{Trailing}

A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself-and especially to feel, or not feel. Whatever you happen to be feeling at any moment is fine with them. That's what real love amounts to - letting a person be what he really is.” ― Jim Morrison

{Alchemist}

Lend me your eyes I can change what you see But your soul you must keep totally free -Mumford and Sons Read more: Mumford & Sons - Awake My Soul Lyrics | MetroLyrics

{Daring Greatly}

“Imagination is the voice of daring. If there is anything godlike about God, it is that. He dared to imagine everything” ― Henry Miller, Sexus

{Time After Time}

“She wasn't doing a thing that I could see, except standing there leaning on the balcony railing, holding the universe together.” ― J.D. Salinger

{Bells of the Ball}

“People only get really interesting when they start to rattle the bars of their cages.” ― Alain de Botton

{Sleeping In The Forest}

I thought the earth remembered me, she took me back so tenderly, arranging her dark skirts, her pockets full of lichens and seeds. I slept as never before, a stone on the riverbed, nothing between me and the white fire of the stars but my thoughts, and they floated light as moths among the branches of the perfect trees. All night I heard the small kingdoms breathing around me, the insects, and the birds who do their work in the darkness. All night I rose and fell, as if in water, grappling with a luminous doom. By morning I had vanished at least a dozen times into something better. - Mary Oliver

{An Armful of Sweetness}

“We are mosaics. Pieces of light, love, history, stars... Glued together with magic and music and words.” ― Anita Krizzan I just love everything about this picture taken at my sister's wedding. Grandpa holding his sweet, curly headed cutie tight in his arms. Sharing with her a special moment. Her eyes glued with the 3 year old wonder on something as simple as a jingle bell. People are mosaics and just beautiful. I tear up a tad, feeling lucky enough to record a moment as perfect as this one.

{Tap Tap}

“To be great, be whole; Exclude nothing, exaggerate nothing that is not you. Be whole in everything. Put all you are Into the smallest thing you do. So, in each lake, the moon shines with splendor Because it blooms up above.” ― Fernando Pessoa, Poems of Fernando Pessoa

{On this Thursday}

Oh life. Thank you for your beauty. Thank you for reminding me how lucky we are to be part of something so big-Tyler Knott Gregson I'm coming to a place where I am more solid in my belief of something larger than myself that guides the universe. It's something I've always looked for, being of the more sensitive nature. There have been times where I have written anything off. It brought moments of sadness and feeling as if I was working through the motions. Something would always happen that would renew my faith. When I stand in faith, the light enters and so does purpose. Most days than not I believe in a God and/or a Universal Force that is Love. Past that I can't say or define what it could be. But it's there and I'm so grateful.

{Shine On}

“Dance, when you're broken open. Dance, if you've torn the bandage off. Dance in the middle of the fighting. Dance in your blood. Dance when you're perfectly free.” ― Rumi Festive Holiday Bokeh is what I'm grateful for today. I would also say that this picture might be a good visual for how my brain works. More specifically a brain that just finished working at a crazy busy flower shop the day before Thanksgiving. Yowza! Lots of exciting energy filled the ail. A day full of hard work and celebration.

{Giggles All Around}

“I cannot stress enough that the answer to life's questions is often in people's faces. Try putting your iPhones down once in a while, and look in people's faces. People's faces will tell you amazing things. Like if they are angry, or nauseous or asleep.” ― Amy Poehler I'm thankful for this charming, considerate, sweet and funny boy I call my son. He is more than capable of making countless faces, ranging from puppy dog eyes sad to laughing hyena joy! He is quite expressive with his face to the point of exaggeration at times. Oh..... And the dimples...I could eat up those dimples for dinner they are so precious. In general I think peoples faces are amazing complex and interesting. I could be partial as a photographer, but I think it's because faces tell stories. And I love a good story.

{Hug it out}

“I promise if you keep searching for everything beautiful in this world, you will eventually become it.” ― Tyler Kent White I am thankful for and a big fan of hugs, both giving and receiving. There is a big emphasis on touch and hugs with child development in the early years. Then it seems to trail off and become less important. I love to hug my children, even now as they are older and it could be considered embarrassing. When I worked with the little ones at the YMCA, the kids were hug magnets. Everything warranted a hug. It was sweet, even on the days where it was overwhelming. Hugs release the feel good hormone oxytocin. When done appropriately...I see no reason not to try to hug more:) And one last plug for hugs... They are particularly awesome in the winter to warm you up AND to make you feel special...

{I want to ride this bicycle}

“To do the useful thing, to say the courageous thing, to contemplate the beautiful thing: that is enough for one man's life.” ― T.S. Eliot, The Use of Poetry and the Use of Criticism I am thankful for this amazing red bicycle that was covered in cobwebs and dirt when it came in from the warehouse. It will be a part of the Festival of Trees display done by the store. It makes me happy every time I look at it. Specifically I like the basket at the front. When I was younger I had a basket at the front of my bike and it carried all the necessities for a youthful adventure. Every time I see one I get struck with nostalgia. Bright bikes and baskets a beautiful combination!

{Birdie}

“I hope you will have a wonderful year, that you'll dream dangerously and outrageously, that you'll make something that didn't exist before you made it, that you will be loved and that you will be liked, and that you will have people to love and to like in return. And, most importantly (because I think there should be more kindness and more wisdom in the world right now), that you will, when you need to be, be wise, and that you will always be kind.” ― Neil Gaiman I'm thankful today to be a mom to her. Thankful for the freckles, the half smile, the blue hat, the wisdom and the dry but innocent sense of humor that she deals out. She is an amazing lady who changed my life almost 11 years ago...on a frigid -23 degree weather day. Love to the moon and back....

{Neverland}

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” ― Viktor E. Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning Today I am thankful for new beginnings. How lately I go to be feeling tired from a hard days work and wake up refreshed and open to what the day will bring. At the risk of sounding like a Hallmark card, I'll leave it at that.

{Weathered, Dusted and Aged}

“That is where my dearest and brightest dreams have ranged — to hear for the duration of a heartbeat the universe and the totality of life in its mysterious, innate harmony.” ― Hermann Hesse, Gertrude The world is just a more beautiful place with hydrangeas...in my opinion. And todays moment of gratitude is for the hydrangea. It bushes range in color depending on the acidity of the soil. One plant has the capacity to be a multitude of colors. A tie dye plant of sorts. It is a staple in most wedding bouquet and arrangements because it can fill up space so perfectly. It's elegant on it's own and my favorite is a few stems in a bubble bowl vase. Even drying up and aged I find it so beautiful. It's always in abundant supply in the floral cooler at work and this alone makes me think countless times how lucky I am to have a job where I am surround my beautiful things all day. Next time, when considering a simple way to cheer yourself or someone else up...consider the hydrangea!

{Chasing Cars}

“And then her heart changed, or at least she understood it; and the winter passed, and the sun shone upon her.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King I'm grateful today for calmness and delight I get as I watch the store transform to beautiful Christmas. And the bokeh from the lights...what a treat! One bonus of sunset at 5pm is the glow of the lights as the store grows darker. I almost want to grab a chair, blanket and cup of hot chocolate and cozy on up.

{Expanding Heart}

“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.” ― Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

{Swan Lake}

"For things to reveal themselves to us, we need to be ready to abandon our views about them"-Thich Nhat Hanh I thought this gourd look just like a swan curled up to sleep. It was a small thing that made me happy. November is usually a time when I start to think about the holidays. Especially this year working at a flower shop where Christmas has already arrived. I'd like to try a gratitude challenge this year as it helps be keep things in balance during the fury of the holidays which are supposed to be enjoyable, but if I had to admit sometime are anything but. So today I am grateful for my swan shaped gourd and the simple enjoyment it brings every time I look at it while enjoying my morning coffee...all snuggled up to the mini-pumpkins, staring right back at me

{Vines}

"to let yourself go, is to burn with desire and never look back" r.m. drake

{Bittersweet}

“Still, what I want in my life is to be willing to be dazzled— to cast aside the weight of facts and maybe even to float a little above this difficult world.” ― Mary Oliver

{Bright and Bold}

“As this life is not a gate, but the horse plunging through it.” ― Jane Hirshfield, Come, Thief

{Flutter}

“I used to think I was the strangest person in the world but then I thought there are so many people in the world, there must be someone just like me who feels bizarre and flawed in the same ways I do. I would imagine her, and imagine that she must be out there thinking of me too. Well, I hope that if you are out there and read this and know that, yes, it's true I'm here, and I'm just as strange as you.” ― Frida Kahlo I think this quote by Frida is as beautiful as her paintings. I certainly can relate to wanting the connection to others who see the world and life the way I do. In the past I tucked it away and let it knaw at me. Delving into Art has opened me up... As I get older, and hopefully wiser and more authentic...I let my weirdness fly. And then, I don't feel so alone. I believe every person has there own special strangeness. It's part of the soul. It comes out in moments of vulnerability, stillness and love. And laughter. All I know, is I feel it, its wild energy...and when it happens it is pretty special. And I don't feel so alone and strange anymore. Strange is the new normal! This is all just free floating thoughts on self-actualization on this beautiful autumn Sunday.

{Road Taken}

"Cherish your solitude. Take trains by yourself to places you have never been. Sleep under the stars. Learn how to drive a stick shift. Go so far away that you stop being afraid of not coming back. Say no when you don't want to do something. Say yes if your instincts are strong even if everyone around you disagrees. Decide whether you want to be liked or admired. Decide if fitting in is more important than finding out what you're doing here."-Eve Ensler

{Crunchy}

“I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” ― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables Tiny little things that make October happy...

{Coming to Get Ya}

And I realize that no matter where I am, whether in a little room full of thought, or in this endless universe of stars and mountains, it’s all in my mind.” ― Jack Kerouac, Lonesome Traveler Fall is here and it makes me incredibly happy. The air is crisp and the bold colors that mark autumn's presence are everywhere. My eyes seem to be on fire. No doubt this blog will be contain an onslaught of fall's bliss. Today I got out right during the golden hour and snapped a few shots. As I sorted through them, this picture caught my eye. It symbolizes the entrance into a new season. Outstretched tree branches with sleeves of multicolors reach out, almost to say come with won't you... And of course the surprise bokeh left me camera geek alert giddy! It's time to pull out your scarfs and sweaters, eat them apples and look around to savor the transition to this new season!

{Innovating}

“She was fierce, she was strong, she wasn’t simple. She was crazy and sometimes she barely slept. She always had something to say. She had flaws and that was ok. And when she was down, she got right back up. She was a beast in her own way, but one idea described her best."- r.m.drake

{Wild Orchid Blooming}

“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” ― Anaïs Nin, The Diary of Anaïs Nin, Vol. 1: 1931-1934 During most of my work day I have a clear shot of an orchid display of a dozen or more plants. I call it my serenity corner. The orchids have multiple buds and each plant has a different color, tone and pattern on its petals. From what I understand, the orchid is a pretty fussy plant. It requires a delicate balance of sunlight, waterings and pruning. Lots of people come in with sad and droopy orchids that wilted due to improper care. The owners are all pretty upset and desperately want to know how to bring back to bloom this gorgeous plant. Of all the plants that are brought back to the store, the orchid owners are the most distraught. It's an interesting trend. Perhaps the owners are as fussy and delicate like their stunning orchids.

{A Team}

“The water doesn't know how old you are.” ― Dara Torres We're young, We're cool. Ain't no messing around in this pool...fool!

{Shore Story}

“Because there's nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how many times it's sent away.” ― Sarah Kay This session contained so many of my favorite themes and things. Set along the beach during the golden hours of sunset. I give you beautiful beach laughs, sun soaked, squinting smiles, sandy toes and whisky windy beach kisses. What can be sweeter than that!

{Stained}

“We are all a people in need. We are not perfect. We are not machines. We make mistakes. We need grace. We need compassion. We need help at times. We need other people. And that’s okay.” ― Jamie Tworkowski I've been in a lot of churches recently and have been drawn to the stained glass windows. The stories it tells, the choice of glass and color fascinate and calm my racing noggin down. Peaceful simplicity.

{Zap}

“What is that you express in your eyes? It seems to me more than all the print I have read in my life.” ― Walt Whitman It is hard to believe that mother nature can produce such crazy art. I love the color of this Zinnia and its delicate heart laced center.

{Spin Me Right Round}

Adventure is worthwhile. Aesop I stared quite awhile at this sight. First trying to meter right for the sun flare and then speed of the "spinner crazy fair I'd never go on ride." It was enjoyable to watch the participants try to master the spin within the spin that was object of this fair ride. After two crazy minutes they popped out of their rust cages with what appeared to be a smeared grin on their faces from what I am assuming was a good time...While this is not my cup of tea it sure was fun watching the entire scenario play out. Fairs are just fabulous places to watch people, animals, society colliding as a whole in a compact radius...winnebago traveling families, 4H culture...etc A bonus of this shot came later when I noticed that I had managed to capture some bokeh along with the sun flare. At first I thought it was blazing light induced blind spots from staring directly into the sun. My kind of fun. As opposed to 2 minute spin rides in a metal bucket giant pinwheel.

{Fair Friends}

“I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery—air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, "This is what it is to be happy.” ― Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar This little guy was trying to hide from me. The horns on his head were just beautiful. I managed to get a quick snap as he stubbornly turned away.

{Tabletops}

“When a person realizes he has been deeply heard, his eyes moisten. I think in some real sense he is weeping for joy. It is as though he were saying, "Thank God, somebody heard me. Someone knows what it's like to be me” ― Carl R. Rogers {And this big ole beauty of a flower made my day...!}

{I've Got Sunshine}

"Whatever you are, be a good one"-Abraham Lincoln This little peanut was so nervous about his debut as ring bearer. He hid, whined (never cried), grab moms leg and flew to the floor. After adjusting his bearing he stood at the doorway to the church entrance aisle with two junior bridesmaids that took his hand and encouraged him on. I wasn't sure what would happen, three years olds are hard to predict. I was happily surprised when it was his turn to announce the bride, he held his head up high and proceeded to walk with courage down the aisle.

{Cafe Mocha}

"All good things are wild and free" Henry David Thoreau There is a Seinfeld episode where Jerry is dating a girl who can look marvelous in certain light and absolutely hideous in others. I bring this up only because it's the only way I can relate to how I feel about this Mocha Sunflower. I like it. I'm not sure I like it...Ewww....Then I see it gathered with other bright flowers and it is breathtakingly gorgeous! A local gardener brings a bunch in weekly and at first sight I was drawn in to its boldness...and darkness, Highlights of gold tint it's edges. A complicated flower. If there is such a thing. I never expected to find it so beautiful. I'm pretty sure I like it.

{Fly Me To The Moon}

"With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts"-Eleanor Roosevelt {and grateful it does so}

{fire and rain}

"I'm restless. Things are calling me away. My hair is being pulled by the stars again."-Anais Nin

{Signs Along The Way}

“Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you riding through the ruts, don't complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don't bury your thoughts, put your vision to reality. Wake Up and Live!” ― Bob Marley

{Toy Soldier}

“Good morning, Revolution: You're the very best friend I ever had. We gonna pal around together from now on” ― Langston Hughes

{Playing the Blues}

“There's no one thing that's true. It's all true.” ― Ernest Hemingway, For Whom the Bell Tolls

{Green Acres}

“A kind of light spread out from her. And everything changed color. And the world opened out. And a day was good to awaken to. And there were no limits to anything. And the people of the world were good and handsome. And I was not afraid any more.” ― John Steinbeck, East of Eden I could have spent a long time on this amazing farm...the old, white house, acres of green and gold...sassy and sweet little girls playing creekside, summer warmth and sun...golden hour photography light...old friends. And then the cows. Oh the cows were everywhere. Eating, resting... staring us down...hesitant at first but clearly interested in what we were doing behind the fence. I could picture each of these cows with a distinct personality in the herd. Hanging with their cow friends, deciding which patch of grass was the freshest...and probably discussing the weather and how their feet hurt from standing. (lots of Back in the Barnyard watching when my kiddos were young!) It was fun to watch the kids interact with the cows. They were their pets much like a dog or a cat would be in the City. The girls would both ride their bikes, play and then suddenly stop, redirect and check in with the cows. Each on their side of the fence, momentarily acknowledging the other. Then heading back to their wide open pastures.

{A River Runs Through It}

“We catched fish, and talked, and we took a swim now and then to keep off sleepiness. It was kind of solemn, drifting down the big still river, laying on our backs looking up at the stars, and we didn’t ever feel like talking loud, and it warn’t often that we laughed, only a kind of low chuckle. We had mighty good weather, as a general thing, and nothing ever happened to us at all, that night, nor the next, nor the next.” ― Mark Twain, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

{Nighlights}

“I hope you will go out and let stories, that is life, happen to you, and that you will work with these stories... water them with your blood and tears and your laughter till they bloom, till you yourself burst into bloom.” ― Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Women Who Run With the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype There are so many warm memories I have of hot, humid summer nights spent enjoying the outside with friends. Lots of ghosts in the graveyard and hide and go seek. We'd gather together to pick who is "it", then sprint away to find the perfect hiding spot. The sun would leave us and then came the fireflies. Everywhere, I remember, marveling as they let out their tiny burst of light. They seemed to consume the whole backyard. Hidden from view, it was quiet and dark. Peaceful and Beautiful. The other night I noticed them again. A hot, humid July night in the country. It was magical and I tried hard to capture them with my camera. These picture are a sad attempt to capture the moment. Perhaps, a slower shutter speed? I'm not sure but I gave up after awhile and decided to just enjoy the wonderful nightlife.

{Dreamcatchers}

"Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable"-Mary Oliver

{Cosmos}

"I think she always nursed a small mad hope."-Vladimir Nabokov

{Self-Expression}

“For a seed to achieve its greatest expression, it must come completely undone. The shell cracks, its insides come out and everything changes. To someone who doesn't understand growth, it would look like complete destruction.” ― Cynthia Occelli It's coming into Zinnia time and boy this makes me happy. In keeping with my love of odd flowers, the Zinnia fits right in with the rest. And the colors of these flowers, are bright, bold....expressive. There is a coffee shop I adore in Minneapolis and part of the reason is it's location. One particular house nearby always has an abundance of Zinnia adorning the lawn. I waste my time leisurely walking, enjoying them during this season. This has been a shout out and hopefully an encouragement to notice something lovely. To Zinnias!

{Amusement}

"There is nothing wrong with loving the crap out of everything. Negative people find their walls. So never apologize for you enthusiasm. Never. Ever. Never."-Ryan Adams

{Wild and Free}

“the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars.” ― Jack Kerouac, On the Road

{Let's Join Under The Stars}

“You’ll need coffee shops and sunsets and road trips. Airplanes and passports and new songs and old songs, but people more than anything else. You will need other people and you will need to be that other person to someone else, a living breathing screaming invitation to believe better things.”― Jamie Tworkowski This Wedding was out of a fairy tale. The reception tent was adorned with string lights, candle lights...lantern lights. As I photographed, so much was happening around me but it drowned out to a faint background buzz. Could be the insane heat and classic Erie humidity (that left my lens fogged up and palms slippery with sweat)or the technicolor dreamworld coming alive around me. Selfishly, I took some time to photograph some good ole bokeh...always always a favorite of mine. Capturing twinkles of magic to keep for my own, like all the people around me.

{Ranunculus In Wonderland}

“have i gone mad? im afraid so, but let me tell you something, the best people usually are.” ― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland Ranunculus have been on my mind, since coming across beautiful photographs of this finely detailed flower. From what I understand, it blooms late spring and includes the most identifiable Ranunculus, The Buttercup. Personally, I love them because they appear almost comical and unreal. Almost gigantic lollipops...Or something to be found out of my favorite childhood book Alice In Wonderland. This week a wedding party had requested Ranunculus for their event. I was giddy when they arrived and slightly disappointed when I saw them still closed tight in their bud. By the end of the day they showed hints of life. The next morning, with camera in hand, I found them blossomed into a crazy maze of beautiful madness.

{Walking On The Sun}

“Night is purer than day; it is better for thinking and loving and dreaming. At night everything is more intense, more true. The echo of words that have been spoken during the day takes on a new and deeper meaning. The tragedy of man is that he doesn't know how to distinguish between day and night. He says things at night that should only be said by day.” ― Elie Wiesel, Dawn

{Unbound}

“For what it’s worth: it’s never too late to be whoever you want to be. I hope you live a life you’re proud of, and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.”― - F.Scott Fitzgerald

{Perfect Petals}

"Give the ones you love wings to fly, roots to come back, and reason to stay" -Dalai Lama One of the small pleasures at work is taking petals off roses for weddings that request their use for decoration. Usually there is a mix of different colors and shaped rose petals. The flowers are usually a bit older and have added texture and darker contrast from aging. When there is a lot in the box, I take my hands and run the petals through my palms and fingers. They are soft and beautiful. A Rose Petal salad.

{Foot on the Gas}

"I began to realize how important it was to be an enthusiast in life...if you are interested in something, no matter what it is, go at it full speed ahead. Embrace it with both arms, hug it, love it and above all become passionate about it. Lukewarm is no good. Hot is no good either. White hot and passionate is the only thing to be." Roald Dahl I really dig this quote. Most of my life I have lived this way and it's intense...I really have no choice in the matter. It is just who I am. One foot on the gas, one foot on the break. Full steam ahead!

{Friday Highlights}

"What's Comin Will Come, And We'll Meet It When It Does"-Hagrid, Harry Potter

{Sprinklerlogged}

“In my dreams, I never have an age.” ― Madeleine L'Engle This has to be one of my favorite pictures of my daughter when she was smaller. Huddled, post sprinkler run, with matted hair, soaked swimsuit and grass remains clinging to her ankles. When I was younger, my sister and I loved to spend summer running through the hose. We would take turns holding it, while sticking fingers slightly over the mouth to create a wider spray range. The water was always way too cold and by the time we were finished there would be a gigantic marshy puddle in the middle of our backyard and a peeved off father who needed to mow the lawn the next day. Sometimes we would try to be clever and hide waiting to pounce and spray when one of us would turn the corner of the house. And then there was always the funny bending the hose in half to stop the water flow on the unsuspecting hose handler. I'm not kidding when I say I found that to be funny every time...My own kids had similar times many summers over the years. Water, summer, hoses, sprinkler....wet matted, grass filled hair and peeved off fathers, a timeless summer joy.

{Hi Ho Cherries Yo}

And I say to my heart: Rave On-Mary Oliver Summer fruits are a simple delight this time of year. I love how shiny and perfect these cherries appear. The colors popped out to me absolutely had to be photographed!

{My Boy with a Coin}

A boy with a coin he crammed in his jeans, Then making a wish he tossed in the sea, Walked to a town that all of us burn, When God left the ground to circle the world -Iron and Wine Mostly, these days he is a goofy eight year old boy who enjoys his Minon Fart gun, being outside, baseball and video games. He's also insanely observant and sweet. For Instance, the caterpillar that he saved from the spider web just recently, I'm sure, is extremely grateful. He's always been my snuggler and I hope that doesn't change anytime soon.

{Galaxies Far Far Away}

“I am a part of all that I have met.” ― Alfred Tennyson, The Complete Poetical Works of Tennyson This day is brought to by another stunning succulent. Just toying with focus, playing with texture. I get to photograph some great stuff this weekend. Pretty nervously excited. A whole different arena. Ah life and it's crazy curve balls...

{Castle on a Cloud}

“I have dreamt in my life, dreams that have stayed with me ever after, and changed my ideas; they have gone through and through me, like wine through water, and altered the color of my mind. And this is one: I'm going to tell it - but take care not to smile at any part of it.” ― Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights I've been lucky enough to live a life where I have fulfilled many of my dreams. Of course they have changed how I see the world and opened doors that have led to new, different dreams. Honestly, If I'm not too careful, I could easily get lost in daydreams...night dreams...mid-afternoon, lunch haze dreams. And d it goes. My newest job opportunity has been an unexpected dream. How I ended up here, I can't fathom. The process has been like one of those Russian Dolls where a big doll opens, another small doll appears...til the end. One tiny doll left. Just staring you back in the face. Similar to all these beautiful, dreamy flowers that stare me in the face. All day. So I can't believe I'm going to say this but I'm "trusting the process." Letting life and all it's incredible dreams unfold without pushing, pulling and twisting it to death. And in itself is a big deal. Just some random, free floating observations for the day. Peace on out and I hope your day is filled with many sweet, crazy and unexpected dreams.

{Succulence}

"It's life that matters, nothing but life-the process of discovering-the everlasting and perpetual process,not the discovery itself at all"-Virgina Woolf, From Night and Day I am in love with succulents. I have been admiring them for awhile but never purchased them for myself until today. The texture, shapes, angles, cut...colors...low maintenance care (MY TYPE OF PlANT!). I've gotten lost in photographing flowers of a late in an attempt to build another area of my portfolio. These little succulents were a nice addition to the lot. I'm addicted...sigh

{Sunshine on a Cloudy Day}

“A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.” ― Roald Dahl

{Tides}

“I love the smell of the universe in the morning.” ― Neil deGrasse Tyson

{1.2}

“The air was soft, the stars so fine, the promise of every cobbled alley so great, that I thought I was in a dream.” ― Jack Kerouac, On the Road: The Original Scroll Shot with that sharp, beautiful 50mm at 1.2 aperture. I love it. The background geeks me out every time.

{Remains of the Day}

“Your sacred space is where you can find yourself over and over again.” ― Joseph Campbell The poppy has a short life span of maybe a day or two. It was so delicate it stood no chance against the summer wind. I unwrapped it to find only two had made the trip home. The rest were remains of tissue paper petals and the most fascinating buds I'd ever seen. It had spread across the paper in a whirl whipped pattern that delighted me just fine.

{Sahara}

“As the years pass, I am coming more and more to understand that it is the common, everyday blessings of our common everyday lives for which we should be particularly grateful. They are the things that fill our lives with comfort and our hearts with gladness-just the pure air to breathe and the strength to breath it; just warmth and shelter and home folks; just plain food that gives us strength; the bright sunshine on a cold day; and a cool breeze when the day is warm.” ― Laura Ingalls Wilder I've never been a big fan of the Rose. More of a tulip girl. I can certainly appreciate roses but I never got that wow, breathless feeling you get when you see something beautiful. Then I saw this beautiful rose. Apparantly, there are many different types of roses (Might be common knowledge but not fore me!). It was hidden among many other day old roses ready to be thrown away. The way it opened, the color and even the name gave me that...wow, breathless feeling. I was lucky enough to be able to take it home. Every time I walk in the door it sits on my dining table and greets me. I am happy and wowed every time. A everyday blessing, the rose.

{Entrance} Pittsburgh, PA FIne Art Photography

“After all, Bao Bomu says, what is the past but what we choose to remember?” ― Amy Tan, The Bonesetter's Daughter

{Details In The Fabric} Twin Cities Fine Art Photography

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

{Peekaboo} Cook Forest, PA Fine Art Photography

“summer, after all, is a time when wonderful things can happen to quiet people. for those few months, you’re not required to be who everyone thinks you are, and that cut-grass smell in the air and the chance to dive into the deep end of a pool give you a courage you don’t have the rest of the year. you can be grateful and easy, with no eyes on you, and no past. summer just opens the door and lets you out.” ― Deb Caletti, Honey, Baby, Sweetheart I noticed this poor blog has lacked any sunflare for some time. What a shame. So here we are. Not quite the precise capture I hoped for but it will do. I hope this sends a bit of the spirit of summer your way. It is my favorite season (with autumn in there neck and neck)of the year. It holds perfect possibility and times of sweet, serene laziness. Blue sky's for everyone!

{Interlude} Cook Forest, PA Lifestyle Photography

“These woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.” ― Robert Frost, Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening

{Resilient} Clarion, PA Fine Art Photography

“Life is short, Break the Rules. Forgive quickly, Kiss SLOWLY. Love truly. Laugh uncontrollably And never regret ANYTHING That makes you smile.” ― Mark Twain And how I love Mark Twain and all the things on his list above. It seems just to make sense doesn't it? The steps to a good life.

{Journey to the Heart} Minneapolis/St. Paul Family Photography

“Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.” ― Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit

{Bling} Clarion, PA Fine Art Photography

“The nitrogen in our DNA, the calcium in our teeth, the iron in our blood, the carbon in our apple pies were made in the interiors of collapsing stars. We are made of starstuff.” ― Carl Sagan, Cosmos I noticed these leaves on a recent walk. With the way the sun hit them , the absolute purity of the blue sky and bold compliments of dark tree bark, the sky looked like it was full of twinkling diamonds or stars. Some spots were so beautifully lit I paused to watch for awhile. I realize I've been posting non-stop, excruciating detailed photos of every last bud of spring coming to be... but bear with me. I've wanted to work on capturing better focus and seeing the light, and well, what better time of year to find such great subjects. And it was a long winter with some pretty crazy cabin fever. It's nice to get out! Oh almost summer how I love you....

{Delicate Balance} Pittsburgh, PA Fine Art Photography

“Not I, nor anyone else can travel that road for you. You must travel it by yourself. It is not far. It is within reach. Perhaps you have been on it since you were born, and did not know. Perhaps it is everywhere - on water and land.” ― Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass

{Stroll} Pittsburgh, PA Fine Art Photography

“The connections we make in the course of a life--maybe that's what heaven is.” ― Fred Rogers

{Sweet Small Things} Minneapolis/St. Paul Baby Photography

“It was only a sunny smile, and little it cost in the giving, but like morning light it scattered the night and made the day worth living.” ― F. Scott Fitzgerald Can never get enough of sweet baby lashes, lips and toes.

{Happy Trails} Pittsburgh, PA Fine Art Photography

"Let us spend our lives chasing the tiny moments of grace that hide in borrowed breaths, stolen glances and the last instant before smiling lips come to rest."-Tyler Knott Gregson In the last few weeks everything has exploded from buds to...abundance. The trees are full and green. Flowers decorate lawns. All this, what seemed to be overnight. Lots to take in and photograph.

{Treasures} Pittsburgh, PA Fine Art Photography

“It is looking at things for a long time that ripens you and gives you a deeper meaning.” ― Vincent van Gogh

{See The World} Minneapolis/St.Paul Lifestyle Photography

“If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe.” ― Carl Sagan, Cosmos There is an exercise I found once in a photography tutorial which required the photograph to be shot from the perspective of an ant...a bird...or a small child lying on their back {etc}. It's goal was to shift focus. Learn how to see/shoot differently as opposed to the transitional straight on shot. It's a fun activity and I end up getting lost in a place I never knew existed. Making for fun and different photographs. Some angles work, others can make one dizzy or feel awkward. It stretches and strengthens the creative muscle. Try it sometime. Even without a camera.

{Yesterday's Wishes}

“Life moves on, whether we act as cowards or heroes. Life has no other discipline to impose, if we would but realize it, than to accept life unquestioningly. Everything we shut our eyes to, everything we run away from, everything we deny, denigrate or despise, serves to defeat us in the end. What seems nasty, painful, evil, can become a source of beauty, joy, and strength, if faced with an open mind. Every moment is a golden one for him who has the vision to recognize it as such” ― Henry Miller I've recently re-opened my Etsy Fine Art Photography Store located here. I'll be continuing to add photographs from recent {and not so recent} spaces and places. Check it out!

{Song Bird} Meadville, PA Childrens Photograpy

“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

{Riverside} Pittsburgh, PA Fine Art Photography

“I like to be the right thing in the wrong place and the wrong thing in the right place. Being the right thing in the wrong place and the wrong thing in the right place is worth it because something interesting always happens.” ― Andy Warhol

I love the city of Pittsburgh. Everything from the art, people, culture, mountains, rivers and sports teams are comfortable and familiar to me. Recently, I have had the chance to visit the City more frequently and view old childhood stomping grounds with fresh adult eyes. This most recent trip included a visit to Mt. Washington. It had been almost 20 years since I've been to this spot last and I'm afraid the nostalgia clouded the very real fact the Mt. Washington is indeed a Mt. A Mountain with a fantastic view for those brave hearts who are fearless with heights. I wandered close enough to the edge to take in the view and snap some photographs before vertigo and a rapid heartbeat overwhelmed me. The rest of the time was spent wandering the hidden and very quaint neighborhoods that sit inside this part of the city.
As I left, I made a mental note to challenge myself closer guardrail for next time and revisit the incline ride that tracts up and down the mountain continuously throughout the day...It has been 20 years or so since I've done that too and I loved every minute of it. I'm not sure what changed...
I've been told to visit the is spot at nightime where the view is colorfully breathtaking. I can only imagine the sparkling skyline of the City wrapped up in the dark reflections of the converging rivers...I look forward to my next visit...hopefully a bit braver and much sooner than before.

{Lashes and Curls}

I walk slowly, but I never walk backward"-Abraham Lincoln

{Summer Beach Days Gone By}

“I will take the sun in my mouth and leap into the ripe air, alive with closed eyes to dash against darkness” ― E.E. Cummings I couldn't resist posting the two photographs of my children from a Florida Vacation awhile back. This sums up what beach life is all about...play,nap,play...So nice to look at during this winter that will never end!

{Cupid} Minneapolis, MN Fine Art Photography

“For the first time in my life I saw the truth as it is set into song by so many poets, proclaimed as the final wisdom by so many thinkers. The truth - that Love is the ultimate and highest goal to which man can aspire. Then I grasped the meaning of the greatest secret that human poetry and human thought and belief have to impart: The salvation of man is through love and in love.” ― Viktor E. Frankl,

{Daggers}

When the soul lies down in the grass, the world is too full to talk about, ideas, language and even the phrase each other doesn't make sense-Rumi

{How is Your Heart}

“It was like the beginning of life and laughter. It was the real meaning of the sun” ― Charles Bukowski

{Genograms...Systems}

“I want to love you without clutching, appreciate you without judging, join you without invading, invite you without demanding, leave you without guilt, criticize you without blaming, and help you without insulting. If I can have the same from you, then we can truly meet and enrich each other.” ― Virginia Satir One of my favorite classes in school was Family Counseling. Family is the base. It is difficult to understand and treat the individual without understanding where he or she came from. I recall the videos of old school family therapists. Breaking apart years of patterns while smoking cigarettes on the pleather couch. All on 1976 to 87 vhs cassettes...I'd sit in class fascinated...So much angst, love, anger (lots of anger..lots of love)...Sweet beautiful complicated Family