Tag: sun

Fandango’s Flashback Friday: November 12th

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Fandango’s Flashback Friday: November 12th

Wouldn’t you like to expose your newer readers to some of your earlier posts that they might never have seen? Or remind your long term followers of posts that they might not remember? Each Friday I will publish a post I wrote on this exact date in a previous year. How about you? Why don’t you reach back into your own archives and highlight a post that you wrote on this very date in a previous year?

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This post was published November 12, 2020, but seems as relevant today as it it did one year ago. The world outside my window this morning…also cloudy and gloomy.

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Lens-Artists Challenge #122: The Sun will come out Tomorrow

…with everything that is happening in the world, it’s a good time to remember that, although everything seems gray, tomorrow the sun will rise again and it will illuminate everything.

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I am putting this post together on a cloudy, gloomy morning – so searching the archives for hopeful signs brought by the sun is a welcome positive distraction.

At the end of an afternoon visit to a nearby apple orchard this fall, I happened to glance across the road where a field of corn was planted. A sunshine spotlight!

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is cornfield-in-sun.jpg
Hampton Falls, New Hampshire

A ray of sunshine often surprises me during a walk in the woods…showcasing what lies within…

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is illumination.jpg

I was awake early enough one November morning in 2016 to catch this sunrise…

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is sunrise.jpg
Hampton Beach, NH

A sunset to remember in November 2018…

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is sunset.jpg
Exeter, NH

The sun…from morning till night…always a welcome sight to see.

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Instead of an inspirational quote, I will close with an inspirational song.

Enjoy…

Goodnight Sun

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Weekend Sky
BeckyB’s BrightSquare

During one of my treasured walks in the woods last November, the darkness of night began early…as it does that time of year. It crept up on me as I searched for bits of leaves, vines and milkweed pods and whatever else was hanging on despite the cold. Many deserved a close up as the light provided center stage opportunity. Click. Click. Click.

Hold still. The light is perfect. Thank you!

Then the sun began its predictable disappearing act…leaving a bit of brightness in the sky long enough to be captured. I appreciated the opportunity…as a few minutes later it was gone. And I was on my way back home.

Bright Spot

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BeckyB’s Squares Challenge is back!

The theme for April is “Bright” in all its manifestations.

I enjoyed a beautiful walk in the woods a few weeks ago and noticed a bright spot in the sky. The sun was shining and reflecting off trees still waiting for leaves to bud. Even though it was only 4:20 pm, the moon showed up too…showcased in a perfect frame for capture.

Lens-Artists Challenge: Letter A

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Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #126: An Alphabet Challenge — Subjects That Begin with the Letter A

We invite you share images that feature a subject that starts with the letter A. You can also include signs and graffiti with the letter A. For an added challenge, capture an image that illustrates a concept with the letter A, such as alone, abstract, or afraid. 

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A is not just for Apple (as I was taught in school). So, for this challenge I ventured away from that delicious example.

I’ll start with Ablaze.

During a recent walk through my favorite (and only) refuge in the woods, I waited until the sun dropped low in the sky. This doesn’t take long during a late November afternoon, as daylight hours shorten. The wait was well worth it. One of these days I’ll figure out how to avoid the sun spots when I take these shots, but for now I let it be.

The field lit up as if on fire…lasting maybe a minute. When the sun Appears low on the horizon, it demands one’s Attention and prompt Action to capture a photo before it’s too late…

Next up is Angles…

During a visit to an Art museum last year, I captured this shot of a wall visible from the cafe. Geometry was never even close to being my favorite subject in school, but I know an Angle when I see one. The sun…once more…doing its Amazing work…

Last…but not least…is Ass.

Yes, I know that sounds crude and perhaps inappropriate, but let’s remember…besides defining a body part or a human worthy of scorn, it names a member of Nature’s kingdom. Also known as a donkey.

When I visited the Shelburne Museum in Vermont last year, one exhibit consisted of a turn of the (last) century schoolroom. The room was full of Antique desks, a wood stove, blackboard and such. But what drew my attention were tablets hung on the wall – alphabet (and perhaps syllable) learning tools for young students of the day.

Apple was not used as an example for the letter A. The teacher at the time chose Ass.

All these years later, I learned some new interesting facts about this long maligned animal…

It also made me wonder when and why teachers Abandoned “A is for Ass” for “A is for Apple.”

Lens-Artists Challenge: The Sun will come out Tomorrow

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Lens-Artists Challenge #122: The Sun will come out Tomorrow

…with everything that is happening in the world, it’s a good time to remember that, although everything seems gray, tomorrow the sun will rise again and it will illuminate everything.

~~~

I am putting this post together on a cloudy, gloomy morning – so searching the archives for hopeful signs brought by the sun is a welcome positive distraction.

At the end of an afternoon visit to a nearby apple orchard this fall, I happened to glance across the road where a field of corn was planted. A sunshine spotlight!

Hampton Falls, New Hampshire

A ray of sunshine often surprises me during a walk in the woods…showcasing what lies within…

I was awake early enough one November morning in 2016 to catch this sunrise…

Hampton Beach, NH

A sunset to remember in November 2018…

Exeter, NH

The sun…from morning till night…always a welcome sight to see.

~~~

Instead of an inspirational quote, I will close with an inspirational song.

Enjoy…

Sunny Day

~ oneletterup ~ 16 Comments

Inspired by V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #84: Sun

Let’s evoke the power of the sun this week, with images, poems, and stories to warm us up.

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It’s warmer here Mom, my daughter informed me last week.

I was preparing to visit her & her family in Washington DC to babysit my 3 ½ year old grandson for 3 days of his pre-K school vacation.

I interpreted that to mean Spring warmth. Big mistake. It was still too cold…for me. I did not pack accordingly. Obviously too much wishful thinking.

I arrived on Tuesday to temps in the 40s, but with little or no sun.  Which continued into Wednesday, along with a cold biting wind that slowly but surely froze my hands and ears walking with this very active little boy…5 blocks to the library for story time. Next on to the park to climb, slide and run around (him not me) on Wednesday and again on Thursday. The grey day cold seeped in deeper as I had to retrace our steps to get on the right street (he redirected me). Five blocks turned into six…seven….

What is it about a cloudy cold day that can drain your energy more than usual? Even when you are doing exciting things like walking down the street hand in hand with a conversational little boy…following an orange garbage truck to watch the stopping and emptying of trash cans.

Or…Waiting and observing and discussing why 3 workers across the street are just standing around an open manhole cover clearly marked with caution tape…
Grandma what are they doing?
Waiting to see what happens next.
Grandma why are they doing nothing?

The temperature feels colder under a cloudy sky when you stop at every alley to watch for cars or trucks or whatever may come zooming out. Or walk the wrong way…twice…
Grandma that’s the coffee shop! We have to go that way over there!

I have no sense of direction – I freely admit that – but my brain was also frozen. That’s my excuse this week. As well as not being properly dressed for walking the streets of DC in February. My grandson remained unfazed by the cold and our adventurous routes around the neighborhood.

The overcast skies continued…until yesterday.

IMG_2403 2

What a difference that sun can make.

back yard sun

We played closer to home during my last day of Grandma time.

It felt just a bit warmer.

scooter

I love sunny days.

Photo a Week Challenge – Three of a Kind

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Nancy Merrill is hosting a photo challenge. The theme this week – Three of a Kind

IN A NEW POST CREATED FOR THIS CHALLENGE, SHARE THREE DIFFERENT PHOTOS OF THE SAME SUBJECT.

 

Spring is finally here. So says the calendar.

However, Winter’s damp cold dome of a sky has been holding on. Clouds blocking the sunlight.  The budding…and trying-to-bloom…trees…that I look forward to every year waiting to shine.

Until today. The sun was so bright, I nearly blinded myself taking these photos. But totally worth it. It’s supposed to rain for most of the coming week, so it was now or…who knows when.

The row of Callery pear trees…in full bloom at long last.

row of trees

tree closer
Looking up…

tree close up
Looking closer still

Spring Is Here!

 

 

Photo a Week – Sunshine

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Nancy Merrill is hosting a photo challenge. The theme this week – Sunshine

IN A NEW POST CREATED FOR THIS CHALLENGE, SHARE A PHOTO OR TWO (OR MORE) OF SUNSHINE

 

When the sun is shining, everything feels a bit better.
Warmer.
Creating a bright space for peeking.
Out a doorway.
Or a window.
Through the trees.

Inspiring songs, poems, smiles…and photographs.

A favorite part of living across the street from the ocean for 3 months?
This view out the balcony door on a magnificent sunny day…

sunshine beach

 

 

A favorite part of taking a walk last Saturday?
Discovering the sunshine…framing the trees.
Behind the main street…down a short hill…next to the river…
In my new hometown.

sunshine river