Photography

Let Them Eat Cake II

/ still a dreamer / 2 Comments

Every now and then, people ask me what my blog is about. Well, let’s see … it’s about writing, illustrating, art, children’s books, reading, animals, nature, home, music, the wonder and mysteries of life itself, and oh, yes … food.

So I guess, in sum, my blog is about many of the things that inspire me!

I occasionally think I should really have more of a focus on my blog, specifically on the children’s book field.  But so many people already do that SO well, I figured I might do best to share slices of life, and serve them up in an as attractive manner as I can … such as this lovely cake I made recently.

This is a Nectarine Upside-Down Cake, made from scratch, all butter, as is my wont to bake. I wish I had more time to bake … and even cook … but life being what it is, I will just continue to bake when I can and memorialize the results in a photograph. And share it with you. This was quite delicious, my last tribute to the fruits of summer, and was served with fresh whipped cream. Yum!

Photographing the Light

/ still a dreamer

How many times have you seen something and said “Darn! I wish I had a camera!”

It’s pretty common, I think, and I really do try and remember to bring my camera along at least some of the time. But I notice there are often magical moments to capture right around my own home or neighborhood … when I’m paying attention, that is. I don’t think it matters what kind of artist we are for us to be aware of the magic of light.

As I walked down my upstairs hallway the other morning, I noticed that the spider plant atop one of my bookcases looked outright sparkly. The morning sunlight was filtering through the mini-blinds and creating this wonderful pattern on only the plant. This time it was easy to run and get the camera.

Because this play of light was so striking, I became aware as I walked about the house of the other spots where that same sunlight/mini-blind phenomena was occurring. There were several spots, but the other one that was noteworthy to me was this image at left, along the stairs, where the silhouette of the rusted tin horse seemed a special little vignette all its own.

I always feel that all of these small captured moments are grist for the mill in my creative endeavors – maybe an inspiration for an illustration or even a writing passage. Have you been aware lately of any small magical moments of the interplay of light around you?

No One Does It Like A Cat

/ still a dreamer / 4 Comments

If you have a prescribed spot of sun and a cat, chances are the latter will find the former and fit right in it. It is the cat’s artistry to seek Ra and pour oneself into his shape.

Witness Mewsette below – the perfect cat in a light box.

Eagle Cam Update

/ still a dreamer

Just a quick note – if you haven’t checked the Duke Farms Eagle Cam lately, and are interested, take a look. The two chicks are growing in leaps and bounds are are now half the size of momma! One of the disconcerting things about watching the eaglets is that they sleep in the most bizarre positions, and more than once, I thought one of them must have died. But no – they’re alive and well and just sprawled all over the nest. For a little background, you can read an earlier post of mine from the end of March.

This is a unique opportunity to watch nature … hope you find 2 minutes to look in on the little family. They’ve come a far way from March 10, when this photo was taken.

And … Happy Earth Day!

Warm Spring Sunset

/ still a dreamer / 2 Comments

It’s far too warm for early April. And I am the last one to be excited about 83 degrees this early in the year. I look forward to it getting cooler, and tomorrow’s being back to a more seasonal 60. But the one thing this warm spell has given us is a spectacular sunset. Or two. This was yesterday evening’s. The sky was just glowing with creamy colors and, framed by the trees just beginning to bud, was quite lovely.

Many buggy little beings are out and about as well, the ladybugs that appear in just one upstairs window frame; the stinkbugs that march along the floor, coming from who knows where. I’m less excited to see early wasps looking to make homes around the porches. I’d like it to at least be June before they visit. But with temps expected to drop to near freezing Friday night, there’s no telling what will happen to them.

I know I’m not alone in hoping we really do have a spring, and not just the occasional slide we’ve seen from winter to summer. While I watch to see what will happen, I look forward to more spectacular skies, and …

… the huge annual county library book sale this weekend, where all manner of things go for $2/hard-bound and $1/paperback on Saturday and half that on Sunday. Woo Hoo!