eLPy's Blog, page 22
March 4, 2014
A New Day – 37 – A Little Piece of Heaven
I walked in to the Garden Center at Vandersalm’s-Flipse Flower Shop and Garden Center in search of supplies for repotting my Orchids (bark mixture, fertilizer, new pots) and was instantly swept away into a paradise of better times to come. The wave of warm humid air inside the greenhouse structure was…calming. The smell of dirt and plant life was peaceful and rewarding. I wasn’t there to buy any plants, and knew for once I really wouldn’t, but I had no choice except to wander through the entire center taking it in with every sense. There were loads of succulents and luckily I’m not a child with my parents so no one was there to tell me I couldn’t touch anything. I touched the leaves, running my fingers along them tenderly. It’s amazing how their thick leathery “skin” feels like well, skin. There were some flowering plants but the majority was young plants preparing to go out into the natural world.
It was like being transported to another time and place. I felt overwhelmed with peace in my heart and so full of joy to be experiencing what I was, walking through a little piece of heaven. I thought about you people here who may be and are reading my blog and I said, okay be sure to tell them that: If you like plants, to any degree, and you’re feeling down and out about all this cold, this hard winter, go visit your nearest Garden Center/Nursery. Make sure ahead of time that they have an open greenhouse like this one does and just wander around. Take in the scents, the sights, the sounds, and the textures all around you. I felt a bit of envy towards the people working there, all I could think was man this must be great to be in here caring for these little wonders, propagating them, and preparing them for the big world out there. How rewarding. The warm thick air was like a comforting blanket of serenity. Every time I passed an employee, or they me, and said “Can I help you with anything?”, all I could do was express my utter glee and how amazing it felt in there, how it was heaven and how lucky they were. I was all smiles and happy thoughts.
The message that greeted me when I entered the Garden Center, and thinking of my brother, I just had to share it.
[image error]
This is small “Fairy Garden” set up at Vandersalm’s Flowershop.
A creature plant! I love planting frames like this, plant something that climbs and crawls and it fills in the shape for you. A doggie plant at Vandersalm’s!
A small succulent at Vandersalm’s Flowershop, one of MANY.
The post A New Day – 37 – A Little Piece of Heaven appeared first on Little Face Publications.
March 3, 2014
A New Day – 36 – The Light Ahead
As she walked along the path banks of snow walling her in she was warmed and intimidated by the bright light ahead of her. It was blinding, but it was a signal, a sign that spring is surely on the horizon. Bundled in scarf and coat, and gloves and boots the days of the sun seemed mythological. Everyone around her, everyone she knows longs for their return. And yet, looking around she almost feared it.
A winding path of pavers to their front door, long since covered by bricks of snow and ice, stuck out and appealed to her senses. Across the street, their front door enveloped by ornamental grasses and shrubs that surely impress in their own time reminded her of the long list of plans she has for her own yard. Oh the work that lay ahead almost makes the two, three feet of snow welcoming. The sun was like a spotlight during rehearsal. She went through all the steps and tasks that would be undertaken, that had to be done in the nearing future. She even fumbled over her feet in her dreams and mind. The patio must make the place look like a little backyard paradise, a place for entertaining. Take those extra pavers along the edge of the landscaping along the fence, stain the fence, finish staining the deck. One step, two step, left, right, hop once to the front then twice to the back. Will the Irises come back, or did the arctic vortex kill them once and for all? The double bench arbor will need to be built and put in place after the landscaping bricks are moved and built into the water feature; then surely it will need to be painted and treated to some degree. Never mind plantings, oh there will be plenty to plant.
The mighty star that lights the way.
Her heart skipped around in her chest like a frog trying to get out of a net. But for now, she’ll accept being buried under the piles of bitter cold days. She had much to prepare for, the show was on once the heat rolled in on its wave-like the tide. It was like a beacon guiding her way, the light of summer stardom. For now she’s almost joyfully content with the little impostors that are lampposts.
The post A New Day – 36 – The Light Ahead appeared first on Little Face Publications.
March 2, 2014
A New Day – 35 – Orchid of Desire
Girls love jewelry. Girls love flowers. But some girls need Orchids.
Phaleonopsis
The post A New Day – 35 – Orchid of Desire appeared first on Little Face Publications.
March 1, 2014
A New day – 34 – Patterns
When it comes to clothes, some of us like patterns, others not so much. I’m on the side of “it depends”.
Patterned behavior isn’t always a good thing, but it isn’t always bad either. Don’t you love the humorous antics of your best friend, partner, or family members? How they break out in song about any and everything whenever they’re in a good mood or how they fold their lips in and under themselves when concentrating? The way they say certain words, the fact that they are always the last to finish eating, how they start off their sentences the same way every time they’re about to tell you all about some grand idea. Patterns in people can serve as identifiers as well as be annoying.
…and then it even one-ups itself with patterns, more and more of the same thing…
And these are all pretty obvious beauties. But time and time again – and I will continue – I’ve tipped my hat to the ordinary, and that’s the beauty of art and artists. We have an eye for seeing the ordinary for more than that curse of a word. But what about the ordinary that’s not always so obvious? I’ve shown you mums, very common flowers that I think everyone has seen year after year, most especially in the fall. People plant them all over in large groups while it is already in their nature to “mound”. These mounds of flowers are always a spectacular sight, and it just so happens I saw these in Meijer shopping center.
Keep looking though because nature provides us with interesting patterns right next to us, like when we’re walking…
Kind of looks like a topographical map doesn’t it? Nature doesn’t even need to try to be artistic. Maybe we could all learn from this, that being creative doesn’t require the greatest of efforts to just get started. So, get to work!
Just look around…
Other posts about the extraordinary ordinary (though not patterns):
The post A New day – 34 – Patterns appeared first on Little Face Publications.
February 28, 2014
A New Day – 33 – Interview with Old Man Winter
Good evening folks and welcome to this entry of A New Day, brought to you by Little Face Publications.
Today we have a short interview with a very special however unfavorable guest: Old Man Winter.
I found the old man while walking my dog today in the bitter cold of the Midwest. He was tucked away and seriously camouflaged in the bark of what I believe is a Hop Hornbeam tree. I was so intrigued with the cracked layers and “warty” appearance of its bark that myself and my camera were drawn to it. To our surprise this was when we came face to face with Old Man Winter.
Me: Mr. Winter -
Old Man: Call me Old Man
Me: Okay, Old Man, how do you feel about your latest turn of events the return of this bitter cold and negative temperatures?
Old Man: To tell you the truth, I’m damn proud, couldn’t be happier really.
Me: You don’t worry about what people are saying about you? How they’re more than ready for you to leave and welcome Lady Spring?
Old Man: I don’t much give a hoot about gossip. Don’t really get how it’s fair that all you folks get to sit around bashing me when I’m just doing my job. Everybody saying this and that complaining and nagging like old women, oh it’s too cold, there’s too much snow…blah, blah. Can’t even give an old man credit for doing his work.
Me: Well Mr. Winter, I mean, Old Man with all due respect you’ve made things very difficult this year, for everyone. There’s more snow than we even know what to do with and I heard a statistic earlier on during the Polar/Arctic Vortex that the time to frostbite from exposure was 30 minutes. What do you have to say for that?
Old Man: What do you think I have to say? I did a damn good job, so good in fact that gave me awards for all the records I broke, hell they just put a crown on me calling it Polar & Arctic Vortex what have you. It ain’t even my work if you want the truth, the Arctic and Polar Ice Caps and what-not. It’s the big boss don’t cha know, my element and all but I’m proud ya know, I’m damn proud. How can you blame me for doing my job better than anybody?
Me: Well, last year Old Man I remember people were praising you to the high heavens, you broke records then too with your mild temperatures, and you made people happy. Does that not sit better with you?
Old Man: Now come on young lady, if I told you you did a mild job with this interview, how’d you feel? E’er body telling you your work is mild and all. I doubt that. Twenty years from now you’re going to want people to remember you for being strong and if they do you’ll look back and be proud. And for the last time, that’s what I am, damn proud about this winter.
Me: Okay, fair enough, I’ll give you that. So how much longer do you think you’ll be around and working?
Old Man: [Laughs] Wouldn’t you like to know sweetheart! I guess the world will just have to wait and see!
And there you have it folks, straight from Old Man Winter himself. He’s more than proud of this winter and wishes we’d all just give him credit for doing good work. Unfortunately he wouldn’t give us any time he plans to make his exit so keep your layers on and stay warm, Lady Spring’s shift is coming soon. He did allow us to share a few pictures with you though. Enjoy and please share your comments on what he had to say below.
The post A New Day – 33 – Interview with Old Man Winter appeared first on Little Face Publications.
February 27, 2014
A New Day – 32 – Back around
A lot of us are feeling the strain of winter right now, the pull on our backs and shoulders from shoveling, the frustration born from getting stuck, being late, missing appointments, and not being able to get out of the house. We’re like so done with winter. How many of you have gotten stuck more than a handful of times? Gotten in a weather-related accident (hopefully no one was hurt)? Had to reschedule more than one appointment, more than once? Or live in a coma of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and depression?
Then all over the country affected by Polar/Arctic Vortex we had a bit of a warm up over a week ago (Day 28 – A Great Find). It was really nice. In the Midwest in places we had temperatures nearing 50 degrees! I knew the snow wouldn’t melt in its entirety but I was happy to see it shrink. We even had rain, great in the spring not so great when things are still frozen but still it was warm. That was until…it came back.
So much for melting
Just when I thought walking my dog in the park had gotten a little bit easier with some of the snow gone it came back. And so did the below freezing and below zero temperatures. The don’t think I’m gonna run tonight temperatures, the don’t think twice, I’m not coming out temperatures, the this cut this walk short temperatures, the…okay you get it. I think we can all agree this was a major set back. Then a family member had the nerve to remind me we’ve still got March to worry about (you know who you are!). I was trying to be optimistic about March, about spring, about melting and warming and less layers.
Not only are we blanketed in snow but the outdoor world is suffering under yet another wave of cold.
I photographed this English Ivy earlier this winter but now it looks like the prolonged cold is taking its toll.
Seeing this English Ivy again (from Day 2) was a bit disheartening as it appears to be suffering from the elements now. Whereas in the previous photo from Day 2 it looked strong and full of its evergreen life. Looking out into the backyard I see that my Irises next to the garage – whose leaves have been poking above the snow which is hardly deep there – are no longer evident.
It reminds me a lot of how we’re all feeling, like we’re barely making it. But going forward I have to go back to the beginning of the year. That was a time when so many of us were positive, excited to have welcomed another year into our lives and proudly spouting off about our resolutions. And yet we knew we had a lot of winter left even if we didn’t know just how bad it was going to be.
And so I have to take the upper road here and say, at least now we really can see the sun on the horizon. In two days we’ll be in March, a positive sign in and of itself. Before we leave winter behind and pat ourselves on the back for surviving it let’s go back around to the beginning in our minds and reflect on what this winter hibernation has done for us.
This winter for me has introduced me to a lot of new blogging colleagues as well as the concept of a project 365. It’s provided me with a lot of great snowy, wintry pictures. How about all that shoveling? Well that’s exercise I wouldn’t have gotten had I not had to shovel so much. This winter I added a lot of new goals to my list, including 6,000 words a week, which I have made by the way; even when I’m not on time I quickly make up for it and tend to forget about the words here which means I write more than 6,000 a week easily. I have more website views and visitors than ever before and built new confidence in this. I’m more comfortable blogging and have created some great pieces I’m excited to submit somewhere. Writing 6,000 words a week has helped me to embrace the reality that I’m working on a novel (yup, more on that on Friday).
Coming back around I embrace what’s been really positive; this cold, freezing cold downtown has helped to prepare me. But coming back around also gives me a chance to re-engage with what hasn’t worked and what I haven’t kept up with. If there’s one thing I hate about New Year’s resolutions it’s how easy they tend to slip away as the year progresses. For starters I have been so bad about sending in any submission. I didn’t get back on that horse, I left the horse in the barn! I’ve got to schedule some poetry readings and continue my efforts to gain visibility. There’s a host of other goals I’m revisiting and maybe you should do the same. I think it’s a great opportunity to bring those things to the forefront or kick them to the curb all together and use the excitement for spring to rebuild and renew your excitement for your goals. Soon our projects are going to burst open and everything’s going to change. So let’s suck it up and prepare!
Cheers to re-engaging your goals!
The post A New Day – 32 – Back around appeared first on Little Face Publications.
February 24, 2014
A New Day – 31 – Delish
In addition to my writing, my book, my first project 365, I’m really excited about spreading my culinary wings this year. I’m a big (new) fan of Yummly. I’ve found a lot of great recipes, some I’ve followed to a T, others I’ve added my own twists to them. This is just one more creative outlet that has the added advantage of having everything to do with taste. So for this day I took a picture of some things I made for dinner, please excuse the burnt chicken wings even if they’re covered in a delicious garlic parmesan sauce (I wasn’t paying attention and left them in the oven a little bit too long, oops.)
Otherwise I’ve made for you tonight Pizza Rolls minus the skewer (my twist being I used pieces of fresh Mozzarella in addition to shredded Italian cheeses & fresh pepperoni) and Sausage Cheddar Balls. Rather heavy dishes, but super delicious, easy to make and I think great for entertaining. (I used a NuWave Oven (which I love) but this is what caused the cheddar balls to get a bit too dark, too close to the heat but still really good.)
Ignore the burnt chicken…lol
Pizza Rolls minus skewer & Sausage Cheddar Balls
Do you use Yummly? Or do you prefer the more traditional cook book? I like them all really! How about your favorite recipe, okay we’ll say 3 favorites?
Cheers to all your creative endeavors!
The post A New Day – 31 – Delish appeared first on Little Face Publications.
February 23, 2014
A New Day – 30 – Once Upon a Lake…
Once there was a girl driving along in her car. After a long hard winter, and still in its grasp, she was in dire need of some exercise. While she drove she brainstormed about what she could do…there was the spin bike at home…naa, doesn’t sound like any fun.
Could always go for a jog? Sure but did that last night and it’s a bit windy today, I prefer to keep my digits along with the tip of my nose and ears. Besides there’s a lot of ice everywhere except the roads and it’s way too early to run in the streets. I prefer to stay alive. Hm…
A walk? Okay, yeah, plan to, dog needs to anyway. But that’s not so much exercise as it is movement, come on now!
Well…how about yoga? Huh…nope, too amped from mocha a few hours ago, don’t really need to calm down. I gotta try that crab Rangoon recipe, maybe the spinach dip, pizza rolls on a stick, cheese dip for pretzels, reorganize the kitchen, gotta gotta gotta back laptop up like I claimed to Bella Remy just the other day! No, I need some exercise to lose myself in…hmm…?
I KNOW! A SWIM! Soothing and yet it’s a great full body workout. Gosh, I do miss swimming. Let’s go!
Huh…now what was I gonna do?
Oh geez, if it weren’t for this sign I just wouldn’t know what to do!
Well don’t cha know, that’s a big help! Here I thought I was going to go swimming. Good thing I read that sign, here I thought something was wrong with the lake. I mean come on people, it’s not like 3 feet of snow everywhere, blustering skin biting winds, 15 foot high and higher snow piles, and ice rink-like driveways and sidewalks mean anything! Gosh, what do you think we’ve been living in some polar vortex? Ha…huh…
The post A New Day – 30 – Once Upon a Lake… appeared first on Little Face Publications.
February 22, 2014
A New Day – 29 – The world of Ice Art
(Post for 22 Feb that wouldn’t let me upload photos! Errr…)
This will be a relatively quick post as I really have quite a bit more to say, but I also have quite a bit more to do.
That said today’s pictures are some macro images of ice. Stepping out the front door and down the steps a unique bubble (?) in the ice caught my eye. What else could I do but quick grab my camera, switch out to my 100mm macro lens and see what we can capture? This post, as so many of them are (and will continue to be) is just another example of extraordinary ordinary and just what happens when we’re paying attention. So enjoy and let me know what you think.
Cheers!
This is what caught my eye…
But what shape do you think this really is?
A bowl maybe? Or is it…
And I wonder, is it raining while I’m taking this picture?
Is it raining? Or…
Deceiving a bit isn’t it? Drawn in by this large…bubble (?) in the ice as I was post-production work in Photoshop Creative Cloud version revealed this…
Like looking under a microscope seems I discovered an Amoeba of sorts and molecular bubble cells…
Or is it a galaxy?
The post A New Day – 29 – The world of Ice Art appeared first on Little Face Publications.
February 19, 2014
A New Day – 28 – A Great Find
In an earlier entry I posted some pictures of Great Blue Heron, Snow Geese, and White-tailed deer. I encountered these lovely subjects while walking along the Portage Creek Bicentennial Trail. Since I had gotten out there so late I decided I had to get back out there earlier in the day and lucky me this day was a great day. The sun was out and the temperature was about 41 or so. While I don’t recommend taking your dog with you on all photography shoots, I just couldn’t leave her in the house while I went out to enjoy the outdoors. We made it work although she gets a little unruly.
After so much snow, so much shoveling and getting stuck and unstuck, it was awesome to get out and feel the sun on my face. It wasn’t long before I wished I hadn’t worn my winter jacket, I guess I’ve forgotten what it means to have the sun beating down on you!
Sunshine on the glassy water’s surface! Ah, I can’t wait for spring.
Just think of the calming sound of the flowing water, imagine spring, breathe deep…we’re gonna make it!!!
I loved the sight of the water in the sunshine, its effortless movement over the rocks. I could only smile at its beauty. You can probably see that this wasn’t a large “fall” by any means but I think we can all still appreciate its simple, subtle, albeit small beauty. What you might not know is that this picture was taken under a freeway overpass with semis, SUVs, cars, and everything else you can imagine zooming by overhead. But should I focus on that? Should I let that get in my way?
In life there’s a tremendous number of things to marvel at. I’m grateful for the opportunity to even walk a trail and observe the wildlife that is around. I’m also really grateful that I can get home faster by taking the freeway. I’m happy to say that I did not let the overpass and its noise keep me from enjoying the beauty that did surround me.
This winter has been so cold, so long, so full of snow, so…wintery. But if you look through my 365 gallery and those of other photographers I think you’ll find a lot of things to marvel at, to smile, to raise your brows and say “Wow”. Let’s hold on to these energizing sensations, take some deep breaths, and get through the rest of this winter. When the sun is shining, put your hat on and brave the cold. When the sun rises, take in the cold air and appreciate that some day not far away that crisp cool air will be replaced by air that may be far more smothering. Let’s smile because it’s almost over, but maybe too we can smile to have seen it through. Which brings me to my pride and joy of this walk! Oh wait, you thought I was just going to go off on the creek some more? No, no…This was a first for me 
What’s that?
Even though the day was warm and the snow was melting, the trail was a tiny bit rough in that it was slushy and very uneven due in large part to the melting snow. But I did my best not to bust my butt, but keep my eyes up and my lens open. As I said in another post I saw a duck once that I couldn’t identify or photograph as it was dark. Remembering that mystery creature I made a point to keep an eye on the creek that was downhill from the trail. Maybe about 60 yards from the overpass I came across this trio swimming amongst Mallard pairs sleeping in the sunlight.
Female Hooded Merganser on left, male on right
Oh I was so excited (and still am!) because I’ve never seen Hooded Mergansers in real life before. They’re so beautiful. Their sexual dimorphism (physical differences between males and females) is pretty incredible, as is often the case with birds. But these birds are more sexually dimorphic than male and female Mallards (see Day 21 – The Trek). You can see that the male has a crest that they call a “hood”, whereas the female has a more traditional crest. And the male is colorful, fancy even, compared to the female.
Fuzzy close up on the pair
The quality of the above image isn’t so great because I was using my 100mm macro lens as an alternative telephoto and the creek was down a steep slope from the trail. Plus this trio (the third one, another male can be seen in the first photo) were really nervous. Unlike the Mallards that never even woke up from their naps the trio was immediately aware of me up on the trail and began swimming in the opposite direction. They also tried to take cover under some branches hanging over the water. I did my best to get clearer photos of them but it was pretty hard, and I felt bad chasing them around. Eventually I moved on. When I passed by on my way back they too were napping, I got a few shots but it wasn’t long before one of the males raised his “hood” and started to move, I quickly moved on. So I’m sharing some of the best of what I got, even though zooming in post-production didn’t reveal any clearer shots I’m still psyched!
He was stretching his wings perched on an underwater branch while my dog was pulling me the other way so I kinda got the shot.
The post A New Day – 28 – A Great Find appeared first on Little Face Publications.
