March 2021 Free Calendar Download - Sunrise

 
March entered central Illinois like a lamb, warm and Spring-like, melting the snow from our mid-February blizzard and with that, erasing the storm with its brutal cold conditions from our memory. My husband brought the grill out from hibernation so I'm hoping winter won't give us one last blast.

 

 
This month's free calendar features a sunrise photo I took last March while walking, fresh into Covid lockdown that no one ever thought would still be around a year later. Even though we haven't fully emerged from the impact of the pandemic, the air feels hopeful, much like the warm spring weather.

 

 
To download March's calendar, click on this link from Box.com
Link --> March Calendar 2021 - Sunrise over Lake

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Sparkles

I finally got some free time to take pictures of random ornaments on random trees.

Because none of these ornaments are from our tree - I see pretty ornaments and just start snapping away....







Even if the tree is in the middle of a lobby and you can tell by the reflection in the ornament. Sometimes you just have to stop and take a picture.

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Racing Stripes

We are having the convertible re-painted and checked out its progress at the garage.

They essentially disassemble the car, sand down the pieces, paint them, apply two coats of clear coat before reassembling. When it is done, it will look better than it did when it was new.



I like the stripes of created by the lights running along the ceiling.



When we get this car back, I pity the person who makes the first ding or scratch. I'm going to stay far away from it!

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2010 Reflections

Another year’s end is upon us – and like previous years, now is the time to reflect upon the past year and to set forth goals for the upcoming year. Like the end of year performance appraisal at work, I generally don’t like these exercises. I prefer to keep looking ahead or just keep plodding forward.

[Sometimes life gets like that – a little bit of forward inertia means you move forward, but perhaps without purpose – simply plodding forward. I guess that is why we reflect and make plans – because moving along with purpose feels better than just plodding forward]

So, looking back at the past year, what did I accomplish?

• Over 5500 shutter accuations. That’s about the same pace as last year.
• 2000 Uploads to flickr. 700 more than last year. Maybe I’m getting more “keepers”. Or maybe I’m not as picky!
• I’ve become so much more proficient with PSE - I learned how to install and use Actions in PSE. That has opened up a lot of post processing options for me.
• I also learned how to create and use clipping masks, layer masks and other techniques. Now I’m learning Lightroom.
• I’ve made new friends in the blogosphere – and they inspire me on a daily basis.

So what didn’t I do in 2010 that I originally planned?

• I didn’t apply any HDR techniques like I had hoped to, but hopefully that will happen in the coming year.
• I didn’t participate in some of the photo challenges I set out to do in 2010, but added new challenges instead.
• I didn’t purchase any “major” photographic equipment – probably a first for me! I added a fun fisheye adapter and a used 50mm lens to my bag. I would like to add that 105mm Nikon Micro lens and buy a bigger bag in 2011.

What might be in store for 2011?

For the month of January, I will be posting less frequently. After two straight years of posting to two blogs almost daily, I’m somewhat burned out. I’m thinking once a week over the next several weeks might give me enough of a break from things. One of my goals in 2011 is to create several photobooks of my images, like the Blurb Book I created of my trip to London. I should be able to make a good start if I take a break in January.

What else?

• I plan to start posting older pictures, taken before 2008.
• I still plan to participate in Team Up Thursday with my partner, Lee.
• I still plan to participate in iffles.com Monthly Theme Challenge.
• I’ll still carry my camera in my purse and take pictures - probably not daily, but probably frequently enough to slip in some fresh material now and then.

I thank you for taking the time to visit and read, to comment and inspire me. I wish you all the best in the coming year.

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The Rear View

Sometimes the best view is the one looking behind.



After searching for a "deep and meaningful" quote on the web, I just made that one up. I hope you have a blessed Friday.

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109/365 - Not Quite a Field of Dreams

At least this scene is NOT from my backyard.


But aren't the dandelions pretty?

I took the picture after an afternoon of running around from activity to activity. Lessons, practice, dinner, more practice. Oh, I still hadn't taken today's picture, then I saw the this scene driving home.

After a hectic day, I lay down on the grass and shot the sun setting with the dandelions. A tiny respite from the treadmill we sometimes get on.

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SOOC Saturday - Distorted

Or the Box that the new grill came in really makes a cool fort.
I think the boy would choose the 2nd title.

I liked the distorted view off the reflection of the egg shaped grill.



Today's shot is SOOC, I didn't even crop it. Less time consuming so that I may go out and enjoy today's lovely spring day.

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63/365 - Distorted Reflections

Wow, what a beautiful, spring like day - ample sunshine, little wind and temperatures climbing up in the 50s. The kids finished up their last ISAT tests today and were ready for the weekend. Erica and a big church group headed out at noon for a Youth Conference. Brian played with friends Will and Henry.

I was drawn to my neighbor's house because of the large cardboard box outside the boys had converted to a fort. The cardboard box previously housed a new "egg-type", Kamado grill our friends had just purchased. I thought their new grill was totally cool - not because of the grill's functionality, but because of the distorted reflections I saw!



I proceeded to take pictures of Will playing by the grill:




Now I really want a fisheye lens!

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POTD - A Second Glance

When I first framed the scene in my viewfinder, I was drawn to the golden color of the setting sun on the brick building. Then I saw the light reflected off the glass of the building which cast its own walkway of light along the pavers. Amazing what you don't see at first. I guess everything is worth a second glance.

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POTD - Late At Work

And working hard. Freshly harvested corn is fed into a grain truck. Next stop, the grain elevator, where business is brisk these days.



I took the picture above while stopped at an intersection. Once I turned and headed west, I shot into the sunset:


I travel these roads once a week to take my daughter to horse riding lessons. But with the time change, the perspective has drastically changed today.

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POTD - Baby You can Drive My Car [faces]

This week's theme is Faces in Strange Places - and I have one from this weekend - Scott's reflection in these sunglasses:



We were driving to Cedar Point, and if you want to read more about our trip, head over to my other blog.

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