You are currently browsing the monthly archive for July 2012.
“We ape, we mimic, we mock, We act.” Sir Laurence Olivier
My Granddaughter see’s both her mother & myself with a camera . . . taking pics of her! I was working on my laptop, processing pics from the day when I looked over to see this vision . . . she had her Mommie’s camera with the strap around her neck, trying to take a picture of me! She kept saying “I see you!”
How precious is that?? I can’t believe that I’m at Day 200! Only 165 more days to go! This project has completely changed the way I approach photography. I see potential in the smallest things, always looking for the light and seeing potential that I would never have considered before. I know I still have a lot to learn . . . but that’s just part of the process, and what keeps me motivated and focused. I’m very excited to be participating in a meetup with members of my 365 group in November . . .
Meanwhile I’m so happy to be setting a fine example for the younger generation . . . and hope at least one of them picks up the photography bug!
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“Grandchildren are loving reminders of what we’re really here for.” Author: Unknown
I had the pleasure of taking my youngest Granddaughter (20 months old) to feed the ducks at Blackhawk Plaza in Danville. I took her there a few months ago and she had so much fun. What a difference a few months make though! Wow! She, again, enjoyed herself tremendously however this time she was running everywhere and just SO excited about the “birds”. I was challenged to keep up with her! We went through two containers of bird feed – the last one she just dumped right in to the pond, container and all. I think she would have jumped in and gone swimming with them if I’d let her! It was a great fun afternoon and no one went swimming other than the ducks.
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“I keep telling you the future isn’t set in stone. It’s not all decided yet. The future is just what’s down the road we decided to walk on today. You can change roads anytime. And that changes where you end up.” Catherine Ryan Hyde, Chasing Windmills
Yup – that’s right – we each have choice. Choice in every step we take in life. Every move, every action, every reaction . . . go look in the mirror. Yup – you are in control. Many believe that God is in control, or Allah, or some other perceived force. We all have a belief system, some “thing” that justifies or motivates us, or provides the boundaries we need to function in life. Personally, I believe that no matter who or what I believe in, I am the source of my results . . . and when it’s not working out the way I wanted or envisioned – then it’s up to me to make the appropriate changes to get the results I say I want.
I took this shot out the window of my car as we were driving through the Altamont Pass. The shadow on the left is my hand.
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“They say genes skip generations. Maybe that’s why grandparents find their grandchildren so likeable.” ~Joan McIntosh
Every year for the past six years I have brought one of my East Coast Grandkids out to the west coast to spend time with family they would not see otherwise. This year was my 13 year old Grandson’s turn. He flew out June 20th, and sadly, today is the day he flies home. We’ve done a lot in the last five weeks including three weeks in Canada (where I live), some time in Oregon, and the last 10 days in California. He’s a wonderful, caring and loving spirit with that 13 year old boyish zest for life. It has been my distinct pleasure to “host” him for the past six weeks. I’m gonna miss you Ty Ty!
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“Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children.” Alex Haley
Sleepover!! We had spent the day at a pool party, and ended up with all six Grandkids for a sleepover. We were all pretty beat . . . so settled down to watch Nemo before bedtime. Awesome memories having the kids (cousins) together like this. These are the opportunities I like to create whenever I can.
This has been processed in Nik Software Polarize. We felt like zombies, so I thought I’d make us look like zombies!
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“The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.” Richard Back, Illusions
We discovered this really neat place to spend time together today . . . the Chabot Space and Science Museum. I had not been here in about 25 years, when I had visited what was then just the Chabot Observatory. They have now built this really fun experiential Museum on site. The kids had a blast climbing in to space capsules, pretending to be an astronaut, looking at the stars and participating in all kinds of hands-on activities. We walked by this exhibit which made it look like we were walking on the moon – so obviously this became my 365 for today. What a very fun day with my kids and grandkids.
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“Of all the worldly passions, lust is the most intense. All other worldly passions seem to follow in it’s train.” Buddha
I took my 13 year old Grandson (who lives in MD) to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for the day. While he spent the day on the rides, I wandered around with my 20 month old Granddaughter. It’s so fascinating to see the excitement of the boardwalk through her eyes. She saw the mini-train and was so completely enthralled by it. She stood here on the bridge watching it for the longest time. Unfortunately, I couldn’t take her on it as I had her and the stroller and all our stuff to take care of. She didn’t seem to mind though, as she just soaked up the experience visually.
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“Children’s talent to endure stems from their ignorance of alternatives.” Maya Angelou
We were at breakfast this morning in a favorite local restaurant. She was a bit cranky while we waited for our food, so out came the iPhone with her beloved Bubble Guppies. When I snapped this photo, I had to distract her and this is the “stare” that I got . . . how DARE I interrupt her precious show!
She’s a very resilient child who’s Mommy allows her to fall down and get back up on her own, and figure out solutions to problems rather than jumping in and solving them for her. At age 20 months she’s already got quite the dialogue, and has no trouble communicating what she is thinking, feeling, or wanting. I’m so excited to be a part of the journey of her life.
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“My life is my message.” Mahatma Gandhi
I seem to have a re-current theme in my 365, and that is quite a few photos of me with my grandkids . . . I have this very strong drive to spend time with them, to make sure they know they are cherished and loved and valued. In actuality, all my Grandkids are fortunate to have many loving and supportive people in their lives. I happen to be just one of them . . . but do not live close to any of them. I don’t want distance to be an excuse for them not knowing me, and me not knowing them. Therefore, I go out of my way to include myself in their lives. I suppose it could be said that I never felt “special” when I was growing up as one of seven children. Well, that’s life, and it’s all just an excuse. I don’t need an excuse to spend time with my kids and Grandkids . . . it’s what I put out there that counts. I give them my time and my love . . .
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You know, somebody actually complimented me on my driving today. They left a little note on the windscreen, it said ‘Parking Fine.’ Tommy Cooper
I shot this with my iPad as I was in stop-and-go traffic crawling thru a stop-signed intersection. I have my Panoramic Sunroof open, and am driving along with tunes on my radio. Gorgeous day . . . baby sleeping in the back seat. I processed it in the Popsicolor app on my iPad.
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Nurture Self 365 