Arboretum Magic

After many years of avoiding photo clubs because I chose not to compete with my images, I’ve re-connected with the first photo club that I joined back when I was just learning photography.

It’s called  the Women’s Color Photo Club. The club was founded in 1944 when the founder, Thelma Beers, discovered that the Twin Cities photo club she wanted to join was limited to men only. For 78 years this club has been meeting and supporting women who enjoy making photographs.

Different people can photograph the same things with the same tools and create such different images. We are the strongest filter we can place on any lens. We always point the lens both outward and inward.

   — John Paul Caponigro

I am re-joining the group because I miss talking about photography with others who also enjoy it. Plus I miss going out with others to make photographs. Because the club no longer judges images or competes for “points,” I’m looking forward to being involved again in a photo club. This “no competition” kind of club feels better to me because I can easily get wrapped up in comparison and ego trips. When I do that I lose the joy that making photographs brings me.

My interest in photography has something to do with aesthetics, and that there should be a little beauty in everything.

   — Imogen Cunningham

Yesterday I joined several photo club members at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum for a walk-about with camera. It was

Arboretum Magic

Daffodils, magnolias, azaleas, squill, wildflowers, pasque flowers, and a few tulips were in magnificent bloom. Everything is moving quickly now that warmer weather has arrived. This morning on my bike ride I saw lots of violets in bloom in the neighborhood as well. If you want to enjoy the blossoms of springtime now is the time to get out to see them!

Speaking of Bike Rides

This spring I decided to buy a new bike because riding a bike has always brought me joy. Yesterday after having a couple of severe pain issues the first couple of times I rode my new bike, I had a bike fitting at Tria Orthopedics Physical Therapy in Bloomington. I’m not sure that I learned a lot, except that I apparently chose well with my new bike. (And that the initial pain episodes were probably caused by having the seat too high on one of the bikes I trial rode at the bike shop.)

We didn’t make a single adjustment to my new bike. I learned a couple of exercises to help strengthen my wrists and hamstrings. And mostly I was simply encouraged to get on my bike and ride — lots of short rides for awhile to build up my stamina and endurance. Then as I get stronger, I can hopefully ride longer and further.

What a joy! I had such fun riding this morning on the street and on trails through a nearby park area.

Choose Joy!

It reminded me that it’s worthwhile to pursue activities that bring me joy. Sometimes it may seem self-centered or unnecessary with everything else that’s happening in the world. But I don’t think so. We need more joy!

What are you doing to bring joy into your daily life?

May you walk in beauty.

Lots of photos today, hope you don’t get tired of seeing all of them.

Tulips ready to burst into bloom

Volunteer tulip in the daffodils