Oh What a Beautiful Mornin' . . .

Oh What a Beautiful Mornin',

by Rogers and Hammerstein II

Oh what a beautiful day,

{KK Warm Sun}

 There's a bright golden haze on the meadow,

and,

All the sounds of the earth are like music.

Especially the sounds at a sunrise.

I've been absent from here, and have spent a great deal of mornings in the last few weeks at the sunrise. It's that one place that gives me the reassurance of a new day. Not tomorrow's new day, just this one, the only one promised.

This coming Saturday, May 16th, I'm participating in a unique "Awareness" blog hop. Each participant has chosen a special awareness to write about. Either something that has touched them personally or something very close to their heart, and I would be so grateful if you came back . . . I will be sharing a lot more information about Juvenile Arthritis and some of our journey. It will explain why I haven't been here, and our challenges going forward.

And one last thing, today is my last regular post as a contributor at FOL...Goodbye doesn't always mean, the end.

Love, Kim xo

Texture Tuesday, Song-ography, Sweet Shot Tuesday, Roses of inspiration

To marvel at . . .

. . . everything!

"All God's creations great and small,

the Golden Gate and the Taj Mahal..."

- The Miracle by Queen

"The Golden garden gate"

"We're having a miracle on earth, mother nature does it all for us. . . 

The wonders of the world go on . . ."

. . . and on and on whether or not we are paying attention.

Slow down and observe.

"If every leaf on every tree, could tell a story that would be a miracle. . . "

I would be the first one in line to buy that book!

And what a story it would tell about photosynthesis...a miracle all by itself.

So much going on inside that leaf, a life force.

Slow down and appreciate.

[KKwaterfront7_magic]

"There are only two ways to live your life.

One is as though nothing is a miracle.

The other is as if everything is." - Albert Einstein

So often we (I), associate miracles with being on a grand scale...like when our kids were born, or someone survives a really horrible car crash. Or when a tornado wipes out a town and there are no fatalities. 

But the reality is, a million little miracles happen to each of us every single day and probably go unnoticed as such. Maybe, or more likely, a lot of them are things we might associate with as mere annoyances (like hitting every red light). Things that put us in the right place at the right time, that connects us with someone else, that keeps us from harms way. Because timing is everything.

We probably even think of them as more of a coincidence rather than miracles.

But you know, I imagine something really incredible, even miraculous perhaps, would happen if we chose to live all our moments as if they were miracles. Maybe even something called gratitude, because gratitude changes the heart for sure, and it doubles that thing called joy.

Love, Kim

Texture Tuesday, Sweet Shot Tuesday, Song-ography, Roses of Inspiration

Soak up the sun . . .

"I"m gonna soak up the sun

while it's still free

I'm gonna soak up the sun

before it goes out on me."

-Soak up the Sun (by Cheryl Crow)

It seems lately, all the sun does is go out under the cloud cover.

And it's certainly not been the shining star (get it) of the sunrise these days either. :)

So I had to go back a few months, to last year really, 

for a sunrise where the sun wasn't so shy, or lost.

I've heard rumors that people like to wake up to Folgers in their cups,

me, I like to wake up to sunshine in my day....everyday.

[KK 1216]

And at least, when the sun can't get around all that cloud cover, there is always the blanket flower to act as an understudy!

Hope this finds you in a sun shiny day (we have a 10 day forecast of mostly rain),

*P.S. -  I almost forgot, I am over at Focusing on Life today musing about our {Flower Theme}. We are like flowers....Music of the Earth.

Love, Kim

sharing with Texture Tuesday, Song-ography, Sweet Shot Tuesday, Roses of Inspiration

You see, I've been through the desert . . .

. . . on a horse with no name

On the first part of the our journey #2500mi

I was looking at all the life #frommycarwindow

There were plants and birds and rocks and things #mostlyrocks

There was sand and hills and rings #norings

-A Horse With No Name by America

The thing about vacations is, that when you haven't been on one in a while (a long, long while), you might try to cram too much into your allotted time frame. The downside to that is you just don't get enough time in any one place, but the bonus to that (and thankfully there is one), is that you get to see many things and then you can decide where you want to go back and spend more time. 

This is one of those places for me....

This was our last day in Arizona before heading back home and we had just finished a tour through a slot canyon and this place was only 10 minutes from there. And I'm SO glad we didn't decide to skip this!

Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon

When we arrived at the parking lot, we were at the bottom of a large hill.  Once we climbed the hill (thank you new hiking shoes) we quickly realized there would be some more walking involved until we reached the awe-inspiring bend in the Colorado River. About 1.5 miles round trip to be exact, up and down a very sandy hill and across a sandstone incline.

So away we went....and if you look really, really closely (you might need a magnifying glass) you can see dots of people way in the distance. There are some even sitting and standing that very large sandstone hill on the right. And beyond that are the Paria Plateau and Vermillion Cliffs. 

As we got closer to the bottom it got a little bumpier as it alternated between the sand and the slopping Navajo Sandstone. Now you can see those people a little better. Sure gives a perspective of how far away 3/4 of a mile is.

So, one thing you should know about me is that I'm deathly afraid of heights. I get chills up and down the backs of my legs and feel a bit disoriented, and just looking at a picture will do the same thing. And, you have to understand that there are NO railings here whatsoever...you are on your own, at the mercy of a gust of wind or someone else standing close to you. This explains why my son went on ahead of us...he was sparing me some stress, and he has heard the lecture of how NOT to stand too close to the edge. Really, the whole thing just freaks me out.

And the next thing I know, my daughter hands my son her phone and says take a picture of me laying within an inch of my life on a narrow strip of sandstone? Seriously?

So, I find a spot that gives me enough room to get this shot without (hopefully) rolling off the edge myself, 'cause I do get in the zone when I have that camera up to my eye! 

She says to me...mom, this view is amazing and very peaceful. And then I think to myself...I didn't come 2500 miles, and trudge all the way down here to be a coward.

So you know what? I said what the hell and I handed my girl my camera and starting about 5 feet away I laid down and crawled to edge. And you know what...it was so beautiful and peaceful, and awe-inspiring. And then I performed my biggest feat of all...she handed me my camera and I put the strap around my neck, and I leaned into the landscape...and I'm still here.

Because you can't get this view...unless you are within an inch of your life, or the edge. And the only thing I was wishing for at this point was a wider lens. But I was just in a canyon prior to this where they were throwing sand and I wasn't about to change my lens without a blower. And by the way, it's 1000 feet straight down to the bottom, to that gorgeous Colorado River. See that white fleck near the edge of the bank on the right side, that's a large boat.

It's almost mind blowing to know that after the Colorado Plateau uplifted 5 million years ago that the river after being trapped, cut through this rock, and not only that but it created a 270 degree bend in the canyon.

And somewhere on the river below the dam, there is a panel of petroglyph left by Ancestral Puebloans over 800 years ago. Putting that on the checklist for next time.

On our way back up, and as an excuse to catch my breath, I tried to take in as many details as I could.

I was fascinated by these rock sculptures that were very meditative. I couldn't help but wonder who had put them there.

And how they don't blow over in the strong winds, or get knocked over by wildlife.

And then we finally made it back up to the top, and I sat under this gazebo to rest. 

I have to admit, going back up sorta felt like a stress test!

It had also been a long, busy week and we were all tired.

(KK 1217 music)

And as I was sitting there, and getting one last view of where I had just been, it hit me all of a sudden. And I know this is chronologically out of vacation order, but the whole trip even though it was amazing and fun, was a little hurried for me...the wanderer. I just didn't feel like I had the time to explore and discover, and even though I personally would have loved to stay here a little longer, this is where I finally found that moment of peace and tranquility. 

The place where I reached out and conquered a real fear, and it felt powerful. But just to be clear, I'm still afraid of heights.

"Take risks. Ask big questions.

Don't be afraid to make mistakes;

if you don't make mistakes, you're

not reaching far enough." - David Packard

Have a great day!

Love, Kim

Texture Tuesday, Song-ography, Roses of Inspiration, Sweet shot Tuesday, Our World Tuesday

"Shake it Off", song-ography edition . . .

. . . "can't stop, won't stop moving"

- Shake it Off, Taylor Swift

There was a little mayhem and chaos on my front porch this weekend as I tried to photograph

tulips and poppies. The wind, it just wouldn't stop moving. . .

[KK taped edge]

. . . and the flowers and I couldn't keep up with all the grooving.

(Okay, so I'm really stretching this weeks song)

It probably started out in the thirties early Saturday morning, but because I had a bloom

on the poppy I went to the front porch in search of some light, and all I got was wind.

Now, I'm a pretty patient person, so I stuck it out for a little while, and then since I

just couldn't "shake it" I packed it in and came inside...with the plant.

That's when something magical happened, or at least for me. There were two buds that

were already split open, just enough to see the color and suddenly the pods popped off

and the flowers started to open like I was watching time lapse photography!

Literally, right before my eyes these flowers opened up, and it was magical! 

I've never seen a flower open up that fast before, have you?

I would love for you to pop over here, to Focusing on Life, where I'm sharing

some thoughts on our new monthly theme (link won't be live til 3 am PST). And then why not

consider adding photos of the theme to our flickr group. You just may be 

featured one Saturday morning on the blog!

Happy Tuesday,

love, Kim

Texture Tuesday, Song-ography, Sweet Shot Tuesday, Roses of Inspiration

On spending the afternoon . . .

"I don't want to come to the end of my life

and find that I have just lived the length of it.

I want to have lived the width as well."

-Diane Ackerman

{KK 212}

Remember the story about the tortoise and the hare? How the hare laughed at the tortoise, who he said was too slow. How he bragged and bragged about how fast he could run....yep, that one.

Remember what a joke he thought the tortoise was for even challenging him to a race? And that the hare ran so fast that he left the tortoise behind, and how after half the race was over he got so confident that he stopped to play in the meadow and then took a nap?

Well, I think there is more to the moral of this story than "slow and steady wins the race."

Because, I don't believe life IS a race.

We live in a world so full of technology that we fool ourselves into thinking we can accomplish more than we do. It's simply an illusion.

We live in a world where "fast and furious" is prized. Where people live only for the next big "thing" that will make them happy. The next vacation, or car, or when they are debt free. For the next job promotion, or when they lose weight. We are an "if" and "when" society. If and when I do these things, and accomplish this or that, then I will be happy kind of society. The kind of society that thinks the more that's on the schedule, the faster you will get to your destination.

But life isn't really about the destination, it's about the journey . . . it's about all the moments we touch from here to there. There is no medal to be found in getting to the finish line first, and no points for big meadows (of course the meadow is a metaphor, because meadows are quite lovely). And just like the hare, when we go too fast we become delusional about our time, how much we have and what our goals really are. And, when we have completely exhausted ourselves by going so fast, we may even find ourselves fast asleep in between.

We buy into that thought that life is lived at the next pit stop. But life commences here, and now, taking advantage of all that surrounds us as we plod on ever so slowly.

When we go slow enough, we don't necessarily have to stop. We can take in the view, and reach out and touch everything. We can see things because the road isn't moving so fast.

And then we can say, 

"I owned ever second that this world could give . . . " - One Republic

It's a choice to spend an afternoon, one slow step after the other. It's also a choice not to.

Trying to be the tortoise,

Love, Kim

Texture Tuesday, Song-ography, Sweet Shot Tuesday, Roses of Inspiration
Wednesday Around the World

"Thinking Out Loud" - Song-ography

. . .we found love right where we are

Over the weekend we decided to take a drive to see the college girl. After all what's a Valentine's Day celebration without the whole family?  

"Mount Bonnell" at 785 feet {miniature effect}

And at 785 feet it's one of the highest points in Austin. Now I know why I almost had a heart attack by the time I walked up all the stairs! And, I think it's safe to say that we probably picked the busiest day ever to climb to the top of this limestone rock.

You see, there is a legend in them hills . . . legend has it that a couple will fall in love on their first visit to Mount Bonnell, become engaged on their second visit, and marry on the third. And we did see a couple getting their engagement pictures done, with a sign that said . . . he stole her heart, so she stole his last name.

{KK 2810}

"Mount Bonnell, in miniature"

 And I do wonder how many people fell in love that night, and how many were engaged.

Just thinkin' out loud here . . . wondering if you've already fallen in love, been engaged and married (with kids) by the time you make your first trip to the top, do you get bonus years?

At the very least a gold star for climbing the stairs before you find out that there was

a much easier way to get up there besides straight up?

Yep, as a family, we not only found love, but lots of laughs, right where we were!

{Insert puffy heart here}

Love, Kim

P.S. I'm over at Focusing on Life today with some thoughts on what happens when my heart and

the mindfulness of a moment converge, and the crossroad when it does not.

sharing with Texture Tuesday, Song-ography, Sweet Shot Tuesday, Roses of Inspiration

I can see clearly now . . .

"We have no right to ask when sorrow comes, "Why did

this happen to me?" unless we ask the same question for

every moment of happiness that comes our way."

- Author Unkown

When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade.

When you go to the sunrise without your tripod mount,

you make abstract images.

This was the Friday of the bad week I mentioned last week. My boy was home from school for the second time in a week because of an arthritis flare, which was making it difficult for him to walk.

I decided to head out to the sunrise for a little therapy, meditation, solitude . . . to one of my meeting places with God. Unlike me, He is never late. (stop laughing Michelle) ;)

When I made it to the top of the bridge I could see the sky was gorgeous. I parked and got out to get my tripod and realized I hadn't put my tripod mount on my camera. But when I went to fetch it out of my bag, it wasn't there. I could not find it anywhere . . . so instead of fight the slow shutter speed and bump my ISO into oblivion I just went with the flow...literally.... 

...until there was enough light to hand hold without (unintentional) camera blur.

This weeks song-ography is kinda perfect for my day . . . I can see clearly now, by Jimmy Cliff . . . 

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone

I can see all obstacles in my way

Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind

It's gonna be a bright, bright, sunshine day.

After the sunrise, I went to the nearby Starbucks for my usual Salted Caramel Mocha, and had intended to bring my journal and a photography book . . . which I also somehow managed to leave at home on my kitchen table. 

So I sat down with my overflowing coffee at a table, the only table left in between two other occupied tables. I was having a hard time that morning . . . some days are harder when you're managing a child with a chronic illness, and no 17 year old should have trouble walking because of arthritis. No 17 year old should have to tell his mom he feels old when he gets out of a car. So yeah, with this flare he had I was feeling really sad for him.

As I was sipping my coffee, the song "Hallelujah" started playing, and that's about all it took for me to lose it. As in, I had to go outside with my coffee because I couldn't cry quietly, because I didn't want to cry quietly. I wanted to scream . . . this, this isn't fair!

I quickly finished my coffee, took the mug back inside and preceded to take a very brisk walk on the boardwalk that overlooks the bay. I came to the railing and just stood there. I was feeling angry, and I'm pretty sure I used some curse words. It was a windy morning and as I was standing there watching the waves, suddenly I notice a huge rock, a boulder being pounded by the waves. Being completely engulfed in the water and then reappearing. 

And almost instantaneously I feel calmer, and get this urgent feeling to go back to the car and get my camera. I wanted to document this conversation I was having with God.

He was trying to remind me that when I try to stand alone there is no solid foundation. But when I put all my trust in Him, he will take the brunt of all the waves that crash in. He will hold me steady when I cannot stand on my own. 

{KK love}

The rest of the lyrics go like this . . . 

Oh yes, I can make it now the pain is gone.

All of the bad feelings have disappeared.

Here is the rainbow I've been praying for,

It's gonna be a bright, bright, sunshine day.

I can see clearly now . . . . as long as I keep my eyes (and ears) wide open to what He is telling me. Life is, always will be, full of adversity. And there is hope in overcoming it when our feet are standing on a firm foundation, and when we also question all the happy moments that come our way!

. . . when we choose to see the rainbow, and not the clouds. 

Love, Kim

sharing with Texture Tuesday, Sweet Shot Tuesday, Song-ography, Roses of Inspiration

When someone notices . . .

"Well it's alright, doing the best you can"

-End of the Line  (Traveling Wilburys)

Saturday we drove to see the college girl to help her out with a few things, we were gone all day. And by all day I mean we pulled into the driveway at midnight, barley awake.

Sunday morning, after a few errands, my husband went to the mailbox to get the mail. He said there were two postcards, one addressed to him and one to the football boy. Both written on the same kind of postcard.

The one for my husband was from our boy. A very sincere note about how he felt he was successful, always working hard, finding the good in our family . . . and how he has never felt denied of anything. Now you have to understand, there have been some really tough times in our family, like many families. And during those times its hard enough sometimes to get what you need let alone what you want. So it was very touching, and a tribute to the character of our boy ( to both our kids really ) to say that he has never felt denied, even when we could't give them some of things we thought they should have.

The one addressed to our son had this written on it:

"You have been through so many hard times in your life with your health and you never gave up. You kept going in your school grades and your activities. You never show you're hurt or sick, and you always keep going." Signed by a friend in his English class.

In fact, this was an English assignment. To write to someone who you think fits R. W. Emerson's definition of success. Which is, "To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."

(For those of you visiting for the first time or new followers, this link will help you understand better what his friend means by the hard times with his health)

His friend could have sent this to anyone...his parents, anyone. But, he chose to send it to my boy! And as his mom (as his parents) we know this, we see his humility and his kindness and his choice to be happy despite what life continues to throw at him. And it makes my heart happy that someone else noticed too. That he can know that while most people his age won't say it, they see him doing the best that he can. To know that he can be an example to others who are or may go through something really hard, that if you keep the right attitude, that if you make it a choice to be happy, that well, life will be alright when you're doing the best that you can.

Snail mail has nearly become something of the past these days, and reading these two postcards has reminded me to never underestimate the power of the written word or telling someone else just how much they have inspired you. 

What a great English assignment....I have some postcards of my own to send! Because who wants to get to the end of the line and have any regrets. Either with what you didn't say or how you didn't live.

Love, Kim

Texture Tuesday, Sweet Shot Tuesday, Song-ography, Roses of Inspiration

Dream-ography

"You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one"

- John Lennon (Imagine)

{KK-dream)

I was going to finish a post that I started many, many months ago, that would have tied in so well with this weeks song-ography and MLK day.

But, I must have been dreaming...

Or I may have just run out of time. My girl was sick all last week, and we took her back to school this weekend after a very nice long break.

This is the time of year, with bare branches, and minimal landscapes that I crave the dreamy effects of abstract photographs. This was a new spot I found by my house the other night, on my way home from an epic day with my camera. From sun up, to literally sun down . . . I was gone for over 12 hours! It felt so good to see the sun.

It won't be long before we start getting leaves budding out on the trees, which means it will be harder to get this kind of dreamy abstract. I'll have to start dreaming of something else . . . 

 . . . but I'm probably not the only one.

And, just for the record . . . I do imagine all the people sharing all the world, with no need for greed or hunger, a brotherhood of man.

Some say I'm just a dreamer ...

"Optimist: day dreamer more elegantly spelled." - Mark Twain

I'm over at Focusing on life today, sharing some night photography experiments, and how I did them.

It's our theme for the month, come check it out - it was fun!

Happy Tuesday friends,

Love, Kim

Sharing with Texture Tuesday, Song-ography, Sweet Shot Tuesday

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Just Believe . . .

Believe in what your heart is saying,

Hear the melody that's playing . . . 

{KK magic0916}

. . .  You have everything you need,

If you just believe.

"Believe" - Josh Groban from Polar Express

I might have been a little weak when I spied this cute cup, especially with this

sweet little bell tied to it. It reminded me immediately of the Polar Express, and the magic

 of the season, A reminder that when we keep our child-like qualities as we get older, we 

are better able to "hear" the true spirit of Christmas.

The real reason for the season.

I wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

in whatever way you celebrate this week!!

I'm also over at Focusing on life, and as we wrap up our monthly theme

of seasonal light, I'm sharing my interpretational photo and accompanying quote.

Short and sweet - pop over - won't you.

Love, Kim

sharing with Texture Tuesday, Sweet Shot Tuesday, Song-ography

A Victorian Christmas Stroll

Every year, I look forward to  . . . 

"Dickens on The Strand" in Galveston.

For me, it's a photographers dream, to practice street photography where people

are not only dressed up, but where I don't have to feel like I'm stalking someone

while getting a hairy eyeball. They more than likely will want their photo taken.

It works for me . . . win, win!

And there just might have been a gazillion people, maybe the most I've ever seen.

Last year it was in the twenties, with a blustery wind, and the year before that I think we

were in shorts. This year, it was just right, although it was quite overcast and gray.

Since I'm linking up with Kathy's song-ography today I thought instead of writing

the lyrics, I would let you stroll to some music (if you like) to the song "Silver Bells"
and a little Bob Hope.

                       

Let's take a stroll, shall we . . . .

First stop, a turkey leg....of course!

Or a corn dog.

A little pit stop,

to watch a Greek Gypsy sing while doing a scarf dance.
(I have no idea how this fits in with a Victorian Christmas, so just roll with it) :)

OPA!!

Nearly everywhere you turn there is entertainment, and it's fun to watch some of the same
kids grow from year to year both physically and musically.

Sometimes people are so moved that they break into dance...

This girl reminded me of a porcelain doll.

Perhaps she was amused by the fire eater?
(kids DO NOT try this at home, or anywhere for that matter)

I wonder if he realizes there were turkey legs and corn dogs just up the street?

I can never get enough of the costumes. I've always wanted to dress up, but the dress I saw and fell

in love with was over $500!

Sometimes, people will just stop when they see you have a camera and strike a pose.

This cutie, stole my heart and he was getting a lot of tips! I wonder

if he needs an agent next year? ;)

(KK happy heart)

And it wouldn't be Dickens on The Strand without the "Christmas Tree Lady"...

Joy to the world, she has real working lights!

Or Father Christmas, or Captain Sparrow. But, I never caught up with Father

Christmas, and I was having camera malfunctions through out the day and missed the

opportunity with Captain Sparrow. Yep, the dreaded ERR message on my only 5 month 

old camera which I thought I figured out, only to have issues again. May need to send it

to Nikon - BOO!!

(I still have more to share, including the "Queen's" parade, later in the week.)

I would tell you that my tree is finished, but that would be a lie. It's been up for quite some

time, but I just haven't brought myself to wrap those lights. The way I look at it is, we are still way ahead of last year when I got the tree done a day and a half before Christmas because I was sick. But...on the plus side we are for the most part finished with shopping. Two hours, and the hubby and I pretty much had things wrapped up (pun intended).

Unfortunately, my son ended up with the flu and missed school all last week, and then got an acute respiratory infection. Yep, I was a little more than nervous about that since his infusions suppress his immune system and we have to be extremely careful. But he was back at school yesterday, and the best part is we are well past the period that the rest of us could have gotten it. (quick knock on wood)

Now I'm off to make another batch of fudge since the last one was commandeered by ants.

Don't even get me started. We've tried everything and they are so small that they find a way

in the house every time. Hmmm, maybe I could lace some bait fudge with ex-lax? lol

Have a great day!

Love, Kim

sharing with Texture Tuesday, Sweet Shot Tuesday, Song-ography

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