Inspiration in the strangest places

For me, this photograph represents finding something unique in something fairly ordinary.  If you must know what it is before reading any more, scroll to the bottom of the blog entry.  But today, I saw this and decided to capture it with my camera because I saw something abstractly beautiful.  

As a hobby photographer, I am always seeking the "Kodak moments" that surround me.  Usually, it is in the landscape around me, but sometimes I see them in animals and people (especially in relaxed, natural poses and actions). I love looking out off the back porch and watching the sunset each night because it is always beautiful and always, always different.  And of course, I love unexpected artistic moments like the one above.

Photographs are not the only creative endeavors for which I seek and find unexpected inspiration.  As I returned from morning errands, and had my Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' Greatest Hits blaring away on the car's sound system, my mind wandered to a future blog entry topic.  This type of behavior is exactly why I  have NO desire to text while I drive. Anyway, it was the first time I can recall the Heartbreakers being able to single-handedly turn on the faucet of my creative juices so hopefully I can turn to them again when I need help (or just need to hear "American Girl" one....more....time....).

As for the above picture?  Beet juice in a stainless steel kitchen sink.

Furry Children

Growing up on the farm, I befriended more than my fair share of the four-legged employees. Inevitably, there came a day when a "pet" appeared on the table in the form of a meal.  Despite the troubling experience, I still ate the food prepared for me and eventually, I became accustomed - desensitized may be more accurate - to the process of both working with and caring for animals that ultimately ended up at the dinner table.

The thought of animals as companions only was not a foreign concept, however. We owned several dogs and cats that shared our household.  For a brief part of college and the several years of Vermont apartment life, I did not have animal roommates. Now, though, I find myself with two cats and one dog (plus a tank teeming with guppies) and I am feeling  more like a "parent" as I referee their interactions and prevent broken belongings.

For several years, I enjoyed (for the most part) the dynamics between Scooby and Lilly, which were isolated incidents of "wrestling" and Lilly chasing Scooby.  With the addition of Ziva, the barn rescue kitten, it has changed the household completely.  She definitely has a personality, and Lilly and Scooby each interact with her in their own way.  

Lilly loves wrestling with Ziva, and despite the David-and-Goliath nature of the match-up, Ziva seems to enjoy it as well. In fact, I heard her purr as she bites, claws and twists to get away from the dog. Lilly tends to initiate contact with the kitten. Scooby, on the other hand, tries to avoid the kitten at all costs. Recently I did see him willingly chase her.  I haven't decided if it is out of playfulness or maliciousness yet.  The following photo was taken just after he hit her in the face, but he doesn't look overly upset.

Snapshot Sunday

    Instead of Wordless Wednesday, I've decided to do Snapshot Sunday.  During my weight loss journey, I plan to blog weekly for "Weigh In Wednesday", but I love photography so much I wanted to give it a proper place in my blog.  

    For the first installment, I chose a picture taken a couple weeks ago of one of the spectacular sunsets I've had the privilege of witnessing from the back porch.

Photographic Peace

Over the last couple months, I've been volunteering with the local high school softball program, working a bit, and trying not to get frustrated with Facebook.  Now that the regular softball season has come to a close and I am in a lull for work, it is time for me to focus more on employment, health and beef cattle. As I head into this transition phase, I've pulled out the camera and snapped pictures of the spring landscape.

Tonight, as I posted photos to Facebook, I realized that what I enjoy so much about photography is trying to capture more than just the object in a picture. When I do a portrait of a bearded iris, the purpose is more than recording the looks of the flower for posterity. It's gratifying to look at a photo and experience a feeling that is nearly inexplicable. I don't know if a photo affects others the way it affects me, but it the passion fueling the creativity is enough to make me continue to do it.