Shadow Shot Sunday

Time once again to share shadows. This week has had such a range of weather. Again we are back to cool weather and rain! Maybe warmer weather tomorrow.

Most of the shadows I found this week were subtle, but I wanted to capture some of the flowers in the garden.

I also caught our little robin baby sitting on the chain by the house. He stayed there for almost an hour as my husband mowed the lawn around him,. I finally had to gently take the extension cord away and he flew/hopped away. I have seen him a couple of times since.

Be sure to stop by Hey Harriet, that super fun meme created by Tracey for some fascinating shadows.

Wishcasting Wednesday

Each week Jamie Ridler (of Jamie Ridler Studios) poses a very intriguing question. This week's question comes at the perfect time!

What do you wish for your health?

Over the past few months I lost 17 lbs. through my work's Biggest Loser competition. It was very supportive and helpful group. Then I took a break for a few weeks and have actually gained back a few pounds. Yesterday I had had enough and set a 100 day goal - for better health and greater creativity.

So what do I wish for my health?

For the next 99 days I hope to set the example for my health for the rest of my life. I want to establish permanent healthy habits. I want to feel better and be more active. My ultimate goal is to be a "sexy sixty" by my next birthday in January!

As Jamie says:
"You can be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes. It’s easy. Answer the wish prompt above on your blog. Support wishes by visiting other participants. It’s that simple. There is great power in wishing together".

Shadow Shot Sunday

There are two ways to take shadows - deliberately, which is the most fun ; or accidentally, which at times is hard to prevent.

Shadow chasers love the hunt for shadows - they can be found in so many places.

With the cloudy, rainy weather this week I did not even try to find shadows. I was tracking the robins this week though and when I was looking at the photos, there were shadows there, but very subtle ones.

These little birds finally flew the coop so to speak. I was trying to take a few shots ,

when all of a sudden they all took off at once. I'm surprised I didn't drop the camera! I followed one of them as it hopped and flew to the road. I veered it back on the grass.

A passing lady, with 3 dogs, said to use a bucket and put it back in the nest.

I was successful with that one but could not get the other one I saw. He had flown into the blue box but when I tried to capture him, he flew out and away.

This morning the bird I put in the nest was gone as well.

I know they do grow and leave, but I thought they were too young yet.

Be sure to visit the great shadow chasers at Hey Harriet, that super fun meme started by Tracy.

Happy Victoria Day weekend to my fellow Canadians! Enjoy the 3 day holiday!

Sky Watch Friday

This week we have had dark clouds, rain, rain and more rain! So I had to turn to the past and I thought why not fireworks in dark night skies in honour of Queen Victoria's birthday!

Happy Victoria Day long weekend to my fellow Canadians!

Be sure to check out the great skies here.

Shadow Shot Sunday

Shadows abound on sunny days and we had a couple of very sunny days this week. Today we are back to clouds and rain!

Be sure to check out the great participants at Hey Harriet, the super fun meme created by Tracy.

Wishcasting Wednesday

Today at Jamie Ridler's Studio, Jamie asks us:

What do you wish to take a stand for?

As I get closer to retirement (within the next 2 years), I become more and more intolerant of the lack of help for children in need. I teach grade 3, and it is this year that we begin to identify children with learning, behavioural and emotional difficulties.Yet many times it is too late. We usually know in kindergarten if a child will face challenges in school. We need to act much sooner - not only for that child but for all the children around him or her. Especially if there are emotional/mental health issues, the other children in the class face fallout.

I know first hand from the student with mental health issues I had last year. I was diagnosed with high blood pressure last year (after never having a problem with it before this school year) - a year of daily stress took its toll on me. I know the children in my class faced that same stress. I tried so many times to seek help for him - and the class. Now he is in a behavioural setting. Too late in my estimation.

I want to take a stronger stand and seek ways - at school, board, municipal and provincial levels -to help children in need, earlier and with more methods that will actually help children and their families. If we don't act sooner, we will be paying a much greater price down the road.

As Jamie says:
"You can be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes. It’s easy. Answer the wish prompt above on your blog . Support wishes by visiting other participants. It’s that simple. There is great power in wishing together."

Sunday Wrap up

Here's hoping everyone had a Happy Mother's Day!

Sunday Weekly Wrap-Up

This past week I have been able to work on ATCs and finally finished my May calendar for the calendar challenge.

Calendar:

Flower ATCs:

Special PAT cards - where you make a card for someone in their theme:

Bird:


In the style of Romare Bearden:


My little pony:


I also finished and sent off the ATCs and postcards to the winners of my giveaway. This is one of the postcards sent:

I also had fun taking photos:

of our resident robin

and her 3 eggs

and of the lily I got for Easter

Today, more of our flowers had blossomed and I took a few shots of them:

Here's wishing one and all a wonderful week!

Shadows and Skies

Two of my favourite photo subjects are shadows and skies. I took my camera to school on Wednesday and had fun taking way too many shots of the sky and of shadows around the yard. But it was the kind of day that invited picture-taking. Here are some of those shots:

Skies: (for Sky Watch Friday)

Then there were shadows: (for Shadow Watch Sunday)

Be sure to visit the wonderful shadow-chasers here a t Hey Harriet,

and, here, for skies around the world.

Colour for 52 Photos Project

I have discovered a new meme - the 52 Photos Project. It involves using a prompt to take photos. This week the prompt is "Colour".

As I thought about colour and looked at my archives, these fireworks got my attention! These exploded with colour for a long time that night in Ottawa and I loved the drama of them.

Be sure to check out the great photos here.

Wishcasting Wednesday

This week at Jamie Ridler Studios, Jamie once again has a very penetrating question to ask:

What do you wish to know?

As I thought about this question, my first thought was that there was too much to know! I want to learn new techniques, new crafts, new ideas, new people. I guess it comes down to wanting to always keep learning, no matter my age.

I used to tell my children that they needed to learn one new thing a day and we then talked about it at dinner. I want to keep doing that, to keep that curiosity about life -always looking for a new idea, a new thought, a new way of doing something, each and every day.

There is so much to learn -I want to be a sponge and soak in as much as possible. I don't want the old adage - you'll lose it if you don't use it - to apply as I continue to grow up!

As Jamie says: "You can be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes. It’s easy. Answer the wish prompt above on your blog. Support wishes by visiting other participants. It’s that simple. There is great power in wishing together."