tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29372013785292682522024-03-13T14:31:14.641-04:00pokety patchME...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09130739420072882676noreply@blogger.comBlogger162125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937201378529268252.post-3734303999041159582011-01-29T20:38:00.001-05:002011-01-29T20:38:53.966-05:00aware and alert<style type="text/css">.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #CCCCCC; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }</style><div class="flickr-frame"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/5399612266/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5259/5399612266_df953a069d.jpg" class="flickr-photo" alt="" /></a><br /> <span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/5399612266/">aware and alert</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stillpond92/">Still Pond Photography</a>.</span></div> <p class="flickr-yourcomment"> "Not being tense but ready. <br />Not thinking but not dreaming. <br />Not being set but flexible. <br />Liberation from the uneasy sense of confinement. <br />It is being wholly and quietly alive, aware and alert, ready for whatever may come." <br />— Bruce Lee (Tao of Jeet Kune Do)</p>ME...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09130739420072882676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937201378529268252.post-78191167152615700122011-01-28T07:22:00.001-05:002011-01-28T07:22:48.211-05:00time in dreams is frozen<style type="text/css">.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #CCCCCC; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }</style><div class="flickr-frame"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/5395503772/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5178/5395503772_4688e505c4.jpg" class="flickr-photo" alt="" /></a><br /> <span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/5395503772/">time in dreams is frozen</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stillpond92/">Still Pond Photography</a>.</span></div> <p class="flickr-yourcomment"> Time in dreams is frozen. You can never get away from where you've been.<br />— Margaret Atwood (The Blind Assassin)<br /><br />~~~~~~<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This shot was taken yesterday while I was home for a snow day. Luckily, I headed out on Wednesday well in enough time to miss the horrible traffic jams around the Baltimore beltway. The snow fall overnight made this place look like a winter wonderland for about half the day, and then, thankfully, it started to melt.<br /><br />The shape of this piece of ice reminded me of the jewel on a tear drop necklace or earring - with the bottom portion so perfectly shaped. <br /><br />With regard to this quote, I have started and never finished The Blind Assassin about three times. I liked the book and plan to finish it at some point - I think I am about 3/4 the way through. Why can we finish some books in a night and others take us years?<br /><br />Uploaded by Still Pond Photography on 28 Jan 11, 6.31AM EST.<br /><br /> <br />Compose your blog entry</p>ME...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09130739420072882676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937201378529268252.post-51586174389044295032011-01-25T09:04:00.002-05:002011-01-25T09:07:20.876-05:00< wild geese <<style type="text/css">
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<div class="flickr-frame"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/5385887610/" title="photo sharing"><img alt="" class="flickr-photo" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5214/5385887610_3c2deb6abd.jpg" /></a><br />
<span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/5385887610/">< wild geese </a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stillpond92/">Still Pond Photography</a>.</span></div><div><br />
</div>Wild Geese<div><br />
</div><div>You do not have to be good.<br />
You do not have to walk on your knees<br />
for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.<br />
You only have to let the soft animal of your body<br />
love what it loves.<br />
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.<br />
Meanwhile the world goes on.<br />
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain<br />
are moving across the landscapes,<br />
over the prairies and the deep trees,<br />
the mountains and the rivers.<br />
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,<br />
are heading home again.<br />
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,<br />
the world offers itself to your imagination,<br />
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting--<br />
over and over announcing your place<br />
<div class="flickr-yourcomment">in the family of things.<br />
<br />
~ Mary Oliver, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Work-Mary-Oliver/dp/0871130696?ie=UTF8&tag=pokepatc-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Dream Work</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=pokepatc-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0871130696" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div></div>ME...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09130739420072882676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937201378529268252.post-15293515561308971392011-01-13T19:10:00.001-05:002011-01-13T19:10:13.597-05:00swing*snow*swing<style type="text/css">.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #CCCCCC; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }</style><div class="flickr-frame"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/5352810086/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5161/5352810086_c1213e7114.jpg" class="flickr-photo" alt="" /></a><br /> <span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/5352810086/">swing*snow*swing</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stillpond92/">Still Pond Photography</a>.</span></div> <p class="flickr-yourcomment"> </p>ME...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09130739420072882676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937201378529268252.post-72944134900981818832011-01-12T15:27:00.001-05:002011-01-12T15:27:52.826-05:00stay this way<style type="text/css">.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #CCCCCC; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }</style><div class="flickr-frame"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/5350126260/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5201/5350126260_3508190de8.jpg" class="flickr-photo" alt="" /></a><br /> <span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/5350126260/">stay this way</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stillpond92/">Still Pond Photography</a>.</span></div> <p class="flickr-yourcomment"> "Certain things, they should stay the way they are. You ought to be able to stick them in one of those big glass cases and just leave them alone." <br />— J.D. Salinger (The Catcher in the Rye)</p>ME...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09130739420072882676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937201378529268252.post-84393954907721715822010-10-11T15:36:00.012-04:002010-10-11T18:02:19.430-04:00Calling a Distant Animal<style type="text/css">
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<div class="flickr-frame"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/5072045709/" title="photo sharing"><img alt="" class="flickr-photo" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5072045709_26ba8534b2.jpg" /></a><br />
<span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/5072045709/">Calling a Distant Animal</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stillpond92/">poketypatch ~ Still Pond Photography</a>.</span></div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"><br />
</div><div class="flickr-yourcomment">Here it is once again this one note<br />
from a string of longing<br />
<br />
tightened suddenly from both ends<br />
and held for plucking<br />
<br />
tone torn out of one birdsong <br />
though that bird<br />
<br />
by now may be<br />
where a call cannot<br />
<br />
follow it<br />
the same note goes on calling<br />
<br />
across space and is heard now<br />
in the old night and known there<br />
<br />
a silence recognized<br />
by the silence it calls to<br />
<br />
~W.S. Merwin</div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"><br />
</div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"><div style="text-align: justify;">The photograph above was taken during an outing I made alone to the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge, Maryland. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, located 12 miles south of Cambridge, Maryland, was established in 1933 as a refuge for migratory waterfowl. The refuge includes more than 27,000 acres, composed mainly of rich tidal marsh characterized by fluctuating water levels and variable salinity. Other habitat types include freshwater ponds, mixed evergreen and deciduous forests, and small amounts of cropland and managed impoundments that are seasonally flooded for waterfowl use. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The Refuge has walking and driving trails. I was lucky enough to capture this blue heron, as well as some ospreys. It was a great way to spend the afternoon.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_y-jUM0OUVMI/TLNzGfB6IsI/AAAAAAAAUMY/laNXvIbHp0s/s1600/birdhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_y-jUM0OUVMI/TLNzGfB6IsI/AAAAAAAAUMY/laNXvIbHp0s/s640/birdhouse.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birdhouse - Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge - Still Pond Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_y-jUM0OUVMI/TLNz2AXI1cI/AAAAAAAAUMc/ptKhIOc91UA/s1600/IMG_2688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_y-jUM0OUVMI/TLNz2AXI1cI/AAAAAAAAUMc/ptKhIOc91UA/s400/IMG_2688.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marsh - Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge - Still Pond Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The photos have been sitting on my hard drive for several months. I don't have a telephoto lens and this makes getting good photos of wildlife very difficult. I used my 55-250mm lens for these photos; however, it still doesn't capture the details very well. For the blue heron at the top, I played around with layers in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Photoshop-Elements-Win-Mac/dp/B003YGMEAQ?ie=UTF8&tag=pokepatc-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">photoshop</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=pokepatc-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B003YGMEAQ" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> adding a little motion blur at the edges and throwing on a couple of textures. I feel that it gives the photo a painterly effect - which makes it a more "artsy" type of photo rather than a good wildlife shot. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_y-jUM0OUVMI/TLN1TpetOjI/AAAAAAAAUMg/UJgxqIB-YfI/s1600/IMG_2678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_y-jUM0OUVMI/TLN1TpetOjI/AAAAAAAAUMg/UJgxqIB-YfI/s400/IMG_2678.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Osprey feeding baby - Still Pond Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div></div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I have been reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Sirius-W-S-Merwin/dp/1556593104?ie=UTF8&tag=pokepatc-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Shadow of Sirius</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=pokepatc-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1556593104" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=pokepatc-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1556593104" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">the Library of Congress's seventeenth Poet Laureate, <a href="http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/123">W. S. Merwin</a>. It is a wonderful collection of a multitude of poems which explore the mysteries of light, darkness, temporality and eternity. The words are so meaningful and thought provoking. I enjoy thinking about the</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">words when paired with my photography. I have always been a "challenged" writer, so to have these remarkable words coupled with image is another form of interpretation.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Sirius-W-S-Merwin/dp/1556593104?ie=UTF8&tag=pokepatc-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="The Shadow of Sirius" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=1556593104&tag=pokepatc-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=pokepatc-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1556593104" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Migration-Selected-Poems-W-S-Merwin/dp/1556592612?ie=UTF8&tag=pokepatc-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Migration: New & Selected Poems" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=1556592612&tag=pokepatc-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=pokepatc-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1556592612" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span></span></div>ME...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09130739420072882676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937201378529268252.post-26122765456811583932010-10-03T15:40:00.008-04:002010-10-03T16:03:08.332-04:00Hearing the Light<style type="text/css">
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<div class="flickr-frame"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/5048303822/" title="photo sharing"><img alt="" class="flickr-photo" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/5048303822_6c214c18dd.jpg" /></a><br />
<span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/5048303822/">hearing the light</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stillpond92/">poketypatch ~ Still Pond Photography</a>.</span></div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"><i>"Hearing the light" is a phenomenon that occurs on an intuitive level when you feel that the photographic image is right and that the moment has come to record it... Invariably, a moment arrives when everything feels right; when the image sings. I hear the light and then proceed to record the image."</i><br />
~Wayne Rowe (Zen and the Magic of Photography)</div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zen-Magic-Photography-Learning-through/dp/1933952547?ie=UTF8&tag=pokepatc-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Zen and the Magic of Photography: Learning to See and to Be through Photography" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=1933952547&tag=pokepatc-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=pokepatc-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1933952547" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I am enjoying reading and contemplating on Wayne Rowe's book, <u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zen-Magic-Photography-Learning-through/dp/1933952547?ie=UTF8&tag=pokepatc-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Zen and the Magic of Photography</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=pokepatc-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1933952547" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></u>. Mr. Rowe has put into words the way that I feel about photography. The first part of the book discusses experiencing Zen through photography and photography through Zen. Mr. Rowe believes that if one is drawn into the light, one will then focus better and become more open and aware to one's surroundings.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Open yourself to the light, images and reality around you."</i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_y-jUM0OUVMI/TKjeTv-bPBI/AAAAAAAAULY/M-xVSHObhQ8/s1600/silhouette.wm_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_y-jUM0OUVMI/TKjeTv-bPBI/AAAAAAAAULY/M-xVSHObhQ8/s320/silhouette.wm_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<i>"Experiencing real moments will lead you to a culminating moment of satori - a moment when you hear the light; the image sings ; and form, content, and feeling are one."</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_y-jUM0OUVMI/TKjgGWzwMaI/AAAAAAAAULc/fQDGCdV_S7g/s1600/IMG_2501-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_y-jUM0OUVMI/TKjgGWzwMaI/AAAAAAAAULc/fQDGCdV_S7g/s320/IMG_2501-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>"looking with the capacity to feel"</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_y-jUM0OUVMI/TKjgiVVOPoI/AAAAAAAAULg/hzxyPZ1aJ7A/s1600/3686535255_59aa0f04b9_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_y-jUM0OUVMI/TKjgiVVOPoI/AAAAAAAAULg/hzxyPZ1aJ7A/s320/3686535255_59aa0f04b9_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div></div>ME...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09130739420072882676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937201378529268252.post-85938802865792019622010-08-15T12:37:00.003-04:002010-08-15T20:18:04.594-04:00Rainy Day Pleasures<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4894511060/" title="My creation by poketypatch, on Flickr"><img alt="My creation" height="500" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4894511060_1ba07346f9.jpg" width="334" /></a><br />
<br />
Rainy days <br />
are for <br />
reading<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"> art</div><div style="text-align: left;"> reflection</div><div style="text-align: left;"> knitting</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> cooking joy </div><div style="text-align: left;"> eating</div><div style="text-align: left;"> drinking</div><div style="text-align: left;"> playing</div><div style="text-align: left;">renewal</div><div style="text-align: left;"> <br />
and finding pretty <a href="http://issuu.com/">new things to look at</a>...</div><br />
<div><embed align="middle" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="mode=embed&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true&documentId=100810215035-b3ad16d8a5cb4b9b904e12f7cd14ae34&docName=joiemagsummer&username=indiefixx&loadingInfoText=Joie%20-%20issue%201&et=1281872851589&er=5" menu="false" name="flashticker" quality="high" salign="l" scale="noscale" src="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v1/IssuuViewer.swf" style="height: 272px; width: 420px;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed><br />
<div style="text-align: left; width: 420px;"><a href="http://issuu.com/indiefixx/docs/joiemagsummer?mode=embed&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true" target="_blank">Open publication</a> - Free <a href="http://issuu.com/" target="_blank">publishing</a> - <a href="http://issuu.com/search?q=art" target="_blank">More art</a></div></div>ME...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09130739420072882676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937201378529268252.post-85811397202251686932010-08-14T09:47:00.000-04:002010-08-15T12:19:41.477-04:00the view from here<style type="text/css">
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<div class="flickr-frame"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4885393857/" title="photo sharing"><img alt="" class="flickr-photo" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4885393857_3be9129fb4.jpg" /></a><br />
<span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4885393857/">the view from here</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stillpond92/">poketypatch</a>.</span></div><div class="flickr-yourcomment">I was driving along our country roads and the tops of these silos popped out at me as they were reflecting the bright sunlight in a sea of green. The silos are several stories high and are used to story grain. The green is actually corn which is about 7 feet tall. I actually had to drive a ways until I got to a spot along the road where you could actually get a good view of the tops of the silos. The corn is so tall this year that it was hard to find the right spot. I took this photo with my 55-250mm lens whilst parked on the side of the road.... otherwise known as a "drive-by shot"!</div>ME...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09130739420072882676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937201378529268252.post-66977072828640292562010-06-16T18:44:00.001-04:002010-06-16T18:44:22.283-04:00"Invisible threads are the strongest ties"<style type="text/css">.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #CCCCCC; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }</style><div class="flickr-frame"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4706995171/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1302/4706995171_2cd50655e3.jpg" class="flickr-photo" alt="" /></a><br /> <span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4706995171/">"Invisible threads are the strongest ties"</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stillpond92/">poketypatch ~ away...</a>.</span></div> <p class="flickr-yourcomment"> — Friedrich Nietzsche</p>ME...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09130739420072882676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937201378529268252.post-77833604522903527882010-06-09T20:28:00.002-04:002010-06-09T20:29:48.810-04:00s e e * t h e * w o r l d<style type="text/css">
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<div class="flickr-frame"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4669910929/" title="photo sharing"><img alt="" class="flickr-photo" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4669910929_b756af5469.jpg" /></a><br />
<span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4669910929/">s e e * t h e * w o r l d</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stillpond92/">poketypatch ~ away...</a>.</span></div><div class="flickr-yourcomment">"Stuff your eyes with wonder, live as if you'd drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It's more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories." <br />
— Ray Bradbury</div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"><br />
</div><div class="flickr-yourcomment">Or just listen...</div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"><br />
</div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"><object height="405" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fKJJRnuCwF4&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fKJJRnuCwF4&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object></div>ME...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09130739420072882676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937201378529268252.post-74802851551734554192010-06-08T17:12:00.004-04:002010-06-08T17:16:27.950-04:00I Heart Faces - PLAY!<style type="text/css">
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<div class="flickr-frame"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/3973763047/" title="photo sharing"><img alt="" class="flickr-photo" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3474/3973763047_31ed3aa560.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/3973763047/">T G I F</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stillpond92/">poketypatch ~ away...</a>.</span></div><span class="flickr-caption"><br />
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<span class="flickr-caption"><center><a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/"><img src="http://new.iheartfaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/I_Heart_Faces_Photography_125.jpg" /></a></center><center>Play Along!</center></span></div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"></div>ME...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09130739420072882676noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937201378529268252.post-17017600449732397602010-05-28T21:29:00.001-04:002010-05-28T21:29:29.256-04:00b r e a k ~ t h r o u g h<style type="text/css">.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #CCCCCC; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }</style><div class="flickr-frame"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4648321196/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4648321196_2cf85336d1.jpg" class="flickr-photo" alt="" /></a><br /> <span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4648321196/">b r e a k ~ t h r o u g h</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stillpond92/">poketypatch</a>.</span></div> <p class="flickr-yourcomment"> "If you find yourself asking yourself (and your friends), "Am I really a writer? Am I really an artist?" chances are you are. The counterfeit innovator is wildly self-confident. The real one is scared to death." <br />— Steven Pressfield (The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles)</p>ME...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09130739420072882676noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937201378529268252.post-36869808429373068412010-05-28T09:07:00.006-04:002010-05-28T09:56:44.570-04:00More Fix ItIt is already Friday? I need an editing fix....<br />
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here it is!<br />
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<a href="http://iheartfaces.blogspot.com/2010/05/fix-it-friday-56-hands-on-photo-editing.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed:+Iheartfaces+(iHeartFaces)&utm_content=Twitter">Fix It Friday</a>!<br />
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Before:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_y-jUM0OUVMI/S_-_PAa47nI/AAAAAAAAUEc/_S3PEi2NKag/s1600/4647424906_aca36474e2_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_y-jUM0OUVMI/S_-_PAa47nI/AAAAAAAAUEc/_S3PEi2NKag/s320/4647424906_aca36474e2_b.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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After:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_y-jUM0OUVMI/S_-_bA0UEiI/AAAAAAAAUEk/rsT374xmIx8/s1600/4647424906_aca36474e2_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_y-jUM0OUVMI/S_-_bA0UEiI/AAAAAAAAUEk/rsT374xmIx8/s320/4647424906_aca36474e2_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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I edited it in<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-65007312-Photoshop-Lightroom-2/dp/B0018VH8S2?ie=UTF8&tag=pokepatc-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Lightroom</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=pokepatc-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0018VH8S2" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-65048599-Photoshop-CS5-Upgrade/dp/B003B32B2S?ie=UTF8&tag=pokepatc-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">CS5</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=pokepatc-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B003B32B2S" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />. <br />
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I added a texture by Skeletal Mess - <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/skeletalmess/3668533790/in/set-72157619124744658/">The Fauxlaroid</a>!ME...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09130739420072882676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937201378529268252.post-30667650507571259552010-05-22T13:29:00.001-04:002010-05-22T14:16:26.177-04:00FiX It!I am always looking for fun ways to improve my photo-editing skills. My usual routine is to shoot in RAW format and then upload to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-65007312-Photoshop-Lightroom-2/dp/B0018VH8S2?ie=UTF8&tag=pokepatc-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Lightroom</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=pokepatc-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0018VH8S2" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> for initial edits. I then export it over to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-65045174-Photoshop-Elements-8/dp/B002ID8R3Y?ie=UTF8&tag=pokepatc-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Adobe Photoshop</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=pokepatc-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B002ID8R3Y" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> - I use Elements 6.0. I have been contemplating moving up to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-65048332-Photoshop-CS5/dp/B003B32B2I?ie=UTF8&tag=pokepatc-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Adobe CS</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=pokepatc-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B003B32B2I" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> and recently downloaded the trial version of CS5. CS5 has much more "power"; however, I am finding that it will be a long learning process.<br />
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Today, I ran across the website <a href="http://iheartfaces.blogspot.com/">I Heart Faces</a>. They run weekly contests for editing fixes. <a href="http://iheartfaces.blogspot.com/search/label/Fix-It%20Fridays">The "fix-it Friday"</a> challenge was to "fix" this photo.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_y-jUM0OUVMI/S_gSnmL2NRI/AAAAAAAAT_M/O6gX4s8xPYA/s1600/4625503417_70f9bd36eb_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_y-jUM0OUVMI/S_gSnmL2NRI/AAAAAAAAT_M/O6gX4s8xPYA/s320/4625503417_70f9bd36eb_b.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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I decided to try, and here is my result:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_y-jUM0OUVMI/S_gS5C5EcII/AAAAAAAAT_U/6YQ2D4FGOy0/s1600/contest-+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_y-jUM0OUVMI/S_gS5C5EcII/AAAAAAAAT_U/6YQ2D4FGOy0/s320/contest-+copy+2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Here is what I did:<br />
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1. I sent the photo to Lightroom where I applied a sepia toned preset. I also used the adjustment brush presets to lighten up the eyes and soften the skin.<br />
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2. I cropped it down so that the baby's face aligned up at the far side of the photo. I use the Rule Of Thirds Grid to make sure I get it right in Lightroom.<br />
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3. I sent the photo to Adobe PSE. There I worked on the eyes a littler more with the dodge/burn brushes. I added a pink toned fill layer to give it the pink tint. And, I added a texture. <br />
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It was a fun exercise, and I have entered it into the thread on the website.ME...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09130739420072882676noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937201378529268252.post-43604053973797665312010-05-21T19:33:00.001-04:002010-05-21T19:33:13.300-04:00rose worship<style type="text/css">.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #CCCCCC; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }</style><div class="flickr-frame"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4626626878/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3348/4626626878_e7eef2abd4.jpg" class="flickr-photo" alt="" /></a><br /> <span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4626626878/">rose worship</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stillpond92/">poketypatch</a>.</span></div> <p class="flickr-yourcomment"> "It may be that our role on this planet <br />is not to worship God--but to create him." <br />— Arthur C. Clarke</p>ME...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09130739420072882676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937201378529268252.post-70039440832052681982010-05-18T11:36:00.004-04:002010-05-18T11:42:02.125-04:00welcome to my world<style type="text/css">
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<div class="flickr-frame"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4612627591/" title="photo sharing"><img alt="" class="flickr-photo" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3306/4612627591_bc89dc8606.jpg" /></a><br />
<span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4612627591/">welcome to my world</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stillpond92/">poketypatch</a>.</span></div><div class="flickr-yourcomment">I used to watermark my photos - then I stopped because I felt it was just another distraction. Being a fairly trusting person, I believed that my images would not be stolen or misused without my permission. Unfortunately, the reality of the world today is that anything posted online has fallen prey to people who are dishonest; people who are thieves; people who lack the artistic creativity to be able to produce their own work; and, worst of all - people who are predators. Recently, some of my photos have ended up in places where I did not intend for them to go. I honestly doubt that watermarking will deter criminals from stealing something that they desire; however, at least if it is there, I am officially making the statement that my photographs are copyrighted by me, and any use of my photos without my permission is in violation of copyright law. I know that many of my contacts are experiencing similar issues. What a shame it is that a few bad apples can victimize so many...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4617183526_a73246cd29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4617183526_a73246cd29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>wildflowers with texture....<br />
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I will now get down off my "soap box"... and welcome you to my world - the magic I found this weekend when I took a Walk in the Woods!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4616965855_65326c8d4a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4616965855_65326c8d4a.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Jack in the Pulpit - one of the last blooms of this species left in the woods!</div>ME...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09130739420072882676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937201378529268252.post-67700595922708075642010-05-15T08:15:00.001-04:002010-05-15T08:15:04.944-04:00tgiff - saturday edition<style type="text/css">.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #CCCCCC; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }</style><div class="flickr-frame"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4608164317/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3370/4608164317_55bcda5ffb.jpg" class="flickr-photo" alt="" /></a><br /> <span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4608164317/">tgiff - saturday edition</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stillpond92/">poketypatch</a>.</span></div> <p class="flickr-yourcomment"> Take a Walk...<br /><br />Follow a Fence...<br /><br />The ordinary <br /><br />Can become<br /><br />Extraordinary<br /><br />If you give it a <br /><br />Chance</p>ME...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09130739420072882676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937201378529268252.post-77012366007993526422010-05-07T07:21:00.001-04:002010-05-07T07:21:14.539-04:00horse farm fences<style type="text/css">.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #CCCCCC; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }</style><div class="flickr-frame"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4585832693/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4585832693_17b814b2d6.jpg" class="flickr-photo" alt="" /></a><br /> <span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4585832693/">horse farm fences</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stillpond92/">poketypatch</a>.</span></div> <p class="flickr-yourcomment"> This is a "drive-by" shot taken last week of a farm in Queen Anne's County, Maryland. I actually got out of the car to get this. The grass was so deep It that it make getting good DoF with the flowers in the foreground much easier. However, I was a bit worried about ticks!</p>ME...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09130739420072882676noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937201378529268252.post-5656345014895179252010-05-02T16:36:00.004-04:002010-05-02T16:57:35.364-04:00b l o o m<style type="text/css">
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<div class="flickr-frame"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4568587137/" title="photo sharing"><img alt="" class="flickr-photo" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4568587137_81253c7d42.jpg" /></a><br />
<span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4568587137/">b l o o m</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stillpond92/">poketypatch</a>.</span></div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"><br />
</div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"><i>"Let all of life be an unfettered howl. </i></div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"><i> Like the crowd greeting the gladiator. </i></div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"><i> Don't stop to think, don't interrupt the scream, exhale, release life's rapture. </i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i> Everything is blooming. </i></div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"><i><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4570996331/" title="d r a g o n f l y by poketypatch, on Flickr"><img alt="d r a g o n f l y" height="400" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4570996331_7eb400ecc1.jpg" width="500" /></a></i></div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Everything is flying.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><br />
</i></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i> Everything is screaming, choking on its screams. </i></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i> Laughter. </i></div><i><br />
</i><br />
<i><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4521545483/" title="run twice as fast as that by poketypatch, on Flickr"><img alt="run twice as fast as that" height="333" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2781/4521545483_6e27ecf74e.jpg" width="500" /></a></i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Running. </i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i> Let-down hair. </i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i> That is all there is to life. " </i><br />
<i> <br />
— Vladimir Nabokov</i> </div>ME...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09130739420072882676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937201378529268252.post-83528480283719412852010-04-26T12:48:00.004-04:002010-04-26T13:00:40.713-04:00Rainy Days and Mondays<style type="text/css">
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<div class="flickr-frame"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4554553340/" title="photo sharing"><img alt="" class="flickr-photo" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4554553340_630d74e911.jpg" /></a><br />
<span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4554553340/">Rainy Day Mondays</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stillpond92/">poketypatch</a>.</span></div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"></div><br />
<br />
It is raining and cold again. Last night it actually hailed here. It was so bad that we ran outside to check the cars for damage! It sounded like rocks were being thrown at our windows. The plants have really taken a beating too from all the rain. It is so ironic that a few years back we were struggling with drought conditions and now we have had so much snow and rain in the last six months. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4551383921/" title="IMG_1292.jpg by poketypatch, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1292.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1070/4551383921_b06dd9ebfc.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
<br />
This morning I woke up with "Rainy Days and Mondays" by the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Carpenters-Gold-35th-Anniversary/dp/B0001AP0OU?ie=UTF8&tag=pokepatc-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Carpenters</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=pokepatc-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0001AP0OU" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> on my mind. The only problem was that I couldn't remember the tune. Thanks to You Tube, I got the full video version.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dPmbT5XC-q0&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dPmbT5XC-q0&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Then I thought of Karen Carpenter and what a beautiful voice she had. It was so pure and perfect.ME...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09130739420072882676noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937201378529268252.post-17350710854348729792010-04-25T20:10:00.004-04:002010-04-25T20:22:12.007-04:00Puddle Ducking<style type="text/css">
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<div class="flickr-frame"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4550603105/" title="photo sharing"><img alt="" class="flickr-photo" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4035/4550603105_98c54ef5ed.jpg" /></a><br />
<span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4550603105/">More Puddle Ducking</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stillpond92/">poketypatch</a>.</span></div><i></i><br />
<i></i><br />
<i><div class="flickr-yourcomment">"Jemima Puddle-duck became quite desperate. She determined to make a nest<br />
right away from the farm.<br />
<br />
She set off on a fine spring afternoon along the cart-road that leads over<br />
the hill.<br />
<br />
She was wearing a shawl and a poke bonnet.<br />
<br />
When she reached the top of the hill, she saw a wood in the distance.<br />
<br />
She thought that it looked a safe quiet spot."<br />
<br />
Beatrix Potter, "THE TALE OF JEMIMA PUDDLE-DUCK"</div></i><br />
<br />
<br />
We have had a cool spring and everyone, people and animals have been enjoying the beautiful weather. Last week, I spotted these little ducks crossing the road as I headed back in to Still Pond after a long day's work. I pulled over and grabbed for my camera. I wanted to get them crossing the street but I wasn't fast enough. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4550666969_2a03799ee0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4550666969_2a03799ee0.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
By the time I had my camera ready the threesome had crossed a big puddle and were heading off into the field toward the forest. They really looked like they were off on some big adventure.<br />
<br />
When I looked at the images I had captured, I was reminded of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beatrix-Potter-Complete-Tales/dp/072325804X?ie=UTF8&tag=pokepatc-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Beatrix Potter</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=pokepatc-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=072325804X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> and the wonderful personalities of all of her characters. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tale-Jemima-Puddle-Duck-Illustrated-Press/dp/140655877X?ie=UTF8&tag=pokepatc-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Jemima Puddle-duck</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=pokepatc-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=140655877X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> came to mind. I was so glad that I took the time to stop so that I could capture these images. This is why I always have my camera with me - even on my days commuting to and from work. You never know when the opportunity will present itself and you will have the perfect photo opt in front of you!ME...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09130739420072882676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937201378529268252.post-17241737789010400232010-04-18T16:52:00.004-04:002010-04-18T17:06:46.649-04:00T O A D<style type="text/css">
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<div class="flickr-frame"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4531439325/" title="photo sharing"><img alt="" class="flickr-photo" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2685/4531439325_f192d72ea8.jpg" /></a><br />
<span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4531439325/">T O A D</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stillpond92/">poketypatch</a>.</span></div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"The world has held great Heroes,<br />
As history books have showed;<br />
But never a name to go down to fame<br />
Compared with that of Toad!"<br />
- Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows, Ch. 10</span></div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"><br />
</div><div class="flickr-yourcomment">As I was taking a stroll in my side garden, this little guy surprised me as he hopped amid the new plants. He looked a little grumpy at first, but patiently posed for this little photo shoot. He even turned towards me at one point so that I could get a better view!</div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_y-jUM0OUVMI/S8txp9gZkuI/AAAAAAAAS4M/-_utUb038ng/s1600/ap06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_y-jUM0OUVMI/S8txp9gZkuI/AAAAAAAAS4M/-_utUb038ng/s400/ap06.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"><br />
</div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"><br />
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</div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"><br />
</div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"><br />
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</div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"><br />
</div><div class="flickr-yourcomment"><br />
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</div>He reminded me of "Toad" in The Wind in the Willows. Kenneth Grahame wrote: "It's never the wrong time to call on Toad. Early or late he's always the same fellow. Always good-tempered, always glad to see you, always sorry when you go!"<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4531962919/" title="IMG_1182.jpg by poketypatch, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2740/4531962919_d71689d97b.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_1182.jpg" /></a>ME...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09130739420072882676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937201378529268252.post-63750997474932755682010-04-17T12:24:00.007-04:002010-04-17T15:54:00.088-04:00A Light Exists in Spring<style type="text/css">
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<div class="flickr-frame"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4527497789/" title="photo sharing"><img alt="" class="flickr-photo" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/4527497789_794bd278fa.jpg" /></a><br />
<span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4527497789/">the hint of spring</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stillpond92/">poketypatch</a>.</span><br />
<span class="flickr-caption"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="flickr-caption"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A Light exists in Spring<br />
Not present on the Year<br />
At any other period --<br />
When March is scarcely here</span></span></span><br />
<span class="flickr-caption"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> <br />
A Color stands abroad<br />
On Solitary Fields<br />
That Science cannot overtake<br />
But Human Nature feels.<br />
<br />
It waits upon the Lawn,<br />
It shows the furthest Tree<br />
Upon the furthest Slope you know<br />
It almost speaks to you.<br />
<br />
Then as Horizons step<br />
Or Noons report away<br />
Without the Formula of sound<br />
It passes and we stay --<br />
<br />
A quality of loss<br />
Affecting our Content<br />
As Trade had suddenly encroached<br />
Upon a Sacrament. </span> </span></span><br />
<span class="flickr-caption"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="flickr-caption"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">~Emily Dickinson</span></span></span><br />
<span class="flickr-caption"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_y-jUM0OUVMI/S8oRt0ManbI/AAAAAAAAS0U/DzCHUcPqF6s/s1600/ap08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_y-jUM0OUVMI/S8oRt0ManbI/AAAAAAAAS0U/DzCHUcPqF6s/s400/ap08.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="flickr-caption"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></span></span></div>ME...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09130739420072882676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937201378529268252.post-21478163062436636402010-04-09T19:26:00.001-04:002010-04-09T19:26:54.177-04:00we grow partially<style type="text/css">.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #CCCCCC; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }</style><div class="flickr-frame"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4506373496/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4506373496_49b72364c8.jpg" class="flickr-photo" alt="" /></a><br /> <span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stillpond92/4506373496/">we grow partially</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stillpond92/">poketypatch</a>.</span></div> <p class="flickr-yourcomment"> "We do not grow absolutely, chronologically. We grow sometimes in one dimension, and not in another; unevenly. We grow partially. We are relative. We are mature in one realm, childish in another. The past, present, and future mingle and pull us backward, forward, or fix us in the present. We are made up of layers, cells, constellations."<br />— Anaïs Nin</p>ME...http://www.blogger.com/profile/09130739420072882676noreply@blogger.com0