Photo a Day: Solitude
Tag: Photography
Cold as ice
Inspired by Lens-Artists Challenge #73: Cold
We look forward to seeing your interpretation of “cold”. It could be snow and ice, or a frosty window pane, or even your favorite flavor of ice cream!
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What a timely topic this week…
A recent walk turned crunchy as I navigated around an icy mess in the nearby woods. Freezing temperatures had recently followed close behind a cold rain…trapping the remnants of fall leaf survivors.
But I know it’s only a matter of time before the scene…once again…showcases a familiar blanket of white.
Sunshine’s Macro Monday – Survivor
Photo a Week: Brown
Inspired by Nancy Merrill’s Photo a Week Challenge: Brown
IN A NEW POST CREATED FOR THIS CHALLENGE, SHARE A PHOTO (OR TWO OR THREE) THAT FEATURES THE COLOR BROWN.
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This is an appropriate time of year to feature the often overlooked, under-appreciated color of brown.
The shades that grace our leafless trees, dormant grass and muddy dirt roads.
All of Me
Inspired by V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #73: Whole
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I am a whole person, I should have said to her. Look at me. Hear me.
The doctor in her white coat stood in front of the ever present laptop typing furiously as I spoke…trying to convince her to prescribe several weeks of antibiotics as a preventative measure for Lyme Disease.
I’m not just the tick bite victim, I also should have said. Or a statistic to fit neatly into your column on “how to treat.”
Of course, I didn’t think of these profound statements until later. When I was driving home and my controlled calm turned to anger.
I had my own statistics and studies to quote – to back up my request – but she would have none of it. She had her numbers and studies and her…reputation as the head of the medical practice. Avoiding antibiotics, even as a short term preventative was her mantra.
The tick that bit me 2 weeks ago tested positive for 2 types of Lyme. I paid $50 to have it tested. She brushed the report aside, explaining…I just assume all ticks around here have Lyme. It wasn’t on you long enough and you got the single dose of doxy right after.
But can you guarantee I won’t get it? But what if I am the exception…as I usually am?…I countered.
Back to her laptop. More typing. The power dynamic firmly in place. She stood as I sat. She paced. Clearly exasperated with my unwillingness to just agree to wait and see if I get the disease. The often chronic, disabling disease.
She knows I already have several chronic conditions…but her focus is just on this one piece of me. This one sliver of data.
There is a cure you know…she offers.
I don’t want to risk getting sick in the first place. I did say that.
After 45 minutes of debate…she extended a “compromise”…10 days of antibiotics.
I hope and pray that’s enough.
Time will tell.
Fantasy world of color
Inspired by Frank at Dutch goes the Photo: Fantasy
Your challenge is to use the theme of Fantasy and take it into your choice of creative directions; be it an image of your fantasy location, a fantasy that is in your mind, or whatever speaks fantasy to you!
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Does anyone remember watching the Walt Disney show on television…with the tagline “The Wonderful World of Color?”
Walt Disney’s “Wonderful World of Color” was one of my favorite programs when I was growing up. First only in black & white…and when I was 11…finally in color. When my grandparents gave us a Zenith color TV for Christmas. What a revelation! Color!
The show was broadcast on one of only three (!) network channels on Sunday night right before the Ed Sullivan show. A million years ago.
If I was lucky – and my mother didn’t notice that my sister, brother and I were still up – the Sullivan show morphed into Bonanza.
I escaped through television back then. I didn’t realize it at the time, but the make-believe lives of Donna, Samantha, Gilligan, Beaver, Chip & Ernie and Clark fueled my imagination for what an alternative reality might be. Unrealistic of course, but when you’re a little kid, you don’t know any better. It was a welcome relief to watch kind loving families with problems where it all eventually worked out. When the day was saved by a flying mouse. Or a flying man in a suit. Or even…a flying nun. When the world was a happy place in the end.
My fantasy photo for Frank’s challenge appeared to me on a walk yesterday.
A spot where grass and trees and water and light coalesced…
Via my magical, yet rudimentary, computer software – it emerged in its own wonderful world of color.
As the fantasy progressed…
a peaceful warmth emerged…
…my fantasy revealed.
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Red
Inspired by Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Red
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When is a perfect time for red?
When it’s your birthday…and your party is only a short car ride away.
Wordless Wednesday
Cactus Flowers in Waiting
Inspired by Lens-Artists Challenge #72: Waiting
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Over 20 years ago I received a Christmas cactus as a gift. I was encouraged by the fact that cactus plants have a reputation for survival.
In other words, it would be hard for me to kill it. As I often did with houseplants – unintentionally – much to my continuing dismay.
I think it flowered that first year, but rarely did it bloom as advertised…supposedly at Christmas time. So there it sat on a living room shelf…near the window…or away from the window…for years. I pruned it. Or I didn’t. No matter what I tried, my cactus remained…well…green. Dusting the branches didn’t help either.
But thankfully it stayed alive. For the most part.
When we moved several years ago, it mysteriously started showing signs of color and bloomed gloriously at our temporary beach rental that November. I thought the placement by a sunny window made it happen. Or perhaps it was waiting for us to downsize. I’ll never know for sure.
This October, I pruned my aging cactus and pumped it full of plant food at its spot by a sunny window. And I waited.
Nothing.
Waited some more.
Until one day I noticed buds…sprouting on the tips of almost every branch.
My visiting grandson was dutifully impressed (as only a 3 year old can be) when I announced: LOOK! Buds! They will turn into flowers! This is so exciting!
Another week passed.
I watched and waited. Carefully watered. Not too much. Not too little (just guessing at how much “enough” really was)…
Then, last weekend I noticed an explosion of sorts from one of the buds.
Waited another day.
And finally today…two days later…
A complete flower…
…with more to come.
Definitely worth the wait!
Sunshine’s Macro Monday – Almost Underfoot
Inspired by Sunshine’s Macro Monday #18
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During a walk in the woods a week or so ago, I remembered to look down.
Then I got a bit closer.
Let’s not forget what has fallen off those trees with the once gorgeous leaves and needles.
Before everything is crunched and flattened on the ground by wildlife or walkers such as myself.
Before it all eventually disappears…under the snow.
I believe there is always something eye catching in nature…even at the end of the life cycle.
one letter UP ~ diary 2.0 