22/365-2 Eight

'Size 8"

I am short on time and inspiration today.  Since we seem to have no resident octopus, the best I could do in only few minutes this afternoon at photographing the number eight was a picture of the size 8 knitting needle I'm using in one of my current projects.  Lame, I know, but at least I took a photo.  

21/365-2 In A Bowl

"Chow Hound"

This is Adidas and his bowl.  I'd like to say that in his mind this is the most important bowl in the house.  But, the truth of the matter is that any bowl that has food in it at the time, his or someone else's, is the most important bowl to him.  Harley's bowl, the cat's bowl, a human's bowl - they are all fair game according to this boy.

20/365-2 Upset

"Empty Chairs"

There is nothing really to be upset about in my world today, but I am a little sad to be going back to work full force tomorrow.  I love teaching, but I have really enjoyed my time off over this break.  I have had so much freedom to do the things I want to do with no deadlines hanging over my head.   I have read, taken pictures, napped and just had time to be.  "Be time" is so important to me...and actually to those who live with me because it puts me in a much better mood.

I feel guilty complaining about going back to work when there are so many people without jobs that need and want to be working.  I know I'll feel better about it once I get to school and things get rolling because I really do like my job.  Right now though, the thought of actually being totally dressed like an adult with lunches and backpacks ready to go in time to leave the house by 7:15 doesn't sound appealing.  

On another note...I spent my last afternoon of freedom taking a couple more funky photos.

19/365-2 Abandoned

"Abandoned Abstract"

I actually took this photo yesterday.  Apparently what I abandoned today was any hope of getting a daily photo that I liked.  For whatever odd reason, this image speaks to me.  I think that it is its totally abstract nature and the possibility of seeing so much or so little in it.

This shot was intended to be a simple shot of a leaf or two floating in a fountain, an exercise to practice with manual focus.  Because of the way the light fell, the reflection of the sky and the way the Lensbaby works, this is what I got, so much more than a floating leaf.

I did take a few shots today.  They were all dismal.  My mind kept coming back to this image.  Then I remembered the Mahler quote.  Then it all came together.  My mind is like this image until I center my thoughts and focus.  This is the one idea that remained after the other nineteen were abandoned.

18/365-2 Posed

'Erin"

I am terrible with posing people for shots.  I do OK with the stuff behind the camera but I am not comfortable posing people.  That is why I always have to rely on Erin when I need a people shot.  She is a natural in front of the camera.  Having said that, I have to confess that tonight I photographed Erin and Edgar together and didn't do such a great job.  The light was weird and created some harsh shadows.  So, I ended up with a shot of only Erin.  I'll do better with Edgar next time, I promise!  I waited way to late in the day for this.

Weber and I did go out to a park this afternoon and I finally had a chance to experiment with my Lensbaby out in the real world.  Up until today, I had only played around with it at home.  Here are a few of my favorite shots.

I am thankful for a fun day with my family!

17/365-2 Knobby

'Siesta"

You have heard of the princess and the pea...meet the vaquero and the aquacate.

16/365-2 Reserved

"Reserved for Family"

Some day's photos are marked by creativity and some by pure reality.  Today's is the latter.  This afternoon we celebrated the life of my dear friend who passed away suddenly on Sunday.  Though there was sadness and sorrow amidst us, there was also an abounding sense of love and joy because we had all been blessed by knowing this person.

Today really brought home how significant the daily photo prompts can be.  Of all the beautiful moments shared today, why a photo of empty pews?  The obvious answer is because the prompt was "reserved."  That may have been the impetus, but that is not the real meaning to me in this photo.  I don't need the faces of those people in the pews to know what they looked like or how they felt.  The emptiness  shown here is something that every single person in the church today felt in some way or another.  And though these markers indicate the place for "family," we are all a family, a family that misses its sister.  Had I not read the prompt this morning, I probably would have overlooked this detail of the day.

This was literally a "one shot deal" taken with my phone.  Another lesson learned is that I need to use my phone more often.  I can always delete the images if I decide that I don't want them, but I can't recreate them if I realize that I do..