Round Robin Challenge: About The Weather

San Francisco With A Little Cloud Cover
October, 2013

"Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine."

~Anothony J. D'Angelo, The College Blue Book

RRC: About The Weather

For this round of the Round Robin Challenges, Karen wants to see some weather. I had to pay a visit to the archives for this one because the weather lately has been, well, relentlessly boring. It's summer, and sunny, with the occasional day of low clouds, but other than that it's just typical. What isn't typical is the fact that California hasn't really had seasons for the last couple years, and as a result, we are facing yet another drought. That means it's all brown and dry. Blech. I would rather not post photos of the very thing that seems to be zapping my creativity. So, as I said, I have tip-toed through my archives to bring you the very best of California weather, by the season!

Enjoy!

Winter...

Snow Falling On Grizzly Peak Boulevard


Snow In The Santa Cruz Mountains


A Late Winter Storm On The Bay
 

Spring

 A Storm Recedes Over The Marin County Headlands
 

An Cloudy April Day Along The California Coast
 

A Foggy Spring Day In Tilden Park


Summer...

The Twilight Of A Hot Summer Day In Berkeley


A Sunny Summer Day In Montara, California


A Summer Heatwave Sunrise


Autumn

An Autumn Day Of Bright Sun And Low Clouds


Clear Sky And Low Clouds On The San Francisco Bay


A Warm, Not Hot, Autumn Day At The Beach


Okay, that's all ABOUT THE WEATHER here in the Bay Area! Now, go see what the other participating Robins have posted ABOUT THE WEATHER in their neck of the woods! Just click the link at the top of this post to be redirected to the official Round Robin blog, where you will find the list of Robins who are participating, and all the info you need to join us!

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

The Bathtub Diva Says: "I'm Too Sexy For My Tub"

I spotted the Bathtub Diva one day, about nine years ago, when I was out looking for the odd. I loved he/she straightaway! You see, on that day, nothing seemed to be going right. A disagreement with a friend. I had just fired my therapist. I was feeling restless. George W. Bush was still in office, and I am betting he said something stupid that day! God he got on my nerves! And then along came the Bathtub Diva, sporting a laid back attitude, and a certain unique fashion style! Clearly this diva had it going on, and there was no room for negativity about it!

Yesterday, Thursday, was not a good day. You see, Joey woke me after my having enjoyed just 3 hours sleep. And he woke me not to play mind you, or because he was hungry, no he woke me because he had a slight butt problem called ringworm! As feline afflictions go, ringworm is not the most difficult thing to deal with. One injection by Dr. Barrett and within 24hrs... no more worms. Unfortunately, I couldn't get an appointment yesterday, so later today Alan and I will take Joey, and Dylan in for an injection. 

Hendrix had ringworm last week, and at the time the doctor said there was no reason to bring them all in, if we didn't see any indication of them being affected. Funny, I should have known it would happen, but I was hoping for the best. Oh well, on the bright side, it's not difficult to fix, and Alan received a bonus from work just yesterday morning that will pay for the doctor's visit, and leave a little left over for a new computer! We have been needing one for a while, and now is as good a time as any to get it done.

I will save all the details about the new computer for Sunday's post. Saturday is the next scheduled Round Robin outing. Our subject this time around is, About The Weather!

It's funny how that bad day 9 years ago, with all it's irritations and troubles led to me finding one of my favorite photo opportunities ever! And it's funny how yesterday began so badly, yet ended with everything working out okay, and a new gadget, which is now ordered and on the way, to make life a little easier! While there were other things that couldn't be solved, like the current;y irritating political process, Ted Cruz is a DICK, at least I will soon have an more efficient way to keep up with it! LOL.

Once again it is proven, negativity solves nothing.

I appreciate the Bathtub Diva for reminding me of that!

And Now... Right Said Fred



Mood: Silly

~Me :)

Art About Town... San Francisco: Corridor Pin, Blue, 1999

Corridor Pin, Blue, 1999
By Claes Oldenburg And Coosje van Bruggen

"There is no place for grief in a house which serves the Muse."

~Sappho

I LOVE this piece. Corridor Pin, Blue, 1999, By Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. It can be found on the grounds of the DeYoung Museum, in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. I love it for it's whimsy. I love it for it's color, and size. It makes me happy inside when I look at it. A common, every day object, transformed into colorful art. The simple and every day is usually disregarded, and overlooked, but this piece reminds us to look for the beauty, even if we think it can't be found!

It's comforting.

When I am faced with a lack of inspiration regarding my photography, I try to remember that there is beauty and art right inside my house. My cats, are frequent subjects, but last year when I was ill for so long, I got out the camera and began to photograph objects on my desk. I was pleased with the results, and got a number of good reviews from those who saw the photos. It takes a whole other mind set to set up a shot, rather than letting nature, such as in a sunset, take it's course. 

Shrug.

I don't prefer one over another, I just like that I can fill up my mind with positive feelings when it comes to art. In my case, the house referred to in today's quote, refers to my mind and imagination, rather than an actual house. For me, art is what clears the cobwebs, and allows me to embrace the light of happiness.



Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Three Yellow Gerbera Daisies

"Those fields of daisies we landed on, and dusty fields and desert stretches. Memories of many skies and earths beneath us... many days, many nights of stars."

~Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Don't you just love memories that include flowers?

:)

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Appreciating The Light

"Dreams are what guide us, art is what defines us, math is what makes it all possible, and lights our way."

~Mike Norton

I saw this beautiful flower on my visit last month to Flowerland, in Albany. I could have just stood in that light and admired the beautiful pink color all day! Sometimes light just pulls me in, and warms me, not in a harsh way, more like a hug. This particular day was cold, and overcast, so it felt especially good to just stand in the light. Not a care in the world.

It was nice. :)

One day, years ago, my dear friend Steven described me as, "Carly... seeker of light."

At the time I had to wonder why he saw that in me. I felt that I was, or at least had been, a really negative, dark thinking person. But perhaps people, especially friends, can see things in us we can't see in ourselves. Anyway, while it took me a little while to believe him, I realized one day that he had no reason to lie. So yeah, I guess I am a seeker of light!

That was quite a gift he gave me that day. I would give anything to be able to say Thank you! He always took the most beautiful photograph of flowers! I appreciated his talent. And appreciated the the encouragement he gave me when it came to my own photography. He had plenty of light in him too!

Mood: Reflective

~Me :)

Santa Cruz For The Weary Soul...

Walton Lighthouse
Santa Cruz, California
July 11th, 2014

"Wherever you go, go with all your heart."

~Confucius

When I was in Santa Cruz, a couple weeks ago, I was so thankful to be surrounded by all the beauty of the place. It is always fun to visit there, but my favorite part is to just sit on the beach and relax and enjoy the sun. I am thankful for where I live. California is beautiful! And Santa Cruz is definitely one of my favorite places!

From The Archives...

Santa Cruz
August 14th 2005





Mood: Quiet

~Me :)

The Paradoxical Commandments

A Blue Day
Marin County, Ca
2006

"Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears."

~John Lennon

This is not the post I planned for today, I had some archived photos that I took in Santa Cruz, in August of 2005. They are photos I am proud of, and they always make me smile. The lighting was just right. The colors were amazing, and I had just spent an amazing time on the beach, enjoying a Micky Dolenz concert. But on the way to preparing for that memory post, I came across some words of wisdom that rang so true, and lifted my spirits so much, I decided to share.
 

The Paradoxical Commandments

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today, will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

People really need help buy may attack you if you do help them.
Help them anyway.

Give the world the best you have an you'll get kicked in the teeth,
Give the world the best you have anyway.

~Kent M. Keith, The Silent Revolution: Dynamic Leadership In The Student Council

Mood: Quiet

~Me :)