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