Vacation 2012

Developing a habit is hard - I'm working on getting back here. I always knew that if I broke my streak of regular posting, it was gonna be hard to get back. I need some art and some other things to really get me back on track.

Here is what really got me off-target - VACATION. I really needed it this year.  In the photos below, if there is a black image protruding from the water, it is a whale. I saw probably 20-25 spouts a day and had a couple of opportunities to watch whales flirting with the boats and playing pretty close to the deck where I was staying.

Most days, it was sunny and beautiful, at least for the afternoon.  The mornings had some fog and low clouds, but it was beautiful then, too.

Hydrangia Beauties

Here are some photos of the hydrangias outside of my house.  I love them - their color, shape, their vibrancy. Lovely.  One of my favorite flowering plants.

Home Again, Home Again

The fog rolled in so strong last night it looked like heavy sheets of rain coming from the ocean in the tiny lights on the building. It was beautiful.  It's funny that almost every time I come here, the last night gets foggy and lasts into the morning. By the time I get to Lincoln City on the way home, the sun is shining there, but it is almost like the fog is ushering me home.  Makes it easier to go when it is getting colder. Just a little demarcation - vacation was sunny, now it is foggy. Go home. :)

This was a little too short, I think, but better than not going at all. I have another bit of time later in August booked - when I don't have a show and other things I need to worry about.  This was a great breather and will help me keep my sanity for a little while.

Stopped at the beach in Lincoln City for a few minutes. I saw a woman dressed entirely for winter - she was wearing a full length down coat, a woolen hat and heavy pants.  It was about 65 degrees out but very windy. One last look and back to real life.

I think I need to start taking pictures that include people (me, people I know, etc.). I'm not a good photographer, really, but I don't practice enough. I just need to start practicing and see what happens.

First Real Day of Vacation

Drove out to the beach yesterday and got here around 4pm. The weather is sunny but cool - around 65 degrees out. This is a different condo than the one I usually rent - that one was available and then, 6 hours later (over night), it wasn't.

This place is nice (and for sale) but I still prefer the other location (probably because I went there first).

Here are some photos of the condo:

Ahhh.  Time to Relax.

Something Was Bugging Me Today

For some reason, I was pulled onto Memory Lane today - found a picture on Google Maps of the house I lived in in Florida. It is weird to see something like that... In Europe, they don't allow the street view photos, so I haven't seen a lower view of the area where I lived when I was in Germany. I don't know the address of the street I lived on in Colorado and I think my family has a few pictures of that house. We have only a couple of photos from Europe as all our slides were stolen along with all our cameras when we were on the way back from Wiesbaden. :(

I think someday I will take a tour of all the places I lived...The area in Germany looks pretty much the same from Google maps - I can see the familiar buildings and streets where I walked to school and the playgrounds where I spent my recesses and summers.

Weird how a mood strikes you like that.

"Let the wild rumpus start!"

Maurice Sendak died today. I didn't know until I started reading Facebook when I got home. A friend posted a lovely comment about "Where the Wild Things Are" and I liked it a lot. Then, I continued down, down and found that another friend had posted to me directly, "Sad farewell to Rumpusser-Sendak".  My heart sank - I hadn't put the pieces together...I had thought that it was maybe his birthday or something.

I loved his art and I loved "Where the Wild Things Are".  I didn't understand the brilliance of his book until I was older, but I always loved it.  Why, I even named my blog to honor his great work. Thank you, Mr. Sendak, for all you have given to so many people.

These photos really started me off on my photography journey - I just wanted something new. Again, inspired by the great art of Maurice Sendak.

"And now," cried Max, "let the wild rumpus start."

Worry and Imagination

A friend of mine posted this and it so resonated with me, I had to post it here. It was from Tuyet Van Julie's Facebook page:

I have been pondering it since I saw it. Many thoughts are clicking into place for me...

Be a Light

Okay, so I think the problem with photo uploading is my browser. I will be returning to normal content next week. For now, some other stuff to share. Thank you, as always, for visiting.