Happy Halloween!

Enjoy the Fall colors. The leaves are falling and the pretty colors will soon be gone. My wish for you today is that you have a happy, fun and safe Halloween.

A Mother's Love

There's nothing like a mother's love, be it human or animal. They nurture us, discipline us, love us & make sacrifices for us. If you still have your parents, show them that you appreciate all that they do, because there's nothing that can replace their special kind of love.

Boredom

Boredom is the creation of an idle mind. It can't exist if we don't let it. So, if you're bored, think of something new to do, read a book or call a friend. If you do this, the boredom will simply disappear. Our minds have tremendous power and creativity. All we have to do is to use it.

Now for the photography tip. This baby snow leopard looked very bored and wasn't too interested in being photographed. The original picture was a little blah, & the bars on the cage clouded the image a little, so I decided to see what I could do with it using filters. I tried various options in Topaz Simplify and decided on this one. Sometimes, using a simple filter can add a new dimension to a photograph. Try it sometime and see what you can create.

Be sure to leave your photography tips, and other words of wisdom here, so others can benefit from them.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

That's My Boy

Maybe we're not the only species that loves to admire its' young. It looks to me like that's just what this male lion is doing.

My eight year old grandson called me this morning to see if I could have lunch with him tomorrow. Things like that give me a warm, fuzzy feeling. Family is important, so we need to make sure we appreciate them and show them that we do.

I hope you have a wonderful day.

The small things you do every day --- smiling at a stranger or paying someone a compliment --- bring you closer to your spiritual truth, the beauty of your soul. Deepak Chopra, M.D.

My husband and I went out to dinner last night and the hostess at the restaurant was such a friendly person that it made the experience very enjoyable. It's so rare to find someone who seems to really care about the customer and who treats them like they are important, that it was a real treat. She must have read Dr. Chopra's quote. :-) I hope you have a great day.

If you have the eyes of love, you see love everywhere you go. The trees are made with love. The animals are made with love. Everything is made with love. When you perceive with the eyes of love, you see God everywhere. Don Miguel Ruiz

Enjoy this day which has been given to you. Be nice to others and be nice to yourself.

The Way We See

You may realize that you see things not as they are . . . but as you think they should be. Strive to change the things in yourself that you want to change in others. Keith D. Harrell

We all see things based on our own experiences and not always the way they really are. So, before you try to change anything, or anyone, make sure you're looking at the situation as it really is and not veiled by your own perceptions.

Friends & Family

Friends and family - important in your life - cherish them.

These two lions lay side by side in the sun, enjoying the warmth and companionship. Could life get any better than this?

What does this picture make you think of?

Enjoy This Day

Enjoy this day. Do good. Help others and rejoice in the world around you.

Point & Shoot Pic

The King of the Jungle posed nicely for me for this picture. I took it with my Canon point & shoot camera, because my Canon 40D stopped working. The green focus indicator light comes on & it appears to be ready to take a picture, but when I click the shutter, nothing happens. I tried several different things, such as removing the lens, battery, CF card, etc., but nothing helped. I spoke to a Canon tech who had me do a number of other things to see if we could solve the problem, but to no avail. He said he's never seen that particular problem and that I'd need to send it in. Big bummer! I hope they get it back to me quickly & that it doesn't cost too much for the repair. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

I guess I could let my camera problems stress me out and ruin my week (or month), but I'm not going to do it. Life will go on, I'll get my camera back and, in the meantime, I'll just use my other DSLR. Plus, I'll keep telling myself that it's not situations that cause stress; it's how you react to them.

Seek Joy!

Selfishly seek joy, because your joy is the greatest gift you can give to anyone. Unless you are in your joy, you have nothing to give away. Abraham Hicks

Keep Smiling!

What's he laughing at? Remember to keep your sense of humor as you go through life. Things sometimes happen that keep us from enjoying life but remember, smiling on the outside helps you to smile on the inside too. So, when things happen, smile as much as you can. It'll help you get through those tough times.

Don't Take Life Too Seriously

Take yourself and your creative life seriously. Make time for self-expression. Be disciplined. This is the way to develop your unique gifts and talents. Christiane Northrup, M.D.

I'd add that you should take yourself seriously in some ways, and to some extent, but not so seriously that you can't enjoy life. That's just my opinion, though.

Baby Snow Leopard

Meow! This little guy was so cute I really wanted to take him home with me, but it's against Kansas law to even pet a leopard, so I guess that wouldn't work.


This is the same version that's on my website today. I don't usually do that, but I like this pic & I know some people visit my blog, but not my website and vice versa, so if it's a duplicate for you, sorry about that. :) I used the Topaz Simplify smooth option for this picture & then sharpened the cats face just a little.

Over The Top?

Ok, I'm looking for opinions today. I took this picture at Glacier National Park last month using a process known as HDR. I took 3 pictures, one at 0 (what the camera's meter suggested), one at -2 and one at +2 & then merged them in a program called Photomatix. The result was picture #1 (the top one). In the bottom two photographs I also used a plug-in called Topaz Adjust in different intensities. My question is whether or not you think the last photo (#3) and or the second photo (#2) are over the top or if the additional color makes them better. Photography is very subjective & I'm just trying to get different opinions on this somewhat controversial subject. By the way, if you've never tried HDR, or never used a plug-in, I'd suggest that you try it. It can add a new dimension to your photography. Plus, HDR will enable you to get good pictures that you otherwise couldn't get in situations with extreme lighting conditions. At the end of the day, I'll tell you which one I prefer and see how it compares with yours. Anyway, I hope you'll take a minute to leave your opinion.

By the way, if you can't leave a message any other way, just click on anonymous & leave your name in the message if you wish. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll come back soon.

Through the Door

If you feel bored, do something, for there is always something to do, see or explore in this world. Keep in mind that boredom can also cause depression, so get out there and live! - Sylvia Browne



When you feel bored, look through a window or, better yet, go through a new door to experience all the possibilities that exist in this wonderful world of ours. :) Have a GREAT week-end!

Treasure the Moments

Animals don't worry about what's going to happen tomorrow. They don't run their lives according to lists or schedules. They just live. Perhaps we could learn something from them. Perhaps we should live in the moment, for isn't the moment all we have? After all, there's no guarantee for tomorrow and yesterday is merely a memory and cannot be altered. So, the only reality we have is this moment, of this day, in this time of our lives. So, treasure each moment and make it count.

Each moment of the year has its own beauty . . . a picture which was never before and shall never be seen again. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I took this picture at Lake Remembrance, in Blue Springs, Monday morning. It had been misting and the skies were dull and gray. As I drove down I-70, though, I liked the reflections in the water, so I stopped and took a few pictures, knowing that they'd probably turn out dull and uninteresting. As you can see from the top picture, I was right. I cropped the picture, did some editing in Photoshop and then applied the Topaz Simplify plug-in and it helped tremendously, as you can see from the bottom picture. Photography is very subjective, though, and this may be a little too saturated for you. Anyway, it's my version of the Lake Remembrance Reflections. I hope you enjoy it.

Be Kind

"Feel the pain of others. Understand their struggles and disappointments, their hardships and inadequacies, and open your heart to them. Realize that everyone is doing the best they possibly can. Judge no one. But rather cradle all of humanity in your heart." - Daniel Levin

If we all lived by these words, the world would be a better place. We're often too quick to judge other people instead of taking the time to try to understand them & realize that they're actions are greatly influced by how they were raised & by what is going on in their lives.

And now, for a photo comment. These pictures are of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, in Yellowstone National Park which, if you've been following my blog, you know is one of my very favorite places to visit. Although I like the pictures, one of these days I'm going to get to this spot during the "magic hour" (the hour before and after sunrise or sunset), & get the results that only good lighting can provide. Until then, I hope you enjoy these. The one on the top was enhanced using a PhotoShop plug-in called Topaz Adjust. In my opinion, nothing can take the place of the light that Nature provides us during the "magic hour", but sometimes plug-ins or filters can help bring out the colors. Which version do you prefer, the original or the enhanced version? I'm interested in your opinions, so please leave me a message so I'll know you were here.

The Great Ones

" The great ones in life are not those who are handed silver spoons. Their excellence comes from digging into the raw ore of their own character, through hard work, persistence and faith turning whatever they touch into gold."Guy Finley

I'm not familiar with this person, but thought the quote was worth sharing.

I hope you have a wonderful day.

You know, only good friends will tell you that you have something stuck in your teeth. Why is that? Is it that your friends know that the long-term benefit of knowing is worth the short-term embarrassment? Whatever the reason, friendship is something we should cherish. True friends don't come along very often so, when they do, we need to treasure and protect them. So, how do you know if someone's a true friend? Well, I guess if they tell you that you have something stuck in your teeth they've passed the test. Just kidding. You can tell a true friend by the way they treat you and by the way they make you feel when you're around them. So, call a friend and take them to lunch to show that you value their friendship. If they live out of town, at least call them or send a card to show that you care.

Tranquility

This is such a peaceful scene, that I thought it would be particularly appropriate for a Sunday. It makes me want to take a blanket, a picnic basket and maybe a good book and sit under the tree eating a simple lunch while gazing out at the tranquility of the Kansas prairie. Enjoy your day.

Simplicity

I know I've used this title before, but I thought this picture of the Kansas prairie required its' use again. Blue sky, trees & grass combine to create a restful and simple picture. It's the type of picture that makes me think of how brave our ancestors, the American pioneers, were to cross this vast prairie in nothing but a covered wagon. Would we have the tenacity and courage to do the same thing today or are we too spoiled with our air conditioning, television and Internet to take on such a task? When I go on vacation in my air conditioned car with XM radio, I don't like to be without the Internet for even one day. It seems like such a hardship to not be able to check my email, post on Twitter, post to my blog, etc. I don't think most of us really know what hardship means. I'm not advocating the end to our luxuries, but I think we should be aware of those who came before us and appreciate the sacrifices they made. I'll get off my soapbox now. Have a great day! :)

Aggression

Normally, aggression is ok only when you're trying to catch your next meal or defend yourself. Being assertive, however, and standing up for yourself and those you love is important and can sometimes help you advance in your career and your life. Just make sure you know the difference between the two.

Babies

This little guy looked so cute that I really wanted to take him home with me. Since he's a baby snow leopard, though, I don't think my neighbors would appreciate it.

Babies of all kinds seem to bring out the best in us. There's just something about those cute little innocent faces that make us realize that there's beauty and goodness in all of us.

Enjoy Life!

I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see. John Burroughs


Remember these words when you get up in the morning and it will inspire you to make the most of each day.



By the way, I shot this sunset picture in Glacier National Park a couple of weeks ago using a technique called HDR. I had my camera on a tripod, set it on Aperature priority and shot 3 pictures, one at 0, one at -2 and one at +2. I then used a program called Photomatix to process the picture. When I took the picture the colors you see in the sky were not visible, but the HDR process brought them out. It's a fun and easy process. Give it a try sometime.


Enjoy taking pictures. Enjoy your friends & family. Enjoy your life!

Commitment

"Commitment with accountability closes the gap between intentions and results." Sandra Gallagher





I like this quote because I think most people have good intentions, but just fail to follow-through on them. Perhaps accountability is the solution to that problem. If we know that we're accountable to someone other than ourselves, perhaps our intentions will become our reality.

Watching

This picture is kind of different, but I like it anyway. It reminds me of the picture I've seen of the wolf peeking around a tree. I think wolves are very cool. I hope you enjoy the picture & have a great day.

Now that my art show is over, I'll get back to my daily posts. The last week has been VERY busy but, hopefully, things will get back to normal now.

Wind

I could be growling like a bear because we didn't get to set our tent up at the Longview Art & Music Festival this morning. It was so windy that my booth mate and I decided we'd probably be air-borne, so we're going to set up first thing tomorrow morning. Hopefully, it won't be so windy by then. Keep your fingers crossed for a cool, dry and not too windy week-end. Hope you can stop by and visit our booth. Look for booth #29.

Longview Art & World Music Festival

This week-end I'll be participating in the Longview Art & World Music Festival across from Longview College, at 3rd & View High Dr., in Lee's Summit. The hours are Fri. 3-7, Sat. 10-7 & Sun. 11-7. There'll be lots of great art, great music & delicious food. It should be fun for the entire family. There will even be hayrides on Sat. Check out http://www.longviewartmusicfest.com/ for more information. I'll be in booth #29. I hope you'll stop by.