Hello, 2019!

It's my goal this year to get outdoors and take more photos.  I've been lacking in the "getting out" part of my life this past year, and that needs to change.

It's not easy, because I always feel guilty leaving Sadie at home.  But taking her with me in the car causes me a lot of anxiety because she doesn't travel well.  The minute we're in the car, she's bouncing off the walls like a 2 year old who's just had a bottle of sugar water!  On the days when I take off for some photo ops, I make sure to take her on two extra long walks so she doesn't feel so left out.  Ugh.  That's a lot of effort because I have dog! 

The other reason for not getting out as much is due to health issues.  When the need for a bathroom arises, there isn't much time to dash -- and you can't always take a dog into a restroom with you, so where does that leave me?  Dashing to the car to lock her away, then dashing back toward a bathroom!!  The fear of not making it on time has kept me home the past year, and with the help of meds, I'm overcoming most of it, sans dog.  

Today was a quick jaunt over to Riparian Preserve.  Because the weather was 20 degrees warmer than it had been all week, the park was full of people and dogs.  I'm happy they were all outdoors, but it chases away the birds and animals ..... so photos were few.  I'm never sure if people care when their photo gets accidentally taken.  There were some little girls playing follow the leader, and that could have been a wonderful photo, but these days you can never be too careful when photographing kids.  So I didn't.  I just watched as they all followed the bravest girl, who led them up, over, down all the cement climbing opportunities she could!  Oh to be so carefree again!!

Hello, 2019, I hope it's a terrific year!

Black and White

 

I have an affinity

for black and white photography

There's something elegant about it.

Or maybe it's that taking the color out of a photo

makes the person seeing the photo

have to do more than just glance at it.

then again, maybe I'm just ... weird that way.

Even the rain drops show up in this black and white version

and the reflection of the bird in each photo .... 

Pretty neat, but that's just me!

Fourteen Days In...

S.H.I.T. - So Happy It's Thursday!   While the week seemed to have gone by fast, today seemed to crawl.  But I got out of work on time, so that was a good thing. 

It's also our weekly trek to the library, and for dinner that I don't have to cook.  Tonight?  Taco Bell.  We tried the new Triple Steak Stack.  It was very cheesy, the steak was tasty, wrapped in a bolillo flatbread.  It was tasty, but I still like my Steak Salad instead. :)


My ME thing today was a trek around Riparian Preserve with Sadie.  We both love to get out, see people and other dogs, get some walk time in, and of course Sadie loves to run around and sniff at everything!  She's a good little walker and most times, we don't have an issue as to which way to go.  If I decide to do a little jogging, she forgoes the sniffing and prances right along with me.  hehehehehe






Crane at water's edge.
I couldn't pass up the photo op,
the reflection was terrific.

This little corner on the back side of the lake is usually filled with fishermen, but today it was empty, a nice little photo op :)

My Phoenix!

In Greek mythology, a phoenix or phenix (Ancient Greek φοίνιξ phóinīx) is a long-lived bird that is cyclically regenerated or reborn. Associated with the sun, a phoenix obtains new life by arising from the ashes of its predecessor.

Due to the legend attached to the Phoenix bird, it makes for a good example for anything to with survival, strength, patience, and to a large extent, even victory.

My reward to myself for achieving a long term goal was to have this tattoo'd on me.   Considering the work I put in, yes, its all about survival, strength, patience and yes... victory!

It just goes to show what you can do if you put your mind to it -- if I can do it, ANYONE can!