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Victory: Photography Project — 66

Beginning in January 2014, I started a weekly photography project with my muse, Victory!  I will continue to share this project on the blog this year!  My goal is to document all of Victory’s changes, while preserving fleeting moments and memories, while capturing moments of our everyday.

Victory had a good weekend and the weather was very nice!  We are all enjoying the summer weekends! Victory got a bath, to her dismay, and she is looking great!  Doug grilled steak this weekend and, of course, little Victory had to try some.  She was in heaven — a big fan of steak tenderloin!  After eating dinner on the deck, she did not want to come into the house.  So, I got my camera and captured a few shots of Victory as the sun was setting, shown below.

We find out this week, hopefully, whether her infection is gone, which we really hope that it is gone for good this time!

Happy Tuesday!

 

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Good Read: The Power of Starting Something Stupid

I recently finished reading the book entitled, The Power of Starting Something Stupid by Richie Norton.  This was a good read. This book is full of helpful information, while providing a new perspective.  Richie illustrates how stupid is the New Smart—the key for success, creativity, and innovation.

What if the key to success, creativity, and fulfillment in your life lies in the potential of those stupid ideas?  This inspiring book will teach you:

-How to crush fear, make dreams happen, and live without regret;

-How to overcome obstacles such as lack of time, lack of education, or lack of money; and

-The five actions of the ‘New Smart’ to achieve authentic success.

One of the best takeaways for me came towards the end of the book.  In the conversations Richie had with older people near the end of their lives, their greatest lament didn’t have to do with failure, but with regret.  Therefore, if you have a wild idea that everyone says or thinks is ‘stupid’ — don’t discount it.  There is great value in those ‘stupid ideas’ that are actually not ‘stupid’ — instead, they are very insightful — and you should give them more attention and thought.

Have a great weekend!

 

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Inspirational Photography Quotes

Since I love photography, below are some of my favorite photography quotes.

 

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“Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still.” –Dorothea Lange

“To me, photography is the simultaneous recognition, in a fraction of a second, of the significance of an event.” –Henri Cartier-Bresson

“The things that are close to you are the things you can photograph best.” –Sally Mann

“Photography, as a powerful medium of expression and communications, offers an infinite variety of perception, interpretation, and execution.” –Ansel Adams

“All photographs are accurate. None of them is the truth.” –Richard Avedon

“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving.  What you have caught on film is captured forever…it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.”  –Aaron Siskind

“Your photography is a record of your living, for anyone who really sees.” –Paul Strand

“It’s not when you press the shutter, but why you press the shutter.”  –Mary Ellen Mark

“Photographing a cake can be art.” –Irving Penn

“The picture is like a prayer, an offering, and hopefully an opening through which to seek what we don’t know, or already know and should take seriously.” –Emmet Gowin

“In Photography there is a reality so subtle that it becomes more real than reality.” –Alfred Stieglitz

“Photography to the amateur is recreation, to the professional it is work, and hard work too, no matter how pleasurable it may be.”  –Edward Weston

“To me, photography is a major force in explaining man to man.” –Edward Steichen

“Look and think before opening the shutter.  The heart and mind are the true lens of the camera.” –Yousuf Karsh

“It has never been my object to record my dreams, just the determination to realize them.” –Man Ray

“Which of my photographs is my favorite?  The one I’m going to take tomorrow.” –Imogen Cunningham

“Everything is a subject.  Every subject has a rhythm.  To feel it is the raison detre.  The photograph is a fixed moment of such a raison detre, which lives on in itself.”  –Andre Kertesz

“What makes photography a strange invention is that its primary raw materials are light and time.” –John Berger

“Stare.  It is the way to educate your eye, and more.  Stare, pry, listen, eavesdrop.  Die knowing something. You are not here long.”  –Walker Evans

“Photography is more than a medium for factual communication of ideas.  It is a creative art.” –Ansel Adams

“I really believe there are things nobody would see if I didn’t photograph them.” –Diane Arbus

Victory: Photography Project — 65

Beginning in January 2014, I started a weekly photography project with my muse, Victory!  I will continue to share this project on the blog this year!  My goal is to document all of Victory’s changes, while preserving fleeting moments and memories, while capturing moments of our everyday.

Victory had a good, long weekend!  She did well  — and she even didn’t run upstairs when we had friends over.  However, she did make sure to sit right near us, though, never leaving our side, while were friends over.  Doug grilled some of the best hamburgers and corn on the cob that I have ever had on the Big Green Egg!  Doug grilled several times over the weekend; went to the pool a few times; caught up on our reading; and we also watched a few movies!  It was nice to have some down time with no schedule.

 

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The images below show Victory a year apart, each taken on the Fourth of July!  2015 is on the left; and 2014 is on the right!  (At that time last year, Victory had been with us for approximately nine months.)  You can see how much she has physically changed in only a year!  She is now full of fur!  Victory chewed through the bandanna from last year, which was Biscuit’s, so we had to get her a new one!  Now we know not to leave anything on her without one of us being home.

 

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We hope that you had a great weekend!

Things I Love: Summer 2015

Well, it is already July and it is officially summer, and I wanted to share some items that I love, shown below!

We hope that you have a great 4th of July weekend!  We plan to enjoy time reading by the pool, relaxing on the deck, and having some friends over for a cookout this weekend, and it should be fun!  We hope for good weather.

Have a great long weekend!

 

loving summer 2015

 

1. Toms – I love Toms.  These are hands down the most comfortable spring/summer shoe around.  I highly recommend them.  I have four pairs!

2. Lululemon Undies — These are the best undies I have ever had.  If you are looking for extremely comfortable undies, particularly in the warmer months, I highly recommend these!

3. Shiseido Face Sunscreen — This is a wonderful sunscreen, which you can apply prior to makeup, which goes on smoothly and easily, while helping to protect your skin from sun damage.  It works great and protects your skin well.

4. Gain Scent Boosters — I love clean sheets, and the scent boosters work really well to keep your sheets smelling like they were just laundered.  I use the Midnight Breeze Fireworks Gain Scent Booster.  I also generally use Gain lavender detergent; and Snuggle white lavender liquid fabric softener; and lavender serenity Downy dryer sheets.

5. Skinny Pop – My Mom told me about Skinny Pop.  It is really tasty and low-calorie if you are looking for a tasty snack!

6. Propel Water — I have been trying to drink more water, and I really like Propel water.  It has a hint of flavor and therefore it makes me want to drink water more often.

You can view other things I love here!

Victory: Photography Project — 64

Beginning in January 2014, I started a weekly photography project with my muse, Victory!  I will continue to share this project on the blog this year!  My goal is to document all of Victory’s changes, while preserving fleeting moments and memories, while capturing moments of our everyday.

On Sunday, Doug and Victory came with me to a photo shoot in Annapolis, and then we went to Kent Island for crabs.  We found a place to eat where we could take Victory along with us!  Doug enjoys picking and eating crabs.  I am not too fond of crabs, but I had some good shrimp instead!  Victory was a really good girl and she was very patient while Doug worked through all of his crabs!  Everyone at the restaurant loved our fur girl!

After eating lunch, we went to the Eastern Shore and had a great time together!  Little Victory did not get her nap, as we were gone all day, so she was quite tired by the time we made it home where we found her on the sofa all sprawled out!  She got lots of good walks in, though!

We (hopefully) find out in about two weeks whether Victory’s infection is gone.  We sure hope it’s gone as she finishes up her antibiotic at the end of this week.  Who ever knew that a UTI could be so tricky.  On another note, Victory is starting to bark more, but her barking is only limited to ‘night-night’ one of her favorite times!

Below are a few images from our time together this past Sunday!  We are thrilled that it is officially summer!

Happy Tuesday!

 

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Tips: Five Summer Dangers for Furry Family Members

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) contacted me to share some tips to help keep your furry family members out of harms way this summer.  Hopefully, everyone is staying cool!

1. Fireworks & Thunderstorms: Loud noises like fireworks are one of the top reasons furry family members go missing, so secure your furry family member in an escape-proof place.  If your furry family member does go missing, download the ASPCA app for a free step-by-step digital toolkit to help find your pet.

2. Sun and Heat: High summer temperatures can mean dehydration, overheating, and scorched paws.  Know the signs of overheating (excessive panting, increased heart rate, and weakness) and bring your furry family member indoors or to a cool, shady place.

3. Toxic Chemicals: Insecticides, citronella products, and glow sticks are toxic to pets.  Keep your furry family member away from areas where chemicals have been sprayed and ensure dangerous products are out of reach.

4. Parties & Barbecues: If your furry family member is joining the party, make sure guests don’t feed your furry family member human food (especially grapes, onions, avocado, and chocolate).

5. Hot Cars: Even with the windows open an inch, a car’s temperature can reach over 100° in 10 minutes on an 85° day.  Therefore, leave your pet safely at home on hot days.

 

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The above image is courtesy of the ASPCA.

Revisit: Word for the year — Flow

I figured since the year is nearly half over, it would be a good time to revisit my word for this year, “flow.”  I highly recommend having a word, mantra, or theme for the year.

Flow defined: flow /flō/ verb 1. move along or out steadily and continuously in a current or stream.

This year I have been working to be open and flowing with what comes my way.  I think I have been embracing this sentiment pretty well.  I feel like I have been doing a pretty good job in general — keeping things flowing and not getting stuck.  The word “flow” has been particularly useful in my photography project.  I am making steady and incremental progress on my project, while refusing to let hiccups and unforeseen circumstances derail me.  Through this all, I have learned that working on a large endeavor takes longer than initially anticipated, and you have to keep going and keep the faith.  My hope is that the ‘photo gods’ help keep things flowing to help me finish a solid draft of this project.  I will take any and all help I can get, if you know what I mean!

Happy Friday!  Have a great weekend!

 

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Blogs That Fill Me Up

Today I thought I would share what I’ve been reading lately that fills me up with inspiration.  I do not spend as much time as I used to reading blogs, for a variety of reasons including time and my desire to read more books.  I want to read blogs that build and inspire; and contain authentic stories.

With those things in mind, here are five of my current favorites that you might already be reading or might be new to you:

1. Today Is Going to Be Awesome — Lisa Congdon: I especially like the personal artists essays, which are inspiring.

2. Moments of Being — Dani Shapiro: Shares thoughts about living a creative life, specifically being a writer.

3. Elizabeth Gilbert: Contains interesting posts and thoughts about living a fulfilled and creative life.  I truly enjoy her posts.

4. Be More With Less: Contains interesting content about simplifying life and getting to the heart of the matter.

5. Gratefulness: Has interesting posts about finding gratefulness, in the smallest ways, along with sharing a daily, inspiring quote.

 

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Victory: Photography Project — 63

Beginning in January 2014, I started a weekly photography project with my muse, Victory!  I will continue to share this project on the blog this year!  My goal is to document all of Victory’s changes, while preserving fleeting moments and memories, while capturing moments of our everyday.

Doug made it home safely from Europe and brought Victory a special German toy, made by Karlie, which we named, the ‘monkey man!’  He wanted to find something unique for Victory that we could not purchase at home.  Victory loves her new ‘monkey man’ as it incorporates woven rope, which she loves to chew!  Each week, when I wash her blankets in her ‘hut,’ I am amazed to see all the ‘work’ she has completed on her toys.  Plus, she loves to hoard her many toys in her ‘hut!’  Some images are shown below!

 

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Victory also had a good Father’s Day celebrating her Daddy!  Doug made waffles with fresh strawberries and we ate brunch on the deck together.  Victory loves to be outside on the deck and she loves eating sampling of whatever we are eating — she loves waffles!  We spent the day together, we went to the pool, and Doug grilled for dinner and Doug, of course, made Victory a mini hamburger, and she sat intently and patiently waiting for more hamburger!

Here is Victory with her gifts before Doug opened them!

 

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Happy Monday!