Life: Through the Lens

We had a great time a couple of weeks ago at the German Shorthair Dog Trials. The day was a bit chilly, but sun was shining and it was just wonderful to get out in nature and walk the fields. The trial itself is difficult to actually "see" unless you're on horse-back. So.... I enjoyed the walk and picture-hunting, and Daryl took off with a friend who had a dog in the competition. Horses have always made me a little nervous. They're so big! But there is also something so majestic and historic about these creatures. I decided I would focus my photo efforts on finding a way to showcase the power, and soul, of the horses. Going outside my comfort zone a bit, I moved in close and found some shots: But of course, since the day was really about the beautiful, hard-working bird dogs, we had to take some shots of favorites. What personality. And at the end of the day, a welcome rest. It was so nice to be outside, enjoying sunshine and calm weather. A day outdoors listening to...

Another spring post - we've been waiting so long! I've finished my school commitments and now it's time to rest and refresh. The last three days I've been at a university conference and it was the perfect way to end the school year. I have a collection of ideas for fall, and time to play with them. I also was able to meet some new people and start an extended network. Very rejuvenating. And now back to my writing and photography and small trips, and bigger trips. Enjoying walks in the field and wood, getting that bicycle out and dusted off, and maybe even riding it:). Have a wonderful weekend!

Spring. Finally! Relative warmth, sun, rain, and flowers. Color is coming back - greens, reds, yellows, pinks...riots of color blowing in the breeze. AND the end of the semester! What more could I ask? (That's another post!)

Today was our annual egg hunt...grandchildren and eggs and decorating...and delicious food. And sugar. Lots and lots of sugar. This year's culinary experiment was creating cupcakes to look like Easter eggs in the grass. Interesting. I usually create the first few before the grandkids get here, just to work out the "bugs," then we complete the decorating process while their parents hide the eggs outside. It keeps everyone pleasantly distracted and it's fun, too! May you all have a wonderful Easter celebration.

Spring has been long in coming. I'm busy trying to wrap up the semester, and take care of other university business, and that distracts me somewhat. The tease of warmth and sunshine appears periodically. But mostly it feels like we've been waiting and waiting...snow, rain, sleet, sun, snow, rain, sleet....you get the picture. I just heard thunder, which is a really good sign! It makes up for the snow of about an hour ago. The annual Easter egg hunt is here Saturday and it would be so wonderful to have good weather for this event. I'm busy planning the activity I'll lead with the grandchildren while the eggs are being hidden outside. One idea is to decorate eggs, another is to decorate cupcakes. Right now the cupcakes are winning!

Nothing Can Stop Me Now Oshkosh,Wisconsin Husband and wife team, Amanda and Kyle Franklin In a tragic aside, both were recently injured in an airshow in Texas when their engine caught fire and the plane crashed. Both survived, but were burned . Last night was the St. Johns Camera Club " Transportation " competition. Here are some of the top point scorers; there were so many outstanding images it was very difficult to judge. Yes, I was asked to vote this competition, so when my own photos came up I had to enter a "0." There is a formula to compute a fair score. Market Day in Ghana This is the Life Heritage Flight Legends and Mustangs airshow Columbus,OH Fishing Canoes, Ghana It was so much fun trying to pull together creative images for this competition. We had a total of 12 entries and each did well. I will be contacting those wonderful people who helped us collect ideas for this competition, as my folder is very full of images we gathered before making our fi...

And so, after a few weeks of collecting ideas, sorting photos, and taking new ones, the competition is almost upon us. We got some great ideas from some of you - thank you! Of course, until the competition itself, which is Tuesday, March 29, we can't reveal which images we've decided to use. There are some members of our photography group "lurking" on Facebook and visiting the blog and we sure wouldn't want to give them our great ideas! Thank you we blog artists , Meri , georgia b , Char , Jeanie , Dagmar , and Marion (a Facebook friend) for your wonderful suggestions and well wishes. Stay tuned for our decisions, and your thank you gifts. I'll email for addresses to send the selections to:). It promises to be a busy work week, but I also have some wonderful hints of spring to share. Stop back in the next few days, as I hope to pick up my pace and spend more time doing what I love to do best...sharing nature, photography and stories with other creative souls....