Weekend Reflections

While photographing a beautiful sky the other day, I realized the clouds were being reflected in a pair of dusty windows.

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Shadow Shot Sunday

Shadows are everywhere , if you take the time to notice and they are so fun to capture. Thursday I had stopped to take some beautiful sky shots, when I noticed an old wagon.

It was cloudy and I didn't think I would find shadows. But then, the sun came out and there were lovely shadows for the taking!

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Wishcast Wednesday

Today at Jamie Ridler's Studios, Jamie asks us another searching question:

What Rules Do You Wish to Make or Break?

As I thought about this question, I realized the idea of rules seems to relate quite a bit to my age.

I would like to break these rules or notions:

I am over 55, and therefore as a senior I am old.
I am older, so there really can't be too many more new things to explore or do - not many firsts left.
I am old, therefore I can't lose weight, get fit, look good.
I am old, therefore I can't learn new things.

Well, I want to explode all those myths, and rules.

I may be over 55, but I am capable of so many things and there are still many firsts I can and hope to accomplish. I can and will lose weight and look fitter and better!
I am definitely not old!
There is still much to do. I can't wait til I grow up and move on to the next phase of my life!

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ABC Wednesday - P is For pansies and Pink Sky

(This is the second blog entry on this post- I deleted the first post as there was an unwanted comment and not knowing how to remove it, I just deleted the whole post! I didn't want that comment around at all. What ugly minded people there are around! What a waste of time and energy on stupid people like that!!! If anyone can tell me how to fix this if it happens again, I would be grateful.)

Time once again for the alphabet challenge at ABC Wednesday. We focus this week on the letter P.
As I was taking photos yesterday I realized I had the perfect P post - pansies - one of my favourite early flowers for the garden.

I love their little "faces"

P is also for beautiful pink sky!

Robin update:
I checked the nest again this morning and although the eggs haven't hatched it looks like there is a small hole in one!
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Best Shot Monday

When I arrived home tonight I was tired. It was a long weekend, and a looong day. The children all seemed antsy, my most challenged student was back (after being sent home Friday) and he ran off this afternoon.

But the first thing I saw when I pulled into the driveway were the flowers! So many more have begun to bloom, taking the place of the tulips which are dying.

Yet even in their dying, there is beauty.

I got my camera and began to take photos of flowers. then I had to check out our nest. The eggs haven't hatched yet but I think I see a crack! Can't wait for the babies to arrive!

Be sure to visit Tracey's blog for Best Shot Monday!

Sunday Wrap-up

ATCs

Art this week has been creating more ATCs . This has become an enjoyable outlet. The cards are only 2 1/2" by 3 1/2 " and there are so many themes to choose from. I sent off 4 sets today and am still working on several others. I am hosting my own swap - on the theme of rabbits (in honour of my Mom, who's nickname was Bunny, which is where my blog's name came from).

Zentangles - love creating these!

Famous authors and their quotes (2 of my favourite quotes -by Helen Keller and William Faulkner)

On the beach:
Outrageous Hats:

This was also the time of the month to create the full moon dreamboard. I had fun with this one.

(See mine here)

An activity I did with my class resulted in some fun art. We read "Art is.." (by Bob Raczka) It is a wonderful book, filled with great art. Then we brainstormed what art was to each of the children. Each of them then did a collage of "Art is...

The children had fun creating their posters. One stood out though , with the message "Art is in us" centred on his page, with a photo of a peacock at the bottom, with his drawing at the top. So perceptive!

The flowers we did last week, influenced by Georgia O'Keefe, and using tissue paper, turned out very well

ABCs of Art should have focused on E this week, but I got stuck on etching or engraving! I try to emulate an artist in that style for the letter of the week, but I have never tried either, other than using Styrofoam plates for printmaking.

From Wikipedia comes these descriptions:

Etching:

"Etching is the process of using strong acid or mordant to cut into the unprotected parts of a metal surface to create a design in intaglio in the metal (the original process—in modern manufacturing other chemicals may be used on other types of material). As an intaglio method of printmaking it is, along with engraving, the most important technique for old master prints, and remains widely used today."

Engraving:

Engraving is the practice of incising a design on to a hard, usually flat surface, by cutting grooves into it. The result may be a decorated object in itself, as when silver, gold, steel, or glass are engraved, or may provide an intaglio printing plate, of copper or another metal, for printing images on paper as prints or illustrations; these images are also called engravings."

Durer is the artist I am most familiar with in terms of engraving. Some of his artwork is so detailed! Visit here to see his complete work.

Eventually, I hope to take a course on engraving, especially using woodcuts. For now, I can admire the process and the artists who engrave and etch.

This week I will be focusing on F - for Faces!

Sunday Citar

We should consider every day lost in which we have not danced at least once.

- Nietzsche, philosopher

Joy in the everyday - we need to do this. An article at Sparkpeople shared a brief article on this as well as the above quote. Here it is:

"Finding and celebrating the joy in life. Each day is a new chance to find joy and to dance. If you let it pass or think it useless, the chance is gone and you'll never get it back. When was the last time you played? Or just did something for the sheer fun of it? Joy is not found in the world around you, it's within yourself. You can make your own joy, especially during those dark times when you need to really feel alive again. Fun and play are healthy antidotes to taking life--and ourselves--too seriously. They're proven boosters of immune systems and mental health and make life worth the trouble. So do the twist. Sing in the shower. Learn a magic trick. Watch a cartoon. Challenge some kids to a game. Don't let a single day go to waste. "

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