Green Week: 6

Last week a fellow educator told me of a hidden little place where I could photograph cars that had become part of the landscape. I really wasn't quite sure of the exact location, but as Johnny and I drove around enjoying the incredible March weather, we just "happened" upon it. Which, of course, is how I love life to happen. We pulled off of the country road and I approached the nearest house, which was quite in shambles itself, not to mention the yard. Now, I am just about as proud as I can be about the area in which I live, but I do admit that sometimes going outside of the city limits leads straight to trash. Really, though, no matter how "trashy" a place might be, somehow I understand that hidden within, below, above, all around the trash are precious jewels. Of course perspective is key. Anyway, I knocked, a bit apprehensively, on the tiny door adorned with a shredded little curtain. The woman who (finally) gave me permission to traverse the land, was just as apprehensive of me. After some ramblings about photography, old cars, being taken advantage of, teaching, friendship, and (believe it or not) trash (literally), I headed up the hillside in search of old cars. It was like climbing a mountain to heaven; it was so steep. Sprinkled along the hillside the entire way up were tires, broken glass, and a whole lot of cars (and car parts that I couldn't even begin to explain). The top of the hill sparkled with old, metal, colorful, cars of yesterday. Their condition was deplorable and the whole area took on an eerie feel. I'd be lying if I said that I didn't at least twice think of a strange mountain hermit that might be hungry enough to eat me living in an abandon bus or car in this glory land. I scurried around adjusting my exposure and wondering just how long those cars were there and thinking of their former lives; of course mirroring my own life and the events that have changed me throughout the years. It certainly was a moment. One old clunker is a Green Week post on Flickr. However, you can only get the story here.

Green Week: 5

Good things come to those who wait...today my green came late. And, to my surprise I just waited patiently for it. Can you believe the temperature was nearly 77 degrees this afternoon? It is so fantastic how warm weather and sunshine make a Friday even more incredible! I was inspired to rid my yard of all the brown, maybe in honor of Green Week. I spent 2.5 hours raking and stuffing black plastic bags full of dead, brown organic matter. And, it felt good. I was spring cleaning outdoors. My lilies are thanking me; I just know it. Anyway, by the time I realized that I had no green shots for today's post, darkness had already begun showing her lovely face. After Rio Grande fajita chicken taco salad and 2 Coronas, these was a couple of my green notices. Happy Weekend! Cheers~

Green Week: 4

As I was browsing through my archive of images, I came across this image of myself, which was taken in 1983. To me, it exemplifies all of those magnificient qualities of springtime as a youth: simple landscape, wind breakers, freedom, and happiness in the form of laughter. The original image of course has those elegant round corners and is a little faded. I freed it from the photo album last year when I met my birth mother and wanted to share with her the images of my life until then. Today when I saw the image, it made me think of Green Week, but I decided to photoshop it and didn't want to add it to the pool for that reason. Thus, it rests here. Here's to spring laughter, green grass, and spinning circles in the air. Love~


Here is my green image for today. It's funny how life swirls around and places us in the most perfect of situations. I can say that I have laughed so many times today that my abs have gotten a workout! After school, I wound up at the Board of Education, armed with camera(as I do every Thursday). As I walked down the empty hallways after closing time, I rounded a turn that met me face to face with a little table. This little table, lonely in the hall, upheld a little bowl of candy and wore such a delicacte & tattered scarf. How could I not capture this lucious green? Green is good! And, sneaking a tiny piece of candy is good, too! Love~

Green Week: 3

Today was so pretty! It was nearly 50 degrees with sunny blue skies. And, an afternoon walk with the entire family couldn't have been more satisfying or perfect. Everyday I find that both of my children amaze me in totally different ways. Samuel is really so dedicated to improving his skateboarding, from which he gets so much pleasure. He makes such daily progress and now skating has become his number one love, outdoing soccer, which was a tough feat. His skateboard was an 11th birthday gift (January 7) but at the present it looks so used and worn. Which I suppose is a good thing. As he stood on the curb, patiently waiting like Frogger (do you remember Atari Frogger?), I couldn't help but notice the scraped and skidded green on the bottom of his board. And, I couldn't help but notice how my little boy has become so independent, which of course is bitter sweet. We raise our children in the best way we know how and their successes are our successes, but I wish I could just bottle that "little boy" for me to secretly visit years from now. Peace~

for Green Week

Green Week: 2

Well, I have to admit, today my green findings were few and far between. I reported to work promptly at 7:13 AM and worked diligently, preparing for the third annual "Art Hop," which was held at my school. I left work tonight at exactly 7:58 PM! The art hop featured work from my art classes, poetry, poetry readings, musical duets & solos, skits from the Drama Club, and photography from the Photo Club. So, in addition to all of the evening's events, I was focused on making sure my camera was capturing "Art Hop" images every 15 seconds, for my next time lapse video (hopefully up shortly for you). Tomorrow, I have high hopes for some green time! Peace~

Green Week:1

I have been thinking and pondering all day my simple commitment to Green Week. I also often dream about committing myself to one of those 365 photos deals that I am constantly sucked into on Flickr. However, in the most realistic of terms, I do accept the fact that I'm mostly exhausted, a little lazy, and really quite fond of my freedom. Who would have thought that a simple one week devotion to something I love so much would create so much anxiety? It's certainly not that I worry about finding images, it's that I am so eager to shoot that I hardly can focus on my daily routine. Being a middle school teacher is something that does require focus! Especially on days like today when everything seemed "red." But aside from the itch (as I like to call it) to wonder around finding little moments or notices, and aside from the thought that today was very obviously red in my world, I have come to enjoy the moment when I come home and just sit for a few moments. Sometimes, I think, it's okay to let it all swirl around me, while I escape in thoughts, if for only brief moments.

So, merry March to you all. And, happy Green Week. I'm up for the commitment and ready to "get my Green on!"

Time Lapse

Well, here you have it: my first time lapse. I've been researching this for a while, and admittedly slobbering over quite a few time lapses on the internet. I decided to try my hand at this process last night at my father-in-law's birthday gathering. I captured photos every 30 seconds and of course missed the birthday cake! Also, not caught on tape were the lovely table settings. I basically just caught the family room hub-bub. Oh, well. All's well that ends well. Enjoy....