There And Back Again

Let's begin with the obligatory late August photo: 

And now on to today's episode!

I gave it my best.

The  'serious'  blog.

Let's get real, folks-I mean have you seen me in real life?  

My life isn't pristine and pretty but it's certainly not an apocalypse.

NOTE:  I was looking at the online thesaurus for a fantastic replacement for apocalypse. This was the first thing that showed up so I stopped looking  and settled for it because here we are. 

So I guess it technically could be considered an apocalypse in the overall picture even it is a bit of a stretch. 

My life isn't something that can stay within nice defined boundaries.

I color outside the lines.   I remove mattress tags.  

I occasionally run with scissors. 

I drink milk past the expiration date.  My Christmas tree is still up. 

Yes, I march to the beast of my own drum.

No that's not a typo.  I said beast. 

I will elaborate on that another time. 

My intent was to post meaningful things that provoked thoughts that were philosophical in nature and not the I wonder if she's off her meds kind. 

The funny thing is that I had people message me asking if I was off my meds. Oh the irony....

 I'm more like an eclectic mix of chaospasm mixed in with passion, insanity, and a side of occasional adulting. 

What snapped me back into myself?  

An audio book I was listending to. I randomly checked it out from the online library because the title called to me for some reason. Include the cover shot of a raccoon that looked like it was on an extended mania spree pretty much sealed the deal. 

Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson

Pictured is the author and the book cover

This link will take you to the  free preview of the book. 

 Disclaimer: It is peppered with language but I promise if you can overlook it it's worth it.  

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Furiously_Happy/FS6NBwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover

As I have listened to it I got really excited because  I get it. 

I thank those of you who have stuck with my through the growing pains of finding myself back to this blog. 

 For some reason I got it in my head that by writing a 'serious' blog I was going to be a 'better' blogger.  

Well we can all see how that turned out.  

So this is just a quick update to say that I'm back-really back-and we shall continue on forging through this fantastic life of mine filled with nonsense and grit. 

The grit part isn't always fun to share but it's who I am and this is all-in or all-out.

At times we may go to uncomfortable places but they are part of the package. 

I hope you enjoy the ride. :)

Until next time,

-R

As always remember that there are only: 

And So It Begins

 

Water Wall at the entrance to the Discovery Center Museum

I woke up at around 5 a.m.-this in itself is award-winning since I've never managed to leave on any trip on time for the last couple of years. I went to wake The Midget-sure she was raring to go...and couldn't get her door open. (Did I mention she's going through an  "I'm sleeping on my floor" stage?).  Seeing my vision of leaving on time dissolving before my very eyes I creatively managed to get her door open and got her up.  

Live raptor at the Discovery Center Museum

Checked my list (ended up forgetting her toothpaste and toothbrush) and we were off.  The rain was so bad that the freeway slowed to about 20 mph for ten minutes or so, then it finally cleared up.  Was a nice and uneventful drive from Spokane to the Tri-Cities.

Saber-tooth Tiger Skeleton

I pulled in to my usual stop in Kennewick to gas up and get a drink. There were two van loads of soldiers in line for the loo and of course The Midget made a beeline right for them.  (this is nothing usual in the scheme of things)  She made her introductions and proceeded to chat away whilst we waited for said loo.  She wanted them to let us follow them to their base so she could see could visit everyone.

Beaver

I was at the register handing over the cash and heard "I'll be just outside the door, mom" and she vanished before I could holler "stop." The cashier gives me the 'pity' look (anyone who has dealt with kids will know what I am talking about) and I head to the door.  I step outside-NO MIDGET.  I called our her name and hear "I'm over here Mom!"

Pioneer Family exhibit-Crossing the Columbia River

Yep, she was with the soldiers.  They offered to keep her-I was tempted.  I let her finish up-she shook one of the gal's hands (I heard Mariah tell her that she was  really pretty in her uniform) and walked on over to me like she hadn't a care in the world. I reminded her of the imminent death that awaited her if she took off like that again. Appropriately chastised, we got in the car and continued our journey.

The Midget learning something cool.

The following conversation took place.

Midget: Mom I really want to go to their base and watch them train."

Me: Honey, you wouldn't have clearance. Not just anyone can go in.

Midget: I bet they would if I asked them very nicely.

Me: Sorry kiddo, I don't think so.

Midget: Well I'm just a kid and I can smile really nice and I'm sure they will let me in.

Me: Sigh...

Midget:  Mom, I know if I can do that really cool hand thing (demonstrates epic salute) they will let me in. Especially if I tell them how proud I am of them.

Me:  You just might get in after all.

After a VERY windy but basically uneventful drive we arrived at our hotel 3 hours ahead of schedule and there was no way to check in early.  Mariah was in rare form.  We get to the desk and before I can even say hi, she asked if the lady is from India.  She answered yes and Mariah let her know how much she loves people from other countries.  The lady was really sweet.  Then Mariah said that she would like to go visit the lady's family in India sometime. *FACEPALM* (omg I am so entertained by this).

 We killed the extra time by visiting the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, where she proceeded to try and talk the attendants into letter her take their pictures.  I had to remind her that she couldn't not take pics of people without their permission. One gal agreed but I interjected 'this one won't go on the blog' and the lady did a double take. I assured her she would remain anonymous. She did get a pic of a small live raptor, and several exhibits, which appear in this post.

We had lunch at our usual place, grabbed a mini blizzard at DQ, hit the store really quick, and we got checked in.  She spent the afternoon swimming and we are now chilling in the room. I think the day is catching up with both of us. I think an early bed time is in order..along with an early wake up-I want to take the scenic route from here to Portland so that I can catch several of the waterfalls on the way. 

Thus ends day one of our adventure...

Have I mentioned just how much I love my life?

Until next time,

Robyn

Yours truly, road weary and ready to chill.

Look Into my Camera Eye

Yes, amazingly enough-a double post! 

I hope this season is finding you well. Normally I am a basket case and SAD kicks in.  I've got good people around me and I've only had one dark day this season so far.  I even got my Christmas lights up outside.  Yes, my tree has been up all year but now it's fully decorated and pretty. I do plan to take it all down on January 1st.

I thought I'd be crafty and make my own 5 x 7 cards this year. It was great until I realized I needed to send out around 90 cards-I printed out 40 and then ended up getting some basic cards and mailed them with smaller 4 x 6 prints I'd had left from a shoot this summer. A bit of a costly lesson, but oh so worth it!

The cards:

 

 

 

I am getting the occasional commission now and it makes me feel both excited and fearful-what if I screw up?  What if I've somehow represented myself to be something I'm not?  And cue the ages old self-doubt I've blogged about a while back.

It's all a learning process for me.  I continue to learn from my mistakes and I really do ask for critical comments from others because it's how I learn.  Next up I'm going to take the foray into macro work.  I was going to buy myself a basic introductory macro lens but realized I already have a 4 lens kit.  It's a bit more work to experiment with it, but I have to start somewhere.

As a Christmas gift, I put together a really neat photo book for my parents. As dysfunctional, messed up, and painful as our relationship has been over the years, they have always supported my photography, and I thought it would be the perfect gift.

I should be getting it any day and after proofing it, will get it shipped of to them hopefully by Christmas.  It's a bigger, leather bound one and I'm pretty excited.  If I'm really happy with it I might treat myself and order a basic copy for myself.

I thought it would be fun to share a few from the book-I would love your honest (and gentle please) criticism and comments. Please note that these are low res versions or it would have taken FOREVER to upload them.

I wish you all a Merry and Bright Holiday Season!

Robyn :)

These have various copyright names as they were taken from 2005-2013.