Following the curve – again

This is another photo I posted some time ago (as in October, 2012) but as I look out my window at my neighbour’s house, icicles hanging from the roof, this shot came to mind – I needed a boost!

Hoping to head to Allan Gardens in Toronto tomorrow to get my “colours and flowers in winter” boost in person!

This shot is actually from my backyard in the summer of 2012. It’s hard to believe looking out at the snow-covered yard, but it really does come to life in just a few short months!

…the thorn bush has roses

Instead of complaining that the rosebush is full of thorns, be happy that the thorn-bush has roses – German proverb

Decided to play a bit with this one as I loved the bottom part of the rose, but there was too much light on the top. Not really into processing much….because I don’t really know how to do it…..but didn’t want to discard the shot.

Simply rain

rain on an umbrella

This morning, as I went through some posts of people I follow, I came across this one by Sheila Creighton, an amazing photographer. I was inspired to run outside with my camera (and my umbrella) to get some shots of hostas and other plants. I wasn’t happy with my shots but when I headed in and put down the umbrella at the front door, I noticed the drops on the umbrella. I usually keep my flash off, but the light emitted from the camera just prior to the shot lit up the raindrops. So, turning on the flash, I shot away. There is something really simple about raindrops.

“On the fifth day, which was a Sunday, it rained very hard. I like it when it rains hard. It sounds like white noise everywhere, which is like silence but not empty.”
― Mark Haddon, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Coming home….

Joy

This photo of my daughter and her boyfriend says it all – summer time is here.

I have been away from blogging for several months. Lots of reasons, no excuses.

I was declared excess at my school and had to find a new position for next year. Due to seniority, I would have been placed at a school had I not been successful in finding something on my own. Yet, I wanted to have some semblance of control in a situation that was somewhat uncontrollable. I went on a total of 8 interviews and had 4 offers, which was a true luxury. That process took several weeks to accomplish.

I also was very intensely training for a long distance ride. I participated in the Ride to Conquer Cancer which takes place over two days, covering 200 km. I loved the feeling of accomplishment, not just as I crossed the finish line, but as I got to the top of each of the MANY hills. I was so touched by the support of my donors, as we collectively fundraised over $3200.

The finish line – wearing my hubby’s shirt from his 2012 ride.

Another big time issue for me was putting together the yearbook at my present school, the school I have had to leave. This was a great deal of work, but so worth it. Yet, it was hard to do because it just made me realize, again and again, how much I love my little community school. The school is a few blocks from home – it was my children’s school and therefore I have been going into that building on and off for 19 years. There is something undefinable about the school – perhaps it’s just that I feel so comfortable there, like going to work is like coming home every day. I will miss being there and the amazing people I was so lucky to work with for the past several years.

And finally, I was busy planning a surprise for my sweetie. We celebrated our 30th anniversary in May, but I wanted to surprise him with a party all about him. Our daughter goes to school in B.C. and was attending summer school this year, so I had to wait until late June to have the party. And bringing her home was another layer of the surprise. It was really hard to keep the secret of her homecoming, along with hiding all the party items and ensuring people kept the secret. It almost all fell apart a few days before the actual event when my hubby announced he was not going to go away for a few days – the few days leading up to the party, when I was going to get everything in place and my daughter was going to arrive. In the end, he went away and the party went off without a hitch. The first part of the surprise was the party, the second part was when my daughter and her boyfriend snuck up and surprised him!