~ puffy clouds building flowers, fungi, and lush trees a hiker’s delight spring showers nurture the soil effervescent life bursts forth ~ verdant vibrant vistas flowers beckon, birds sing announce the arrival of spring rejoice ~ ~ It’s peak spring here in Arkansas and we’re having gorgeous weather with mild temperatures, moderate humidity, and lots…
~ Colleen’s opening Hokku an empty atticthe sound of April showersthunderous rumblings ~ my Waikku response stormy clouds build overhead pouring out springtime treasures ~ ~ my Hokku abundant blossoms emergent green sprouting forth April rain brings life ~ This week I joined Colleen’s #TankaTuesday’s 24Seasons Syllabic Poetry challenge. The challenge is to write a Renga…
~ “In every landscape should reside jewels of abstract art waiting to be discovered.”- Melissa Brown ~ This week Ritva invited us to explore abstract photography. I learned a few tips from Ritva and others who experiment more than I do. My abstracts are primarily from a composition found in nature that looks artsy to…
This week Donna at Wind Kisses offered a beautiful post and tribute to nature for Earth Day. She asked us to share photos of rocks and what inspires us in her tribute called Rock Your World. Anyone who has followed me for a while knows that nature is my passion, my inspiration, and my foundation.…
~ ~ the moon, sun, and earth orbiting in time and space the eternal dance day, night, seasons, eclipses a photographers delight ~ ~ I’m grateful that I took the time to experience the eclipse on Monday. And I’m dissatisfied with my choices, photos, and cellphone capabilities. I opted to drive east but didn’t reach…
All life on earth depends on water, yet water is a treasure we don’t always appreciate. “If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water.” ~ Loren Eiseley ~ ~ This week Sofia Alves invites us to share photos of water in motion and remember the beauty and preciousness of water. Thank…
This week Tina asked us to share photos of people here, there, and everywhere. Most of my photography revolves around nature so this was a hard challenge for me. I generally avoid photographing people, especially without their permission. Surprisingly, I was able to dig up a few photographs of people, mostly family, friends, and people…
This week Patti invited us to showcase our cities in the Cityscape Challenge. This was a hard challenge for me. I rarely photograph buildings or cities. Fayetteville is challenging to photograph with few wide-open vistas or skylines. Our town is a growing college town nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains and the buildings…
~ ~ velvety petals vibrantly glowing circles inviting wonder ~ This week we have another fun challenge from Ann-Christine at Leya. She has invited us to find Circular Wonders. I didn’t think I would have much to share since the vast majority of my photos are taken in nature, but I was delighted to find…
~ ~ This photo shows off shape, light, and texture very well. We see light dancing off the waves in the water, along with the shapes of refracted light, and contrasting light and dark areas, which help to highlight the texture of the water and various colors. This week the Lens-Artists are playing with composition.…
~ ~ hope, fear, joy, and doubt collide with supercell force choices are brewing ~ My mind is spinning and my emotions are roiling as I ponder life choices. Do I want to move, to travel, to own, to rent? I had thought that having a nest egg would remove my stress over money, but…
~ arctic winds howling a bold winter safari hunting frozen prize ~ ~ My words might seem like a contradiction, but I like icy cold weather in small amounts. Thankfully, in NW Arkansas, we have brief periods of cold with overall mild winters. During January’s arctic cold spell, I was even cold indoors, but still…
~ flowers or treats what opens your hidden gate would you share the codes I’ll whisper sweet songs dance to a funky beat create a fine feast or write lame poetry if only you’ll be mine ~ ~ My romantic side has been quiet for so long, my parts are rusty and out of shape.…
This week Edigio challenged the lens artists to explore warm colors and how they affect us. Colors can affect our moods and well-being; everything from our clothes, home decorations, rooms, and nature. There is a long history of color being used therapeutically. “Color is a power which directly influences the soul.” ~ Wassily Kandinsky Here…
This week Sofia asked us to explore the contrasts of light (day and night) for the Lens-Artist Challenge. Her photos beautifully portray the changing light as we move from day to night and winter to spring. Donna walked us through one day with a range of light and subjects. I focused on one setting (over…
writing to freedom 