Meet Speckle. A female rock pigeon that was scoping my balcony to make a nest.
Here’s her first egg in my flower pot.
Seclusion from the huge ravens looking for a tasty treat.
Then there was two.
The male stands on guard shooing other pigeons away. They take turns warming the two eggs. We still have a snow-covered landscape, but new life has started.
*My story…recently diagnosed with degenerative disc disease. I was getting tingling sensations in the lower back and simple bending/lifting would cause a lot of strain and some pain. A heating pad, some Advil and I was ready to tackle the world, but then things suddenly changed for the worse.
Well, in February, it was the shoveling of wet, heavy snow that did me in. The pain bubble absorbed my daily activities. I got my MRI results a week later, too late to stop me from doing this strenuous activity, that would severely affect my lower back and quality of life.
I’ve turned to an alternative, herbal solution and it’s slowly starting to take effect. After weeks of agonizing pain, it brought back hope. The wonders of CBD oil.
(Gregory Maguire)
*(Yes, that’s me with my older brother and mother. There was only one other sibling to come after this photo. Don’t have a clue why everyone is dressed so fancy. )
V. J.’s Challenge: Things My Father Said
(George Carlin)
*(Thank-you to Frank Herbert’s words for inspiring my poetry.)
V. J.’s Challenge: Unanswerable
V.J. has asked us to reflect on the meaning of our blog name.
“Stuff and what if…” came out of the blue. The word ‘stuff’ applies to all material things in our lives, as well as old thoughts…
“What if…” leads to exploration of curiosity, creativity and imagination that can be a changing force in our lives.
In a dream
Looking downriver
Presented with a choice
Stop to look back
All my stuff appears upriver
Material things left behind
Old memories that hinder
People who scarred happiness
Travelling lighter
Curiosity emboldened
What if’s…
Flow in front of me
Inner child laughs with glee
Dipping toes into the river
No fear
Just curiosity
Patrick’s Challenge: Entangled
“Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us. We need hours of aimless wandering or spates of time sitting on park benches, observing the mysterious world of ants and the canopy of treetops.”
“Seated here in contemplations lost, my thoughts discover vaster spaces beyond, supernal silence and unfathomed peace”
(
(This photo threw me for a loop when I saw the shadow-shape of a figure in the snow above the exposed, heart-shaped rocks.)
V.J.’s Challenge: Wild Card (Own choice of word (winter) repeated from prior posts)
“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than one seeks.”
(John Muir)
“Nature often holds up a mirror so we can see more clearly the ongoing processes of growth, renewal and transformation in our lives”
(Anonymous)
Frank has posed an interesting idea of looking at a photograph with imperfections and seeing it with a different perspective.
The above photo was relegated to my mistake file and I dismissed it until now.
A bit of digital play and I have a psychedelic image that is curiously inviting.
(Og Mandino)
Cee’s Challenge: In the Distance (B&W)
“We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.” (Buddha)
“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change ”
(Dr. Wayne Dyer)
“What you see depends not only on what you look AT, but also on where you look FROM.”
(James Deacon)
“Photography is an art of observation. It has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them. “
(Elliott Erwitt)
“You don’t take a photograph. You make it.” (Ansel Adams)
I definitely worked on making this final image. Went out a few days ago in frigid weather and my camera froze on me after I took a photo of this pyramid structure at a local park.
As I was doing some basic editing, some trees and other distracting elements disappeared from the background. I was inspired by a comment my daughter made, “Just try and see if you can do it. ”
Cee’s Challenge: Unusual Perspective
Colleen’s Challenge: Mystery & Attract (Synonyms Only)
Destiny and a thirty-year old wish brought me to this heart-warming scene, accentuated by a snow-covered blanket. (Athabasca River, Alberta)
“Happiness is your birthright. Live it! (Harbhajan Singh Yogi)
Colleen’s Challenge: Begin & Fresh (Synonyms Only)
Nature’s floor
Covered with seasonal blanket
Order in disorder
No need to sweep
And keep it tidy
Observe its changes
And ever-changing presence
Winter lays a new blanket
Covering autumn’s splendor
A gift of crystallized gems lay in wait.
All these photos were taken in 2019. The one just above (representing my passion for writing and photography) peaked my curiosity. I was holding a pen and the sunlight white-washed my hand. In post processing, lines appeared like writing paper. So weird! So I wrote a few words on it. The magic of photography!
Patrick’s Challenge: Stillness
The artistry of nature revealed in ever-changing ripples around these rocks.
This so reminded me of a turtle on the edge of a beach. The lake foam really adds interest to this photo.
Hawaiian family of rocks playing in the waves. I added selective coloring to the highlights in this b/w image.
Colleen’s Challenge: Poet’s Choice
(Steven Pinker)
“Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it.”
(Lao Tzu)
“Sleeping and water are lifesavers – that’s true beauty right there.”
(Sofia Boutella)
“Cross the meadow and the stream and listen as the peaceful water brings peace upon your soul.”
(Maximillian Degenerez)
Colleen’s Challenge: Cold & Safe (Synonyms Only)
Once hand-made from imagination
Novice attempt many moons ago
Learning curve reject
Set aside
Found again
Transformed to basic elements
Possibilities seen
New skills in tow
Ghostly image arises
From skeleton of the past
Creative eye pleased
Digital magic
Colleen’s Challenge: Celebrate & Number (Synonyms Only)
Lens Artists: Doors and Doorways
Colleen’s Challenge: Pleasant & Read (Synonyms Only)
Such a beautiful, husky threesome. They were at the back of a truck when I took this shot.
Threesome peacefully feeding at a local farm.
One of many three-petaled parts to a plant of unknown name.
*(I treated each monochrome photo with the same “dream smoothing” filter, just for fun.)
“In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary.”
(Aaron Rose)
This monochrome of the first image has a magical light radiating from the cloud.
“In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present.”
(Ala Bashir)
*(May healing and happiness find you one day, M.)
K’lee and Dale’s Challenge: From Dreams to Reality
Patrick’s Challenge: Contemplation
Since I was late in posting for Colleen’s challenge and Halloween has ended, I decided to reflect on a scary event in life when one have no control over the fateful moment. This photo was taken off my balcony a few months ago. Just to let you know that the pedestrian that was hit by a vehicle ended up with minor injuries.
Colleen’s Challenge: Afraid & Grave (Synonyms Only)
V.J. has asked us to investigate the “paranormal” in her Halloween theme. The above photo shows a spooky shadow lurking in the background. Also, a portal of light appeared as I darkened this photo.
Two photos of the Vermilion River, Capreol, Ontario. This was my childhood playground. Many fond memories.
Colleen’s Challenge: Haunt & Spell (Synonyms Only)
K’lee and Dale’s Challenge: Shadows, Shapes & Silhouettes
On a recent road trip to capture fall colors, a plane did a low-fly over the scene. Almost forgot that we were close to the airport, but I was ready for the unexpected change.
Took a few steps forward and refocused. Caught the ever-changing beauty of lapping waves.
A closer look at the pebbles with incoming wave lines. Used ‘dream smoothing’ in Gimp to enhance the image.
Nearby lake that I try to visit at least a few times a year. It never disappoints.(Sudbury, Ontario)
*This heart-shaped rock was an interesting find a few years ago.
Architectural curves seen while looking up. (Canadian Museum of History in Ottawa, Canada.)
Colleen’s Challenge: Fall & Try (Synonyms Only)
Sudbury is known as the municipality with most lakes in Canada; home to 330 in the area. Some of the lakes nearby have a view of Inco’s Superstack, the tallest mining chimney in the Western Hemisphere.
Another view of the big chimney from Lake Ramsey, just outside the core of the city. You can see it standing with its new babies that will replace it eventually, due to new environmental regulations.
Now, this is my type of pristine view. It’s located just outside of Capreol, a short drive from Sudbury, where I resided for a goodly stretch of my life.
This has been my new home for just over two years. I tried to get a residence right by the water, but no such luck. At least I do have the good fortune of being able to visit the wonders of a lake view anytime.
One lake is five minutes away. I can glimpse a piece of it while I’m sitting on my balcony.
I look at my world and I am pleased! 🙂
There are many paths we take in life, but flying over Kauai, Hawaii last year, impressed my senses beyond belief. The feel of being in a helicopter is like experiencing a slow-motion journey comparable to that of a bird’s flight.
Here’s our ride arriving. Feeling excited and nervous at the same time.
Getting ready for lift-off. Calming voice of the pilot settles the nerves.
Then, it’s action. The butterflies slowly calm down and I start to enjoy the feeling of the floating sensation. Dipping close to the hills mesmerized me.
Following the path of a river through the interior.
Wow! This photo doesn’t do justice to view of the coastline. I had a fantasy of landing on one of the secluded beaches and having a picnic with a glass of wine. Would have been wonderful!
Heading back to the airport following the path of the road below. This was the only waterfall image to survive window glare.
Nancy’s Challenge: Ready, set, action!
Colleen’s Challenge: Vigor & Energy (Synonyms Only)
Dappled landscape
Shimmering shadows
Play of light and dark
Transforming my path
Shaded symphony of colors
Dancing to the cool breeze
Mesmerizing moments
Embracing silent artistry
Frank’s Challenge: Light and Dark
Colleen’s Challenge: Poet’s Choice of Words-Foundation & Story
Colleen’s Challenge: Change & Defy (Synonyms Only)
Patrick’s Challenge: Gratitude
V.J.’s Challenge: Personification
This photo was taken looking out through a lounge window in Honolulu, Hawaii last year.
Black & White version.
Pineapple version.
Inspiring Authentic Living
Barcelona's Multiverse | Art | Culture | Science
“Go, fly, roam, travel, voyage, explore, journey, discover, adventure.”
From the Existential to the Mundane - From Poetry to Prose
Jy is wat jy dink - nie wat jy dink jy is nie. Dit help soms om hardop te lag vir wat jy dink of dink jy is.
And so it goes...
drawing my feelings
Finding my way back out of motherhood -- while mothering
