The Little Things from AOL

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

2008-11-01T10:07:00.001-07:00

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

2008-10-01T21:36:00.000-07:00

....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

2008-09-27T00:25:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-22T23:20:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-29T22:03:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-25T11:50:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-06T17:03:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-07-04T19:18:00.000-07:00

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'

2008-06-02T00:26:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-05-30T00:07:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-20T21:50:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-08T23:34:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-08T19:50:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-05-05T23:09:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-02T21:44:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-02T19:27:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-16T23:43:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-12T13:33:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-09T21:33:00.000-07:00

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

2008-02-16T12:28:00.000-08:00

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

2008-02-02T01:14:00.000-08:00

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

2008-02-02T00:47:00.000-08:00

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

2008-02-01T00:07:00.000-08:00

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.

More on the music

2008-01-28T21:19:00.000-08:00

I updated my internet explorer and now the music is not playing...I see the file on AOL Hometown file manager but it doesn't appear to be visible when I click on it like it did before I updated my explorer. However, I will keep working on this to figure it out..in the meantime it appears to not be working at the moment...so I'll remove my side bar reference to the music..maybe I can imbed it into a regular entry...:)

Music on the site

2008-01-28T20:12:00.000-08:00

Hello, all,

I'm glad I asked the question about the music. I just naturally assumed it was playing since when I open the page it might take 10 seconds or so but it begins to play for me. I use Comcast cable for highspeed internet so maybe that makes a difference. Maybe it's something to do with AOL or the upgrades I keep procrastinating on making. In any case if you can hear the music let me know. I uploaded a little midi file to AOL Hometown and then used a little html to plug it into my border on the right. A copy and paste I got from somewhere. I may experiment with it a little more on the site just for the education....so stay tuned! (No pun intended). Maria

GAZEBO in the SNOW

2008-01-27T23:04:00.000-08:00

A Gazebo in the snow makes me smile...but not as much as in the summer sun...LOL. This photo was taken a few weeks ago but there is promise of snow in the air again here. In other places I'm sure snow is the norm right now. Wishing you all a peaceful start to the week. Maria

PS: just wondering how many of you can actually hear the music on my site and do you mind having it play? I just updated it today to a little tune called "Colors of the Wind".

Photo Shoot 2 - Krissy's Black n White

2008-01-22T23:43:00.000-08:00

Amazingly, another photoshoot site by Krissy has me inspired to do even more posting.

Amazing because I have not been posting much this year. Her theme was Black and White,

Here is a black and white of a latte photo from my previous post to this week's photo challenge by Marie. It has a different feel to it but still offers a similar appeal to coffee drinkers. Kind of like the old time black and white photos I used to take with my little Brownie when I was a child.

Interesting story goes with this photo. I had this great cup of coffee at an espresso place in Seattle called 'All City Coffee'. Absentmindedly I left the place leaving my leather coat. I was also excited about this photo I had taken in the place. I didn't realize it for a day or two...it had been a fairly warm day and I wore other coats the following days. When I missed the jacket I finally narrowed it down to 'All City Coffee' and called them. The woman that worked there had seen it and kept it for me behind the counter. I was thrilled and decided to leave them a thank-you card along with a framed 8 by 10 black and white photo of that delicious latte which I printed on canvas. When I revisited the place a week or so later, to my surprise, the manager had hung it on the wall behind the counter. I was very flattered. That is the story that goes with this photo!

Maria

Latte Heaven & Biscotti - Photo Challenge- Hometown

2008-01-22T23:07:00.000-08:00

Hello all! A Photo Challenge site has been set up to continue what John Scalzi had started by Marie, a great photographer and blogger. PHOTO CHALLENGE-HOMETOWN.

This entry is about Hometown. Join me as I enter on a photo journey to compete with my fellow photographers. It may seem like a cliche but Seattle is definitely known for it's coffee and coffee shops. This aspect does hold true for when I travel because when I return to this fair city I find that I've really missed the great coffee we have here! Whether it's Starbuck's or a little corner coffee shop...my hometown sure does make the best latte's. These three photos were taken in January of 2007 in a couple different coffee shops here in greater Seattle. Just a month or so ago there was even a latte coffee art contest at the Seattle center. Hope you enjoy, and if you are in Seattle...be sure to stop at a local espresso stand and ask them for a latte ...you never know what you will get....... Maria

The New Year - It's a carousel

2008-01-21T08:25:00.000-08:00

Hello, all,

No I did not drop off the face of this wonderful earth! For the last few days I would sit down and look for a photo that inspired me to make an entry. I think I went through a double block: a writer's block and a photographer's block...I wonder what that might be called? A Wrotoblock?

Ah, what can I say. The fog seems to have lifted when I sat down today and found this photo. The new year is somewhat like a carousel. There are so many beautiful horses to ride...which one should I pick? Will I be this way again? Will I get tired or dizzy on the ride? Going round and round the view changes and stays the same. I like carousels and especially the beautiful horses. I do like the other animals as well but the horses are my favorite. The carousels remind me to take a moment and enjoy the beauty as well as the ride.

I am challenging myself and all of you too! Enjoy the ride this year and find the beauty. This is the jumping off point for my journal this year...that is the beauty and the ride! The day is gorgeous here today. Cold, yes, in the 20's Fahreinheit...very low for Seattle but I'll be out today and during my ride I'll get to see Mt. Rainier clear as a bell in front of blue skies! Hope your day and ride go well today! I hope it was worth the wait for my journal entry for those who haven't given up on me. Maria

It's such a Blur! But what a Memory!

2007-12-29T10:29:00.000-08:00

Hi, all!

Best laid plans don't always happen exactly as you planned...Christmas activites happened so fast it all seems like a blur like the photo of our tree with the presents. I forgot to use my tripod for the indoor picture of the tree (as has been recommended, suggested and directed to use by Greg from phototrek..LOL) and correct my setting to farther away rather than nearer..... Of course now all the presents are gone but what a memory. It was a fun Christmas this year. Our first Cookiefest, at my sister's house, I involved my husband and daughter in the selection of presents for the nephews and neices and I got a very nice present myself from them. I planned to be so organized....it's Saturday and I'm just starting to feel that way. Going to finish putting some financial forecasts together for next year and clean up my budgeting process...and, in addition some other goals...well let's save the rest for another entry. Hope things went pretty much as you planned for the holidays!

The thought in this case does count because the photo is a blurrrrrr...LOL....and then there is my annual placing of the doll in the tree!

This year's theme was red...even the angel treetopper....

Check out this sampling of some of the cookies we made...there is even a martian in there created by one of my nephews.

Christmas Eve Day Thoughts

2007-12-24T10:54:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas Eve Day and my thoughts are on my family and friends. Did I remember them all? Can everyone make it to the festivities? Is everyone happy today? Do we all remember the reason for this celebration? Are we focusing on forgiveness and kindness? Our tree this year is themed with red ornaments and white doves....this is before the presents are under it.......given time tomorrow I will add a photo with the wrapped gifts under the tree. These are my thoughts today....Peace and Joy to you! Maria

Stepping up to being more relaxed

2007-12-23T12:46:00.000-08:00

Hi, all,

It's Sunday! 2 more getups and it's Christmas..... During this hectic time I've found it wise to reflect on ways to stay more relaxed...to keep things in perspective. This photo of some stone steps at Kubota Park in Renton, Washington gave me the thought that all it takes is that a person steps up to the challenge of living a more relaxed life. To find peace and to live it. Oh I like getting excited about things and all that but there is such a benefit to taking steps to be more peaceful. I received several Christmas stories that had a theme of peace and putting things into perspective that I printed out and plan to read over again. That's at least one step I can take to having a more relaxing life. Another step is to read over a fairly good article on the Positivity Blog on the same subject: 13 Ways to a More Relaxing Life. My next entry should have a snapshot of our Christmas tree in a theme of red ornaments and white doves. I hope you follow the path to peace in this season! Maria

What's Your Dream?

2007-12-22T16:34:00.000-08:00

Hello, all! Christmas is almost here and it's time to recognize that we have dreams. As children and as adults we all have something that we wish for and hope will happen. What about you? What's your dream? I've always wanted to find that business that defines what I am good at and like to do. Not that I don't like what I do at my full time job but I feel there is more that defines me. Maybe that is one reason why I do photography.... it is an outlet for that dream. The last two years I had my photos in a couple of church bazaars with some success!..... I've also had my dulcimer there to play and entertain my visitors although with a very amateurish hand. The cards and photos are part of the process and between last year and this year more people remembered me, and it gave me great joy! I plan to do it again next year and maybe a market or two in between. It is still a small step doing this kind of thing. But it gives me ideas. Here, in the photo below, I am at a recent Bazaar in November........I hope to do more of this as time allows. It took up the whole weekend and I'm still working full time so weekends are all I would have. But the experience was priceless to me. I made enough to cover some of my expenses...but not all. Maybe next year I will have discovered the formula.

Can you imagine the music coming from the dulcimer? I'll give you a hint....it is sweet and lively. Do what you love....it will always be the right thing to do.

Are you doing what you love and gives you ideas for your dreams? That is what I wish for you for Christmas..and of course, Peace and Joy too!

Maria

My dulcimer below - my hungarian roots are showing....:)

Lots of Room for Mushrooms!

2007-12-11T22:04:00.000-08:00

Mushrooms are strange. They pop up where and when you least expect them. These showed up on the parking strips at my work parking lot. Don't know what kind they are but they were very interesting. The shapes and colors are quite intriguing. In addition I had to get down low to get the photo shots. It was a veritable feast of mushrooms on the parking strip. Not just one or two solitary clumpings but dozens of them. Don't know if it was the moon or the weather but there was certainly lots of room for mushrooms. I've always like mushrooms.... :) Maria

Ice and Swans, Ducks and a tip

2007-11-23T13:56:00.000-08:00

Hello, all!

Boy it's cold here today in Seattle...but I'm not complaining too much because it is sunny! The cold made me think of ice. This time of year I love to listen to the music of Tschaikovsky and especially love the Nutcracker and Swan Lake themes. Swans have always been one of my favorite birds ....especially their white feathery bodies and long necks....I've also seen black swans but white are my favorite. They even come to Washington state during their migratory patterns but have never had a chance to seen them here during that time...maybe a future photo moment.

I was up on the internet looking for something the other day and found this neat website of an ice carver in Michigan named: Ted Wakar. Wow he does some neat things but check out this Swan! His site is called: Frozen Images. I'm going to check out how he handles getting a swan from there to here in one peice...:)

Have to add one of my own photos to keep me in practice...below is a photo of some ducks standing on the frozen pond near where I work....you may recognize it from an earlier photo blog entry.

email entry above and file manager file below

One last thing....here is a little revised tip on inserting photos in the AOL blogs..you probably did know that you can copy and paste photos directly from other emails and websites into your AOL emails. But, did you know that you can copy and paste from any email or website directly into your journal blogs? Yes...and it's much quicker than using the AOL hometown file manager...however, what I found out, as one of my commenters mentioned is that at first it looks like it works but then it turns into a little red x..... I guess it must mess up AOL somehow so forget about trying this and depending on it to stay.

Happy Thanksgiving weekend to all!

Maria

Back Deck in Transformation

2007-11-08T20:43:00.000-08:00

Hi, all!

I decided to try an evening entry (for me) in my photo blog. There is something about a deck that is just too reminiscent of vacation. We are transforming our back deck with new paint, railings and in some not too distant future a gazebo on the corner which will encircle our hot tub. The new railings are really nice and homemade...nice to have a handyman in the house. The deck flooring is now entirely waterproofed. The color reminds me of sandy beaches and is bright even on our greyest Seattle days. At night it almost lights up the deck with it's brightness. I especially like all the white lines and the green chairs in these two photos. It's enough to give me a memory of summer and those warmer months as our weather cools down for the fall and winter. That's worth a photo or two. Maria

Blue Pots in China Town

2007-11-08T07:24:00.000-08:00

Hello, all,

It is a grey and foggy morning here in Seattle. I found this bright cobalt blue clay potted plant photo and it lifted my spirits. They were in a grouping in Seattle's Chinatown area. I went looking for rice sticks one day to make Chinese Chicken Salad...I walked out of the Iwajimaya store with 3 different kinds...LOL...wasn't sure what I was doing...however, my husband took over from there and made the salad. One thing to remember is to break up and seperate the little rice stick noodles before cooking...some of them which weren't seperated stuck together in the salad and were not as crispy as they could have been. I think the directions were in Chinese which made it a bit of a challenge. He used a recipe from a great cookbook I got....the final results are below. Have a great day everyone! Maria

Kubota Garden in the Fall

2007-11-07T07:43:00.000-08:00

Hello all,

I've posted some pictures before of Kubota Japanese garden in the warmer weather...now the weather is turning colder and the fall colors are coming. Here are a couple of snapshots of the garden pond in the fall. I played around with some framing again...:)

I've noticed that sometimes my photos of the landscape aren't always as sharp as they could be...since I'm using my digital I figure I must have bumped or changed a setting and now don't remember what it is...that means I'll have to look in the book or get with Greg.... In any case these photos were good but not as I expected. I was playing around with the macro button for earlier closeups and it was a fairly grey sky that day.....with some patches of blue.

Have a great day! Maria

The wonders of Digital

2007-11-02T07:40:00.000-07:00

I was whining a little in my last entry about the challenges of going digital which made me think about the opposite for this entry. There are so many wonders of going digital. In today's Seattle Times there was an article about stock photos and how they are being used for campaign ads because they are cheaper and easier to manipulate versus going out to get the real picture. Although this approach can be misused it may offer a reasonable alternative in some cases. You can do so many things with digital photos these days. Here is a little example of what a little fiddling with contrast and brightness can do for you with a Before and After picture:

Before:

After:

I like both of the photos but if you need a little more intensity....digital will get you there. If you want some great tips on digital photography check out Greg's Photo Trek..... he takes some amazing scenery shots and gives us some easy to understand tips.

Have a great day! Maria

Happy Halloween & Boo Spiders - 2007

2007-11-01T00:11:00.000-07:00

I've been going through some dry periods....no inspirations for awhile. I think it's due to some tendency I have to procrastinate.....wait to get something done before doing something else. I just unloaded about 500 pictures from my two cameras and decided that I should preplan this a little better...I always print out an index sheet with 24 thumbnails a page and that takes a while....why not plan to unload once I've taken 24 or 48? It used to be all I could take on a 35mm roll of film. This digital world gets me to taking too many photos. I think the dry spell is over...:)

Hope you enjoy the Boo spiders (from my rubber stamping days) and the clown pumpkin with purple hair....then there is a little photo of me in what I wore to answer the door tonight. Guess I am supposed to be the wizard's helper...Happy Halloween....Maria

Feeling the Purple

2007-10-09T06:43:00.000-07:00

Hello, all,

Whoa how time flies. I may have posted this photo before but I was feeling the purple this morning. I saw these Calla lilies and Pussy willows while skimming through my photos this morning. They reminded me of a friend who is on a trip right now and has been gone for a few weeks. Her favorite color is purple. This photo was taken at a Garden Show that comes to Seattle annually. It is held at the downtown convention center. I bought the bulbs and fully intended to plant them. Since that did not happen I am glad I took this photo so I had them to remember our experience and the beauty of the purple. I'm missing my friend but somehow these flowers are a nice reminder of her and the fun we had that day. What color are you feeling today? :)

Maria

Feathery Flowers in Sonoma

2007-09-25T21:00:00.000-07:00

Hello, all,

I took this photo of pink and feathery flowers in August but it seems like just yesterday. The canadian geese in the background are a long ways from home but are a great backdrop to their feathery flower friends. They were milling around this pond at the Sonoma University. I find that Universities are great places to take photos of the flora and fauna. This tree had some very airy and light flowers which I loved! They reminded me of little fan shaped paintbrushes...and when I brought a flower close to my face it was soft and tickled. The pond also added to the charm. It was a little overcast making the water look greenish...well I think that was why..:) Have a great day or night and I'll try to catch up on my journal visits to you! Maria

Blue Glories - a flower of a different color

2007-09-24T21:43:00.000-07:00

Hello, all,

The morning glory flower is usually white around where I live. I have some good shots of the white ones in my photo collection. In Sonoma County, California these blue morning glories were growing at the hotel we stayed at recently. I'm always finding wonderful flowers when I travel. These were definitely of a different color than what I'm used to seeing. These had purple bases which really made the blue color jump out. The light was just right.

Speaking of finding things...in the last couple of days I found two things I thought I had lost. One was a green trench coat style jacket and the other was my little digital Olympus camera I had bought a few weeks back. I found both after some agony...the coat under a bunch of drycleaning waiting to be taken in that I had somehow placed on top of the jacket. The camera was in the pocket of a warm vest I had worn to a recent soccer game. I just kept thinking positive and guess what...it worked! Retracing my steps helped as well because I just kept thinking it's just got to be here somewhere.

I was blue for awhile but then came the glories when I found what was once lost. Yay!

Maria

Orange you glad?

2007-09-23T02:14:00.000-07:00

Hello all,

Orange is a great color! September and October promises to bring plenty of it. I'm seeing lots of pumpkin carving ideas in the magazines stands already. These flowers are surprisingly appealing with the little purple centers. Amazing color combinations exist in nature and it works. A close cousin to orange is coral. As September starts to wane away I've got dreams of October in my mind. Can't wait to see what I will find. Keep an eye out for some great color explosions coming your way! Orange you glad it's orange? (or was that banana? remember that old knock knock joke?) Maria

Framing your outlook

2007-09-20T22:13:00.000-07:00

Hello all!

The results are so much more interesting when I stop and think about how I want to frame my photos. In this case I found a little row of trees whose leaves were touching each other making a perfect frame for a photo of the boats at the Elliot Bay Marina in Seattle. I used to have a boss that always felt you needed a framework for what you did. A way to put things into perspective. I loved it. We always started our meetings with a high level purpose in mind and he would write them down because it was a way of framing the whole thing. It helps people know where you were going and what you wanted to accomplish.

By framing the photo here below you can see that I was walking along a path with trees planted alongside and that it's summer since the leaves are green. My purpose is to show the boats from a different perspective than just the water and the marina. I hope to get back there in the fall to take a similar shot when the leaves turn colors....then in the winter when they are gone. This would mean some forethought and preplanning. What do you know, Fall is almost upon us. Seasons changing can give us different frames for the same view. Isn't nature grand? Maria :)

The Cosmos Call

2007-09-04T21:31:00.000-07:00

The Cosmos call is hard to resist....no not the greater Cosmos as in the Universe but the littler one as in the flower. These Cosmos blooms were just bursting with whiteness as bright as bleached white sheets. They definitely called to my camera. These flowers are very fragile. They are not like daisies. Instead of inspiring you to pluck each petal to find the answer to does he love me or love me not, these flowers brighten and uplift the spirit. The little yellow centers like suns in the center of the universe...the white petals radiating like multiple milky ways. Is our galaxy like a flower? You never know. Maybe the Cosmos call does beckon us to think up up and away. Time to dream.

Maria

A Calla Lily Flourish for Ida

2007-09-03T16:06:00.000-07:00

There are some people who enter your life and add a flourish that is refreshing and energizing.

Much like this photo of an elegantly twirled white calla lily.

When they leave unexpectedly you feel the loss and wish that you could have spent more time with them. Yesterday, Ida, a friend in the neighborhood passed away from cancer. She didn't battle it long. A couple of months ago she found out about it and that it had spread to her bones and liver. She was such a trooper, so amazingly positive and strong minded even give her 65+ years of age. She loved flowers and was always in her yard...it was and still is the best and prettiest yard in the neighborhood. She had lots of friends and family over to visit and keep her company during these last few weeks.

I had intentions of spending more time with Ida....I did not realize how quickly time was passing...and I did not spend near enough of my time since I was thinking I had plenty of it. Nope, that is one thing we don't have much of...time. Give it where you can, make it count because it is precious as gold. Think of how flowers bring beauty and how quickly they pass as a reminder to us to share our time before we or our loved ones fade.

In the grander scheme of things we are all beautiful like the flowers and we quickly pass too...so let's live in the moment, remember to make time to enjoy the beauty of our friends and family before their flourishes are gone. I'm glad I got to know Ida and can only hope that she was glad to have known me too. What a wonderful lady she was to have known. She flourishes in my memory and will live on. Maria

Call me Mellow Yellow

2007-09-03T00:34:00.000-07:00

How many remember the song by Donovan called 'Mellow Yellow'? That song makes me think of the mellow days of summer. I had to post a photo of yellow sunflowers in honor of that feeling now that we are 2/3 of the way through summer..... if you look closely you can find the little bee hanging from the seedpod area. I almost missed it the first time I saw the file. It was a gorgeous day in Seattle yesterday and today. The temperature in the lower 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Almost balmy. Not much wind but nice. Drove around today in my convertible with the top down..topless so to speak. Had lunch at a restaurent at the Elliott Bay Marina and took lots of boat and flower pictures to add to my collections. I took a chance and entered the red sunflower photo in my last entry in the Comcast photo of the day cameo. We will see how it does....;) It's time to get some shuteye! Happy Labor Day, everyone!

Maria

Sunflower of a different color

2007-09-01T22:17:00.000-07:00

Whoa, I've let too much time slip by without an entry. Today's photo of the moment is a sunflower of a different color. Yes, it's rusty colored. I'm always amazed and pleased when I see things out of the ordinary like this reddish sunflower in the photo below. I'd never seen one before and I think I've seen a lot of flowers in my life. Now if I reflect on this one thought for a moment and extend it to other things in life like places and people I would have much more of an appreciation for those who are different and out of the ordinary. Somehow it's easier to appreciate it with places and flowers. Sometimes when people aren't like us it's hard to understand them....it's the unexpected responses and reactions, the fear you might offend or that you did offend and didn't even know it. Communication is such a challenge. Yet, there are so many different cultures and the richness and experience of those cultures is so worth it. I say, keep an open mind for those rusty colored sunflowers in your life. See! The bee still sees the flower for the joy it brings..be the bee....:)

Maria

Flowers of Summer

2007-08-15T20:58:00.000-07:00

Hello all! Yes I'm still blogging but have had to slow way down....I don't know how everyone does it...it takes up quite a bit of time..:) My photo today is of two different summer lilies..an oriental stargazer lily and a light pink oriental. The little pink flowers are small roses. Don't know about the green thing. In any case, it is lily time in Seattle and they are blooming in a lot of gardens. Today the weather got up to the 80's I think but it's been rather cooler here lately in the low 70's. I know there are other parts of the country going through severe heat waves....I'm sending cooler thoughts your way...:)

I'm in a flower photo mood so look for more to come...enjoy and relax... let the flowers help you gaze into your dreams....

Maria

Flowers to Brighten a grey Seattle Day

2007-07-18T06:33:00.000-07:00

Hello all! The day is a little grey here in Seattle today so let's cheer up with a smiley cup filled with flowers. ...two of my favorite things...smiles and flowers. I love white flowers especially. It has been really hot and sunny the last few days and then we got our usually Seattle break from the sun yesterday and today. It's cooler and feels good!

I've been busy doing things around the house and working. July is usually a busy month. Last Sunday the 787 rolled out of the shop...that's a plane and I attended the celebration viewing. It is inspiring.....soon it will fly! Next week I get to go see the Pink Martini, a band which plays some older songs with singers who sing in different languages than English....

Went to a Mariners game recently and had so much fun...love those garlic fries and home run flies!

Ok..gotta go now. Wishing all a great day! Maria

Happy 4th of July 2007

2007-07-04T19:00:00.000-07:00

It is absolutely gorgeous here in Seattle today. We are going to check out some local Fireworks at a park nearby our home. It's hard to think about Freedom when so many in this world don't have it...even us here in the U.S. I'm always getting in arguements about it because I take the side that says we do have freedoms..much more than in other countries. Yet, so many things are banned now...most of our suburbs around Seattle are banned from fireworks..except at the public events. We have so many restrictions on us...must wear seatbelts, no smoking limitations, all for good reasons....yet, it is not a gentle society. I wish it was. We continue to fight and get angry. I still think it's better than it could have been...we just need to stay vigilant that we keep the rights we really need...freedom of speech, freedom of religion....life, liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Below is a photo of a postcard of some fireworks here in Seattle at the Spaceneedle sending you a note for a fun and safe 4th.

Before I end...here is something on a more humorous note from JibJab...it's pretty good...check it out.... Star Spangled Banner

Later all! Maria

Time for Flowers

2007-06-27T20:36:00.000-07:00

I haven't been on a flower shoot for awhile. These three are random flowers that I found in May. The fourth an intriguing surprise. The two photos of the rhody's are in front of Seatac city hall...and the rose photo was taken in front of an empty house for sale in Georgetown a few miles from where I live. Flowers never fail to make me smile. I'm constantly entranced by them wherever I see them....even on my fingernail...:) Maria

The Pike Place Market in June

2007-06-23T16:47:00.000-07:00

The Pike place market is a great place to get fresh fish and seafood. It's so much fun to watch all the people too. The other weekend it was a special celebration...it's the 75th year for the Market and they were having their parade of pigs. It's a charity fund raiser but it recognizes the symbol of the market which is a bronze pig. Enjoy the slide show. No this isn't one of those fish stories...it's true!

Maria

Today, Today, Today!

2007-06-16T23:26:00.000-07:00

Living in the moment means knowing it's today! We plan for the future..we fret and learn from the past but the reality is always in the present...now, today! Let's not forget how important it is to live in the moment. Wouldn't it be great if we could always be aware of the enjoyments of each moment...the warmth of the sun's rays, the dreams which can begin each of our days, the brightness of the smiles from the ones we love, the hugs that we get at those unexpected times. Remember...it all begins with today, today, today!.... Another photo from my sun transition series. ..a little reminder that the beginning is always Today! Maria

My Sun Transition collection - 2nd image

2007-06-10T18:59:00.000-07:00

Hello, all!

This is the 2nd image in a collection I am working on called My Sun Transition Collection. I am a big fan of sunrises and sunsets. You can't tell from a photograph whether it's a sunrise or sunset unless you know the location. I keep finding wonderful quotes that just cry out for being put on a photo with a sun transition scene. Hopefully I can amass several of these photos and captions. So far I have four photos I love and have been commissioned once for them. I produced framed and matted selections for a recent Toastmasters Conference as gifts to Speakers and Judges. That was so exciting to me and they turned out so well. Wouldn't it be great to have them in a gallery or show? When the time is right...:)

I like these times of transition ...between day and night in these photos of dawn and dusk. It is an ultimate indicator of change for us. As the sun gives way to the darkness and the moon and stars and vice versa it reminds me that in transition there is beauty and change. It is said that change is good. I would really miss it if we didn't have beauty of the sunrises and sunsets so I would have to agree: change is good! The next time you get hung up and are resisting the change that must be...think of the sun and the beauty in times of transition. Look for the beauty in the change, you may be surprised to find it takes your breath away!...That's my thought to start the week!:) Yours truly, Maria

Therein lies Immortality

2007-06-06T22:11:00.000-07:00

Hello, all!

Flowers find immortality of sorts by being photographed. It's one way to make them last far past their original lifeline. Isn't photography wonderful? What about that which we don't photograph with a camera? Aha! We have memories. With People it's hard to capture moments in photographs and yet we can capture the event itself to trigger our memories.... Our memories are what gives life immortality.....as we pass them on they live from generation to generation as stories. Therein lies immortality in stories and photographs. Today, my story is a new image haircut. I will eventually get a photo. It's more sophisticated rather like the photo of the flowers below. It's good to change some things as time goes on. Seeking a little more simplicity and elegance is a good thing. How do you want to be remembered? I'm not sure yet about me.....but I do like this photo I took near the Public Market of these memorable white poppies and the surrounding leaves and flowers...:)

Maria

Light Tomorrow

2007-06-03T22:47:00.000-07:00

It was such a beautiful day today....here is a simple thought to start the week...I took this photo in Mexico and the sentiment seems to fit. Maria :)

A Celtic Kind of Day

2007-06-02T16:48:00.000-07:00

Today was a Celtic kind of day....I looked through my photos and found some I took of some celtic experiences with knotting. A Cross in a cemetary, three celtic knots I designed from a method where you fold and cut paper. To Learn more about that go to the website and order the book..it's self explanatory and very easy to learn.: CELTIC SWAN

I then watched my Lord of the Dance DVD with Michael Flatley. Also see SHOW informaton for a taste of the music and more photos: It is a wonderful story with Romance and Dancing and power and ....I love it....

Butterflies at the Center

2007-06-01T20:50:00.000-07:00

Hello, all,,

Today's entry is from last weekend when we went to the Butterfly exhibit at the Seattle Center during our boating excursion....we did spend more time on land than on the boat...LOL.....The butterflies were beautiful and friendly. One lit onto Ron's silk shirt and he was all concerned that it would eat it...but it just rested there for about 15 minutes....a long time. The blue butterfly was brown on the outside but when it opened it's wings it was an irridescent color of blue..quite striking. Enjoy the visit...we did! Maria

A Boating weekend

2007-05-29T21:27:00.000-07:00

John Scalzi asks what did you do this weekend? It was a boating weekend for us. Out through the Ballard locks to the Bell Harbor Marina and Back after a two night stay..where we saw tugboats, cruise liners, interesting boat names and of course the ever popular sunset with boats in the foreground.

An interesting observation that came up over the weekend was about how everyone's worlds are so different...even day to day our worlds can change. Boating and then traveling to the marina of the waterfront in Seattle was a trip into a different life. People name their boats such interesting names...

I think we finally found a name for ours...it's a Monk design built by Grande...for those who know about these things. It's an old Coast Guard vessel since remodeled for pleasure boating. The name? The Rio Grande. It's had at least four temporary names since we got it....prior to our ownership it was called the Last Time. Nope, not the Last Time...many more times to be had. It was a fun weekend. Enjoy the trip into a different world for the moment...Why Knot?

That's the fun in the photo experience. Maria

Carousel Horses

2007-05-28T16:49:00.000-07:00

This weekend I was down at our Waterfront. On one of the piers is a wonderful Carousel with horses kept in very good condition. I thought I would share a few photos I took with you. Seems like we are on a merry-go-round all the time...round and round we go...work, play, work, play...and then sprinkled in between are moments of silence...sometimes just moments by ourselves and sometimes with others. Even on the merry-go-round we should take the time to enjoy the ride! Think about what we have and remember all who did what they could so we could be free. Another memorial day thought brought on a moment of silence and appreciation. Maria

Memorial Day Thoughts 2007

2007-05-28T14:01:00.000-07:00

Today's entry is in memory of those who gave their lives fighting for our freedom. May they rest in peace and their souls be happy. Today is a good day for a few moments of silence for our soldiers who have gone before us and also for those serving still.

May the end of war come soon...pray for peace. Peace of mind, peace with our neighbors, our friends, family, countrymen and our world. Be proud and be humble...but above all be kind. We are all in this life together.

This is the Washington Funeral and Cemetary near our airport. The animations are from the my past collections of Donna's, Shelley's and Deb's animations...if you have time you may want to visit their sites too.. The photos of the blue angels..not sure where I got that one from ..in an email. The other photos of the cemetary are mine...next to my father-in-law's grave..he served in World War II.....although he didn't see much action he was out at sea for a long time while he was in the Navy. :) Maria

A Walk in the Park - Kubota Park that is

2007-05-22T07:03:00.000-07:00

Hello again,

I like the new AOL photo add feature since it gives me quicker way to add my photos. That means I can actually get to some of my entries more often. Kubota Park is one of my favorite places to walk and shoot photos. It is all about the flowers, the green, the water, the winding paths and little hills, the hidden waterfalls..these are just a few of the photos I took this month while walking with a friend. The feeling of freshness and being alive is so predominant here and yet there is a controlled manicuring here that adds elegance and beauty throughout the park. Oh, yes there are the little places where kaos reigns but then it wouldn't be so real. A little hidden garden of sorts in the community, yes that is what it is and free too....thanks for donations that keep it up.
Kubota website: Link: and Directions

Enjoy.
Yours, truly, Maria

It's all about SAM Olympic Sculpture Park

2007-05-21T22:07:00.000-07:00

Hello, again!

This entry is all about the SAM Olympic Sculpture Park...the Seattle Art Museum Olympic Sculpture Park, that is to say. Check out the website and click on the interactive feature..it's very well done. I, at first, did not understand this art so much. It seemed very non-esthetic to me...but I have to say I've gotten used to it and after driving by many times on my way back and forth to Ballard I stopped in to check it out.

There is the rainbow wall, called the Seattle Cloud Cover, thru which you can see the space needle ...I'm sure I'm not the only one who has taken that perspective for a photo. The & sign is interesting...meaning there is more and more to see or that after SAM there is more like the view of Puget Sound, maybe..? Well, maybe if you don't go down and look at it closer...it is a series of benches and tables that say Love & Loss. hey, practical art...good one...

The odd sculptures are both well done and strange to me. The eyeballs on the sidewalk are actually benches too on the other side..which I liked. I admire art that is both interesting and useful. The giant eraser is a tough one but when I read about it, the article disclosed that the old style eraser reminded the Sponsor of this sculpture park of riding a bicycle with his hair blowing in the wind...I just can't get that image totally out of my mind. Although I do admit that the eraser brings back my college days of typing furiously to get a paper done on an electric typewriter. This was before word processing..I had booboos to correct... but then I'm dating myself just a tad.

The wavy rusty towering walls are quite a contrast to the shiny boxy art a little ways up the hill. Of course I had to take a picture of the needle in the trees which were on the sculpture park property but I'm not sure it was really meant as part of the art experience. There was a very nice green walking path that wound it's way through one part of the park.

I didn't make it through the whole thing but you get the picture. It was an experience I enjoyed, surprisingly. I'd like to go back, soon. I'm definitely getting used to it. The place really does grow on you. :)

Maria

Tulips in the Pacific Northwest

2007-05-21T21:03:00.000-07:00

Hello, all! Time for an entry....I haven't tried uploading photos since the change in the process from AOL. So Ive added individual photos and also created an album of a few photos. I love the Ken Burns fading feature for these photos since it has an eery invitational pulling energy...the tulips seem to be saying come in and visit..here we are..come in and join us.....it makes me feel in one with the tulips...looking up at the sun and opening the petals for those radiant rays of light in harmony with my other tulip friends..but I digress. These tulips were in a show garden at the Van Lierop Farm in Puyallup, Washington about 20 miles south of where I live in South Seattle. In a fairly small area the riot of color and light were unbelievable the day I went in mid April. Thanks, Linda from Washington for the tip.

Maria

Boating in Seattle

2007-05-04T17:35:00.000-07:00

Saturday, May 5, 2007, is not only Cinco de Mayo it is also Opening day of Boating Season here in Seattle. We were going to take our boat out with friends and family but since the weather is not going to be very good and our friends and family mostly can't make it we are cancelling. Maybe next year...:( These two photos are of the Seattle Skyline, Space Needle and Marina at the south end of Lake Washington here in downtown Seattle, Washington. The sun was setting and it shed an eerie twilight effect on the boats and marina which I think I captured somewhat here in these photos.

This animation is compliments of D's Designs by Donna

MARIA

Spring flowers around the Pond

2007-04-27T06:19:00.000-07:00

Is everyone having a great Friday? I hope so! The weather is a little grey this morning and I've got a busy weekend planned. I may not get a chance to make another entry so I am stealing a few minutes right now to share some photos of a walk I took by the pond at my work. It's such a good resource for relaxing and getting inspired.

Here are some white and pink versions of what I think may be some kind of butterfly flower plant..maybe someone recognizes these. They were growing on the banks of the little man-made lake.

Ahhhh, Spring flowers! Gotta love them!

Animation by Chris at CAB

Maria :)

White Flowers for Your Eyes and Nose!

2007-04-20T20:59:00.000-07:00

Hi, all!

Hope you had a happy day! Seems like a lot of my journaler friends are having some hard times. Wishing you all speedy recoveries and your wishes to come true. These white evergreen clematis are a feast for eyes and nose! They are so beautiful and smell wonderful...can you see yourself walking through the arbor walkway enjoying the fragrance wafting on a warm spring evening? I love what they did here at this location. Some close-ups of the flowers get me to daydreaming...:)

The animation is by Donna. What a perfect setting to spend a little time daydreaming...

Maria

Ave of Stars!

2007-04-19T22:34:00.000-07:00

Hello all,

I have been busy finishing taxes and my daughter's financial aid paperwork for college..but now I'm back. Her soccer season starts soon...wish I knew what was in the stars for her...she is a Leo like me.

...what about the stars? The other weekend on a little walk at the very West end of Alki around the bend past the lighthouse I discovered that there is a long sidewalk that is called the Avenue of stars!

You have to look closely but there are constellations in the sidewalk..I think it's hard to tell here but I took some pictures of a couple of them: Leo and Gemini:

Amazing what's out there in our city...:)

Until later...Maria

An Easter Entry for You

2007-04-07T12:01:00.000-07:00

Hello, All,

Easter is a special time of year for me....hope you are all having a great weekend and if you celebrate Easter that it is a wonderful holiday for you.

This sparkly cross is from Donna.

In my entry way I have a wreath and a little table decorated to welcome anyone that may drop in....welcome to you too and Happy Easter!

from me, Maria

Passionate about Purple?

2007-04-02T20:49:00.000-07:00

Hello, All,

Purple is a passionate color. On Palm Sunday...all the statues in the Catholic churches are covered with a purple cloth to highlight the Passion of Christ...also, the flowers in this season display quite a purple passion themselves.... Here are some purple and pink Calla lilies in a vase from the Flower and Garden show a couple of weeks back and some purple crocus along the Lake Union Marina.....;)

Dragonfly by Donna Maria

Burst Spring Pink

2007-03-31T10:46:00.000-07:00

A Quick burst of spring pink! Pink petal rain...I don't mind!

Maria

Dragonfly jewel compliments of Donna's Designs

Sailing along in more ways than one!

2007-03-25T21:06:00.000-07:00

Hello again,

This is a bit of a record for me....so many entries within 24 hours. However, I feel as though I'm sailing along with my journal this weekend. The photo of the ocean and the waves breaking with the Picante catamarran sailing behind them is a trigger to a more relaxing memory and time earlier his year.

The first photo is a snapshot in time...the second is a gif which gives a little motion to the magic. Join me in dreaming of your ship coming in and your troubles just sailing away! That would be good,now, wouldn't it? Maria

Troubles sail away.........................................

The Ixtapa Getaway Views

2007-03-25T01:09:00.000-07:00

Hello, again!

Just thought I would share a couple more Ixtapa photos...Mexico! These are views from almost two months ago! It's hard to beleive it was so recent. Why do vacations always seem so far away whether you are waiting to go on one or looking back to one that just happened. I could sure use some of the sunny weather from there right now...it's a raining frenzy around here in Seattle being that time of year. I'll just reflect on these views from above and below our getaway in February of this year...:) Maria

Manta ray animation - my very first!

2007-03-25T01:04:00.000-07:00

Hello, all,

Tonight or should I now say this morning...it's after midnight...I accomplished my very first homemade animation. Crude and simple as it may be I am very proud of it! It is a manta ray swimming on top of an undersea restaurent. I did not take this picture but it seemed to call to me for some reason. My last entry had a praying mantis and now this one has a flying manta ray. You just never know what you will get here. There is actually an underwater restaurent being built somewhere in the world. I got an email and it had some pictures of what it will look like...imagine sitting at the table and having the seafood watch you! It is kind of an eery picture for sure!

Maria

Praying mantis from Mexico

2007-03-22T22:42:00.000-07:00

Hello all,

I'm jumping around a little bit...keeps me on my toes. This entry is about the praying mantis that stopped by our deck in Mexico. These insects bring back memories of Pittsburgh for me. I used to find them in the outside play areas all the time. I really thought they were holy when I was a child...they were PRAYING! It just looked like that, I later discovered....duh!!!!! These two photos are different views due to lighting...in the first one the light is behind the object and in the second it is in front of it. Sometimes we can be blinded or distracted by something and not see the entire picture...although we enjoyed it as it was. How much different is the picture when the light is shining directly on it. More color and detail...yet there is something about silhouettes that has always impressed me. It's is a simpler view drawing me in to look more closely at the edges and the white spaces. I miss all that when the light is shining right on the object because THAT is where my attention is drawn. Before really getting to know anything we must look at it from all sides....think of the praying mantis......

Maria

Spring Roses in different moods

2007-03-22T22:13:00.000-07:00

Hello all!

I've been thinking about roses. A few days ago I got some very nice roses and took some pictures, predictable..... I thought it was interesting how the mood of the flowers changed slightly when I added different backgrounds the the photo. It's the same photo just seen in different ways. It's like that with most things..our mood can change with how we frame things.....say the yellow background is more for an easy and fun occasion...the darker background for a more elegant or somber occasion. Try framing your photos in different colors and see what you get! I framed these using microsoft powerpoint. Nothing fancy just plain old presentation software...surprised? It's good to try different approaches, I always learn so much that way.

Maria

FLower and Garden Show Gazebo

2007-03-18T22:51:00.000-07:00

Hello again,

Two entries today...I may have mentioned earlier that I went to the Flower and Garden show at the Convention Center in Seattle. It was really inspiring and fun. I took quite a few pictures. Looking back through them reminded me how charming Gazebos are especially when you add a little setting for two...a little afternoon meal in the white wrought iron...isn't it inviting? Ah Spring.....Maria

New Phone

2007-03-18T22:44:00.000-07:00

Hello, all!

Have you considered getting a new cellphone lately? I got a new cellphone...it's a Cingular Motorola SLVR or 'Sliver'..got the pink one. Why is this phone so special? It plays Itunes music...

I can load up to 100 songs from my computer Itunes files and it has a little microphone so I can play and hear the songs with or without earphones. My Ipod Shuffle battery died recently and I was debating whether to get a new one..then I learned that Cingular had these little phones...I do miss the flip top feature but not that much. It's amazing how being able to recall a favorite tune any time of day or night can lift your spirits. It also takes still and moving pictures. It can go play for six hours without a recharge and has an airplane mode where you can shut off the cellphone but still listen to music. What a nice feature! I used it in the garden today when I did a little spot gardening....too. La de da!

Maria

Feeling Green

2007-03-16T22:06:00.000-07:00

Hello, all!

Green reminds me of many things...Spring, St. Patrick's day, ..my eyes...they're green too. It's an interesting color in cars...these two would be great in a St. Patty's day parade...a green bug and a green scion...one curvy the other boxy. Not a lot of cars this color.....wear a little green and celebrate your favorite green thing!

MARIA

Feed your Alligators

2007-03-12T07:41:00.000-07:00

Hello, all!

It's Monday and time to do something to keep clear of the alligators. A little planning ahead and some knowledge about the week will keep me clear of this week's alligators. A couple photos I took in Mexico reminded me of that this morning. The first photo is one of a rather innocent and shy looking little kitty. Don't be fooled this cat has figured out how to keep clear of the alligators as it plans to get food for the day...as is evidenced by the second photo where the kitty calmly walks by the alligator not more than a couple of feet away. Why is this possible? There are alligators all over the golf course and creeks around the place we stayed in Ixtapa. At 3:00 every day they feed any hungry alligators with raw chicken meat. This keeps the alligators happy and docile. They are fenced in at the feeding area but do roam free on the golf course. Makes for an adventurous round, don't you think. Especially interesting is that in the alligator infested pond the golf course regularly has someone come in and get the golf balls in the pond...you really have to know what you are doing there. In any, case...plan ahead and watch out for those time alligators to make sure they are fed.....it's best to stay clear of them by doing things when planned if you can. Monday is a good time to assess which of your time alligators need feeding...don't you think? I've got two with particularly sharp teeth....Tax time and College Scholarship paperwork time......:)

Bridges through Windows

2007-03-09T19:26:00.000-08:00

Can you tell I'm excited? I've actually done two entries in one day...it's been awhile for sure since that has happened.

This entry is about seeing bridges through windows..restaurent windows to be exact. One of my favorite restaurents here in Seattle is Chinook's by the Ballard Bridge just past downtown Seattle. As you can see the Bridge is open most likely for a sailboat. The marina you can see is Fisherman's Terminal and holds many boats. You can take a walk after you eat on the wharf to see all the boats and imagine what it must be like to be a fisherman.

The second picture is looking outside the window from Joey's an upscale but nice restaurent bar at the south end of Lake Union in Seattle..right downtown. The bridge you see through the window is the Aurora Avenue bridge. It is an interesting bridge...underneath it a famous troll on the north end. A sculpture big enough to dwarf a volkswagon bug which it holds in it's hand...will have to get a picture of that one later. It's one of the two main north/south routes through Seattle...and ta da....my husband worked on earthquake proofing it a few years back.

I love to look through windows. Bridges have always fascinated me. Symbolically a bridge helps you get across something difficult..a wide chasm or a body of water. Many bridges are a marvel of humankind. I like the peaceful ones too. Although you probably go to a restaurent to just eat and maybe visit...take the opportunity to look out the window..you will never know what you will see.

Tag by Dianna

Got it! Figured out the File Manager - with Help

2007-03-09T10:50:00.000-08:00

I'm back in business! This entry should catch me up for the last two entries....rather than change them. Thanks to the help of a fellow journaler I found out I can get to my Files in my FTP Space by going to http://hometown.aol.com/_fm/mt.ssp?a=b ...however, I did have to do it in a back door manner. But once I got there I could open the file by clicking on it...copy the picture and then get back to my journal entry and paste it in. Got this from a journaler who's initials are JJ...here is the link back to JJ"s journal Adventures of an Eclectic Mind. Wow...I'm so happy!!!!!

Having a ball or two

2007-03-06T20:28:00.000-08:00

Hello all!

I seem to have lost the ability to add pictures from my FTP space...since I haven't tried any other locations except my computer you may have a little wait until I figure it out. Forget animations for awhile. As a result, I thought these photos were appropriate. Yep, I'm just having a ball or two or three or more...LOL.

While in Mexico I spotted these sculpture pieces in the lobby. They were beach ball size and larger sized cement balls. There was no sign, which was fine since my Spanish is a little rusty. They were just so mesmerizing...all these round objects, manmade and pleasing to the eye. What is it about round objects? Maybe that they remind us of the solar system and it's vastness or the molecular world and it's invisibility. We are all surrounded with circular objects......rolling, rolling, rolling... spinning, spinning, spinning... That's it for now. Take it easy, Yours, truly. Maria

PS: I'm also having trouble with my computer. Keep getting script errors when I try to print emails or directly off the internet. I will be doing diagnostics but it is possible I may have to reload some of my program software....somehow I think some critical file got corrupted. Stay tuned for more of the computer drama..and yes...I have backed up all my pictures and other data files.

Ixtapa Sunset Memory

2007-02-28T08:59:00.000-08:00

Hello all! I am so glad to make an entry today....although it will be a short one...and will need to be updated with the larger photo when my FTP Space becomes available. The sunsets in Ixtapa were really incredible. I am biased though since I think all sunsets are incredible. This photo was begging to be put into some kind of advertisement...so I decided to advertise the sunset! The haziness adds to the lazy aura of the evening...just resting and watching the sun turn red, pink, purple, yellow...and finally it was gone. There is a story that just before the sun sets there is a green flash....it is a bit of a myth since noone seems to be able to capture that on camera. In as much as it may be raining and grey here in Seattle it's also sunny and warm when I look at this sunset memory! Have a great day all....I know the weather in the East is still crazy! Take care, maybe a little tropical sunset will help you get away for a moment or two to a world of warm breezes and cool dreams.

Maria

Reflections of Mexico and Spotlighted!

2007-02-18T19:32:00.000-08:00

Hi, all!

I have been Spotlighted on the PhotoTrek journal by Greg Kiser! It's really an honor ..just take a look at his photos: The Phototrek Journal and his gallery at: Four Forty Six Photography He made some very nice comments about my trek through 'photojournography' (my word). He reflects on his photos like I do but is way more accomplished. I was thrilled to hear that he thought enough of my photos to do a special on them. I keep working on improving my techniques not only for posting on the web but also for printing and framing. Maybe one day I'll graduate past church bazaars...LOL. Mostly just haven't had the time to make inroads on that. Greg has a great gallery that I'd like to emulate one day and all this while working full time.

Here are three photos I took in Mexico all related to reflections and framed in black. The first one of an egret that caught my eye both above the water and in it's reflection. He/She (how can I tell?) was standing in water although a bit greenish in color that had little schools of fish just waiting to supper...:) The second photo is one of a sunset reflection in our little pool on our deck where we stayed. The colors were so pink and the black shadows seemed to make the reflection just pop out. The third photo is one of a pair of sunglasses sitting on a table reflecting the water sparkles in the ocean. There are many kinds of reflections...these photos all bring back the moment as if I was still there....especially the last one....

It sometimes takes me a few days to get the photos ready...I have more and will be posting 2 or 3 of the trip I took to Mexico every few days over the next week or two...stay tuned for more to come. Hope you enjoyed these! Seeing the little things may be as easy as catching a reflection...it doubles the beauty of the original view. Adios, amigos.

Maria

Happy Valentine's Day and Mexico

2007-02-14T08:17:00.000-08:00

all!

I've been gone on a wonderful trip to Mexico...

so I haven't had an entry for awhile. It was wonderful...a great place to have a glass of wine for two...

I have some wonderful photos to share! Today I did want to send all a special Happy Valentine's day message...take the time to do a little thing..even if it's just a card or a scribbled note...be creative...make a heart with flower petals on your bed..have a bottle of wine and a candle waiting after dinner in the living room..put on a nice CD for background music. Take time to appreciate the ones you love!

Tulip and Rose Time

2007-02-02T10:00:00.000-08:00

Hello all! I'm thinking about Valentine's day and Donna's string of hearts tag was such a great way to start my entry! I love all things about this day...the hearts, red, flowers and especially roses and tulips.

I've added a little tune from the B-52's called Love Shack! Hope you all like it!

Here are a couple of photos from my collection!

Tag by Dianna

Winter, a door and Tulips

2007-01-25T22:51:00.000-08:00

Hello, all and a good Thursday evening or Friday morning to you!....depending on which coast you are closest to here in the USA..... I was looking for a theme in my photos and I found a winter picture that made me think of Spring!....Our door has beveled tulips in the window inserts along with the side windowpanel. I've been seeing Tulips in the stores too and at my sister-in-law's house over the weekend...Spring is just around the corner....you have to have Winter before you can have Spring! It's just the way things are and maybe that's why contrasts happen....so we can appreciate them so much more. Remember that there is always a door to the next season and when the door leads to Spring...bring those tulips in the house!

The animated tulips are compliments of Chris at
Cab's Creations:

Mousepad nametag compliments of Missie at Chat2Missie

Clouds and Wooden Carving

2007-01-22T22:23:00.000-08:00

One more entry...I had taken this moon and clouds photo a few days before the big snow...the clouds looked like something...something that might just swallow the night sky...with that mooneye staring at me....what do you think?

Then later on my walk in the wetlands I saw this wood carving of a fish head on a tree trunk..it looked like it wanted to swallow something...maybe me...

I wonder how many walkers by were startled by this art object...gasping for air.... Luckily for us the little woodmoon fairy is watching over things....thanks to D's Designs...

Sometimes the day seems to swallow me up. It just ticks away until the night comes so quickly. I have protection though...in my slumber I come out the other end into a bright new day guided by the fairies of my hopes and dreams for a better outcome and a brand new day! Maria

Theler Wetlands - 2

2007-01-22T21:30:00.000-08:00

Hello all! I finally got my Thelar wetlands photos to post..however, I'm doing it in a roundabout way......whatever works. I can usually find a workaround if I have to do it! The dragonfly woodcarving really got my attention..it's huge! Instead of changing my previous entry I've created a new one. The lesson on these photos is to be early wherever you go because you will never know what you will find on the way to enjoy and learn from. Even if you don't take photos...take the walk, explore the place, jot down some notes on your reflections, journal about them. I realized during this walk that even in the depths of a grey and wet winter, when the snow has melted, there are extraordinary things all around us. I was open to them this day...I'm so glad I stopped.....took the time...such a simple little thing..only took an extra 30 minutes which I had because I was early! What's in your area? What paths have you yet to take?

Maria

Simple things

2007-01-22T21:20:00.000-08:00

It's amazing how we can let the simple things slide when we are busy or get frustrated. So then, take time to smile, get plenty of rest and don't get too obsessed with anything...especially these journal pages. I will be analyzing my photos up on my ftp space and will soon be adding some more. Hope that you have been taking time to enjoy the simple things too...the days fly by so fast. Get out of the house, run that errand, take that walk! It's a simple thing...to get out there and enjoy the day or night...I know I can always come back and journal about what I saw, heard, felt, smelled or spoke about! It really is an amazing world.

Nature Walk at Theler Wetlands

2007-01-21T18:04:00.000-08:00

Hmm..this is beginning to sound more and more like a broken record. I am having trouble loading pictures again. However, here are a few photos using AOL pictures of a recent walk I took in the Theler Wetlands which is in Belfair, Washington. I was about 30 minutes early for a birthday party so I happened to see this little sign that directed me to these trails. The community had done some really wonderful things to make the wetlands walkable...this time of year that would be impossible. There were wood carvings and wooden plank pathways all the way out to the shore. Here are a few of my photos...enjoy!

Maria

Birds are Wise

2007-01-17T21:56:00.000-08:00

Birds are quite wise in their actions. Many of the things they do speak louder than words...however I have chosen to add some words for effect. Hope these two shots speak to you the way they did to me...or maybe in other ways. That's good too!

Look closely and you will see two ducks balancing on one foot...on the icy pond...not far from shore where a little water is showing through.

Then look at the high and faluting crow..always picking a grander view...

Animation signature from Jenny

Snowy Days Slide show for you

2007-01-13T12:38:00.000-08:00

Rock You Snowy Days Slide Show! Had to delete the html for this...it was taking up too much space and I couldn't download any more picture...but you can see the neat pictures if you click on the link!

Snowy paths and Life

2007-01-13T12:03:00.000-08:00

A Good Saturday morning to you all! I was on a little walk the other day on snowy paths. These are paths that I've walked before but they were entirely different because of the snow and the sunshine. The storm of a couple weeks earlier had an effect as well since branches were leaning over almost cutting off my way. Warning: my reflections coming..LOL... Isn't life like this? Paths that you've taken in the past over and over can change overnight. They are ,however, still the same paths underneath. It's just that due to the changes falling on them one has to adjust and do different things to respond to walking on them. Nothing stays the same even though you think you are the same you underneath...guess what?...since yesterday you grew and are not the same. Maybe it was the storm that was overcome, the pain that was borne or the joy that was experienced it all changes what is underneath the surface a little even though it still feels the same. Growth happens, we can't stop it. Things fall on us. We are the one path we cannot get away from and must travel over and over each day. We can improve it, build on it or let the beauty that is around us become a part of it like these snowy paths. Funny, now reflecting on this walk I remember feeling so much a part of this familiar path and wanting to come back over and over to see what has changed since the last walk. Reminds me of January too..setting goals...yep been here and I'm back again. One thing to be sure of....we will grow.....we must grow...just remember it's the same path with differences on the outside falling down and driving change on the inside. Snowy, bright paths filled with white light remind me of this.

Snowy Days!

2007-01-12T11:09:00.000-08:00

Hello all, working from home this morning and taking a little break to post a couple of photos.

Seattle has had the most beautiful snowy days! The sun has been shining both today and yesterday. Makes me think of my younger days in Pittsburgh, PA....the sun makes all the difference. The photo opportunities are amazing. I have at over 150 photos to choose from. I decided to start with a couple with birds...ducks and geese. Enjoy...(yes taken with the new camera....the jury is still out though...I'm missing my old one.)

In with the new..Camera that is

2007-01-09T21:12:00.000-08:00

Here is the new camera I got for Christmas! Ta da! Nope, not an SLR...which I may regret a little later but I was so tired of lugging around my old camera that I decided to see what I could do with a slimmer version with higher megapixels and less optical zoom than my old camera. The old camera, will still be my backup camera...it takes better night sky pictures. I wouldn't even have replaced it but the latch on the battery compartment is only working partially so it's just a matter of time before it breaks all the way. It will take me some time to get used to the focus feature on the new camera. and I'll miss the little view finder..it helped me to frame things better....the new camera has no little view finder. The pictures below were taken by the opposite cameras....:) with a little help from me of course.

In addition to the camera change, I'm also changing printers as soon as my ink cartridges get used up. The feeding mechanism is broken and only allows one page at a time...however, the printouts are so beautiful I'm going to be sorry to see it go...I bought another printer same manufacturer..HP Photosmart but it's an all-in-one..scans, copies, prints and faxes. I don't know about you but I just hate to change. Why do things have to break down anyway? One thing I've noticed about technology is that it's not very longlasting...seems that new gadgets either have hardware problems after a couple of years or become outdated around that time. It's like they have lifespans like we do only shorter. The humorous thing about changing my camera is that originally I wouldn't even use a digital camera for the longest time...it seemed so daunting..then one day I started using it and wow a whole new world opened up for me with photography.

So there you have it! My camera switch for 2007. My next entry will have a picture of some roses I took at my sister-in-law's house with the new camera...this was prior to myfiguring out how to focus it correctly.....but it's a start. Lighting and focus are key to good digital photos. Although I may whine a little about technology I do see it as a gift to us in this age. It's incredible stuff. This week in Las Vegas it turns out that there is a technology expo with some cool new things coming out. We really need to appreciate this world we live in with the rapidly developing gadgets...who knows how long we will be able to keep this up? In many ways, it is an amazing age.....

Tag compliments of Sazzy!