The Poinsetta Passion

Poinsettas are such interesting flowers...they bloom in Hawaii yet have become one of the most popular of Christmas flowers around here.   I went to Molbak's nursery recently to see their multitude of poinsettas...they claim they have all the varieties...they also paint them and put sparkles on them.   Check out their website:  MOLBAK's  .  They obviously have a Passion for poinsetta's.  I drove for 35 minutes just to get there!  It was well worth it and I took several photos.  I ended up buying some poinsettas and really getting in the holiday spirit.  I could have spent all day there.  Looking at the photos reminds me of that experience.   ...the smiles on my face....  somehow maybe the photos I took captured that mood....since that is what photos do.    The speckles like snow...the pinks like tints in a pale pink sunset...  The flower petals of a poinsetta are rather unique...look closely and you will see that they are like the green leaves but have evolved into the beautiful colors at the tops of each stem.   It's like a visual of a dream coming true...see there is that metaphor...  Think about it...starts out green..has a little growth and then voila!  the colors explode and become visible at the tips of what was an ordinary looking green plant.  In this case it's in the genetics...but it's still a fulfillment of a promise hidden in those genes.   So our genetics also hold a promise...our talents which bloom...hidden in our genes waiting for us to begin blooming like these poinsettas...just as beautiful and just as inspiring.    Have an inspirational day!   Maria

Donna's   Poinsetta animation is a great one for this entry:

 

Followup on Passion

Finally!  I have a little time to write my entry on following your passion...here is an example of someone who has done just that...she was charming and it was so fun to talk to her.  Her name is Meghan  and her passion is animals...especially black Fresian horses. 

Running horses....animation from Donna

She loves to photograph as well.  I met her at the last Bazaar and she had a great booth....her business is called Zoo Crew Photos and she offers a service for people at cat shows, horse shows and she does some Bazaars....however, these photos here are from her website!   She does business locally and delivers her products.. they were great...coasters, mirror compacts...I loved one of the black horses especially...the one with the white bridle and doing a stand.   She loves to be around dogs and cats and especially horses.   I think we can all learn from her....now I don't know her age but my guess would be late mid 20's.   Needless to say I bought quite a few of her products with the black horse motif...I'm looking at the compact mirror case now. 

 

 

     

Made me think....so now I'm doing some seasonal photos of flowers...poinsettas and thinking about flower shows and websites.  Passion!  What is your passion?  Does it change?  Is it all encompassing?  Is it lucrative?  The thing about a passion is that you don't get bored or tired of it.....that's the key.  I'm still working on mine but one thing I know.....I love seeing things from different perspectives and sharing that view.   Whether it's  a view of clouds, flowers, water, dead tree trunks or even the way an animal or insect appears to me.....it's the deeper translation I look for...the symbolism or metaphor...it's there....I think that is what attracts me to the photography.     Maria.     

The Bazaar Experience - 1

Hi, again, journaler friends.   What compelled me to try out this Bazaar experience over the weekend?  It happened because 1) I built some inventory over the last few months just in case,  2) I saw a note in the Church bulletin looking for vendors for two different parishes....St. Francis and St. Philomena and 3) I took action and a chance.   It has been a passion of mine to take photos and perhaps take them to market.   That being a plan I did just that.  I learned some lessons.   I did not focus on a few themes...nor did I really understand the Bazaar market.   I sold mostly my cards and only a few framed photos.   I had such a mishmash of things....mostly flowers, some scenes and birds.  The cards are great but they are not a high dollar volume.  

I also found that talking to people was so much fun!  I enjoyed meeting new people and hearing their stories of their passions.....I began to think...wow....they are so much more focused...they sell in other venues and markets.   Got me to thinking that I should be more adventurous and try putting some of that Marketing degree that got me my full time job in Accounting to work...dust off the cobwebs.   Hard to do when you are still working fulltime.   I kept asking myself...what is my passion? Is it photographing roses?  Birds? Sunset/sunrises? Seattle skyline?  DesMoines Marina? Marinas?  WHAT IS IT?  No answer.....it's not just any one of those things...although each area attracts with intensity no single one is all encompassing.  

Oh yeah, and what about that Dulcimer thing?  I had it to play a tune if someone bought something from me....it didn't really help with sales just with having fun.  It was a kid magnet for sure.  A couple of kids really wanted to try it and it was kind of fun letting them.   Definitely got some practice and learned how stage frightened I get when I think about people watching me play.....it's darn heavy lugging it around though....I may need to buy a lighter one.  LOL...I ended up playing tunes for people even without purchases.  More to come on the lessons I learned about being clear about yourpassion and following it with focus in the next entry.....

Animation compliments of...you guessed it Donna at This and That and Hockey! Thanks, Donna!        Maria 

 

 

 

                                           

Passion question!

             What is your passion?  Can you imagine yourself flying high in a Kite glider?  What focus you would have to have!....just to stay alive!   Without the imagination things like this could never happen. (animation compliments of Donna at This and That and Hockey)    I was so amazed to see this kiteglider when I was in San Diego...Torrey Pines...look closely at the second picture and you will see this courageous, adventurous and imaginative glider flying over the tip of the cliff on the upper left corner of the photo....     Then look down to the beach..it's a long way.  Torrey Pines is in La Jolla...just north of San Diego proper.  It's a college town.   The atmosphere is very California....students walking around with surf boards and books. Aren't these what dreams and passions are made of?...adventure, excitement, beauty....it still takes focus to execute the moves safely and successfully....that glider is an icon for the sky is the limit...don't you think?  I still have more to say....next entry will be on my bazaar...:)  experience!   Maria

 

                                      

A Thanksgiving Entry on Monday

            Hello, all!  The leaves tell a colorful story around here right before Thanksgiving.  First we start with an elegant animation from Donna....a favorite journal artist of mine...check out her site: This That and Hockey       She has some wonderful animations.   It's Thanksgiving in just a few days.   What are you thankful for?  The changing colors are filling me with thanks for the brightness that would otherwise leave us with some pretty grey days this time of year.  Funny, just before the leaves drop off they shine their brightest with vivid, brilliant hues...yellow, reds and oranges.   

I did a bazaar this weekend with my photos and cards and my hammered dulcimer...although I didn't make a lot of money I learned some great lessons about life and people.   My next entry will dwell on this a little in the area of going after your passions.   Knowing what really drives you and how to use that knowledge to be present in this world in a real sense can make the difference of night and day for success....focus on a few if you have lots....which is my problem...I'm a mishmash of passions...I like a lot of things.   Just like my photos....red, green, yellow leaves...all different yet still leaves....just one of my many likes....more on this topic later!  Maria

 

                        

Birds are fascinating

                                   Hello, all!   Birds really are fascinating.   When I was in San Diego, Mission Beach, there were Seagulls gathered together and just walking and flying along the beach walk.  It was interesting to see them and I got a couple of them flying.   Something about the bottom one made me think of a stealth bomber.....     Maria   

 

                                                   

Trip to San Diego - Seaworld

                                                      

There is something about dolphins and whales that is so inspiring.   Just got back from San Diego!  While there I visited the Seaworld.  Got a couple of photos of the dolphins and whales.   Hard to believe I'm back here in Seattle now with rain, rain and more rain....when just the other day I was sitting by the pool getting some rays!  Lucky San Diego people!   The reason I was there was for my daughters soccer team playoffs....they didn't win but played a great game....all in all, it's good to be home!  Have a great day everyone!     Maria

 

 

Happy Day after Halloween and soccer!

                                      

 

Hello, all!   Yes, it's the day after Halloween!  Hope you all survived all right.  It's a cool crisp morning here in Seattle.  I wanted to share a pumpkin my daughter carved for her soccer team....the Seattle University Redhawks.  She and her team are traveling to La Jolla, California to play in the first round of regionals. Love those girls!

Pumpkins and corn mazes go together.Here are a pile of pumpkins in an interesting and appealing curve.  I entered the ship corn maze..but ran out of time to finish...luckily I figured out how to get out with a little creative pathmaking....... although I admit I got lost for a little while. It was great fun even though I was by myself.  Happy week to all! I'm averaging about one entry a week now...just too busy to add more but I'll try to keep up with those who visit as best I can.   Maria