Photos have been removed but may return...:)

Hello, all,

My journal here was about my photography and the interesting little things that I wanted to share about them. When AOL transitioned their journal site to the blogger they had to remove the photos links since they were shutting down their photo repository site. I decided that I may come back and redo these at some point but for now I was successful at moving the words to this new blogger. As I have time I may go back and add the photos......I have some of them handy, but it would take a long time so we will see...however I will begin with one thought today and photos to go with it.

I plan to use these entries as a way to spark ideas for future...even the words alone can trigger the little thoughts I had from the photos. Photography, writing and speaking are all connected. Many of the tecniques we use to be proficient in one area apply to the others. An obvious one is staying focused...as my daughter is here working on her pumpkin! LOL...:)

AOL is shutting down our journals and FTP Space

....AOL will be losing their creative journaling population..... I have transferred my journal to blogspot but the photos and some of the fonts need correcting...I will just leave things as they are for now....because I have begun another blog here and this one will just be an archive blog... I made the deadline: Oct. 31, 2008....I had to publish 355 entries and no more than 15 at a time...it didn't take too long...but it did transfer......I hope to use it as a resource for inspiration......

Here is my new blogspot photo journal site: my photo and journals friends: http://littlethingsphotoblog.blogspot.com/ I hope you will join me and follow my site.

Some History:

If you haven't already heard I"m here to tell you that our blogging space here at AOL is going to be shut down.....I don't know why or what drove this decision..although I"m sure I'll learn more in a few days since this message is so new. I am open to ideas on where to go to do a similar blogging feature. My email will probably live on for awhile but really the main reason I stayed with AOL was to retain my old email and to blog. I don't know what AOL is thinking but maybe reading the People Connection blog will shed some light on this.

Here is the text of the email I received late yesterday, which I am sure the other AOL journalers also received...it's probably a result of someone's cost benefit analysis. I"m going to explore some of the sites that others who left AOL created during the last big fiasco and see what they are doing now. This is so dissappointing...but I will try to remember that when one door closes...another one opens!

Dear AOL Hometown/FTP user,

We’re sorry to inform you that on Oct. 31, 2008, AOL® Hometown and FTP will be shut down permanently. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Though you will be able to modify your Hometown site and access FTP until this date, we urge you to save your AOL Hometown/FTP content immediately, and consider other options for hosting your site. Read more about how to download and save your Hometown/FTP files here.

In the meantime, please bookmark the People Connection Blog, where you can find out more about AOL Hometown/FTP. You can also subscribe to the People Connection Blog RSS feed to stay informed about any changes. We’ll be updating the People Connection Blog often, so please check it regularly.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we make this transition. Again, we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Sincerely,

The AOL Hometown Team

Dolphin in Green Glass

Hello, all! this photo was taken at my newest neice's Baptism reception. I loved the way the dolphin stood out in the light behind it shining through the green glass. There is so much vibrant color going on here it is amazing.

Dophins are one of my sister's favorite sea creatures. They are quite nice. This wooden carved dolphin is one I brought back from Mexico and gave to her...I also have one of my own but not quite this big. I love the colors in the green glass behind it...it's really a bowl that sits on it's side. The sun was shining very brightly. If was a nice photo moment. It is interesting to see the different effect when I turned the photo to a portrait view....I have to fix that signature though. ;) Maria

Church Bells

It's time for an entry! About time....the summer has sped by and I took a little vacation from my computer blogging. However, I miss my journal friends...so I am back to see who is still journaling and feeling the force. Since my last entry I've begun to learn playing the Church Handbells at St. Louise. I love the sound and am having so much fun learning. It's going to be performance time soon with the holidays just around the corner. Although we practice twice a week we only play a few times a year...joining the group was the main way I get to hear the bells on a regular basis.

The church bazaar season is starting soon and I plan to have a table with my cards and photos again as well as some practical books, stationary and calendars. I also plan to have my dulcimer to play....St. Francis in Burien...just need to find that signup form. It's so much fun talking to people and seeing all the other tables on my break. This will be my third year. I don't make a lot of money but usually enough to cover most of my expenses.

There is also a Costco photo contest which I want to enter...the deadline is approaching soon...end of September..the only holdback is that I need to choose a photo....the title is "Give us your Best Shot"....A scene that shows life at its best...it's an International contest. It should be fun..just go to http://www.costcophotocontest.com/ and look for the photo contest.

Here is a photo of the bells I've been playing with the others...there are at least 24 or so of these bells....St. Louise is in Bellevue. It's a challenge reading the music so I use a colored marker to make sure I"m not ringing someone else's bells....so to speak! :) Maria

Dear Diary page

Dear photo diary,

I'm waxing poetic tonight. Life is so interesting when you stop and think about it…we strive to find out who we are from others and yet we are the ones who know ourselves best... it is in asking that we find out more discrete information. This helps us listen to our internal voices telling us who we are now and whom are moving towards being. A photo can open up new worlds of light for us to explore. As long as we keep moving towards the light we will continually discover ourselves anew.

Yours truly,

Maria and my cherished hammered dulcimer....leading me in different directions yet remaining in my photo blogs.

The Sun Does Wonderful Things

I was at a music camp recently in a beautiful spot in Ollala, Washington..... where there were old growth cedar trees and wonderful big leafed maples....plenty of opportunity to see what wonderful things the sun can do...yes it did come out over the weekend! Like the sun we can all do wonderful things...if we just set our minds to it! Maria

Optimism and you

Hello, all,

I've decided to share some of my word posters. Today the poster is on Optimism. I'll be giving a speech on Positive Thinking and how it can be a great asset to your career on July 14. It is not alway easy to be optimistic but it is definitely important to maintain a positive attitude on things. It can make the difference between moving forward and being stuck in the present or past. I've found so many great quotes and websites on the subject. With the internet today you have an endless resource for this subject. A sunrise or a sunset is about something new coming..a new day or new night. I love the symbolism and it's there for us every day.....even in Seattle where the clouds sometimes cover the sun itself...I know it's there behind them. In the evening or morning the clouds sometimes make for a wonderful canvas of reds and oranges which I know is not unique to Seattle and that's even better...because no matter where you go the sun is there to remind you of something new and fresh coming!

I took this photo in Ixtapa, Mexico. It's one of my favorites. Maria

Happy 4th of July to all!

Happy 4th of July to all......Here is a little joke for the day and a photo for you!:

Red White and Blue

A visitor from Holland was chatting with his American friend and was jokingly explaining about the red, white and blue in the Netherlands flag.

"Our flag symbolizes our taxes," he said. "We get red when we talk about them, white when we get our tax bill, and blue after we pay them."

"That's the same with us," the American said, "only we see stars, too."

Maria

Feeling the Elegant Flowers - PHoto entry for 'E' and 'F'

Hello, all!

I'm feeling the flowers with the A-Z photo Challenge at Perceptions Journal for the letter 'E' and 'F'.   Elegant are the Flowers in the spring..bright and beautiful....here are a few in sunshine yellow.  Enjoying the view of yellow daisies and peruvian lilies.  

Regards all!  Maria

Happy May 30 Day!

Hello all,

Hard to believe but yes ....it's the end of May already.  Hope all had a great month. I know I love seeing all the flowers coming back!  Here are a few I got from my daughter's boyfriend's mom...she is a wonderful florist.  Smiles to you all.     Maria

Framing is important

Hello, all,

I recently entered a photo contest and found out how important framing can be....turned out the frame I chose, although interesting was too interesting and took away from the photo...I didn't realize it until I thought about how I was so attracted to the frame that I had trouble finding the right photo to put with it.  I had changed my mind so many times...I should have had a clue..here is the photo with frame submitted...what follows after that are a couple of photos with borders and framing I thought would have worked better......what do you all think?  Maria

 

ABC Photo Challenge E - Eggxactly

Hello all!

The Photo Challenge again!  I think it's challenging to find a recent picture that fits...if I was more organized I would go out and find a new and fresh subject!  However these two photos seem to be appropriate.

Egg Insects?  Eggxactly, well almost.  This was a new spin on the Easter egg decorations this year....insect appendages for Eggs...kind of like Mister Potato but with eggs...

 

Egret walking?  No regrets.....this photo was one from my Mexico trip earlier this year.  These birds sure can bend their necks in the most unusual ways......

I had a few minutes and thought I would sneak in a blog entry.  I am still recuperating from the 900+ photos I downloaded from my camera a few weeks ago...phew....it's great to look over the photos digitally too.    Now if I could just keep up with my photo taking.   I've slowed down a little these last few weeks.  I entered a photo contest and didn't win but had a good time and learned alot....boy was the competition stiff.   It was at the local City Hall and the top 5 got purchased to be exhibited.  Turned out my frame competed too much with the photo itself...I learned about balance and what to look for when framing your photos.   Only thing is....I didn't realize the problem when I entered I was a bit enamored with the frame...that should have been my first clue....I'll post it in the near future and let you all decide.....Exasperating....!   Another E word!   Cheers! 
Maria

ABC photo challenge - A, B, C, D in one photo

Hello, I know this might be cheating but I just wanted to catch up and see if I can play sometimes....here is my photo for A, B, C and D:

A for the Aroma of what is in the cup..see the little swirl?

B for the Blue cover of the book:  'Life is Good'

C for the Coffee Cup being held by the man in the chair

D for the Dog sitting by the chair

Just thinking out of the box...like those Dancing Cars....amazing..:)  see link to ABC Photo Challenge Page

This is a great little book...with one liners about why Life is Good.       

Maria

 

Up close and personal

Hello all,

Here are a couple of photos that are up close and personal, at least for these flowers. I like the way the background just fades into the.....well, the background..LOL.  I hope you enjoy the view! 

Maria

Color verison of Black and white bird and surf.

Here you are by popular demand...the color version of the black and white photo from my previous entry...what do you all think?   Which do you prefer?    Maria

PS:  yes this is Mexican surf...Ixtapa.

PHoto Challenge - B & W Landscape

Here is my entry for the B& W Landscapes photo Challenge...I haven't entered one for awhile.    The surf and the bird were calling to me to photograph them...so here you go!  Here is the link to this particular photo challenge: B & W Landscapes

Maria

Swans and flowers and windowscreens

Hello all!

The flowers of May are coming!  Tulips and flowering trees.   In my kitchen there is a window by the sink....hope you have one too.   The window screen keeps the bugs out and provided an interesting background for these two photos.   I love the grace of swans and have two swan  vases that I sometimes use without flowers for an accent.  Although there aren't very many bugs out there yet since it's still pretty cool I am thankful for the window screens.    The flies hatch with the slightest warmth from the sun and it's good to keep them outside.    Bugs...can't live with them...can't live without them...they do serve many purposes..but for now the reminder of that little fact is manifested in windowscreens.  

                                           

Hope your day and week went well!   I'm just winding down from a hectic day and week.   It's good to rest and have flowers to enjoy....don't you think?  Happy day, Happy May!        

Yours truly,    Maria

 

 

Taxes done - Time for Fun

When taxes are done it's time for fun!  Yes!  I did make the deadline....and now I'm just catching up on some other items of interest....emails and the like.   I'm searching for that path to fun on the beach....oh yeah here it is...oops, time for bed....I guess it will have to be in my dreams...:)   ...can you just picture yourself walking to the beach on this pathway?...well then...be my guest!

Maria

PS:  that was our spot to the left of the path....yes, I'm headed there now, in my mind, it's just waiting for me.... to sit and daydream in the sun and to take a dip in the warm ocean........hmmm, looks like my husband is already there in the lounge chair...with his hands raised behind his head....just resting and enjoying the beautiful ocean view.

Twists and Turns and Tax Returns

I'm still working on getting back to everyone to say hi.  I am taking a quick break right now...why? I'm working on the dreaded tax return.  I can't seem to get all excited but now I'm in a bit of a panic since it's almost tax day. 

When I was in Mexico I saw some very cool architecture. This photo of a building in the resort I stayed at is very dreamlike and doesn't seem to be real...but it is.  The stairs and walkway twist and turn creating an interesting effect.   The color in the walls is inviting and warm.  The texture of the walls is simple and clean.  Somehow this photo is the one I chose to show today...maybe because twists and turns rhymed with tax returns...and also because I like it.   

Going back to the taxes..so if you don't hear from me for a couple days I'll return after I'm done with the tax returns...well I may sneak  a peak or two during my breaks and leave a comment here and there...:)   Maria

 

Checking back in with photos from Ixtapa

Hello all! 

I hope I haven't lost all my readers, what with my being on hiatus for so long.  I went on a little trip to Mexico and when I returned I had so many photos I got a bit backlogged!  I couldn't decide on what photo to enter into the contests I was participating in and it was the indecision that got me procrastinating....but now I'm back and maybe I'll try sharing some of my photos from the last few weeks since I last posted.  I may enter a contest or two if they are still happening.  I turned off my alerts to get a break on my emails...but I check my entry for comments.  It's been awhile since I made an entry but I plan to visit all you who commented on my last entry to see how it's going with you and your sites if you have one.

I've missed my blogs and visiting others.   Recently, I gave a short speech in my Toastmasters club at work on Positive Thinking folders.  What you ask is Toastmasters?  It's a great organization that helps people to get over nerves and learn to be better public speakers.  It's great.  It gives me the opportunity to practice writing and giving speeches on interesting topics to friends at work during lunchtimes twice a month.   That's where I got the idea to talk about Positive Thinking folders.  In the last couple of years I've been collecting positive quotes, stories and thoughts and either filing paper copies in a manila folder called 'Positive Thinking" or digitally in a computer folder called the same thing.  There are some very good blogs and sites out there also for which you can get an RSS feed that sends you an email like an alert when there is a new entry.  

The quote I filed away today in my digital folder must have been what prodded me out of my procrastination.:

"There are risks and costs to a program of action, but they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction."
-John F. Kennedy

So, here I am adding a couple more of my photos.  Both from Mexico: 

The first one: 'Memories of the Beach' and the second one:  'Come on in the pool,  the water is fine!'

I'm back,  Maria

Winter Blues - Photo Challenge

 

Hello, all,  Here is my entry for the Winter Blues Community Photo Challenge.  I thought it would be nice to have a more cheerful interpretation...with bright blue sky in the background.  This photo, although taken in my company's parking lot reminded me of those sunny days past when I would go up snow skiing in the mountains with our High School Ski club.  I remember stopping and looking up through the pine trees at blue skies (on those days when we had blue skies) and just thinking how good life was.....  Maria

 

Krissy's JLand Photo Challenge - Old

   Krissy's JLand Photo Challenge - Old

This was a little tough.  Most of the photos I take don't fit into the category of old so it made me think...aha!  The Classic Wooden Boat show in Seattle..this is place to see what is old and in great shape.   All the boats have to be classifed as being quite a few years old before they can qualify as classics.  Here is a photo of some of them at the Bell Harbor Marina in DownTown Seattle.   It's fun going down and talking to the people at the show to hear their stories and adventures with refurbishing and maintaining these boats.  Maria. 

Community Photo Challenge - Love

I didn't think I would have time to enter this week's Community Photo challenge 'LOVE'..... but somehow I could not help make time.    What a wonderful topic.  I absolutely love valentine's day.   I searched for a recent photo that might capture this...and I realized that I needed to take more photos of people hugging and holding hands and doing things that represent this very powerful emotion.   The photo I chose is one of my daughter who is hugging a little pup with such delight you can't miss it in her face.  Ironically the pup is turning it's head to some distraction as little pups do....don't you just want to reach out and hug them both?

If I have time I will try to find another by tomorrow..but if not...this will do.  ;)

Maria

Music dilemma continues

Hello, all,

                        

The music dilemma continues...however if you would like to listen to the colors of the wind music you can click on the word music in the left bar or the following link:

http://hometown.aol.com/Gotomaria/colors_of_the_wind.mid  but if you want it to play in the background you should open it in a new window.   I think it has something to do with the html code I am trying to use...something has changed with AOL.  :)

On another note...I"m thinking of California....:)  Here is a photo I took a year ago in Long Beach, CA.   I loved the way the water reflected the lights from the bridge and the boats.  The bridge leads to the Queen Mary.   Even at night this is a picturesque locale.