Patterns in the Snow....

Today I had two choices!!  Be discouraged by yet again more snow and more to come OR go and get the camera and see what I could see.  For awhile, I chose the first choice and it DID NOT FEEL GOOD.  I felt angry right in the gut!  Then I sat still and asked for inspiration...my message that I wrote in my journal...

Be Still...Focus on the Beauty of WHAT IS and

Enjoy the Gifts of Today!! 

So, being the PhotoSchmoozer that I am, I went and got the camera, opened the window and focused on patterns in the snow!  Here is one I am choosing to share.  We have lemons...or lemonade...disturbing snow...or the beauty of nature! 
Your choice!  What will YOU make of it today??

Spring!!!

The picture is NOT current but the story is!  I am EXCITED!!   Well, the snow and ice are still on the ground - maybe for months and the rain has not washed enough away, but just a day ago I SAW MY FIRST ROBIN!!  See I have always said that it does not take much to get me excited and this is yet one more example of those simple JOYS!!!  S/he was standing in the green grass at the edge of the field at Farmer Wally's farm just where the sun had melted a big patch of snow.  Now come to think of it, it was last Thursday and exactly the same day that I had the big red ball of a sunrise in the orange/yellow sky so early in the morning!!  Let's keep February 18, 2010 as a day that will be remembered as special for the little blessing that came my way.  Be sure to stop and look to see the gifts of the precious present!!

Winter's Restful Repose

As promised, here is my special treat from the Noyes Museum.  We went to see the Wierd,NJ photo exhibit and that we did.  BUT there was more to see and I, PhotoSchmoozer didn't let snow in the sculpture garden keep me away!  What is a little cold and a lot of snow??  Adventure!!  What attracted me as I looked out the window??  Sculptures of women in restful repose.  I opened the door and kept it propped open so I didn't get locked out and went to visit.  Remember the BE STILL part I always write about.  I was out there alone with these silen women and being still was the way to be and NOT an option!  No, I can't tell you who the artist is or if the subject has a name.  It was just there for me and to be enjoyed.  I seem to be attracted to them as I was at Grounds for Sculpture as well.  I just wanted to share my new friend with you.

Snowbound!!

 

We went to the Noyes Museum in Oceanville, NJ for an exhibit of Wierd NJ photography.  That we saw...and crafts...and gilded painting on glass...and a jewelry making class, but what drew our attention was what was happening outside.  There was a sculpture garden where I was able to go out amidst the snow and capture women in repose (X-rated for this blog).  I will share their absolutely peaceful faces another day.  When we were leaving, we walked out in the warm Spring like day.  Here we saw the contradiction of the day and loved the chairs, the fascinating trees and the shadows cast on the snow.  Have you been noticing the shadows of the trees on the snow?  They are enough to give you pause. My advice is to catch them in the early morning when you have that special light so that there is a dance going on.  Never mind that this was taken in the late afternoon- still pretty spectacular.  It so fit with my philosophy of just sitting and being still and watching what was going on around you.  There is an energy in these chairs and I can be sure that the next time we go back, they will be waiting and welcoming in the Spring!

A Very Special Gift and All is Well!!

Tuesday, February 18, I had to leave home before the crack of dawn and it was incredibly dark, like the middle of the night!  I thought what a joyous gift I was to receive since I would be traveling south on the road in Delaware as the sun came up.  As I watched and waited, my thoughts went to the gray and dreary day - a sky full of clouds.  What would I see?  AMAZEMENT!!   At the Canal Bridge, about halfway into the journey, I got to the top and looked to my left!  There on the horizon was the most spectaculat orange/yellow panel of color with a bright red ball - the sun - in the midst!!  I knew it would not be safe to take a picture while driving, so I reached for the camera, turned it on and was ready to pull over once I got to the bottom of the bridge.  Guess what?!?  There was NO red or orange in the sky.  The clouds were thick and gray and I never saw the sunrise!  I knew then that the day would be a good one.  I had received a very special gift and this one is forever in my heart!  Can't be shared with words, but then words can draw pictures and images for you to imagine!  What an experience!!  And the day went well!!~  (PS  This photo is NOT from that experience but illustrates the glory of what I saw!)

Singing Their Hearts Out at the Bus Stop Music Cafe

Meet Allison and Cassandra, each a lively and wonderful singer in her own right.

More to follow!

Two by Two: Happy Valentine's Day!!

Last night while sitting at the Bus Stop Music Cafe in Pitman for the bluegrass jam, I happened to look at the couple sitting at the next table and saw an endearing 'touch' between the two of them.  Then as I looked further, I saw two by two by two - get it?  Two hands and two mugs and two salt/pepper shakers.  I chuckled and it added joy to PhotoSchmoozer's evening!!  It doesn't take a lot to create something that has meaning.  Then I looked around the room and began noticing other people's hands as well.  Themes seem to work for me.  Once I start with something, I seem to notice lots more of the same theme.  It is NOT intentional, but yet seems to just work out that way.  I find it rather playful.  Try it sometime!  You will have a lot of fun seeing patterns of what goes together.  Oh and Happy Valentine's Day to all of my friends!!

Here's Looking at YOU!!

This has been sitting in the bathroom for a few years now.  WHY and WHY TODAY??? did I see this face and lips winking and smiling at me?  It proves a point that if we are just still and notice everything around us, there are stories and messages to be found!!  I love it.  OK it also shows me that the heater needs a bit of gentle loving care and dusting!!  Happy Days!!  Off to listen to a bluegrass jam tonight at Bus Stop Music Cafe in beautiful "Uptown Pitman".  

A great way to liven up a snowy eve!!

The dustiing...maybe tomorrow...or not?!?

Strong, Invincible and TIRED!!

 

Strong, invincible and TIRED!  Is it almost Spring??  We are grateful for our energy and for the new 4 wheel drive RAV4!!  No matter, it was a blessing to find a guy with a front end loader to push the snow to the back of the driveway.  Photoschmoozer was happy - WHY??  First of all because I work from home!!  Second that my office has the most beautiful view - my grounding dogwood tree, the yard, shadows and sunsets too.  All I had to do was open my window and sit and be still 'til the photo ops showed themselves to me.  Now we will watch for the teeny buds popping through the snow. Bill has already seen daffodils showing up!! Can Spring be far behind?!? 

                                     NOT AT ALL!!  Keep wishing!!!

Totally Together Time!!

When Rebecca called and asked for Together Talk Time, how could Aunt Martie refuse??  Then as I said, when I found Aunt Rebecca's bed and breakfast, how could we pass up the opportunity.  Never mind that it was snowing as I headed to Goucher College to pick up the girlfriend.  We made it safely to Baltimore, found our way and spent a warm and cozy and special time together!  What made it most special? The time together...the talking...the trust...the caring and the HUGS!!  Of course, we can't forget the foot massages.  Yes, they worked in both directions!
Meet our host Joe - definitely former military - ok I stereotyped him and was right but when he asked if we wanted breakfast at 8 or 9 and then said he would call 5 minutes before to remind us...hmmmmmmmmm.  Aunt Rebecca was away in Utah visiting the grandkids, so Joe took excellent care of us!  Check out the candlelight breakfast and the amazing crepes.  We had to guess what was inside and could get the eggs, but the hominy was a totally pleasant surprise along with the almond syrup and the touch of almonds on the plate.  Oh not to forget the dinner excursion to Paper Moon Diner BUT Rebecca's camera would not turn on and mine was across the snowy parking lot in the car.  We will be back for those photoschmoozer ops!  It was only a 24 hour visit, but we sewed, chatted and ate wisely.  Lots of love and caring and opportunities for more!!