Monday, March 15, 2010

mission monday:: trumpeting

it's springtime!

There are some words that automatically elicit a response from me. 'Trumpeting' is one of them. This word brings to mind joy and celebration and triumph and being majorly kick-ass. There is nothing shy about this word. It is bold and halleluah.

What does it elicit in you?

Your mission this monday, should you choose to accept it, is to let the word inspire you and share it. If you'd like to share your inspiration on your blog, you are welcome to add your blog link on mr. linky below.

If you are inspired to pick up a camera, I would love to drool over your photo in the mission monday flickr group.

Thanks joy rebels! I can't wait to see how you are inspired!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

thoughts on fostering

those eyes
atticus has found a forever home!

Twice this week we've had the opportunity to foster a dog and twice this week the dogs have been adopted before fostering was necessary. This, of course, is a GOOD thing but my talk of fostering prompts a lot of question and comments like 'I don't see how you can do it' so I thought I would take this opportunity to share my experiences with fostering dogs so far.

The biggest thing is YES, it's extremely rewarding. You are literally helping to save the life of an animal. That fulfills something in my heart in a way that nothing else can.

However, being rewarding does not stop the task of taking an animal with a questionable or unknown history frustrating and overwhelming. There are plenty of times when Jason and I take turns going upstairs and getting away from three crazy dogs (our two and the foster) while the other one deals with them because we need a damn break. If you've ever considered fostering and are worried you wouldn't do it 'right'...what I have found is I can handle the extra responsibility if I cut myself some slack and don't put any strict definitions on how to care for a foster animal. Animals are way more forgiving than humans are.

And they are also more loving. Which means either my husband or I have gotten attached and cried when it was time for the foster to go to their forever home. It doesn't matter if you know it's the best thing for them, they still take up residence in a little spot in your heart.

I miss my fosters, even though I was also relieved when they went to their adoptive homes and I was back to walking two dogs instead of three (yes, that's as difficult as it sounds).

But then you get another email and there's another pair of eyes looking at you and your heart makes more room. You don't push the other animals (or people or anything else), your heart expands so more can fit.

And that has been my biggest lesson so far. I mean I've read and heard all about how your heart can keep expanding...and I believed that in theory. But then I'm also human and I've dragged plenty of emotional baggage behind me that seemed to clutter up too much of my heart. I am sure I am not alone when I say that has often prompted fear to open my heart to others.

Fostering has been a real and true example of my capacity to love and keep loving. Until we started fostering, I wasn't that confident in my ability to do that. So the biggest lesson has also been the biggest gift.

Monday, March 8, 2010

mission monday:: poetry

i see the most amazing things

I'd like to try something new.

One word prompts.

For you to interpret as you'd like.

What comes to mind when you think of poetry? What do you feel inspired to express?

My first artistic attempt was poetry. The poems tended to be dark and angst-y...but then I was 14 and in the middle of a Dean Koontz phase.

For many years, poetry was the medium I used to give life to the images in my head.

I still love words. The look of words. Images of words. The way a photo can inspire so many words and one word can inspire so many images to come to mind.

I would love for you to share your inspirations...either on your blogs or in the mission monday flickr group. If you decide to play along, please let me know so I can see what you create!

Happy missioning joy rebels...

Sunday, March 7, 2010

slainte!

north texas irish festival 4

It's time for the north texas irish festival again....one of my favorite times of year.








Yeah, that's boogs with an irish flag collar. We're THOSE people.

I love the sweet irish dancers, the hard cider, the art, the sound of pipes and mostly, the fun loving atmosphere.

And the architecture of fair park, where the festival is held.







Beautiful!

How was your weekend? Are you watching the oscars tonight?

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

riding in cars

One photo out of focus is a mistake, ten photo out of focus are an experimentation, one hundred photo out of focus are a style.  ~Author Unknown

I make an effort to shoot every day. And often, I find myself on the way home from work having not yet pointed my camera at something.

powerlines and early morning

So I started looking for photo opportunities while in my car.

And it made the drive more fun.

rear view

I think I'll keep it up...

overpass

Monday, March 1, 2010

mission monday:: looking for signs of spring

softly blooming

Oh, I love the seasons. For so many reasons. Not the least of which is the change between them.

And I don't know about you but I'm soooooooo ready for the transition from winter to spring.

The new buds...the way the blue of the sky changes more to turquoise...the smell of flowers on the breeze...the shades of pink and green and blue and purple.

*sigh*

I bet you are too.

So your mission this week is to look for signs of spring. Does just the idea bring a smile to your face and lighten your mood? It does for me...

Bonus mission-please share your finds in the mission monday flickr group so we can all smile.

Happy missioning joy rebels!

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

this post was going to be about something entirely different

style 50/365

I was planning on writing about following a passion and what I've learned from those times when I'm burned out but I just can't seem to get my thoughts together.

It seems having an extra over 70 lb dog in the house to look after will do that to you.

So...what I've been doing lately...

*cleaning, cleaning, cleaning after three dogs that insist on tracking in everything they can find in the backyard.

*building another website. And I like how it's coming along.

*watching whip it and finding one more reason to love ellen page.

*falling in love more and more with playing with style

peace out ya'll

*working my ass off at work

*wondering when this cold weather is going to end

*laughing a whole lot

*joining the female photographers of etsy.

lacy branches

*going to bed early

*reconnecting with old friends

what are you up to?