Monday, March 2, 2009

Yeah, I'm pretty lucky.







My life is pretty sweet. I have a comfortable home, good food, friends and family who love me and I have free time to take photographs on beautiful mornings. Today I got up early to catch the sunshine before the clouds moved in. I spent the morning meandering around  at Doris Ranch with my trusty photography assistant, Juniper. Doris Ranch is a retired filbert (hazelnut for the non-Oregonians) orchard. It is now harvested by the squirrels--and they are ridiculously abundant. They make the dogs go wild--like they need any help. It turned out to be a beautiful day--so warm and sunny I forgot it isn't quite spring yet. 










This wasn't meant to be a self-portrait, but there I am anyways. I think I may be obsessed with shadows right now. I'm also digging the black and white with the shadows.








Steamy!










After our visit to Doris Ranch, Juniper and I met a friend and her dog for a walk. Juniper was SO happy--she hasn't been out for a run since she's been feeling better. She has been pretty patient with the whole no activity thing--but now she's starting to come apart at the seams. She has so much energy and personality she has a hard time keeping herself contained. She not only got a walk and a run today--she rode around with me while I ran errands this afternoon. I bet she doesn't realize how lucky she is. 

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Elephants, Education, and Emotion.





I went on a mid-morning hike up Spencer's Butte yesterday. The light was amazing-- slightly misty and diffused. I spotted this elephant tree in the distance. I love how nature creates faces and shapes in the trees. 










Yes! I don't even know why we need to have bumper stickers stating the obvious. This is something that hits home for me right now as I am delving into the world of higher education. I'm finding that if I don't get loans-- I don't go to school. Alternately, If I don't go to school--I will not have a steady job that allows me to pay my bills and have a little breathing room. This terrifies me. I am keeping pretty calm about the whole ordeal--this is a big improvement for me. I tend to worry and stress until I am a frazzled, exhausted mess. Lately, I just take everything day by day. I am trying my best to see the future out of the corner of my eye and focus on the present moment. This is a daily struggle--often I screw it up. But these days I am gentle with myself--making mistakes can bring about change if I am conscious and aware.










Usually I am not a fan of  tree graffiti. Trees are beautiful and artistic in their own way and don't need further decoration. This one grabbed me for some reason--perhaps it appeals to my inner romantic. It does remind me that I would really love a kind soul to share my adventures with. Someone to cook dinner, dance in the kitchen, and explore with--simple things, really. This is an area in which I am cultivating patience. Patience is another quality that does not come naturally to me. A friend told me the other day that as soon as you stop looking for something(one), it finds you. This is likely very true. Ok...patient...I am very patient.