March 31, 2010

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Standing Tall

The weather is getting nice - it was warm sun today, and I was happy to be outside among the birch trees. Even more than February, I am happy to see March come to an end. It was a long and difficult month for me, but I will reach another milestone as of tomorrow. Each time I reach a small milestone, I am reminded of my strength.

March 27, 2010

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Old Church Steeple

Driving through the country today saw some old charming churches. Thought this would work well in b/w for monochrome weekend.

Some days (like today), I get to feeling like I need to reinforce and keep reminding myself of my faith. I tend to find spirituality in lots of different things, but somehow I always feel the sense that He is near when I am at a church - with steeple reaching into the sky - I have to know that He is always beside me.

This Monochrome concept came from Aileni at The Monochrome Weekend

March 25, 2010

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More little purple flowers

A continuation of yesterday's crocus theme... My mother-in-law told me a humorous story today about planting these little flowers. I had no idea the amount of work and trickery must go into planting these little guys - especially when you have to out-smart hungry squirrels who like to eat the bulbs! I guess now I will know what these little flowers must endure in order to survive - for them to be strong enough to pop through the winter snow when it is there time to bloom and thrive. For small delicate flowers, they are quite the little fighters!

March 24, 2010

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Spring Cliches...

Or are they crocuses? :) I did step out the front door today and found these little flowers coming up. They were in a tight spot, so I took some chances and put the camera body down to its level - rather than looking through the viewfinder, I let the autofocus do its thing and hoped for the best. Needless to say, some happened, and some didn't. It was like AF Russian Roulette. I think I got some interesting angles with unpredictable depths of field.

March 21, 2010

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More from the Botanical Garden

A bit of a cheat - taken yesterday. Susan, Toledonative, wanted to see my swan. Here he is! Wondering why his neck is dirty? See the picture below :)

The wildlife at the garden were hungry, and certainly not being shy about trying to find food any way they could. I brought some bread for them - for the ducks, geese, and even the squirrels were not shy nor picky about whatever morsels were thrown their way!

March 20, 2010

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First Day of Spring

Not as warm as the past few days, but I did manage to get out with a friend to one of my favorite places to shoot, the Toledo Botanical Garden. Apparently I missed my fellow blogger and friend, Toledonative at the garden, and it seems we had about the same photographic eye today. Since she posted before me, I posted something she did not to keep a variety! I think I've been to TBG at least three times this week. Oh well, it's close to home and lots of wildlife and beauty!

March 19, 2010

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Weekend Reflections and shadows

*This reflection is inspired by Weekend Reflections thanks to James at Newtown Area Photo. Click on the link to see other wonderful reflection shots!

March 18, 2010

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Blue Sky Window Reflection

Today was day one of a new round of radiation treatments. It was seriously painful and uncomfortable. I managed to whimper my way through it. One down, five more to go... {sigh}. I am determined to take it like a champ. My eye is on the prize!

*This reflection is inspired by Weekend Reflections thanks to James at Newtown Area Photo. Click on the link to see other wonderful reflection shots!

March 17, 2010

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St. Patrick's Day

Tonight we tried to avoid the St. Pat's festivities and go sit down for a dinner that didn't consist of potatoes and corned beef... ucck. Not feeling my best, I didn't want to be around the crowds of people dressed in green drinking green beer with their annual St. Pat's day jackass license. So Italian it is! I've never been here before, and I was pleasantly surprised! I admit, I do miss the days of green beer and bag pipes; but maybe next year when I'm feeling more festive for the wearin' of the green, I'll be tipping a few Guinness!

March 16, 2010

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What's good for the goose...

My socks are off, toes are out. What a day today! Sunny and warm, it WAS spring! So great to be outdoors for a change!

I met my friend Jennifer for lunch today - haven't seen her in a long time. It's always nice to reconnect with friends! On my way home, Monica called and we met at the Toledo Botanical Garden to enjoy the sunshine - where we apparently went on a wild goose chase. They weren't too camera shy today and were more than happy to come close to find out if there were any treats in my pockets.

We later went for ice cream... what a decadent day it was... I had chocolate raspberry truffle without an ounce of guilt!

March 14, 2010

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Another rainy day on Erie

Ah, I am very happy for the spring-forward today. Longer days, I can tell that spring is near! I don't mind the rain - it reminds me of the NW. I love waking to the sound and the smell of rain with the window opened.

March 13, 2010

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The boatyard

It poured down rain and the wind blew all day. A gray day, but it gives a certain mystery to places like the boatyard. I love the sound of the halyards clanking on the masts.

This Monochrome concept came from Aileni at The Monochrome Weekend

March 11, 2010

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Buds and Bokeh

Another late post... I've been trying to recover from a surgery this week, and also still suffering some unpleasant side effects. My treatments have been put on hold for a week so that I can recover properly. Unfortunately I'm sleeping through parts of the day, and unable to move around very quickly.

Meanwhile, I'm grateful for my friends who stop by to see me and spend time with me! Your company lifts my spirits when I get consumed by cabin fever! Also for those who don't live close, I am grateful for your correspondence and phone conversations! I'm just trying to get through this rough March and look forward to feeling human again!

March 10, 2010

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The rusted wind chimes

Wow! It started off raining today and turned out pretty nice in the 60's! The snow is still melting, and spring is in the air!

I'm starting to feel a little better each day, but tomorrow starts a very difficult course of treatment. I was also informed that I have to continue with chemotherapy through these next few weeks. Thought I was done, but I guess I can endure another two treatments. {sigh} It's the radiation that is going to be difficult. Just pushing through each day - just like the spring pushing through the winter.

March 8, 2010

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Drops in the pond

These are not drops of rain believe it or not, instead, they are the drops of rapidly melting snow dripping from the roof of a gazebo into the pond. Another sunny day with warm temps and glimpses of spring everywhere!

March 7, 2010

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Tree reflection in a puddle

The tail end of the weekend I'm squeaking in my reflection... Taken at the Toledo Botanical Gardens; one of my favorite places to shoot. Another nice warm sunny day. The snow is melting little by little... creating puddles and reflections!

*This reflection is inspired by Weekend Reflections thanks to James at Newtown Area Photo. Click on the link to see other wonderful reflection shots!

March 6, 2010

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Sunlight, shadows and bokeh

The weather has been getting better... and so have I. This has been a rough week for me - struggling with some side effects that I wasn't expecting. I am disappointed that I haven't been able to get out and shoot, and sometimes it makes me sad that I am finding it difficult to get inspired. I guess we are all entitled to lick our wounds now and again; and resting has helped me get through this rough patch. They said it wasn't going to be easy, and I am finding that out!

March 2, 2010

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The urban farmer - Eenie meanie miney moe...

OK, so this post is late by a day. I'm not sure which hen this is... but I know for sure it's not Moe.. While visiting Holly and new baby, she showed me her urban farming efforts. I also came home with a dozen fresh eggs!

It's easier than one would think to raise a few chickens in an urban neighborhood. She and her husband have created an even easier way to house chickens with the invention of the "Poultry Pod" (below) a handy crate-like hen house that is easy to order and set up. It's the latest trend in urban chicken farming and organic living!

The organic eggs were delicious by the way!

March 1, 2010

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Madelyn Kay - Seven Days Fresh

Today I finally got to meet my friend's new baby girl - she was born one week ago today. I'm not one for portrait photography, but Madelyn certainly deserved the spotlight today. She is beautiful and healthy.

I tried this in B/W. Had some problems with exposure today - for some reason I started out very over exposed. ISO was set much too high, and also it was the first time in a long time that the sun was out. Her crib was right near the window, so light was not an issue. By the time I took this shot, I had the ISO and exposure figured out, but wow... I am out of practice!