Out and about… again

Saturday was glorious! My first real photo hike in weeks and I took full advantage of the weather and my freedom. I drove out to South Walton County and traipsed around in the woods at Flatwood Trail near Grayton Beach State Park, then ambled down the road to Deer Lake State Park and its practically deserted beach (read:pristine and secluded) for some sun and sand time. I just stood in the surf and let the cool waves wash over my legs. Ahh….

If I had brought my suit, I would’ve parked my arse in the sand and soaked in more of the summer sun. Maybe next weekend?

You can click on any image to see a larger photo, or the series as a slideshow.

(Photos shot with a Nikon D60, using an 18-55mm, 55-200mm, 20mm f/2.8 wide-angle, 50mm f/1.8 prime lens, Nikon CoolPix S205 and/or iPhone4)

For more photos, please visit my Flickr photostream.

Submitted to Unknown Mami’s Sundays in My City

Great escape

When I was a kid – long before cable television, before video games, or DVDs, or the Internet – my friends and I played outside. All. Day.

We’d leave home after breakfast, only coming home for lunch, then heading back out again until it was dark. We had bikes to ride, games to play, balls to throw.

We’d roam around the forest, picking wildflowers and finding tiny treasures of stone and wood. There were competitions at the playground to see who could swing the highest, then jump out of the seat.

As I got older, other things occupied my time – school, friends, boys, books, work – and getting outside, escaping into the woods to explore and pretend, wasn’t so important any longer.

Today, I have a family and pets to tend, carpets to vacuum, shelves to dust, dishes and clothes to wash, bills to pay, and meals to cook. There’s little time for play.

Yet… it’s even more important now to find an outlet, to make time to escape. Each weekend I leave behind my chores and obligations, leaving home after breakfast and not heading back until dinner.

I find woods to explore, and dunes to climb,  pretending I’m a traipsing through never before seen wilderness. I wander the empty corridors of a long, empty fort, or among ancient cemetery stones, imagining past lives of piracy or country building. I am a kid again, playing make-believe, escaping from the predictability of a settled life.

Today is my weekly photo hike, and I haven’t decided yet where I’ll go, but wherever it is, I’ll make is a grand adventure.

Submitted to Weekly Photo Challenge. The theme was to, “share a picture that means ESCAPE to you.”

Backyard garden: flora edition

A combination of intermittent rain, traveling menfolk and unpredictable dogs, kept me close to home again this weekend. When a break in the weather gave me a small window of opportunity, I snuck out and took some pix of the shower drenched flora in my yard. The Girls, Hershey and Asta, followed me around, helping me decide what to photograph. They have a good eye…

You can click on any image to see a larger photo, or the series as a slideshow.

(Photos shot with a Nikon D60, using an 18-55mm, 55-200mm, 20mm f/2.8 wide-angle, 50mm f/1.8 prime lens, Nikon CoolPix S205 and/or iPhone4)

For more photos, please visit my Flickr photostream.

Submitted to Unknown Mami’s Sundays in My City

Walking shoes

Many miles to go
Adventures rescheduled, seems
I’ve mislaid my shoes

Haiku Friday is hosted by Lou at LouCeeL

Old downtown

The fam is visiting our daughter this weekend in advance of her graduation next week. The College Kid will receive her master’s degree on Monday, and we couldn’t be more proud.

Saturday we met up for a brunch of chicken and waffles (sorry, no pix, we ate a little too fast), then took a walk around downtown checking out all the vintage, and antique stores.

You can click on any image to see a larger photo, or the series as a slideshow.

(Photos shot with a Nikon D60, using an 18-55mm, 55-200mm, 20mm f/2.8 wide-angle, 50mm f/1.8 prime lens, Nikon CoolPix S205 and/or iPhone4)

For more photos, please visit my Flickr photostream.

Submitted to Unknown Mami’s Sundays in My City

Backyard garden: iPhone edition

On Monday, The Boy and I roadtripped to Auburn University with Asta. She was seen by a team (yeah, a team) of veterinary students and the orthopedic vet she saw previously in Pensacola. They were trying to determine the next course of action in her treatment. The migrating pin in her leg was causing more pain and discomfort than was originally thought, but despite our efforts to help her rehabilitation, the bone had not knitted as well as hoped.

After more X-rays and more exams, and a heartfelt plea from me about selling a kidney to pay for any additional surgery if needed, they decided to just remove the pin. To give her the best possible chance to avoid more surgery, Asta was also ordered on strict confinement/rest for four weeks.

We recently sold our large travel kennel, so once home, I had to improvise by penning her behind several ottomans. It wasn’t the optimal plan, but so far it’s worked well. After the first day home, Asta was already walking better, putting her foot down and using her injured leg.

Because I didn’t feel comfortable leaving her alone at home in her makeshift cell, and because my menfolk had other plans on Saturday, I stayed with Asta, letting her roam around the yard with me on my photo hike.

My meager garden has begun blooming and has the promise of a harvest soon. I have jalapeños, strawberries and tomatoes ripening. My jasmine is in blossom (the scent is intoxicating) and Gerber daisies adding much needed color to my front yard.

You can click on any image to see a larger photo, or the series as a slideshow.

(Photos shot with a Nikon D60, using an 18-55mm, 55-200mm, 20mm f/2.8 wide-angle, 50mm f/1.8 prime lens, Nikon CoolPix S205 and/or iPhone4)

For more photos, please visit my Flickr photostream.

Submitted to Unknown Mami’s Sundays in My City

Musical Echoes

This weekend I attended a Native American music festival, taking in the beauty and majesty of the culture…. as well as enjoying great food.

Throughout the day exceptionally talented flutists performed, some bringing a dozen or more different instruments on stage during their session. The songs were moving and achingly beautiful.

Each performer would also offer stories about their music, either telling folktales about the first flutes, or about what the songs were saying. A few of the performers also sang in their native language… it was amazing.

Seems that I can’t find enough superlatives to describe the event, but suffice to say I stayed the whole day.

And the dancers, in full regalia… I was literally on the edge of my chair watching.

One of the dancers explained that their regalia was like a family photo album. With different pieces handed down through generations or given as gifts from friends. He said that the dances also told a story.

The Hoop Dance, performed by two different dancers, using anywhere from one to 24 hoops, showed the connection between every one and every thing. We all play an integral part in this world, he said, and we have to work together to conquer hate.

Wearing a long skirt, adorned with 365 sliver cones, the Jingle Dancer performed a healing dance. Her movements adding a soft chiming sound to the music.

Traditional men and women’s dance were also performed, both somber and exciting to watch.

If you ever have a chance to attend such a festival, go! The dancers and musicians love sharing their talents and culture, and you will be richer for it.

You can click on any image to see a larger photo, or the series as a slideshow.

(Photos shot with a Nikon D60, using an 18-55mm, 55-200mm, 20mm f/2.8 wide-angle, 50mm f/1.8 prime lens, Nikon CoolPix S205 and/or iPhone4)

For more photos, please visit my Flickr photostream.

Submitted to Unknown Mami’s Sundays in My City