, brightly colored shelves. Utter paradise.

Written in Sand

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Another class trip shot. (Yippee!) This would be my hand print in the sand on the beach. Not much else to say...

Quote Of The Day:

"Time is like a handful of sand - the tighter you grasp it, the faster it runs through your fingers." ~ Author Unknown

50 Word Story:

Hungering Ocean

Names written in the sand, dug into the smooth canvas by a small seashell. Words and phrases litter the beach. Imagine, hope, love, dream, rejoice, fly. The waves rise slowly, licking at the curves of the letters and pulling them away. The ocean eats the words, the names. Tasting people's happiness.

OMSI

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

OMSI! OMSI was so much fun. I think that pretty much everything was

hands-on. The teachers turned us loose for a good three hours to explore the

place. It was a blast...I'd definitely go back. It was like the Exploratorium, but

bigger...

Quote Of The Day:

"In any field, find the strangest thing and then explore it."

~ John Archibald Wheeler

50 Word Story:

Omnimax

The doors of OMSI stand at the end of the plaza, inviting. A large, red, neon

sign displaying the acronym lights up the lobby area. From all sides the sounds

of excitement and hands on exploration reverberate through the building.

Excitement buzzes through the space. It's time to go frolic.

Class Trip

Monday, May 2, 2011

Here's a few of my favorite shots from our class trip. The first is pretty

self-explanatory, the second is of my friend and I in our lifeguard sweatshirts,

and the third is a sign my friend wrote in the sand. I really, really loved our

class trip and I'm going to miss so many people when they leave for high

school next year...

Quote Of The Day:

"It's awesome. We took everything educational out of it!"

~ My science teacher

50 Word Story:

Time for Friends and Fun

The bus pulled back into the school at seven in the evening after two days

and a night full of pure, exhausting fun. Tired teenage girls pile out, laughing

about memories made and time spent with their friends. Nothing educational,

nothing to worry about. Definitely a much needed mini vacation.

Socktapus

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Happy May Day, everyone! This is a shot from outside our bus window

during our class trip. My friend and I spotted this sign and thought it was

pretty great. :)

Quote Of The Day:

"Never put a sock in a toaster." ~ Eddie Izzard

50 Word Story:

I Enjoy Socks: They Keep My Feet Warm

Socks galore! Striped socks, polka dotted socks, solid socks, dress socks.

Red socks, blue socks, yellow socks, orange socks. Baby socks and giant socks.

Woolen socks and cotton socks. Spinning round in the dryer - managing to

lose one of the pair. Mismatched socks, argyle socks, knee socks, fun rainbow

socks.