164/365 Sand

"Reach for the Stars"

North Texas is not exactly known for its sandy beaches.  And, today started with a 5:45 am call for Resounding Harmony as we were lucky to have a spot to sing on a local morning TV show to help promote our concert this weekend.  Then I had to teach and then go to the dermatologist.  With the way today played out, there was no time or energy to go hunting for sand.  This little cactus pictured above did, however, catch my attention.  Cacti grow in the desert.  The desert has sand.  Voila!  Connection made.

As you have probably noticed with several of my recent pictures, I am on a quote kick right now.  I like the challenge of trying to take a photo to represent a particular quote or vice versa, trying to find a quote to accompany an image.  With this one, I took the photo first; I love this quote.  It really speaks to me and I think it is appropriate for this image of the pink bud sitting atop the prickly little cactus.

We all have dreams - some of them small, some big, and some at every point in between.  Yet, so many people live an entire life and never even lift a finger in the direction of their dreams let alone lift their arms to reach for and fully embrace those dreams.  What keeps us from pursuing our dreams?  Time? Money? Other people?

None of the above.

The only thing that ever really stands in our way is fear.  It may be fear of trying and the risk, commitment or amount of work that requires.  It may be fear of failure.  It may even be fear of success.  However you look at it, it boils down to fear of something.  Time, money and other people are excuses, a way to keep us from taking responsibility for our own actions or lack of action.    To say that we don't "have" time  is more accurately stated as we don't "make" time.  If something is important, we will make the time to do it.  And if we truly have a passion for something, the resources to nourish that passion will come.  If we believe in what we are doing, so will other people.  When all of these things come together, dreams will come true.  I honestly believe that where there is a will or a passion, there is always a way.

That way may involve standing on a cactus to reach that star;  we may get poked by a few cactus needles in the process.  But once we are swinging on that star, the pain and scars from those cactus needles fade away.  We can say with confidence that dreams do come true if you believe in them and believe in yourself.

163/365 Relax

"Oh to Have the Life of the Cat"

The cat is the only one around here right now who seems to have time to relax.  Between summer school and several concerts in the next two weeks, I barely have time to check my calendar to figure out where I am supposed to be next let alone to have even a minute to relax.

This spot on the back of the arm chair in our bedroom is the cat's favorite spot.  There is now n indentation in the back cushion that is perfectly molded to her body.  As you can see by the amount of cat hair on her blanket, she spends a lot of time here.

Some day I might have time to relax.

162/365 Two

"Hands"

For whatever reason, I had a hard time with today's photo.  You would think that photographing "two" would be a simple task; our lives are filled with things that come in twos.  I just was not thrilled with anything that crossed my mind.  When I thought about photographing two pennies as my two cents worth, I realized that I had better just be happy with something before sarcasm completely took over.  

I resorted to quotes for a little inspiration.  I like this Billy Graham quote.  I took lots of shots trying to create an image that reflected the words; none that I was happy with.  Big surprise.  This photo is the most likable, at least in my opinion, of all the bad shots that I took.  

So, for now I am trying to accept this apparent creative slump within which I find myself.  I've been here before.  I'll be here again.  And in between, glorious things will happen.  Until then . . ."'The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes."  - Marcel Proust

161/365 Something Found

"Birthday Boy and His Book"

Though today was Weber's birthday, there wasn't much celebrating around here.  He is not much of a party guy.  Brooke made a small cake - orange spice with fig jam between the layers and we went out to our favorite Italian dive restaurant for dinner.  The birthday gifts were equally as low key.  I did find a copy of The Gospel According to Peanuts, a book that he had had previously that went missing.

160/365 Remote Control

'Still Playing!"

I credit Pac-Man with my success as an undergraduate student.  It was my stress release, my therapy, my exercise, my entertainment.  I was addicted and this addiction served me well.  Almost every night after practicing clarinet and piano for four hours, I would head to the Mr. Gatti's Pizza across the street from the music building and play a quarter's worth of Pac-Man.  That sounds reasonable, right?  Well, it really wasn't.  I could play for several hours on one quarter.  In fact , there were many evenings where I had to just walk away from the game and let someone else continue where I was.  

I still remember all the patterns for the various levels, though I don't have many opportunities to play anymore.  Yes, there are computer and iPad versions of both Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man, but they just aren't the same.  Any of you who are first generation Pac-Man players know what I mean.

I'm not really sure why today summoned up this piece of nostalgia.  Maybe because tomorrow is Weber's birthday; sadly though, he was not a Pac-Man player.  Poor guy!

159/365 Starburst

"Nuns on the Bus"

I thought everyone knew about the nuns on the bus, but apparently I was wrong.  Weber and I had dinner with the rest of our family last night and shared that we had been to see the nuns on the bus as they travelled through Dallas yesterday afternoon.  They all looked at us and said "Who?"  That is when I realized that we watched way too much liberal TV during the last election.  MSNBC was all about following the mission of these courageous women.

I am having a hard time following the daily photo prompts right now.  The important thing to me is that I take a picture, a relevant picture, to my day and life.  That, I am doing.  I will continue to post the actual prompts in the titles of each daily post just so that it is clear what was suggested for the day.

158/365 Three of a Kind

"Hope, Peace and Love"

This is the bell tower at the Cathedral of Hope taken through a window from the Dallas Peace Chapel.  

On the first Friday of each month, I play for a Taize service at the Peace Chapel.  It is a beautiful space in which to play as well as to just be.  I love playing for this service; even though I have to pay close attention because of my responsibilities as a musician, I am always moved spiritually.  Tonight was our last Taize service until September 6th.  I am going to miss them during the summer!