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The Art of Seeing – Week 3

Quote of the day:  “In photography, observing is the first and most important skill we have to learn. Learning to observe requires us to set time aside to “see” familiar things.” ~ Freeman Patterson Photography and the Art of Seeing My photography lesson this week is not what I had planned to work on. But there is an old saying, “If you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans.”  Instead of working on photography last week I spent quite a bit of time with relatives . We had two extended family members have unexpected surgery last week (ovarian cancer Read more…

By Marilyn, ago

Bring your gifts to life – express yourself, be yourself

Quote of the day: “There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique.” ~ Martha Graham How do you express yourself?  Do you make music? Do you dance? Do you cook?  Do you garden?  Do you write?  Do you program computers?  It doesn’t matter what, it just matters that it makes you come alive.  Express yourself today.  Do something you love. My best friend is a musician. She comes alive playing the piano and making music.  Read more…

By Marilyn, ago

The Gift of Solitude

Quote of the day: “Inspiration comes to us slowly and quietly… prime it with a little solitude.”  ~ Brenda Ueland Taking time out to allow seeds of inspiration to appear and germinate is helpful every so often.  Entering solitude is one of the best ways to nurture inspiration.  Today I am taking time out to do a little dreaming, a little writing, a little cleaning, a little swimming – time to allow inspiration to come to me slowly. When was the last time you enjoyed the gift of solitude?

By Marilyn, ago

Gifts of ordinary wonder and beauty

Quote of the day: “May you experience each day as a sacred gift woven around the heart of wonder. ” ― John O’Donohue, Eternal Echoes: Celtic Reflections on Our Yearning to Belong Oh, how I love to live in a state of wonder and gratitude. Every day becomes a gift.  Beauty shines out everywhere I look.  Some days it’s easy to live there. It happens as naturally as breathing in and breathing out.  Other days, it’s only by application of great discipline that I find any grace or wonder or gratitude. For me, the practice of deliberate gratitude helps.  So does Read more…

By Marilyn, ago

Purple Power

Quote of the day: “I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don’t notice it.” ~ Alice Walker The Color Purple I’ve been thinking of springtime, so in my mind’s eye, I imagine fields of purple iris, the scent of lovely lilacs in bloom, and fragrant purple hyacinths.  Purple is a powerful color and I love it! This week I’ve been playing with photographing a small bouquet of purple iris.  Mmmmm…. lovely. Yesterday, when I set the vase of flowers on a chair briefly while re-arranging the table, Gracie the cat Read more…

By Marilyn, ago