Ben

G is for GOAT
Heres Joans' remaining goat, gentle Ben, he is so sweet, loves his head rubbed, and loves dog cookies. When I go into the fenced area to drop my food scraps I've brought over for the chickens, he'll come right up next to me and I'll feel this warm breath blowing in my ear. Like hes trying to tell me something....cooookieeees.........
He's incredibly socialized, as are all her animals- Joan does this bonding thing when they are born, I have to ask her, theres a name for it I can't remember.
Everyone is like family, all her creatures, great and small.

The daily flog

F is for FEATHERS
Been busy revising and uploading website changes and working on some display ads for my new client. Had a meeting this afternoon in Kerby regarding some signage for the Guild. The new gallery and addition is wonderful and I'm looking forward to creating some big banners with the logo materials I did a year or so ago. Meanwhile todays pic was tough, I walked around in the drizzle looking for something and settled on a couple feathers Dave put on a board, and called it good, not a lot of time to play today.
I stopped at Joans on the way back from my meeting in Kerby to take some pics of Ben, mr goat (for tomorrow) and pick up some eggs.

Keeping it Simple

E is for EGG
One of the staples of my diet, I decided on the egg as my subject matter for today. That part was simple, yes indeed. Chose a location, ....every surface in my house is a stage of garage sale items and found objects arranged in an every changing rotation of hodge podge interior desecration. Martha with a disorder that has yet to be identified, but involves kitschy steroids.


In the past six months it seems like these little plastic toy soldiers have been turning up everywhere, maybe they have always been part of the landscape unnoticed, but not until last summer on a camping trip to the Chetco, did I begin to start picking them up and utilizing them randomly and erratically.


I walked around the house picking up a few other items of eclectic and unrelated interest till I sensed I was going too far. I was relieved and gratified that I had not resold those cool Pottery Barn plates I picked up for a song at a garage sale this past summer for two bucks, each one of the four has a beautiful illustration from a vintage french poster.


The egg shells from breakfast still on the counter inspired me to head outside and grab the bird nest I considered using for B day and then set up the shot that made me think, ah now I'm really going tooo far.... especially when I saw all the little spiders frantically exiting it.
I try to remember to keep it simple, but instead I'm normally a runaway train and here's eggactly what I'm talking about.
Click here for the one I decided to submit for Charlie Bears Alphabet Photo Challenge, as well as the other submissions!
Thanks for taking the time to read, and comment!

Diggin it!

D is for DOG
Oh so much fun checking out all the photos being submitted for the Alphabet Photo Challenge from across the country and across the pond. While the midwest shivers, and my Brother in the Northeast- along with the UK shovels snow, we are getting some warmer temps and I'm able to sit outside and soak up some sunshine these days.
Todays' photo was taken at Daves, I gave him this little dog a few years ago for Christmas, it reminded me of Bullet. I didn't do much other than point and shoot, it was sitting there backed by a couple of white plastic ukeleles as I was poking around looking for some 'D' material. I love the background picture in the left corner of Daves kids, Brian is out of college two years now, and Daniel, the baby in the picture, is a senior in high school and a talented guitarist and artist.
I submitted the alternate without it, because I thought the composition was better.
Work to do so I'll stop rambling...

See the U.S.A. in your...

C is for CHEVROLET
There ARE those commercial advertising jingles buried in my brain that take me right back to being a kid growing up in the 50's. The most brilliant one that comes to mind is the Chevy one, with a close second being the Oscar Meyer wiener one. This road warrior was probably not the model that most people imagined themselves flying down the freeway in, hair blowing in the breeze.
...around these parts, there are quite a few of these dinosaurs still going strong and adding visual interest and beauty where the rubber meets the road.
Todays photo submission for the Alphabet Photo challenge was taken on "G" street, here in beautiful downtown Grants Pass.

Challenged

I know that each and every day is a leap of faith in one way or another.
And for instance, that it IS a personal choice to believe that Punxsutawney Phil could be wrong and we will get an early spring... my tooth implosion will improve, and I will be able to eat solid food soon... that the sun will come out today and the days ARE getting longer. I have to believe that my new client I'm working for will come through with the financial compensation he promises from the income generated by the marketing materials I am working on. I have to believe that as I am challenged, I can deliver and not in anything other than to the best of my abilities kind of way.
Lately my trust has been challenged by clients who have taken advantage of my creative talent. Promising me raises that haven't been followed through on, and when questioned, canceled my contract, and presently a job offered that hasn't happened because the previous designer changed her mind about leaving... when challenged by finding a better position.
I try to find the silver lining in every situation presented to me, to look back on the previous week and see what I have accomplished and learned. What have I done that has contributed to my dream, my goal, my big picture.
In the face of being challenged creatively, financially and attitude wise, have I been kind and walked my path with the solid belief that things will improve, and I am being taken care of. That in spite of a string of heart breaks and poor choices, that my soft place to fall will be there to catch me for the long haul.
....and the bottom line, embracing the fact that faith is a constant and challenging workshop I have to believe in.
In January, my friend Lori forwarded me these "Words of Wisdom for the New Year" and I have been trying to work them into a blog post. Todays' seems appropriate...enjoy.

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile.
It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
Talk to God about what is going on in your life.
3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to ________ today. I am thankful for ___________'.
4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper.
9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument - agree to disagree.
13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years will this matter?'
17. Forgive everyone for everything.
18. What other people think of you is none of your business.
19. GOD heals everything - but you have to ask.
20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch!!!
22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for _________. Today I accomplished _________.
24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
25. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings. You'll be smiling before you know it.

Skipping the Stupidbowl

B is for BROOM
Well theres actual sunshine out my window, so no chance I'm staying in to watch the sports event of the year. Got my days photo sent off to Charlie, and I'm outa here.
Made some serious progress this morning on some marketing materials I'm working on, and my tooth is feeling better than yesterday.
Life is good and getting better.