Week 11

“Year by year the complexities of this spinning world grow more bewildering and so each year we need all the more to seek peace and comfort in the joyful simplicities.”

~ Woman’s Home Companion, December 1935

My joyful simplicities this week...

This boy has been extra sweet lately. 

He and I read a set of "Science for Babies" board books to his sister and learned a few things. 

We learned that scientists use balls to explain many things about mass, flow, gravity, physics, 

and ROCKET SCIENCE. We are excited, and now he wants to "fly" rockets when he grows up. 

Oh, I believe you will, Grandson, and move mountains too.

 

Late winter cloudscape. Always look up - especially when there are clouds.

Rite Aid ranunculus.

I see flowers, I stop and shoot.

Catching my morning light 😍

Art therapy!

This is my first attempt at Neurographic art in Procreate on my iPad. 

We got some rain on the last day of winter.

One lonely dandelion in the rain.

First day of spring! I took my bike for a spin, and it didn't hurt my arthritic knee. 

YES! My usual walks are not an option right now, so this is super exciting.

 

Sally's roses this week. 

Week 10

I know it's still winter, but spring is here in Northern California, and it is glorious! The trees and flowers are blooming, the Bees are buzzing, and the birds - well, the birds are always here, and that's a good thing.

I finally got to see my grandkids after three weeks of isolation. I swear they have grown a couple of inches and gotten even more brilliant.

I did a lot of shooting and had to whittle down my images for the week to just ten from a gagillion. Ha! Sometimes it feels like that many, and I love it.

Onward.

Cooper's Hawk looking for a snack.

The bees are so happy!

It's not easy getting these two to sit still together. 

Homemade goodies I ordered from an amazing artist in Maine. 

Ready to go to school.

Lunchtime.

Macro rose petals. I love how this feels.

This one smells divine.

Yep, more roses

A male Downy Woodpecker. They are always watching.

Week 9

I am finally getting over the 'rona! 

Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming. 

Except how do we do that with all that is happening right now? I'm having trouble forming words to describe all of my feelings. 

Is it enough to just put one foot in front of the other and keep going? Keep up with our routines, rest, stay informed, find some beauty in each day, and hug your family every chance you get?

I sure hope so because I'm exhausted, and that is all I have at the moment.

Our crabapple bloomed again and now it's snowing white petals.

I am having fun learning a lot and creating on my iPad with "Procreate."

This is my cover image for Facebook.

I love salads for lunch. This one has chunks of leftover pork chop and lots of other goodies.

The view from my iPad. I had to move a video session to the dining room because 

Hubs worked from home all week and needed the office.

What's for dinner?

Lemon, garlic, and butter Cod with parmesan polenta and green beans.

More of my neighbors' roses. Yes, it was raining (lightly) when I shot this.

If I have to isolate, then I'm going to bake.

Chocolate chip cookies are my jam.

My favorite thing about going to Lowes.

The garden center always brings me joy.

Mt Diablo looking good from Hwy 4 on a Saturday afternoon.

Thankfully Hubs was driving.

My Lavender is exploding and the bees are happy.

Week 8

I am still suffering from the 'rona. 

By suffering, I mean I'm tired, have head and chest congestion, and a low fever, sometimes. It's really not that bad, but it seems to be just hanging on too long. I feel a little better each day and can't wait to go somewhere. Anywhere.

In the meantime, I'll keep taking pictures around the house, sitting out back in the sun, watching movies, reading, learning Procreate on my iPad, and ordering groceries online.

Trying to get over the 'rona

Correction: My Lavender survived the winter and it's blooming!

(I blame the 'rona for calling this Rosemary)

Male Flicker waiting for the suet to be replenished.

Can't tell if this is a female or an immature male Anna's.

Sunshine in the backyard!

More roses blooming next door.

We said goodbye to this beast. 

Thank you for eight years of camping and riding.

Week 3

Another successful week of shooting daily. 

I"m proud of myself and I'm going to celebrate by... taking more pictures!

I want to remember this one photo I couldn't take last week that, I know, would have been a favorite:

I was driving westbound on the highway on my way to watch my grandchildren when I saw the full and bright Wolf moon through my windshield, sitting just over the hills. Then as I glanced in my rearview mirror, I saw the sun peeking through the clouds over the Mt Diablo foothills.  

Now on to the shots I did get.

One of these things is not like the other,

Peek-a-boo.

Playing with toys.

More playing with my macro lens and wireless shutter release.

It was all yellow...

Buy yourself flowers.

How many Titmouse do you see?

 

Week 2 - 2022

"Photography is a gift. The memories we make with our work are PRICELESS." 

~ Jenny Rosenbring

I was reminded (again) of how energized I get when I intentionally shoot, edit, create, and share. I mean, it always surprises me, and I don't get how I could ever forget such a wonderful feeling. Why I hesitate to schedule the time to do this every day is a wonder. So, I've decided that this project of shooting daily, and blogging weekly, is a form of self-care and have added it to my to-do list and calendar.

Maple Walnut Shrimp for Monday dinner.

Ths sunsets lately have been on fire.

The hills of Briones with Mt Diablo in the distance. 

Oh, and those clouds!

This beauty is blooming super early this year.

These two are just too adorable.

Again with these clouds!

Dark-eyed Junco coming in for the privet berries.