a short visit with nature

Leaf detail ~ Kenmore, WA ~ 07.06.06

Branch dance ~ Kenmore, WA ~ 07.06.06

Flower detail ~ Kenmore, WA ~ 07.06.06

I had an opportunity to be out in nature for a few minutes today. A little bit of misty rain, some birds chirping ... traffic zooming in the not so far off distance. You can view a short video, a brief moment in nature, here.

listening to Ain't No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

happy 4th

Fireworks over Lake Union ~ Seattle, WA ~ 07.04.06

I watched the fireworks tonight from a window at Swedish Medical Center. The point and shoot camera did an okay job. Held it up to the window to avoid the glare from the lights in the hallway. Shot a short video too, you can view it here. My apologies, in advance, for all the chatter going on the in background.

"The man who trades freedom for security does not deserve nor will he ever receive either." ~ Ben Franklin

reflecting

Clouds reflect the sun @ 9:21pm ~ Seattle, WA ~ 06.29.06

"To love what you do and feel that it matters -- how could anything be more fun?" ~ Katharine Graham

listening to A Song For You, by Herbie Hancock featuring Christina Aguilera

patterns

Windows ~ Seattle Public Library ~ 05.10.06

listening to By Your Side by Sade.

counting blessings

Sunset ~ Seattle, WA ~ 06.21.06

room with a view

Downtown Seattle from SMC ~ Seattle, WA ~ 06.28.06

listening to Winelight by Paul Brown

positive outlook

View from a room @ Swedish Medical Center ~ Seattle, WA ~ 06.27.06

one of two things

Bird on a Wire ~ Bothell, WA ~ 06.27.06

"When we walk to the edge of all the light we have and take the step into the darkness of the unknown, we must believe that one of two things must happen: There will be something solid for us to stand on, or we will be taught to fly." ~ Patrick Overton

listening to Ooh la La by Jeff Lorber

more

Storm over the Sound ~ Seattle, WA ~ 06.14.06

"And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." ~ Anais Nin

listening to More Than Fine by Switchfoot

rain delay

06.16.06 ~ Shot a little movie while waiting out the rain. You can view it here.

waiting out the rain

Rain & sun ~ Bothell, WA ~ 06.16.06

listening to Feeling Good by Nina Simone

oh happy day

Oh happy day, it's a wonder kat blogs is one-year-old today. How about a flower or two to celebrate the occasion?

Flower - Redmond, Wa - 06.07.06

Flower - Redmond, Wa - 06.07.06

No idea what specific kinds of flowers these are. If anyone knows, please share.

listening to Stitched Up by Herbie Hancock, featuring John Mayer.

get out of the box

"There are people who put their dreams in a little box and say, 'Yes, I've got dreams, of course I've got dreams.' Then they put the box away and bring it out once in awhile to look in it,and yep, they're still there. These are great dreams, but they never even get out of the box. It takes an uncommon amount of guts to put your dreams on the line, to hold them up and say, 'How good or how bad am I?' That's where courage comes in."
~ Erma Louise Bombeck

enrich the world

"You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand." ~Woodrow Wilson

This quote showed up in my e-mail this morning. It was exactly the thing I needed to hear (or in this case, read). Thought I'd pass it along. : )

documenting life

Snail crossing the front step @ Jeff's ~ 05.06.06

I guess I'd never seen a snail up close and personal before. Because I ended up spending an inordinate amount of time photographing it, making a little video of it as it traveled along the step. Later in the day I witnessed it's (unintentional) death, crushed under the weight of a shoe. No, not my shoe, no video or photos of the horrific moment either. Yeah, it was just a snail ... but I winced and felt pain as I heard the crunch nonetheless.

and the moral of the story is...

"Intending to make a new and better life, but never to find time to set about it is as...to put off eating and drinking and sleeping from one day to the next until you're dead." ~ Og Mandino

"How simple it is to see that all the worry in the world cannot control the future. How simple it is to see that we can only be happy now. And that there will never be a time when it is not now." ~ Gerald Jampolsky, MD

do be do be do

"Life's not about expecting, hoping and wishing, it's about doing, being and becoming. It's about the choices you've just made, and the ones you're about to make, it's about the things you choose to say - today. It's about what you're gonna do after you finish reading this." ~ Mike Dooley

tip toeing through the tulips

Look close, the shadow of a tiny spider shines through a petal ~ 04.22.06

listening to Pure by Superchick

lilac

Jeff's lilac tree ~ 04.09.06

on the hunt

Usually Easter Sunday yields photo upon photo of small children hunting eggs. This year, inspired by a friend who was in search of amazing images, we went on a different sort of hunt ... a photo hunt. Luckily, after days of gray skies and rain, the sun came out to play too.

Climbing the rocks in search of great images ~ Alki Point Lighthouse ~ 04.16.06

Ah, the beach along Alki Point, great weather, great fun. ~ 04.16.06

"Kiss your life. Accept it,just as it is. Today. Now. So that those moments of happiness you're waiting for don't pass you by." ~Unknown

sightings

I went to Port Orchard on Saturday. Shot an entire 1G card of photos on the ferry there and back. Heh, anyway ... here are a few images from the journey.

We're both (the horse & me) thinking this ferry ride is a bit rough. ~ 04.15.06

Storm clouds loom, as I shoot from the warmth of my car ~ 04.15.06

Perched in the rain at the Vashon Island ferry dock ~ 04.15.06

Someone once told me crows are teachers ~ 04.15.06

*For the few of you who might be interested ... no, these specific images were not shot with the p&s digicam.

illuminate everything

A view of downtown Seattle ~ shot from Bellevue, WA ~ 04.11.06

listening to the soundtrack from Everything Is Illuminated ~ love it!

sending in growth to sub for progress

"Progress always involves risk. You can't steal second base and keep your foot on first." ~ Frederick B. Wilcox

I would sub in the word growth for progress ... maybe then it (the quote) would be a homerun. Ha!

The sun is shining in Seattle today and we have daylight until about 8pm now ... woo hoo!

blog on

The last few days I've run across a couple of blogs that truly get to the heart.

One, I was already familiar with and check in on often (though less often lately as I've been overwhelmed with daily stuff) ... but is written by someone I only know through blogging. The other is fairly new to me, but is written by a friend I've known for a very long time. They are different. Both well written, one with sporadic entries ... the other daily. Yet somehow they both reach out and grab me.

Meet David.
Meet Seren.

listening to Smile by Chris Botti & Steven Tyler

who gives a $%#@!

I had a discussion with a friend recently, about grammar. Which was more heated than it needed to be, but I digress. At some point, the discussion briefly morphed into another topic ... profanity, and how it doesn't mean anything. Well, anymore. It used to mean something. Didn't it?

I remember when I was a kid and someone would say shit or damn and I'd be like, "Ummmm, I'm gonna tell". On rare occasion, I would hear my brother use the f-word. Which would send a direct signal to my brain telling my hands to cover my face, less the neighbor kids would see me blushing. Matter of fact, I was over 25 before I could use that word without blushing. And now, well, now it flips off the end of my tongue more often than I care to admit.

My point is that once we adjust to hearing it, my friend is right ... it means nothing to us. I ran across this article on the topic at cnn dot com. In it a woman is quoted as saying, "Everybody is pretending they aren't shocked ... and gradually people WON'T be shocked. And then those who want to be offensive will find another way." It's obvious to me, some of us really aren't shocked anymore. Does this say something about our society? I'm not sure anymore. I'm currently of the opinion that any effort to control anything is futile.

But really I think that quote can also be a metaphor for what's happening in our world. We pretend things don't bother us, or that nothing can happen or be said that would surprise us in this day and age. Then suddenly, without warning ... it's true. At least with the day to day things in our lives. Will this eventually cross over to natural and man-made disasters, murders, war? Will there be a time when we can't be shocked by anything? I personally know people who are already traveling this road. Do you?

wait ten minutes ...

Typical cloudy day, some blue sky peeking through over the Sound ~ 03.24.06

Typical cloudy day, rain coming in ... blue skies moving on. ~ 03.24.06

Typical cloudy day, blue sky gone (temporarily)... rain over the Sound ~ 03.24.06

This morning, the view from the window changed rapidly. While I didn't shoot every moment, these are an example of the old adage -- wait ten minutes and the weather will change. Made for a little bit of photo fun too! Have a great weekend!

turn that finger around

"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them." -- George Bernard Shaw

Heh, I love this quote because it gets to the heart of the matter. We have only ourselves to blame. But I can't help laughing out loud toward the end of the quote ... when my mind automatically turns to my profession (in the field of journalism). At which point I think, ethically, the "making circumstances" option isn't available. But I digress, Mr. Shaw was hopefully referring to other matters.

"Hoping means seeing that the outcome you want is possible and then working for it." -- Bernie S. Siegel, M.D.

do the right thing

Around noon today: I was in a hurry, as usual, so I chose the drive-thru option for lunch. Yeah, burger, fries ... ugh! Let's not think about it. Anyway, the total was $5.24 ... I gave the guy my money, a twenty and twenty-four cents. He handed back the change. I felt rushed, and I didn't check it. Just saw that it was two bills, the top bill being a ten — so I figured it was probably right. I pulled away from the window before putting it away. A block away, at a stop light I took the time to put the money in my wallet. Which is when I noticed he had given me a ten and a twenty back. I thought, "wait, that's $15 too much". Having been a cashier at a drive-thru for a large portion of my college years I knew that a $15 shortage was not a fun thing. Plus, I wouldn't be able to sleep if I didn't take it back, no matter whose mistake.

So, I went back. Parked, walked inside bypassing the line of people at the counter. When I caught the front counter employee's eye I said, "I just went through the drive-thru and he gave me back way too make change". To which I heard a man in the line call out, "Heh, I'll take it!". When I turned around to acknowledge him, I noticed the entire line was made up of middle-aged men, all looking at me like I was nuts. Or maybe they just haven't seen an honest person in a while so they needed a good look.

The manager came to the counter and thanked me for bringing the money back, offered me an ice cream, I declined. I just don't think that plain and simple honesty deserves a reward. Do we have to be rewarded to do the right thing nowadays? The guy working the drive-thru came over and took the money, then returned to the counter with my correct change and said, "I'm sorry". I guess he was apologizing for my inconvenience. But all I could think was, why did he apologize? He should have been saying thank you. Sigh.

Back to the line of middle-aged men (with the dumbfounded looks on their faces). I hope they mirror my actions. Maybe this will start a trend of doing the right thing, simply for the peace of mind of knowing it was the right thing.

The whole episode got me thinking about what's become acceptable in our society, and how we treat each other. More than once lately I've heard someone say they didn't do the right thing because, "it was the other person's fault" and why should they? That attitude frustrates me. I'm not suggesting we go back to the days of "Leave It To Beaver" or anything. Just common decency, maybe help someone out once in a while. Do the right thing.

take a minute, look up

Puffy clouds floating along the skyway -- Western WA -- 03.02.06

Rain clouds pass puffy white clouds -- Western WA -- 03.02.06

I do realize I've gone a bit mad about the clouds and sky ... again. There's just something drawing me in, I feel completely compelled to document them. No apologies. For those of you who rarely look up ... this is what you're missing. ; ) Enjoy!

release the shutter

A bright spot in the day -- Bellevue, WA -- 03.02.06

A bright spot in the day 2 -- Bellevue, WA -- 03.02.06

Cloudy swan? -- Bellevue, WA -- 03.02.06

These three photos were shot within an hour of each other from the same spot. The sun trying desperately to find it's way through the clouds. With the clouds eventually relenting and allowing the blue sky to show through. The second one I changed to black & white ... it just fit the photo. Anyway, something about each of them seems amazing. My part in that only being that I pointed the camera toward the sky and pressed the button to release the shutter.

sky blues

ripple of hope

"Each time someone stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope." ~ Robert F. Kennedy

on changing it up

I heard Olympic athlete Sasha Cohen say this tonight: "If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten." It's an Anthony Robbins quote and it's so true. It struck me in a big way even though I'd heard it before.

The thing about the Olympics that hooks me every time ... is how it brings everyone together. The back stories of many of these athletes are amazing. I love watching people overcome, succeeding despite any barriers that may be in the way (wherever they may live in the world).

an ever-improving path

"Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb." ~ Sir Winston Churchill

That quote just reminds me that life really is about the journey. Though sometimes the steps might not feel fruitful, they are ... in some way. Progress is progress, whatever it's size.

a little intrigue

You can view the (3.5MB) movie here.
Breakfast tea ~ 02.19.06

So ... at first, my intention was only to capture the tea steeping. Streaming from the tea bag into the hot water and accumulating near the bottom. Then I realized there are some other little, but intriguing, (at least to me) things going on here. LOL. Just a short glimpse (eyes & ears) into 43sec. of breakfast-time at this small restaurant.

listening to Steven's Last Night In Town by Ben Folds Five

the same, but different

Breakfast flower ~ 02.19.06

Breakfast flower 2 ~ 02.19.06

Same tulip ... different background, different point of view. So, this morning during breakfast ... there was a vase with flowers on our table. The tallest of which, was this tulip. On the fly, I used what was immediately available for background material. But later decided that in order to draw the attention where it rightly belongs, to the flower, it might be fun to remove the color from the background. I hardly ever play with photoshop in this fun way, so it was a blast!

sunlight & shadow

You can view the (400kb) movie here

listening to Comfort Eagle by Cake

i second that

"Everyone is always trying to cram so much into their schedule. I say fight back, take a stand, take a nap!" ~ Margot Black

windy day

You can view the (2.2MB) video here.

Weather report: It's been cold & windy around here the past few days. Today, not so much windy, but still cold. Saw this flag flying, thought it's tattered edges would be good example of just how windy it's been.

finger painting in the sky

Driving home this evening, this was the view in the sky ~ 02.16.06

woods

You can view the (9.3MB) video here.

Driving down a back road the other day, saw this stand of trees ... found the pattern visually interesting.

nice reminder

"If I do not want what you want, please try not to tell me that my want is wrong. Or if I believe other than you, at least pause before you correct my view. Or if my emotion is less than yours, or more, given the same circumstances, try not to ask me to feel more strongly or weakly. Or yet if I act, or fail to act, in the manner of your design for action, let me be. I do not, for the moment at least, ask you to understand me. That will come only when you are willing to give up changing me into a copy of you." ~ Kiersey

"Expect people to be better than they are, It helps them to become better. But don't be disappointed when they are not; It helps them to keep trying." ~ Merry Browne

protection

Hydro towers appear to be guarding Mount Rainier ~ Seattle, WA ~ 02.11.06

listening to What A Fool Believes by the Doobie Brothers

false start

Blossoms begin to show themselves ~ Redmond, WA ~ 02.13.06

Blue-skies, sunshine and Spring-like temperatures have begun to fool nature, and us, into thinking it's safe to emerge from our safe protective cocoons. Hope the plants survive. The low tonight is supposed to be 21 degrees fahrenheit. A trend that's predicted to continue throughout at least the next week. Brrrrr.

time, time is ticking

In case any one is wondering ... I've been collecting images and videos here and there the past week with the intention of posting them here. Time has been the enemy in that endeavor. Hoping to make it happen in the next few days.

"Reality is the leading cause of stress for those in touch with it." ~ Jane Wagner

sunshine and smiles

View the (4.0MB) video here
Out for a walk on a sunny day ... blue-skies have returned!! ~ 02.05.06

I have no idea what kind of plant this is, but it's showing us some early signs of Spring. Though the older growth up top looks a bit like a tiny alien growling at me. Hmmm. ~ 02.05.06

Woo hoo! Sun shining through the trees! ~ 02.05.06

I see a swan dipping her head into the blue waters, err .. umm sky. : ) ~ 02.05.06

Absolutely beautiful day on Sunday. Little disappointed about the Super Bowl loss. But as a friend of mine said yesterday (even though I didn't want to hear it) ... it's true ... that our Seahawks beat themselves (though it's also true the officials made some horrid calls). Still a great season though!

listening to Dreams by Fleetwood Mac

high winds, heavy rains

View the (7.2MB) video here.
Driving home Friday night ... high winds and heavy rains. ~ 02.04.06

take your best guess

All things abstract, with a touch of dust. ~ 02.04.06

listening to Kodachrome by Paul Simon