Life’s Sweet Ordinary — through my lens

There’s an exciting challenge over at one of my favourite places, Shutter Sisters. There is a photo challenge I plan to participate in for the month of February. The idea is to choose a single word, live by it, and photograph images during the month that speak to you of that chosen word. My word is “Open” and beneath my reason for selecting this word is everything you could possibly want to know about that word (source: Merriam-Webster). I don’t expect you to read the entire harangue about the word — I’ve included it purely for whimsey. Wish me luck because there is a prize for this that I would LOVE to earn. There are some really talented and amazing photographers who will be participating and I look forward to enjoying their images — you will too.

During the month of February I plan to be open in my mind’s eye, in my heart, and in my observations. Each day I will be open to seeing what is around me; open to uncovering and opening old wounds if that is necessary; open to seeing the truth; to opening new doors whether real or metaphorical; open to what’s beneath my feet and soaring above my head; open to new images and perspectives; and open to whatever comes my way. If you care to follow along, I will add a few of the images here but since the images need to be posted in the Shutter Sisters Flickr group I’ll direct you to my Flickr account. Each one I enter will have the header, “OPEN”.

Open Door by Diane Schuller

"Camouflage" -- Copyright © Diane Schuller

I’m having a more difficult time hitting pay dirt than this determined woodpecker! I’ve strugged with my Internet connection trying to create a post yet keep getting kicked back every time I try. Where I live, high speed Internet is not available. After a few years of frustration on dial-up I learned about these great little “air cards” that work on cell phone technology. So, in essence, as long as a person is able to get cell phone coverage, plugging this little air card into my computer allows me to access the ‘net through the cell phone lines. It’s been similar to high speed but in recent weeks I’m having no end of problems. I don’t know if it’s the extreme cold weather causing interference or if there is too much ‘traffic’ in my area. Anyway, enough of these silly technicalities. I hope everyone had a tremendous weekend whether it was full of fun and relaxation or busy with friends and family.

For those of you who don’t live north of 49, I thought I’d share this little ditty with you from north of 55. As you know we had had quite a cold snap for a while until a bit of recent moderation. The cold snap returned like a savage beast this weekend. Friday the weather here hovered in the 26 to 28 degree below zero range, then on Saturday morning it was 41 below zero and that’s before any windchill. I think it was a few degrees warmer in the city an hour south of us, but it was pipe-freezing cold this weekend. Fortunately the weather is relaxing today so the mercury, although at minus 30 right now, is rumoured to climb all the way up to minus 11 today. Won’t that by nice?

Today my post is far too chatty and really doesn’t have a lot of (any) substance. I have to finish up my environment column and get it to my editor so I’ll leave you with a great pair of quotes to get you thinking about the environment.

We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.  ~Native American Proverb

Take nothing but pictures.
Leave nothing but footprints.
Kill nothing but time.
~Motto of the Baltimore Grotto, a caving society

Partly because I have finally found the ideal site for posting a-photo-a-day photoblog but also because I have so many other responsibilities (not to mention several dog walks each day ), I’m falling behind.

I’ll be unavailable all day tomorrow and, as usual, I seldom go on the computer over the weekend. So I wanted to wish everyone an enjoyable weekend. May you have fun times with family and friends and may you be rejuvenated in whatever you do.

For those who have asked, my new photoblog is going to be a permanent installment but I must admit it’s much easier than blogging because I can post several photos in advance and it automatically posts them without me even being on the computer — talk about convenience! So, I will continue with this blog though my time spent blogging may be less than it has been. (I’ve also had a lot of Internet problems lately — very slow and lots of crashes.)

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

PS: For those who are interested in checking out this great photoblog community or perhaps in starting your own photoblog, visit Aminus3. I love the format and that it has specifically been created to showcase photographs.

Learning the ropes.

Today is when the world stands together, in the light, to see what we thought we’d never see, and when we all unite behind the new President of the United States of America. Perfection does not come easily or by wishing, but when everyone stands together, positive change occurs.

“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Today is all about organizing and clean up. 

I have finally found a suitable online showcase for my photos. I’ve mentioned before how limiting this blog is in terms of size of photo that is allowed. When the photos are compressed to such a small size, so much detail is lost. For anyone who visits here especially to view my photos, I have just registered for a new Photoblog. At the new photoblog, my photos most days will not be accompanied by words, except for the occasional quote. You will notice the photos themselves at the photoblog are larger in format so won’t be as flat as they appear here. Unlike this one, the photoblog will feature a single new photo each day.

Some of you are already aware of my online gallery at my website. I’ve been adding to that gallery and changing things around a bit lately. If you wish to visit my website gallery, for best viewing each time you enter a ‘room’ (category) I highly recommend you click the “Slideshow” button located at the bottom of your screen. You’ll see a great difference by viewing them that way rather than by the small thumbnails.

Whether visiting here, the new Photoblog, or my website gallery, each one has simple one-click availability to subscribe to updates through RSS (whether in your reader or direct to your email). I’ve recently learned how to use RSS to subscribe to blogs (I know, must be the dinosaur in me!) and what a great convenience.

I’ve been doing a lot of reorganization lately and that includes my home office. It feels so good to have completely revamped my office and get things off the floor and up where they’re accessible! Have you been organizing, reorganizing, or do you have general organization tips you’d like to share?

{PS: This is post 1 of 2 for today. With the Presidential Inauguration today down in the USA, I can’t possibly let that historical day go by without a second post dedicated to this momentous occasion in history.}