Thursday's little things . . .

"Let your life lightly dance on the edges

of time like dew on the tip of a leaf."

- Rabindranath Tagore

Several posts ago I talked about finding things that shimmer beneath

the surface, and well, on a foggy morning you won't need to go far.

One morning the fog was so thick you could see the droplets floating

in the air. So I grabbed my camera and headed over to the park. But the sun

had come out and it wasn't long before the fog lifted, and it didn't leave

until it left everything covered in dew.

As I entered the park there were a handful or two of deer grazing on the

grass from all the rain, and the younger ones were prancing around

playing tag.

I couldn't even get close to the taller waist high grasses because the fields were so soggy from

all the rain, and I was quickly sinking in mud. I'm adding mud boots to my wish list. And trust me,

I tried about all angles to get to that field...I could see the dew sparkling like diamonds, but it just wasn't going to happen.

{Morning}

So I did the next best thing ...I laid down on the sidewalk to get a bugs eye view.

And then I was mesmerized by this tree and its shadow.

Spanish moss anyone? The trees in this park are covered by this moss, and it's quite the sight.

Oh, and I have to share these with you . . . I have always wanted to photograph some fire ants,

but getting close enough is always a problem. If they feel the slightest vibration they are coming out of the nest to investigate and protect it, so being near one in the grass is a really bad idea.  

But we woke up one morning to find them building a nest at our back door stoop so I was able to lay down and watch them through my lens. Even though they pack a nasty sting they are fascinating to watch (yes, nerd alert!). Unfortunately, and even though I highly dislike chemicals, the bait we put on the nest is very localized. They take it back to the queen and when she dies, the mound dies. 

Notice those pinchers, which they use to hold on to you while they sting you with their back end. And I just don't know how something as small as an 1/8" can pack so much pain!

Hope you have a great day, don't forget to notice the little things

Love, Kim

Little Things Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Friday Finds
Project 52

Gratitude . . .

"To educate yourself for the feeling of gratitude

means to take nothing for granted,

but to always seek out and value

the kind that will stand behind the action.

Nothing that is done for you is a matter of course.

Everything originates in a will for the good,

which is directed at you.

Train yourself never to put off

the word or action for the expression of gratitude."

- Albert Schweitzer

Today, I'm in a debt of gratitude that my daughter had someone who could drive her to the ER yesterday. And for the kind man (nurse/doctor) that held her hand when I couldn't, as getting an IV is one of her worst nightmares. As a parent, one of my worst nightmares is not being able to be there when my kids need me. This is definitely one of those times when letting go is so very difficult. She is fine, needed some fluids as she was dehydrated and we're going to just chalk up the whole thing to sometimes weird things just happen.

On a sad note, this morning when I came upstairs to the computer I wasn't greeted with the normal chirps and tweets from my lovebird . . . she passed in the night . . . and it's awfully quiet up here.

Today is my posting day over at my collaborative blog Focusing on Life. Our monthly focus is on gratitude and I have a challenge for you with a twist. I would love for you to join us over there by clicking here.

And before we part, I just want to say that I treasure each one of you. I'm grateful for the crossing of our paths, even if it's only briefly. I treasure the friendships I have made through this community and for your continual support and your kind words. 

I wish you all a beautiful day . . . 

With gratitude,

Kim

sharing with Texture Tuesday, Tuesday Around the World, Sweet Shot Tuesday

A textured Friday . . .

"Everywhere water is a thing of beauty

gleaming in the dewdrop,

singing in the rain."

- John Ballantine Gough

Oh wow, I haven't even been out with my camera this week - I haven't felt well, which is why it's been a little quiet on my side of the pond. So, I finally went to the doctor and have a sinus infection, fluid filled ears and seasonal asthma! UGH!!  It's amazing what a couple of days of medication can do though . . . which is a good thing . . . because I'm not very good at doing nothing.

This week at Bonnie's photo art Friday the theme is liquid. So I went to my archives for a few photos with some kind of liquid and decided to have some texture fun.


This first one, dew drops on a weed stem . . . 

If you haven't noticed, I do seem to have a fetish with water drops. In fact I carry a small spray bottle in my camera bag along with an eyedropper . . . yep,  my big tip for the day!!

{Photo Art Friday and Foto Friday}

This one I textured with her new freebie, Blue Depths in overlay - just love how it complimented the stone wall but in a subtle way.

These are the same rose, different textures . . . the bottom photo has her soft sunset texture in 2 layers, both in overlay. Such a great painterly effect . . .

{Flower Art Friday}

Short and sweet this week, I'm going to go take a nap now! ; )

Have a great weekend!

Love, Kim

XO

Sharing with Photo Art Friday, Flower Art Friday, Fabulous Friday, This and That Thursday,

Finding Serendipity, Foto Friday