something interesting in an ordinary place

“To me, photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place . . . I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.”                   Elliott Erwitt

I was walking around San Miguel scouting locations for portraits with my daughter-in-law Holen. This little scene caught my eye. The water spigot (upside down). The pot of water (for whom?) The hand-written sign, “water”.  Really? I don’t think deer or dogs can read, last I heard . . .   I was also attracted to the colors and textures. A small, odd mystery . . .

note to self

“One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it’s worth watching.”    unknown

This was taken in San Miguel, Ca.

choices

“You cannot stop the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair.”    Chinese proverb

beyond ourselves . . .

“The greatest use of a life is to spend it doing something that outlasts it.”     William James

This reminds me of another quote I love: “The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”

I well know how fragile and fleeting life is, having lost my parents and both brothers at young ages (one brother at 34) – but most of all, my son at 28. I still struggle between giving up on life and living life to its fullest. But at least, I want to continue to live with purpose – and hopefully pass along something with meaning that outlives the span of my life.

Grand old oak tree in Atascadero which overlooks our little lake – and under whose shade have walked many lives over many years.

giving thanks

“The fact that I can plant a seed  and it becomes a flower, share a bit of knowledge and it becomes another’s,  smile at someone and receive a smile in return, are to me continual spiritual exercises.”   Leo Buscaglia

Thanksgiving has come and gone. For some, a happy time, for others, losses in their lives cast a shadow they can’t escape from. One of the ways I’ve found to help break free is to just be open to giving – even something as seemingly simple as a smile.

Remaining an Artist

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.”   Pablo Picasso

How interesting that Picasso’s work evolved from more traditional and structured in the beginning to much more “out of the box”, abstract, and interpretive – and even sometimes “simplistic”, as he matured. How much of what we create or produce is based on a perception of other’s expectations? Just sayin’.

Photo taken in La Mesilla outside of Las Cruzes, N.M.

life is full of beauty

“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

Reminder to self . . .

photo taken in Morro Bay, Ca.

Imagination

“Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”    Albert Einstein

There is much to be said for logic, but equally as much for imagination.  Why not dream that you might some day fly down the beach and around Morro Rock?  Well, not for me . . . but we all have our different ideas for flights of fancy.

“If you’re not sure where you’re going, you’ll probably end up somewhere else”     unknown

As I think about it . . . that can be taken in different ways.  Setting goals is a good thing — and keeping your focus. But how about a road trip? Instead of racing to our destination (Austin, Tx.), we got off the beaten path and toodled around the old Route 66.  Amazing how many of the old structures are still sitting there like something out of a ghost town. The side trip was well worth it and we still made it to Austin with fun memories of the journey.

 

locked in?

“I thought how unpleasant it is to be locked out; and I thought how it is worse, perhaps, to be locked in.”              Virginia Woolf

I found the quote by Virginia Woolf to be quite thought-provoking. I love the gift writers have of helping us push ourselves, stretch ourselves, and to open ourselves. Some of my greatest influences have been people I will never meet in this life who, thankfully, put their thoughts in writing and shared with the rest of us.

The photo is a shot I took of our boston terrier, Jimi.