i wish i could have the sun any time i wanted it
or felt i needed it.
that i could take it out of its box
and let it shine on me
whenever i feel that i'm getting too serious
or the walls are closing in on me

the sun can always soothe my hurts.
and soften me when i'm feeling hard and full of edges.
why is that?

self portrait tuesday

in
april's theme is low key/high key.

what is high key?
here's an explanation from wikipedia:...

"High-key lighting is usually quite homogeneous and free from dark shadows." i think about a white or very light background...not much or hardly any contrast on the subject because of a larger, more diffuse light source when i think about high key.

"Low key light accentuates the contours of an object by throwing areas into shade while a fill light or reflector may illuminate the shadow areas to control contrast." the way i think about low key is a dark background and more of a small light source.

hoping this makes sense?

it's a long one so you'll probably want to go to the bathroom first before you look at this post

hi!
i hope everyone is well.
i was the one that was spazzing a mere few days ago.
but i am no longer a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown
(for now anyway)
because the opening is behind me now.
and it was fun.
so fun.
and i can't thank everyone enough for their amazing support and outpouring of love shown to me.
so here's some of the night to share with you.....

first and foremost, i must tell you that my friend sara took the majority of these pictures.
she took mr. camera right off my hands and i now have these ultra-fabulous pictures and without her, i probably would not have even remembered to take one single shot.
so thank you sara. you rock for so many reasons and i love you.

















i want to tell you that a part of all the proceeds go directly to habitat for humanity. julia's coffee house is connected to a giant re-store that is owned and operated by habitat for humanity volunteers. the coffee is fair trade coffee and it houses a great bookstore as well as terrific coffee. the atmosphere is casual and relaxed which made it a perfect place to have an art show.

i want to thank my dear friend gillian for her invaluable support and for being such a true and strong rudder when i was in need of direction. and your apple green purse is to die for. i love you.

i thank all my family and friends whom i love so much, for all their encouragement and support.

i thank julia's coffee house for allowing me to become a small part of their wonderful community.

and i thank mr. ntm for being my biggest cheerleader and for believing in me. without you, this never would have even been a possiblity for me.
i love you.

so.
there it is.
i can now say i'm glad i took the risk.
who knows.
i may even be stupid enough to try it again.
maybe.




feeling a bit untethered this week.
i have a show opening on friday.
so, probably some anxiety.
probably a lot of anxiety.
a lot more than i think.
my dogs are fighting every night.
so upsetting.
i think they're picking up on my stress
and i feel so bad about it.

so......
i need to remember to laugh today.
and i will try to listen to myself.
plus i will try to remember that this anxiety that i'm feeling and whatever else that i'm feeling doesn't have to be named.
and it won't last forever.

and lastly, it might be a good idea if i could remember to try and enjoy what i've worked hard to get.

i think i'm actually getting on my own nerves.

i will not be around for the next few days so i can prepare to be artsy fartsy. when i come back to this space though, i will have pictures. lots and lots of pictures.
what.....you're surprised at that?

be back soon.

self portrait tuesday

in
march's theme is "headless"



photographer's stance #23

this is a popular stance for beginning to intermediate level.
mild to moderate physical exertion.
you may also have to put your hands out occasionally to keep your balance.
may include slow leaning to both sides and possible knee bends.

anything for the shot, right?

things to fill your weekend with


lazy.
eyes closed in the sunshine
lackadaisical mind drifting
laughing so hard that you can't catch your breath
so much fun that that you feel like you're 5 years old again
warmth down to your toes
sunshine that freckles your nose
food so yum that your stomach thanks you
sleep so peaceful that you're sure you've just been to heaven when you wake up
sex that makes you glow
and days that go by s-l-o-w

have a happy weekend!




learn from yesterday
live for today
hope for tomorrow

- albert einstein

my fellow shutter sisters are launching a new project on hope.
please go have a look
spread the word.

pink



yesterday, i went and got a mani and a pedi.
i swear i hadn't had a pedicure in about a year.
poor thing...she broke out in a sweat trying to scrape the funk off my feet.
after i got over the embarrassment, it was sheer heaven.
and now i have pretty pink toes.

don't wait to treat yourself.
do it now.

happy monday!



tracy,

i know you're worried.
you wonder if you're doing the right thing.
and if everything will be okay.
it seems that this period in your life will never end.
that every day is a constant, uphill battle.
but don't forget,
when you look down, worried that you're going to fall,
you'll see me there.
with my hands outstretched
ready to catch you
and hug you so hard and tight

and i promise i will not let go.
ever.

love,
d

thrifty



i am so lucky that i have the opportunity to go thrifting on a regular basis.
and i never even have to leave work to do it.
the non-profit organization that i work for started a thrift shop so that the money could be used to benefit the people that live there and may need it.

pretty smart, huh?
the woman that started this thrift shop has raised more than 100,000 for our organization.
she's pretty amazing.
in her 90's and still going strong.

people do such amazing things.


have an amazing monday!




question: "why is it raining?"
answer: because it's the weekend

question: "why did God invent blueberries?"
answer: to go in fage yogurt with almonds

question: "what will dawn do in the rain this weekend?"
answer: go to ikea and eat lots of blueberries and fage yogurt and wish it wasn't raining


happy weekend to you!


dear spring,

i have something i need to tell you.
i love you.
i love everything about you.
i love how you make the trees and bushes and flowers bloom.
i love how your morning light filters through the trees and they get all glowy.
i love how the grass gets green again and the earth comes to life.
and it's not just me that loves you, because the birds love you too.
they sing your praises every morning.
i love how you greet me in the morning when i wake up and linger into the evening hours so that i can enjoy every last drop of you.
i love you so much.
i don't even mind that your pollen makes me sneeze my stupid head off and my eyes feel like they're exploding in their sockets.
because i love you that much.

love,
d

p.s. don't tell the other seasons, they might get jealous