A day at the beach in 1940

Tue 6/30 Blog Prompt: Weave a story around a 60-year old photograph. ~creative writing prompts

It was the 1940’s and the children were anxious to be off to the beach once again. Brother and sister sitting side by side taking in the abundance of beach and sea life that surrounded them. I wonder if they thought anything of the people strolling along the pier with their fishing poles and tackle. I wonder if they ever considered that one day they would be the ones strolling along the pier with their own fishing poles and tackle. Especially the little boy.

As the tiny waves crash against their feet, they hear their mother’s voice calling them to lunch. They decide to ignore her in favor of the shells they have found. One of which contains a tiny hermit crab, desperately trying to make his escape. Food seems to be the last thing on their minds as they hamper the crab’s path to freedom.

Mother makes her way over to rescue the crab and bring the children to the blanket for sandwiches and lemonade. Too soon, after lunch it is time to pack up and head back home to dream about another day at the beach.

(The picture is of my father and aunt near the Pensacola Beach Pier. Although rebuilt after hurricanes, the pier is still standing)

A lawless time

Mon 6/29 Blog Prompt: “Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws.” ~Plato. Do you find Plato’s statement to be as accurate today as they were nearly 2000 years ago?

It is unfortunate that these words spoken 2000 years ago are still as true today as they were then. If they were not we wouldn’t have need of a judicial system or jails. But yet we still need the laws. We need to set a standard of what is acceptable and what is unacceptable and to provide appropriate punishment for those who “find their way around the law.”

There are times when

a sister should be seen and not read. Thanks Bug (and Mrs. Who and Sticks)

Tink's Dewey Decimal Section:

095 Books notable for bindings

Tink = 0941 = 094+1 = 95


Class:
000 Computer Science, Information & General Works


Contains:
Encyclopedias, magazines, journals and books with quotations.



What it says about you:
You are very informative and up to date. You're working on living in the here and now, not the past. You go through a lot of changes. When you make a decision you can be very sure of yourself, maybe even stubborn, but your friends appreciate your honesty and resolve.

Find your Dewey Decimal Section at Spacefem.com

And then there is this:

Tink's Dewey Decimal Section:

775 Digital photography

Tink's birthday: 8/19/1956 = 819+1956 = 2775


Class:
700 Arts & Recreation


Contains:
Architecture, drawing, painting, music, sports.



What it says about you:
You're creative and fun, and you're good at motivating the people around you. You're attracted to things that are visually interesting. Other people might not always understand your taste or style, but it's yours.

Find your Dewey Decimal Section at Spacefem.com

I am FAT

Isn't this just the cutest little guy? I think so and so does Indy who it is a picture of.

Pan & I were relaxing and watching "House" when I heard Indy running and calling out "Tink, Tink, look at this." In he comes with this picture of himself when he was about 9 months old. He was so excited.

With a cheshire cat grin on his face he said, "Tink, look at this baby picture of me. I am FAT! I AM FAT!" He was just pleased as punch. Who knows why and frankly, who cares?

Photography - On a Walk

f/11, 1/125 sec., ISO-100

To forgive is divine

Fri 6/26 Blog Prompt: Today is Forgiveness Day. Do you have something to be forgiven for? Or do you need to take the time to forgive someone else?

v. for•gave (-g v ), for•giv•en (-g v n), for•giv•ing, for•gives
v.tr.
1. To excuse for a fault or an offense; pardon.
2. To renounce anger or resentment against.
3. To absolve from payment of (a debt, for example).
v.intr.
To accord forgiveness.
________________________________________
[Middle English forgiven, from Old English forgiefan; see ghabh- in Indo-European roots.]

If we go by #2, then I should probably forgive my ex. LOL. Goodness knows I have harbored a deep resentment and anger against him for far more years than we were ever married. Deep down I know it takes two to make a marriage and two to break a marriage, but there still lingers that feeling that I went above and beyond to make it work. Realistically, I know he feels the same way. Ergo, I need to renounce my anger with and resentment of. Maybe later. :)

As far as someone forgiving me, yep, that applies. And maybe one day they will realize it. Until then I won’t hold my breath

Poor ol' George, an icon of his day

Thu 6/25 Blog Prompt: What’s going to be in the book you are going to write?

“Once upon a time there was a George. George was a lonely soul since there were no other George’s around to comfort him. All poor George could do was sit upon a shirt or a paper and look exceedingly happy. But deep down inside George wasn’t. Oh why, oh why couldn’t George find another George? Was George truly one of a kind, destined to go through this world alone? “

George is my icon. One that is composed of the letters of my name, designed by my mother when I was in junior high. I still use George on a variety of things as a personalization. Also I would definitely know it belongs to me, LOL. I don’t know why I named it George, but I did and it has stuck for better or worse for the last 30+ years.

Sick & tired of it

Wed 6/24 Blog Prompt: What’s the worst part about being sick?

Boy, this came up at an appropriate time, considering I just have gone through 4 weeks of a sore throat.

The worst part of being sick is the changes in attitude. I do not do sick very well. I get cranky and mean. I want to be left alone, but want to be waited on hand and foot. Of course, I don’t like “feeling” sick either. That is the pits.

50 words for my relatives

Tue 6/23 Blog Prompt: List the names of 5-8 of your relatives and write a profile of 50 words or less for each. From creative writing prompts.

Mom-Wonderfully brilliant, devious when the need arises. Can cook like a dream. While she prefers solitude, she responds well to crowds. She reads extensively and while she did not attend college is one of the smartest people I know. She can sympathize without being overbearing.

Ddpuppies-Younger sister. Quite vivacious and lively. Unless you knew her well, you would not know that she lives with the pain of migraines. The love she feels for her husband, her dogs, her family and home radiates from her very pores.

The Bug-Baby sister. Great friend. Her world revolves around her family. She is constantly thinking up new ways to improve her children. Like me, tends to be more of a workaholic than a house person, but she is a better housekeeper, by far. Rich in knowledge.

Pan-The love of my life. The shelter in which I huddle when the world seems to dark and dreary to deal with. A great source of inspiration. He is smart, funny and good-looking. He takes his responsibilities seriously and doesn’t shirk even when they are less than pleasing to do.

The Archeologist-(my cousin for those not in the know as he is not on my list yet). Other than his father, I have never met anyone so laid back and slow to anger. He is living his dream as an archeologist. Material wealth and possession don’t figure into his life. He is content with himself. Sometimes I wish I could be more like him.

Boy this was harder than I imagined it would be. I figured limiting the number of words you used would make it easier, instead I found that I kept wanting to write. How about you?

Photography - Closer Now

f/5.6, 1/13 sec., ISO-800

Do it or ...

Mon 6/22 Blog Prompt: “Do, or do not. There is no ‘try’” ~Yoda (The Empire Strikes Back). Are you a “do” or a “do not”? Why or why not?

Depends on what it is. I really am a “do not” when it comes to housework. I will put it off until it just has to be done. And then some, LOL. Though my mother keeps a beautiful house. You would have thought I would have picked something up from her.

But if we are talking career work, I am a doer. A workaholic in fact. Even when I don't like what I am doing. Go figure. I just need to learn to apply that to housework. :)

Photography - Chuckles

Nothing brings a smile faster than 5 year requesting a picture with a snake.

f/4, 1/8 sec., ISO-400

Photography - Out of My Comfort Zone

No flash allowed, low lighting and action...

f/5.6, 1/60 sec., ISO-400

Photography - Photojournaling

f/18, 1/60 sec., ISO-400

Sauntering on down the road

Fri 6/19 Blog Prompt: Today is World Sauntering Day. Sauntering is form of strolling. Where would you saunter to on this day?

I think I would like to saunter right on down the beach. Though I really think of sauntering as more of a pavilion or boardwalk type of walk. I guess I could just saunter on down to the boardwalk at the beach, huh?

Natural Inspiration (c)Verena Karolyi; Font: 101!Kidlet Sunshine

Photography - My Zen

f/8, 1/8 sec., ISO-100

Leftovers Again?

Thu 6/18 Blog Prompt: Name five (5) things that have been in your refrigerator for more than a week.

Do I even want to go there? First on the list would be the Romulan Ale which as been there for several years now. Always waiting for that special occasion and it is just so darn pretty. Second on the list would be the sauerkraut. I love the stuff but just don't have enough meals planned that call for it. So it gets relegated to the back of the fridge until the next time I need it and realize that it has expired and have to buy more anyway.

Third is my tube of wasabi. It's not like we eat sushi every day and even if we did, I would be the only one eating the it. I think it's due to be replaced too. Four... suppositories for nausea. These were for Indy and I don't think they ever got used. Probably need to rid myself of them as well. And finally, but not least, mayonnaise. The regular kind. I discovered the one made with olive oil and just cannot make myself use the other. I can see potato salad or deviled eggs in my future :)

A Moment in Time (c)Dani Alencar; Template by PencilLines; Font: Daisy Script

Photography - Outside with Flash

f/29, 1/10 sec., ISO-800

The Stealth of a Child

Wed 6/17 Blog Prompt: Write a poem or story about a child stealing something.

It is hard to believe that sweet little darling with the big brown eyes could have possibly managed to grab a hold of a lollipop and keep it hidden until we were well out of the store. As I reprimanded her for her actions, big tears welled up and spilled over the long lashes that graced those eyes.

It was hard, but I knew I must stand my ground and back into the store we marched. She was required to tell the manager what she had done and then pay for the lollipop, which was promptly thrown away. I don’t think she has ever forgiven me for that day, although she probably doesn’t remember it much anymore

Miss Mae (c)Sweet Digi Scraps; Fonts: Arial Unicode, Selfish

Photography - Inside No Flash

f/5, 1/30 sec., ISO-400

Creative Writing

Tue 6/16 Blog Prompt: From creative writing prompts. Using one of the sets below, use all the words in your chosen set to write a mini story of 300 words or less.

Set 1: paper clips, principal, lunchbox, swing, girl
with a pink ribbon
Set 2: biology, class card, foreign student, leaf, blood
sample
Set 3: typewriter, filing cabinet, puncher, clerk, carbon paper,
janitor

It was beginning to be one of those days. I had awaked with a headache and no aspirin and water in sight. Already I was running late for my interview. The clerk had been specific when telling me the time and emphasizing that I was to be on time or not bother coming in at all. I was hoping that if I hurried I could make it there on time. I ran the entire way.

As I walked into the office, the janitor was just walking out and it seemed as if he was taking some important pieces of equipment with him. How did he manage to fit that filing cabinet in his trash can? And was that a puncher I saw shoved in the can beside the cabinet? Something is terribly wrong and I can’t figure it out.

The clerk called me in to begin my test by handing me a sheet of carbon paper. Things were getting stranger all the time. I was directed to an ancient typewriter in the middle of the room surrounded by desks that looked as if they were brought in from a local school. I tried placing the carbon paper in the typewriter but it would not fit. As I turned, it looked as if all the desks were leering at me. Daring me to succeed. The harder I tried the worse it became; turning, rotating the paper, nothing worked. And where was the typing paper? Surely I was not expected to type just on the carbon paper and when was my interview going to start.

Panic started to set in; then I sat up and realized I had just been dreaming. I looked at the clock and it was beginning to be one of those days. I was running late and the headache was starting to set in.

Boy I'm Fallin (c)Colie's Corner; Calendar (c)Kristmess

Photography - Shadows

f/7.1, 1/40 sec., ISO-800

Financially Sound

Mon 6/15 Blog Prompt: e e cummings once remarked, “I’m living so far beyond my income that we may almost be said to be living apart.” Do you find that more people today are living beyond their income? Are you?

We occasionally live a little beyond our income but not often and not by much. Pan is so good at keeping a budget and sticking to it. He even pays more than is required. But I do think more and more people are living way beyond their income and I think credit card companies and banks are contributing to that factor as they are constantly extending credit to those who really can’t afford it. I also think a lot of people really don’t understand the concept of credit. Marines have to go through a course on finances; maybe we should implement it in high school as well.

Girl I'm Fallin (c)Colie's Corner; Fonts: Ginga, Arial Unicode

Photography - Location

Assignment: photography something beautiful in a not so beautiful place

f/29, 1/10 sec., ISO-800

Photography - Group Portrait

I was really pleased with how this one turned out (looks much better without the blurred faces, LOL)

f/4.5, 1/60 sec., ISO-400

Photography - Food

This one didn't turn out nearly as well as the upcoming still life :)

f/7.1, 1/8 sec., ISO-400

A Rose is a Rose is a Rose Or Not

Fri 6/12 Blog Prompt: Today is Red Rose Day. Do you know what a red rose signifies? What about your favorite rose?

Love, respect, courage and passion.

From ProFlowers.com

Red roses, as we think of them today, are the traditional symbol for love and romance. The modern red rose we are now familiar with was introduced to Europe from China in the 1800's. However, the meanings associated with them can be traced back many centuries, even to some of the earliest societies. The color red itself evolved from an early primal symbol for life into a metaphor for deep emotion. In Greek and Roman mythology the red rose was closely tied to the goddess of love. Many early cultures used red roses to decorate marriage ceremonies and they were often a part of traditional wedding attire. Through this practice, the red rose became known as a symbol for love and fidelity. As the tradition of exchanging roses and other flowers as gifts of affection came into prevalence, the red rose naturally became the flower of choice for sending the strongest message of love. This is a tradition that has endured to the present day.

Photography - Body Parts

f/4, 1/500sec., ISO-800

Grateful? You betcha

Thu 6/11 Blog Prompt: Are you grateful for right now?

Yes, yes, oh yes. Just don’t ask me that at the end of July. I can’t think of a better time or moment to be at. What is happening right now will never be repeated again. Oh there will be similarities but it will never be exactly the same again. Thoughts will be different, actions just slightly changed. And I will appreciate that moment just as much.

Spring Shimmer (c)Colie's Corner; Font: Bleeding Cowboys

Photography - Reflections

f/7.1, 1/13 sec., ISO-100

A Picture on the Wall

Wed 6/10 Blog Prompt: Look at the pictures on your walls. Pick one and write about it.

My favorite of course is the one Pan’s parents gave us as a wedding present. They allowed me to pick out one of his grandmother’s paintings (since then we have procured more) and the one I chose was an abstract in blues, greens and white. It reminded me of sailboats on the sea and according to Pan’s father that was what it was suppose to be.

Forever (c)Armina's Designs; Basic Brown alpha (c)Jennifer Barrette; Font: Arial Unicode

Photography - Light Position

f/36, 1/25 sec., ISO-800

A Picture of 139 words

Tue 6/9 Blog Prompt: From creative writing prompts. A picture is worth more than a blank page. Take out those dusty photo albums. Pick out photo #14. Look at the picture for 2-3, then for 10 minutes (or whatever you can afford) write all the feelings that photograph made you feel. Don’t sensor yourself, just write.

It was early evening on March 17, 2003, with the aquarium and trees in the courtyard making it appear later than it was. We had just finished a walking tour of the boardwalk in New Orleans and had paused to rest and look around. The metal sculptures in the background provided some whimsical relief from the darkness that was encroaching. I do love the spacious courtyard though. With benches and large open walking areas it was easy to just sit back and take in the view. Though it was hard to understand the artwork that beckoned you into the IMAX theatre. Is it a representation of upcoming events or the work of some local artist? I don’t remember. Soon we will be heading back to the hotel for a change of clothes, dinner and thoughts of the coming days.

template by Brenda Miller; Changing Winds (c)Colie's Corner; Font: Hard Rock

Photography - A lesson in ISO

f/5.6, 1/25 sec.

Politically Correct?

Mon 6/8 Blog prompt: “Political correctness is tyranny with manners.” ~Charlton Heston. Do you agree? Why or why not?

I agree. I feel that we are being forced into being “politically correct” to the detriment of us all. We are so inundated with how we should treat others, that our rights and preferences are being trod upon.

Maxwell kit (c)Colie's Corner; Fonts: stoned wash 6, Sylfaen

Photography - Stress

f/22, 1/250 sec., ISO-800

Photography - Movement

Assignment: Photograph movement

f/5.6, 1/800 sec., ISO-800

Photography - Direction

This assignment included something we were doing during the day and had to be taken from a kneeling position or standing and looking down.

f/14, 1/13 sec., ISO-800

Doughnut Dreams

Fri 6/5 Blog Prompt: Today is National Doughnut Day. What is your favorite doughnut? Do you make your own?

I like to make beignets and sprinkle them with powdered sugar while they are still hot. Or war sopapillas with honey. Ymmm. I also like powdered sugar cake donuts. I never really got into filled or iced or glazed donuts.

Sweet Nothings (c)Dancing Princess Designs; Word Art (c)JAB Digital Designs

Photography - Love

The assignment was to photograph someone/something we loved.

f/22, 1/400 sec., ISO-800

Battle of the Sexes

Thu 6/4 Blog Prompt: Do you believe there is an inequality between men & women? Are there certain jobs that should be consigned to just one ---?

I'll probably be reamed for this one, LOL.

I am sure that women still get paid less for doing the same job but I really think that is changing, just more slowly than most people would like.

I personally believe that there are jobs that men do better and those that women do better at. But there are exceptions to everything, including this.

Boy Zone (c)Carena's Designs; Font: Arial Unicode

Photography - Portrait

f/16, 1/200 sec., ISO-400

Dress Code Crisis

Wed 6/3 Blog Prompt: Should schools and businesses enforce a dress code? Why?

I am so ambivalent on this one. On one hand, I don’t like the idea of someone telling me what I can and cannot wear, but then I think a business/school has the right to project themselves in a professional light which includes how the employees/students dress.

I wear jeans and t-shirts to work but that was what my employer and I agreed upon for me to come back to work part-time. I know it probably irks the rest of the front office as they are to “dress up” but they are the first look people have of the business and when I worked full-time I always did.

And I definitely favor a dress code at school. That does not mean uniforms but that each student should present themselves in a decent manner that does not offend the outlying community.

Remember You (c)Doreen StolzScraplift of Vacation 09 by dropoflove; font: SF Fedora

Photography - Up close and personal

f/7.1, 1/1000 sec., ISO-400

Famously Discreet

Tue 6/2 Blog Prompt: Would you like to be famous? Why or why not? If so, what would you like to be famous for?

I don't think I would like to be famous. I value my privacy too much. But if I was to be famous, it most definitely would be in the field of astronomy, LOL. Maybe I could discover a new planet or star.

Rustic Fields (c)Doreen Stolz; a ScrapMap sketch; fonts: iNked God, Arial Unicode

Photography - Action

f/10, 1/160 sec., ISO-400

Shhhh.... Listen

“Listening, not imitation, may be the sincerest form of flattery.” ~Dr. Joyce Brothers. How well do you listen? Are you intent or preoccupied?

I, personally, think I listen fairly well and am usually very intent on what is being said. I try to make sure that I can at least repeat back some of what has been said. But... Oh but, there are times when my mind wanders and just refuses to focus on what is at hand and being said. I know it is horrible, but that's just the way it is. At least it doesn't happen to often. :)

My Man ©Christy Skaggs; template ©No Reimer Reason Designs; Fonts: Shortcut; Arial Unicode