Thanks for featuring another one of my photographs NECN (New England Cable News).
Today was a pretty good day – I installed both the firepit and put together a new metal planter for some more plants, a bunch of my accounts are starting to see some development, and the webstore where you can buy prints is up and running. I’m always adding pictures to that so keep checking it, or if there’s something you want that I took let me know and I’ll see about adding that as well.
My mantra for today and moving forward: Letting go of negative thoughts. I highly recommend it. Here’s a shot I took a few years back of some seals lazing on a spit. It’s actually a much larger landscape shot with more seals and details but I cropped it for Instagram. I especially like the little baby in the background. I also have some cuter shots of him in other shots. I will probably make the large version available for purchase soon. Anyways my mantra appears to be paying dividends already as today we were able to set up some things and I put the fire pit (which I cannot wait to start using) together. Still more stuff to get done but it is happening little by little.
The story behind the photo: Just another hot July night as sunset was approaching in Cape Cod. This part of the bay, when low tide comes in, goes out for what seems like miles. Also I like how the sky seemed to be purple-colored that night. This photograph will be available as a print coming soon!
More later…
Another one from the archives. This is a really beautiful place at that sits at the top of a hill and looks down into the bay below. Everyday I try to set a schedule and try to accomplish 2 or 3 things for the day, otherwise I end up in a sort of funk for the day.
The story behind the photo: Just tooling around various parts of Maine a couple of years ago and must have went down some forestry lanes and somehow or other these two were just moseying along. The day this was taken was probably one of the best I ever had in life as I saw them, various water views, greatest puffin shots I ever took, and a cool lighthouse visit with amorous skunks.
As for me right now I’m going through my budget items and trying to figure out how I’m going to get through the year ahead. I’m finding it a little bit stressful at the moment, but I just have to take things one at a time and remember to breathe.
I took a visit over to Earth-1 today to take care of some personal business, just trying to get some of my accounts in order. While there I happened to notice these cool looking tulips growing on the side of the house so I snapped it. I always liked tulips – they’re pretty cool looking, but they seem to come and go so fast.
“You need to let the little things that would ordinarily bore you suddenly thrill you.”
Andy warhol
I keep having these amalgamation dreams – guess some processing goes on in my head during that time. I woke up a little angry today – part of the process. Did spend a bunch of time out in the yard assisting with plantings which was nice. Really just a day to relax and lay low and enjoy the sunshine.
The water is always deeper than what it reflects.
Really starting to get tired of this pandemic crap. Meanwhile the next door neighbor is banging away on his home made patio project that he’s been working on since spring of last year. But I’m going to be in a good mood today! Did spend part of the day planting various plants and flowers with some more to do tomorrow including tubers. Got my severance check and new debit card (still trying to get some money on that from the UI dept. – looks to be a bit of a pain). And some of our friends swung by and visited for a quick socially distanced visit!
“When rocks fall from the cliff, the ocean will rise to meet the sky.”
This is from a set of shots I plan on posting over time.
My sun sets to rise again.
Robert Browning
Went to the old office today we return my work laptop and clear out whatever belongings I decided to keep (which actually wasn’t much – just a few odds and ends). It was good to chat with the facilities guy and IT guy – we all three go way back. Hung around for a few hours, before heading back out. Ended up just keeping a few of the best of the best things, which admittedly may sit in the basement forever but some things have sentimental value to me.
The story behind the photo: This one was taken at First Encounter Beach down in Cape Cod as sunset was fast approaching. It was so named because it is the site of the first encounter between Native Americans and the Pilgrims prior to their settling in Plymouth.While camped here Standish and company were surprised by a group of Nausets; arrows flew and shots were fired, but no harm resulted.
“Man starts over again everyday, in spite of all he knows, against all he knows.”
Emil Cioran
If you’ve ever liked any of the photos I’ve taken and would like them to brighten up the decor in your home or office in various formats I’m pleased to announce that I’ve been working on that option and it’s coming real soon!
Finally decided on a fire pit. Can’t wait to start using it on the patio out back. Tomorrow the grill comes out and I mow the lawn finally!
This is my favorite time of the day. Light and dark touch for a few moments.
I’ve been researching getting my photos out into the world where people can purchase them. More details to come but hopefully some folks would be interested in this and help support me in my journey! Last night we all got involved in a google hangout live video chatting with various family members across three states. It was kinda cool if a little bit haphazard. At lunch today we got some exercise by rocking out to the jukebox – have to get the body moving somehow to keep the mental health up! Carson is still getting used to it. Oh, and another one of my shots made the news bumper!
LD noticed flipping around that Boston news station NECN showed one of my pics of the Boston Public Garden on television. Pretty sweet!
Woke up early this morning to finish the mulching that we had started yesterday. Pleased to say we got it all done. Wanted to finish it before the rain started coming in later in the day.
“It’s like climbing a staircase. I’m on the top of the staircase, I look behind me and I see the steps. That’s where I was.”
Jeanne Moreau
Spent a good part of today over at Earth-1. I hadn’t been there in a while and I needed to address a few things and get my laptop and some other items. Also had to help take the cat to a vet appointment. So weird these days how it’s all done with basically no contact and social distancing.
If you’re looking for a good movie to watch that came out last year check out Yesterday. I watched it tonight for the first time and thought it was pretty cool.
The story behind the photo: This photo was taken at Bradley Beach down in Chatham MA. I touched it up a bit because it was dark but I’m not too sure about how it came out – they sky really did look like that but I’m not sure whats going on with the log in the sand – almost looks like it was drawn in but it wasn’t.
I’m only realizing just now how stupid these daytime game shows really are. More later once I’m done with today’s adventures…
The story behind the photo: I really like this one. Reminds me I need to get back into birding more. Anyways, we had taken a boat cruise around the harbor in one of the Cape towns last year, I think it might have been in Dennis or somewhere around there. And we just happened to pass by this osprey nest. Thankfully I had the foresight to bring my complement of lenses so I switched to one where I could get a closer shot of them. I actually have a bunch of different shots from this but I felt this was one of the better ones. I remember having to try to brace myself as the boat kept wobbling over the waves. I assume they were waiting for their parent although they looked like they were just about ready to head out on their own. The fact that their eyes are still brown rather than yellow also signifies them as juveniles. I like how the two on the right appear to looking directly at me.
Today was the first day I ever applied for unemployment in 30+ years. Hopefully that won’t take too long to start kicking in. Crazy. Mulch arrived but although sunny today it’s kind of chilly – maybe I’ll start putting it down tomorrow or Friday or maybe even over the weekend – days really have no meaning lately so everyday is like a weekend day I guess. Gonna Zoom meet with some friends tonight – not the same as in person, but something nonetheless.
“The really happy person is the one who can enjoy the scenery, even when they have to take a detour.”
Going through a bunch of shots off and on and deciding what to do with them. This shot is a another one from a set I posted a few days ago. I just liked the color of the sky that night. Sunset pictures are pretty much the best.
“A good snapshot keeps a moment from running away.”
“The deep roots never doubt that spring will come.”
One thing during the down times I like to do is puzzles, but I’ve exhausted my puzzle book supply. There’s some on order but they haven’t arrived yet, but LD was kind enough to create her own crossword for me to solve! She’s the best! Ordered a bunch of mulch coming on Wednesday so hopefully the weather will be good so I can go put that stuff down. I handed in my HR paperwork today sealing the deal on the previous chapter of my career and emailed my goodbye letter to the colleagues I enjoyed working with over the years. Bitter sweet but looking forward to new opportunities. It’ll take a while, plus all the summer concerts I was going to see this year have pretty much been cancelled so this is really going to a long haul, but it’s what has to be done. I do feel people are starting to go nuts being inside a lot so I don’t see how that’s going to happen with the warmer summer months approaching.
The story behind the photo: This one is actually a coupe of years old but makes sense in this time because it looks so empty yet springlike. I had been invited down to see some therapy dogs in town and before arriving there I strolled through the Public Garden and this shot just looked like it could be good, I especially liked the overhanging tree.
More later….
The story behind the photo: This was taken by me a few years back while on vacation for my birthday. I had to climb down these rocks and then look up toward the lighthouse, which just at hat moment had the setting sun shining against it and also the clouds looked somewhat ominous in just such a way – it was a case of being in the right place at the right time – pure luck. Just so happens this was also the same shoot where we saw two skunks being amorous, with the male chasing the female and her being coy, but that’s a story for another time. This location is one of my favorite lighthouses to visit in Maine.
Today was a rather productive day, cleaning out the basement for one, and making homemade pizzas for two. Did a bunch of yard cleanup as well – it was finally a really nice day to get outside for a while.
The story behind the photo: I took this a few years back after a storm had hit Gloucester and this foot bridge was damaged a bit. Looking at it now I see it as a metaphor for things that are going on right now, in my life and the world in general. In a lot of ways it all still feels unreal for me, like a bad dream that doesn’t seem to end.
Travelling along the bridge is a bit treacherous, but certainly passable with some caution and a bit of hope, and we can see the good times waiting for us at the other end. We’ll all get through all this awfulness that is currently all around us and we will get to the other side, and be the better for it. I have some ideas for side hustles that I’ve been wanting to get going on for a long time that now I plan on exploring and will hopefully lead to some positive outcomes.