Photo Heart Connection - December 2012

December's photo-heart connection image is special not for the photographic qualities, but for my son's activity (or lack of) at this moment.  We were at one of my daughter's many horse riding lessons - this time she was riding out (out in the 10 acre paddock where there are obstacles (trees, uneven ground), jumps, a pond, etc) - and it was cold.  After nearly 7 years of lessons - my son is so over going to the barn, but going out back he found several large pieces of tree bark that had fallen from a dying tree, put them on the ground to keep him dry (it was wet/muddy) and envisioned a "chair" from this fallen branch.  He sat in his "recliner" throughout the lesson - just watching what is going on around him.  Granted he is older now, but to be able to sit and watch and think - without any electronics - is wonderful.  Or on the flipside -- truly a male - able to find a recliner anywhere to sit and relax and watch the show around him.

Connecting with Kat's Photo-Heart Connection.  To see other images, check out her website.

What About Photo Challenges/Prompts

Photo Challenges for 2013

Have you given thought to or revisited the photo challenges you signed up for way back in 2012?  Some of the ones I participated in have concluded and won't be restarting in 2013, some I just couldn't find the time for, and some - well they appeared to be so clickish (I wasn't "in" the right inner circle) - so I didn't feel the need to contribute regularly.  I don't have delusions of successfully completing a 365 project, but like the challenge of contributing more - somewhere - so I joined a group on Flickr  (I'm even thinking of being a rebel and not following the suggested prompts either).  However I will continue to participate in a few challenges that I felt the blogger/originator truly wanted to connect with others and took the time to comment on each photo submitted.  With all that being said - here is the first posted photo for 365/2013 (I have taken more, but they are still living in my camera). 

Although it is not a masterpiece - it is a representation of what I often see driving my area's roads - endless pastures and rolls/bales of hay - all enclosed with barbed wire fences.  This particular day (Jan 2) was chilly, drizzling, and grey.  Winter along the Texas Gulf Coast isn't our prettiest time of year - the grass dies and we don't receive any snow to replace all the ugliness with a pretty winter scene - it is mostly mud (sometimes frozen mud).  I put this image into sepia tones to warm it up - for myself.. I don't care for the cold wetness and with this treatment I still project the same feeling - drab - but it doesn't feel as flat. 

I have found a 52 project that I'm hoping will be fun and will strive to contibute more to flickr & the craziness of Instagram.  Let me know how you are feel about continuing with photo challenges - or have you burned yourself out on them? 

Wordless Wednesday

Attempting a Save

 

 

Photographing a local horse show (dressage - schooling) this past weekend.  Attempting to save/make use of a bad photograph -- yes I chopped off the rider's head & the arena/fence post got in the way.  It happens - but maybe I can call it an "artsy" image?

Linking up with Wordless Wednesday.  Click here to see other wordless images.  Guess I didn't exactly follow the "wordless" rules - but at least it isn't a full paragraph/narrative.

Wordless Wednesday

Perspective

Linking up with Wordless Wednesday, look here to see other wordless images.

Wordless Wednesday

Multitasking

How does a dog run, jump, wag his tail, and lick his nose at the same time?   - talented and multitasking.   This is what I'll be doing today - in the kitchen, laundry room, and generally all around the house preparing for Thanksgiving.  I know I'm not the only one either - many adults will be mimicking my same routine today (thank goodness I've already done battle at the grocery store).  Hope you survive - I'm getting an early start today.  Hope everyone has a happy (and not exhaustive) Thanksgiving.

Linking up with other wordless images (although I included words this time).  Click here to see other images.

Like a Butterfly

Lately I have felt like a butterfly - flying from flower (task) to flower (task) - not quite settling down on one spot for very long.  A month or so ago I took an unplanned break from blogging  -life just got too hectic and I was unable to keep everything going.  I'm also in the process of evolving my blog - what do I want (or have) to offer others (something useful that they would like to read about/see/use) - what is my niche?  I'm sure these are questions everyone (not just bloggers) have asked themselves from time to time. 

Although I haven't been posting as often on my blog, I have been posting photographs - mostly to Instagram (I'm head over heels in love with it) - because I always, well usually, have my phone with me.  Now with the internet Instagram feed anyone call follow IG feeds.  You can find me as sherrycb on Instagram, or here on the web. 

My schedule continues to be very packed, but just over the horizon I can see the clump of flowers where I can fly shorter distances (an actual unscheduled weekend is coming!!) and still stay close. 

The gulf frittary butterfly image was captured at Brazos Bend State Park around the 40 acre lake (specifically the observation tower).  The calendar may say fall, but in SE Texas - we are still enjoying the bright colors of wildflowers (or weeds).    My sister says he looks like he has his landing gear down - I'm planning on putting mine on soon.

A Mystery Solved & Happy Halloween

A few weekends back we camped in East Texas (in the Piney Woods & near the Big Thicket), and  early Saturday morning I ran across this sign posted on the campground dumpster.  I thought it might an early Halloween prank or even crazed raccoons - but definitely knew I wouldn't be visiting the dumpster at night.  I posted the image on Instagram and unfortunately no one could identify it either.  However, Texas Parks & Wildlife did ask to post the image on their facebook page and wow did it get the responses - last time I checked over 100.  The best thing about the posting - mystery solved.  It is part of a creepy/scary computer game called Slender (you can visit wikipedia to read about it - I know that website is not reliable for many things - but I think it is safe enough for this subject).  I'm sort of glad I didn't know what it meant at the time; I might have been truly creeped out (historically weird things have happened and continue to happen in E Texas).  It was interesting to read the comments - someone posted that they thought the poster made it up & posted it themselves - uh - no I didn't. 

Halloween will be interesting this year - kids no longer dressing up, we almost forgot to buy our pumpkins (too hot to carve, then our schedule got in the way), horse riding lessons on the same day, etc., just won't seem the same this year. 

For the East coast affected by Sandy - hang in there - things will return to normal at some point - living along the Texas gulf coast - I certainly have been in your shoes.  In fact you can still spot a few houses that haven't been totally repaired from hurricane Ike 4 years ago. 

Everyone have a safe and fun Halloween & remember - Slender man is watching... ha ha ha ha ha.