70/365-2 Looking Up

:Looking Up"

6/365-2 Unique - Macro Monday

"Flower Power"

We are slowly getting back into our normal routine.  Weber went back to school today, but it was a teacher workday - no kids; and, he got home a little earlier than usual.  Though I don't officially start classes until the Tuesday aster MLK day, I did do a little school related work this morning.  I was glad to be able to work from home and not have to get out early this morning in the 13 degree temperatures.  I know that is warm compared to what much of the nation is experiencing today, but it is cold for Dallas.

After I finished the project at hand, I got to work on the daily photo.  Today's prompt is a technical one - macro photography.  I have a macro lens and use it quite a bit, but I would not say that I am particularly skilled or intentional with my macro shots.  I look forward to this repeating skill builder prompt throughout the year.

In thinking about what I wanted to photograph today, the "perfect" idea came to mind.  I have been fascinated by the beautiful colors of the acorns on the live oak tree in our front yard.  They would be a perfect object for today's photo.  I bundled up, which means I actually put on a coat, and went outside to capture the beauty of the acorn.  It was windy and I was having trouble with focus, though I thought that I probably had something that would work.

After taking quite a few shots, I came inside to check the images on the computer.  What I saw was major disappointment.  Somehow, the pictures were not what I thought I saw on the true.  This is often the case when I look at photos on the computer, but most often they are better than what I saw. Today was quite the opposite.  Even more puzzling, I couldn't really figure out what was "wrong."  Here is the best of those shots, and that is not saying much.

I do love the colors.  The acorn itself almost looks like a finely crafted piece of pottery. It's just that the image overall feels like something is missing, something big.

I let this puzzlement sit for a while and I started cleaning up a little bit.  Part of that cleaning involved picking up dropped leaves and blooms from the flowers that have been around since my birthday.  In a moment of desperation, I decided to see what kind of images I could get of them.  I don't know what makes one think that they can get a good creative shot of nearly dead flowers when they can't get one of really pretty acorns.  Never try to figure out how my mind works!

Let's just so that one thing led to another and that is how today's official POTD was born.  It required the use of the flowers and other supplies.  I ended up taking the photograph on the front porch because even though it was cold outside, the sun was shining so the light was good.  When Weber got home and went to check the mail, there were little drops of liquid all over the porch.  Oops.  He asked what they were.  I said, "vegetable oil."  To which he said, "I'm not even going to ask."  I didn't say anything but I thought to myself that that was probably a pretty good plan on his part.

On an almost completely different note, about this time last year I also took a picture of my spent birthday flowers for a completely different prompt.  You can see it here. 

How many times do you have to do something before it becomes a tradition?  Perhaps I have officially begun the tradition of photographing my birthday flowers right before they go to the great compost bin beyond.  What is weird about this is that I didn't photograph them when they were fresh and super beautiful.  Like I said earlier, don't try to figure out my mind!

339/365 Pause

"Just for Fun"

Sometimes you just have to pause for a little fun and learning.  This evening ended up being a little weird. because of the ice storm that has taken Dallas captive.  

Normally on Thursday evenings we take Brooke to do the grocery shopping for the week's bread baking and I tutor at school.  Tonight instead, Weber and I quickly ran and did the shopping hoping to beat the frozen precipitation.   The freezing rain literally started just as we pulled into the driveway.

Between the shopping, dinner, and a webinar that I wanted to participate in, I didn't leave myself much time for the day's photo. How ironic is it that the prompt is "pause"?  

I decided to not worry too much about the final product today and see if I could learn a few things from the process.  This photo has many issues, but it allowed (pushed)  me to try some things I haven't done before.  In that respect, it was a successful photo day.  However, if you judge the day's success purely b the photo, not so much.  I am going to try this again and see if I can learn something more from the mistakes I made today.  Maybe tomorrow.  School has already been cancelled for Friday so I'll be at home with a captive subject:-)

Thanksgiving and Compassion

Many of the posts on this blog have been words of thanksgiving for the blessings that I have received in and through my two children. They are successful, happy and healthy kids. Sure, childhood has dealt them a few what seems in our society to be “rough days” – not enough sleep, too much homework, nagging parents, and broccoli for dinner. And they have also had days where their health has not been one hundred percent – ear infections, broken bones, strep throat, chicken pox, and swine flu. In the big scheme of things, these are all minor ailments and easily treated because we live in a country where medical care is readily available and because my family is very fortunate to have health insurance. Many in the United States take these things for granted; I hope that I never do. No matter how bad things seem here with our unstable economy, soaring healthcare costs, natural disasters, and perceived epidemics, the majority of the world views our life as living in the lap of luxury. For the life my family and I have been given, I am thankful. It is not enough for me to offer prayers of thanksgiving for all of these blessings: I feel called to offer my life in service to others. For the last several years I have been stumbling around trying to figure out how best to do that.

I enjoy writing. Thus far this blog has been a creative outlet for me, a place where I can share my thoughts and every now and then a few pictures. I know that it does not provide service to anyone other than maybe to elicit a smile or chuckle every now and then, but for whatever reason, I have continued to write. I may now know why and I also may have stumbled upon an avenue that affords me the opportunity to use my blog as a means of service.

A month or so ago I accidentally, or coincidentally, or purposefully stumbled upon a website called CompassionBloggers.com Compassion Bloggers are people who are using their blogs to get the message of Compassion International, a group who is dedicated to” releasing more than 1,000,000 children in undeveloped countries from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty.” You can read more about the work of Compassion International at http://www.compassioninternational.com/ .

Compassion International is continually working to improve the living conditions for many children around the world. Each of these children is precious and deserves the care, love, and compassion that we give our own children. I share with you here the story of one eight-year old boy, Achilles, who lives in Burkina Faso in western Africa. He suffers from a congenital heart abnormality known as tetralogy of Fallot. For the past two years, Compassion International has provided medical care for Achilles at the national teaching hospital in Burkina Faso but because his heart abnormalities are complicated and extensive, doctors there feel that they can no longer address his medical needs. They have determined that Achilles needs urgent surgery that requires this young boy to be transported to a hospital in India that is equipped to perform this lifesaving procedure. An estimated $20,449 is necessary to cover travel and medical expenses for Achilles.

Look at this boy.

This is a child who has been in pain for five years and who has been too ill to attend school regularly.

Look at him again.

This time imagine that you are seeing the face of your own child. Imagine that you are the parent who for five years has watched your child suffer. Imagine praying desperately that someone will care enough to help save your child’s life.

Imagine doing nothing.

Do more than imagine.

Give thanks for the blessings in your life by donating to Compassion International’s efforts to raise money for Achilles. Go to to http://compassion.com/Achile to do more than imagine.

Thank you!