Dare You

So I've been needing a little bit of change lately. As a woman, sometimes all you need is a new lipstick... (my apologies to any male readers....)

It's all about your own perception of yourself. Luckily, the brand of makeup that I choose to wear has a recycling program. You take in 6 empty containers from their line, they reward you with a free tube of lipstick. I think in the past 8 years, I've only had to lay down money once to dress up my mouth.

And of course it gives me the opportunity to play with the Olympus PL-2 fit with the toy lens from the PhotoJojo store.

So, anyway... what I've apparently been needing is red. Yes, that kind of red.

Thank you MAC... I needed that!

Winter Has Arrived...

The Garden in Winter

Gardens prove to be a continuing source of inspiration even when most of the plant life is "not in bloom"...

Merry...

Synchronized Conducting

I got to shoot the Lessons and Carols Service for my church again this year... One of the treats is seeing the father/daughter teamwork in conducting all of the choirs together. (The matriarch of this musical clan is busy playing the organ... just offscreen to the left)

Friday Photo

The Importance of Play

The other day I was coming downstairs, totally engrossed in all my recent stresses. I’ve been worrying myself about things I don’t really have total control over --- so much so that I’ve had bizarre dreams of angry disco bees and black fire ants (I know fire ants are not black… they’re red… but work with me here… it was a dream).

And there it was --- a wistful request for attention.

My cat Daisy is pretty no nonsense. When she’s hungry, she does the stare. When she’s angry, she flips and slaps her tail. When she’s trying to lure you into your own demise, she offers her belly for a rub (makes it easier for her to nail your unsuspecting hand).

When she wants to play, she either sits by her favorite toy or she puts it someplace to let you know it’s time to engage with her. I mean really, how am I supposed to resist this face?

So we play. I “tease” her with the felt mouse. She keeps her claws sheathed. It’s all very civilized… and accompanied by the soundtrack of her purr.

Life will get in the way of living if you let it. Sometimes you need someone who doesn’t speak to jolt you out of the mindset of “I’m overwhelmed and I just don’t want to create until I get all my ducks in a row.”… (Incidentally, I’ve never really seen ducks line up in a row… they adopt more of a loose hangout).

My stresses are still present. But I think I’m better equipped to deal with them now that I’ve had a bit of playtime.