Green Ice

"Flowers have spoken to me more than I can tell in written words. They are the hieroglyphics of angels, loved by all men for the beauty and their character, though few can decipher even fragments of their meaning."

-Lydia M. Child


OK, so I lied. LOL. I said I wasn't going to post any more photos of my garden until the autumn, when every thing should be in full glory bloom, but I have added a few things to the garden that I am thrilled with, so I thought I might do just one more entry to share my progress. :) I have added several more containers of flowers, the star of which is the Green Ice rose I purchased the other day at Home Depot. It is one of the most beautiful mini roses I have ever seen. Of the mini class, it is the largest, with nice full blooms, which are green on the outer petals, and a soft pink toward the middle. I was going to just grow the 6 types of minis I had purchased this year, and add a few more next year, but when I saw it other other day I was stunned. It is gorgeous. I literally smile every time I set out to the garden. :)

Watching these flowers grow has been so good for me. I am stressed about stuff that I have no real control over, like the war, and the fact that nearly 6 years after 9/11, we are not any safer then we were on 9/10. I think about what the next strike will be like, will it come on a day like the last one? A day when there isn't a cloud in the sky? Will it happen when I am in Golden Gate Park, relaxing in the fresh air? Will it happen like the last time, while I am asleep in my bed, sleeping peacefully? When all those overwhelming thoughts creep into my thoughts, I usually grab my CD player, and the gardening bucket I made, and go to my garden to sit among it's beauty. Sigh. It's good for my soul.

I also daydream about what I want to do for the garden next spring. I think I have picked out the roses I want for next season. I think I might buy some roses online next year, I found a couple nice sites, Nor'East Miniature Roses, and John's Miniature Roses. I know for sure I want to add some lavender roses, and maybe a couple white ones, but I am also considering the following colors...

1. Behold - yellow
2. Vista - deep lavender
3. White Chocolate - white
4. Sweet Revenge - orange
5. Snow Ruby - red/white

Right now, assuming all of my plants make it to autumn, my garden will consist of...

Columbine, mini roses, dark sunflowers, cosmos, poppies, dahlias, stock, a wildflower mix, four 'o clocks, butterfly flower, and campanula. It's going to be colorful, and by the time I get the scarecrow up, it should be an autumn extravaganza. Fingers crossed. I have had a few bumps along the way. Like when I found a rather round little robin feasting on my cosmos, just as it was coming in nice and full. Wacky bird. :) I have replanted, so we'll see. I have some guarded optimism for the cosmos. The latest touch was to put my Mylar dragonfly balloon on the fence, just to look over things when I can't make it out to the garden. As always with Fibromyalgia... some days are better then others, but that silly garden sure helps to lift my spirits. :)

I have had this song in my head all day, it's so pretty, enjoy!

Lose Your Way
By Sophie B. Hawkins

I have no confidence
And I can't see why I should
But I could do most anything for you
And you know I would

I try too hard, and then I give up way too easily
I'm the runner up inside of you, and your the winner inside of me

Lose your way
And I will follow
Here today
And here tomorrow
Like my freedom I know
I'll never let you go

I still wish on an even star
And I suppose I always will
Every child loses something a while can't fulfill
And when you cry I feel the sky burst open in my veins
If loving you makes a slave of me, then I'll spend my whole life in chains

Lose your way
And I will follow
Here today
And here tomorrow
Like my freedom I know
I'll never let you go
Walk the line
I'll walk beside you
Change your mind
Let your love decide you
It's the reason I know
You'll never let me go

Isn't that a beautiful song? :)

-OndineMonet
"Green Ice"
Berkeley, California
July 16, 2007
Afternoon

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Working In Shadow

"Beware that you do not lost the substance by grasping at the shadow."

-Aesop

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Take a picture in which shadow plays a significant role in the composition. You may ask, how does this differ from the recent Photo Shoot involving silhouettes? Silhouettes are a very specific sort of shadow play, and for this assignment you can take a wider approach - shadows of all sorts (you can use silhouettes, of course. Just don't recycle the shot you use!). Shadows give a photo drama it might not otherwise have.

-John Scalzi ( By The Way)

In May of 2006, I took a tour of the inside of Fort Point, at the Golden Gate Bridge, and took about a million photos. There are a lot of shadows to be found in the old fort, but one of the most striking shadows, I saw that day, was the shadow cast by the bridge. I was on the very top of the fort, facing toward Marin County, and it was a gorgeous sunny day. I was thrilled to be able to get a picture of not only the beautiful Golden Gate, but also of it's shadow beneath, which made it see, like one could almost walk across the water into Marin. Sigh. I love that bridge.

In this second photo, if you look very closely, do you see the shadow of a tulip in a pot? :)


-OndineMonet
"Shadow Walk To Marin"
Fort Point
Golden Gate Bridge
May 13, 2006
Afternoon

Good Photo? Bad Photo?

"I think the best pictures are often on the edges of any situation, I don't find photographing the situation nearly as interesting as photographing the edges."

-William Albert Allard, "The Photographic Essay."

I have learned something about myself when it comes to my own photography, sometimes it is a good idea for me to take a step back, before deciding whether or not I like a photo I have just taken. Take the above photo as an example. Last Wednesday, I was in Half Moon Bay, very late in the afternoon. I stopped at Pastorino's farm, to photograph the magnificent wealth of flowers they have in bloom right now. It is really spectacular, everything is in full bloom, and the variety is endless. As gorgeous as all the colorful flowers were, for some reason I found myself attracted to the white daisies. They were amazing, and with the low flowing fog, just making it onshore, and across the farm, it gave everything a ghostly appearance. Fog is a strange thing, it can flow on one side of a building, completely shrouding it, while the other side can be completely clear and sunny. Last Wednesday, it seemed to be flowing across the field as if to cover the more colorful flowers, while it made the daisies glisten. :) Magic!

There was exactly one butterfly to be found, this gorgeous, American Painted Lady, (Vanessa virginiensis). This is my favorite butterfly to photograph. It is a happy little girl, and the colors on her wings are stunning. I am fascinated by the pattern of her wings as well. It is small, only about 2 in, across. I don't know, maybe I kind of know what it's like to be the little one on the block. LOL.

Anyway, as I said, there was only one of her fluttering among the daisies, and the mist was beginning to roll in a lot heavier, so I knew I only had a few minutes to make my time with her count. I followed her from a proper distance, as to not spook her, and tried really hard to get a shot that would show her full beauty. Well, I ended up with a lot of misty photos, and some shots where she wasn't quite in focus, and then I have this one. As you can see, I got her in focus, but the mist and the flowers surrounding her distract from her a good bit. When I first began to edit my photos that day, I thought about cropping out the surroundings, but somehow it just didn't look right. I decided to put it away for a few days, and take another look this weekend.

Yesterday, I took the file out again, and for whatever reason, when I looked at it a second time, I kinda liked what I saw. I don't think it's the best I have ever done, but there is something about the photo that draws me in. I see all the mistakes, and unfortunate elements to it, and at the same time, it gives me a good feeling. I am not exactly sure why I didn't like it at first, maybe I shouldn't try to edit photos when I am that tired. Maybe I needed a few days to work through how difficult it was to get the photo, and be proud of myself for how hard I worked at it. It's difficult to pat myself on the back when I have done good. Silly. No one knows better then I do what level of effort I put into something. Right? So, for whatever reason I like this photo. I like the memory of taking it as well. It was a productive day with the camera, and a good day to let the camera process my thoughts. :)

-OndineMonet
"Misty Vanessa"
Half Moon Bay, California
July 11, 2007
Afternoon

Presidents Say The Darndest Things

"You know, I guess I'm like any other political figure: Everybody wants to be loved."

-George w. Bush, Washington D.C., July 13, 2007

So is the war over? Yesterday, (Saturday) the Prime Minister of Iraq, Nouri al-Maliki said that the Iraqi army and police are now capable of keeping security in Iraq, and that "American troops can leave any time they want." Isn't that what President Bush has been saying was our main objective? To train Iraqi military, and police so that they could sustain their own country in the face of the sectarian violence that has run rampant in the last few years? With al-Maliki's declaration of self sufficiency, I see no reason why America should lose one more life to this war. Of course, we haven't heard the spin from the White House yet. That will either come later this weekend or early next week. And it will also come with some vague reason about how and why al-maliki misspoke, or was somehow, otherwise in error. But wouldn't it be nice to think that maybe, just maybe this nightmare could finally come to an end. That we, as a nation, wouldn't have to lose one more of our military to this administration's violent whim? It's a nice thought. Al-Maliki has handed Bush a reason to begin pulling troops from Iraq. "American troops can leave any time they want."

It's so odd, early last week, Iraqi Foreign Minister, Hoshyar Zebari, warned that Iraq would fall into total civil war, should American troops leave. Actually, just a couple weeks ago, al-Maliki was saying just about the same thing. On the other hand, the Iraqi parliament couldn't be dissuaded from taking a break from government for August, due to the fact that temperatures in that country can reach as much as 130 degrees. Temperatures our own service members would be working in. Yet, Iraq must feel that they have things under control, to take time off in the middle of escalating sectarian violence throughout their country. Al-maliki made it very clear, America is not wanted or needed in Iraq. It's time to leave. Now. Not September. No more waiting for reports. Now.

I have always balked at Bush's arrogant assertion that "we are fighting them over there, so we won't have to fight them here." I have always said, that it is a matter of time before we are hit again. Not if we are hit again. But I have also always said that I hope to one day say... "I was wrong." I don't know what Homeland Security Chief, Michael Chertoff, was thinking when he said he had a "gut feeling" about a heightened terrorist threat against the U.S. this summer, but I can't help but wonder if it wasn't code for, "something got by us, we don't know where it is, but we know for sure it is just a matter of time." Well, that is supposition on my part, but you know what? I really do feel that a day like 9/11 will happen again. It wouldn't at all surprise me that it could happen sometime before the end of the year. All we did in Iraq, was make the country ripe for becoming what it is, a breeding ground for future terrorists. And when we had Osama Bin Laden, we let the chance to bring him to justice go, in favor of keeping up relations with Pakistan, a country that has always catered to the Taliban.

Bush also once said, that America would track Bin Laden down, and bring him to justice, no matter how long it took. Well, that hasn't happened. He said that we would leave Iraq when they said they could stand up and hold the country. They have said that now... so what will Bush say and do? Will he keep his word on that? I am hoping, just hoping, we will begin a withdraw of our troops before we lose anymore, because I think we are going to need all our military personnel right here on American soil. Call it a "gut feeling." Bush never keeps his word, so deep down I suppose I already know what will happen. It's all just so sad. :(

"We say in full confidence that we are able, God willing, to take the responsibility completely in running the security file if the international forces withdraw at any time they want."

-Nouri al-Maliki, July 14, 2007

NOTE: The above YouTube video, is from a White House press conference in 2006. It is a clip of Helen Thomas, asking President Bush what the real reason was for going to war with Iraq. A question he never really answered. Thank you Helen, for having the courage to ask.

Current U.S. Military Casualties - 3613

"Al-Maliki: Iraqis Can Keep Country Secure (CBS News)

-OndineMonet

My July Bumble Bee

"Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Golden Gate Park has an amazing Dahlia garden. It is tucked back from the road, and sits next to the Conservatory of Flowers. It comes magically alive in the summer, and it is one of my favorite places on earth. I find it especially inviting on days after I go to therapy. Therapy has healed me, but like with any discipline one learns, it can be very painful as time takes care of what ails you. I usually come out of those appointments exhausted, so sometimes going out with the camera can be difficult, but I know that using the camera to look at the beauty in the world, to focus on something other then how torn up I feel, is the way to process those secret inner feelings we all carry around. I decided a couple years ago, to have a subject, something specific to search for, when I am needing to do that kind of mental processing. This summer, I have chosen the bumble bee.

I think I am getting better with my bee photos. I am learning about light and shadows. I am really learning about timing. LOL. These are happy little critters. The can also be quite a tease. LOL. It was hard to not take this bee's personality quirks personally. LOL. Just as I found a comfortable way to stand, just as I got the setting right and the wind would stop blowing, just as I was about to snap the photo, this bee would happily buzz away to a new blossom. I swear I could almost hear her giggle as she flew by me. LOL. Almost.

I stuck with it, and here you see what I got, but not without a good deal of patience. I still haven't gotten the perfect shot of a bumble in flight. It will come. I am going to visit the Dahlia garden at least once a week this summer, at least until my garden begins to blossom. It will be another four weeks or so, before it's ready, but it should be very colorful when it does. I am putting some dahlia's in the pots this week for a mid-autumn bloom. Purples and oranges. It should be ready, just as my therapy comes to a close. Nice timing I think. :) Yep, I'm a happy camper.

So tell me, when you are out with your camera, do you ever give yourself "assignments?" Do you ever use your photography as a way to process what ails you?

-OndineMonet
"My July Bumble Bee"
Dahlia Garden
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, California
July 11th, 2007
Afternoon

Eight Random Facts About Me :) A Meme Sent To Me From Patrick

"When we discover that the truth is already in us, we are all at once our original selves."

My friend Patrick has tagged me to play a meme, "8 Random Facts About Me." He was tagged by Laura, of "Adventures In Juggling." I always enjoy doing memes, of any kind, but I always worry a bit about doing memes that ask me to name facts about the wonder that is me, because I have been blogging almost 4 years. Over the last few years I think I have shared just about all there is to know. Well, at least all I think you would be most interested to know anyway. So what's new I could share? Well, when I really thought about it, I have plenty to share, mostly by way of updates to facts about me that you already know. That could be interesting... right? So, here is my, 8 Random Facts About Me, but first we have to present the memes rules.

The Rules
1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.
2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog post (about their eight things) and post these rules.
4. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they're tagged and to read your blog.

And Now... The List

1. I LOVE fast food, and my newest fast food obsession is Stuffed Jalapenos. :) YUM.

2. My great photographic quest this summer ,is to capture a Bumble Bee in flight. I am doing a lot better with my flying creature photos, but perfect shot of a Bumble Bee in mid flight is still eluding me. I am working on it. :)

3. Alan and I have decided to coach each other in T'ai Chi and Meditation. He and I have a few days a week set aside to share some moments of peace.

4. I will officially be done with therapy at the end of August. Last Wednesday, Sarah and I talked a lot about what I have worked on in the last few years. I still have some issues that tend to haunt me... but who doesn't? It just feels good to be back to living life with the coping skills I have learned.

5. I am a night owl. I love to sit up at night, into the wee hours, doing my photo editing or writing in my blog, but coming soon, I am going to try to get back to going to bed no later than 11:00 P.M. I am wanting to enjoy the warm sunny days of summer, because it makes my sore muscles feel better. Look for my new hours soon.

6. I have never been to a movie by myself. Another thing I hope to change this autumn. Hmmm... I wonder what movies are coming out?

7. I have a Boyd's Bears teddy bear collection, to which I add one new piece each October. Oddly enough, the first stuffed critter I ever purchased from that company, was a Moose. :) You remember Ross, right?

8. I am 16,439 days old. :) But I only feel, 9,125 days old. Except when my Fibromyalgia is being mean, on those days I feel, 31, 025 days old.

Note: I have signed up for a Fibromyalgia Support Group. When it hurts so bad sometimes, that I can't even tolerate a hug, it's time to do all I can to help myself feel better.

Be sure to drop by Patrick's Place to read his entry. Thanks again Patrick! Now, I am supposed to tag 8 people to play along, but I think this one has been around for a while, so I will leave it open to anyone who wants to play, to do so. Please don't forget to let me know you played, by leaving me a link to your entry in the comment thread. :)

-OndineMonet
"Bumble Bee in the Mist"
Half Moon Bay, California
July 11th, 2007
Late Afternoon

Steven's Feline Friday: The Many Moods Of Elvis EP #1

"In the middle of a world that had always been a bit mad, the cat walks with confidence."

-Rose Kennedy

Guess What? Elvis and I decided to try making a new video. He was feeling a lot more animated the other day, and in a much better mood, so we decided to give his reach for stardom one more try. :) I think this one is better then the last one, but we still have some room for improvement. :) We likes the camera, which will make things easier. I am trying to break the habit of talking baby talk to him. LOL. What can I say, he is my baby! :)

In this video he is being very affectionate. We had just finished doing some Yoga. Yep, he and I do Yoga together. He even has his own mat. I help him with his stretches, and then we do some Qi Gong and meditation. Although, his meditation sounds a lot like sleeping. Snnnnnooooorrrrrrr. :) Maybe our next video will be one of he and I practicing our search for inner peace. :) For now, enjoy!

There is still time to get your entry in for this week's edition of Feline Friday, over at my friend Steven's blog, (sometimes) photoblog. You can find out all the information you need to play along by clicking here.


-OndineMonet
The Many Moods Of Elvis
Episode #1

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Geometry

"It has been said that art is a tryst, for the joy of it maker and beholder meet."

-Kojiro Tomita

Monday Photo Shoot: Picture something that shows off something geometrical. Squares, cubes, vectors, right angles, tangents, and so on; basically, any picture that shows geometrical forms and shapes in an interesting way.

-John Scalzi

I love public art. This beautiful geometric sculpture is called "Calliope" and was designed and presented to the city of Berkeley, California in 1982. The sculpture had come under some disrepair, but was restored to it's full glorious beauty in 2004. If geometry had been this interesting and appealing when I was in school, I would have paid closer attention. LOL. There are many other examples of Mr. Slusky's geometric art throughout the Bay Area. I have been wanting to take a weekend and visit as many of the pieces as possible. I love his art. To see more, visit his website here.




Helios (Bayer Corporation)
Berkeley, California


-OndineMonet
"Calliope" By Joseph Slusky
Berkeley, Marina
Berkeley, California
Spring, 2006

Round Robin Challenge: The Road Less Traveled

"A person without a sense of humor, is like a wagon without springs. It's jolted by every pebble on the road."

-Henry Ward Beecher

"The Road Less Traveled"

I just love this photo. I know some of you have seen it before, but I thought it might be fun to show it off again. :) I first found this street about 10 years ago, when I was out for a ride in the East Bay hills. I thought is was so amusing. If you look very close, you will see, one sign says, "Not A Through Street," while the other sign says, "One Way." This is so metaphoric. Now tell me, how many "roads" have you gone down in life, that you wouldn't allow you a way back? If the folks who live at the top of this hill drive up the hill to their own homes, they would be breaking the law to come back down the hill. So going strictly by the letter of the law, there is now way out! LOL. Now I am assuming that the local police doesn't actually enforce this certain legality... but personally... I wouldn't push it. I imagine this is a true, "Road Less Traveled." :)

Our newest member of the Round Robins, Vicki, author of the blog, "Maraca," has chosen "The Road Less Traveled," for our last challenge. Well, actually, it's not our last challenge, it is just the last challenge we will be doing in the sidebar rotation format. If you have been paying attention, you already know that beginning at the end of the summer, the Round Robin Challenges will be doing things a little different. We will no longer be following the list of Robins on the sidebar to find our challenges. We are now asking all Round Robin members to submit their ideas for upcoming challenges. Everything else is the same. Karen, Steven and I will still be taking turns bringing you a new challenge every other Wednesday. All you have to do is send us your ideas, subjects or themes. You can submit as many times as you want, and if we use your idea we will still feature you and your blog that week. Come on Robins... we can't do it without you... send in your ideas! :)

Be sure to visit all of our participants for our current challenge...

Linking List

1. Vicki... Maraca
POSTED!

2. Steven... (sometimes) photoblog
POSTED!

3. Karen... Outpost Mavarin
POSTED!

4. Janet... Fond Of Photography
POSTED!

5. Renee... Ode to the Muse
POSTED!

6. Dallas... Dallas Miao'd **Welcome New Member**


7. Brandon... A Visual Experiment **Welcome New Member**
POSTED!

8. Carly... Ellipsis
POSTED!

9. Kerrin... A New Day, A New Photo
POSTED!

10. Gattina... Keyhole Pictures
POSTED!

11. Nancy... Nancy Luvs Pics
POSTED!






-OndineMonet
"The Road Less Traveled"
Hayward, California
Circa 1997

Hey Now, You're An All Star, Get Your Game On, Go Play

"When you come to a fork in the road, take it."

-Yogi Berra

San Francisco has been all a buzz lately. Well, for the last week or so anyway. Tonight is the All Star Game, at At&T park. There was a lot of activities for fans, this past weekend. The city is decorated with banners and last night, after the Home Run Derby, there was a pretty nice fireworks display. That bright light in the center of the above photo, is the ballpark, all lit up. The water next to the park, McCovey Cove, was filled with fans in small boats and kayaks just waiting for one of the home runs to make it into the water. It was freezing last night, so my deep respect really goes out to those who lasted the whole time out on the bay. I took this shot from Treasure Island... and let me tell you... it was COLD. It always throws me that San Francisco can be so cold and windy, even in the middle of July. If you ever come for a visit, don't forget your coat, no matter what time of year you come! :) I love it here.

So Tell Me, Who Do You Root For In The All Star Game? American League? Or National League?


-OndineMonet
The View Of The Ballpark
And
McCovey Cove
San Francisco, California
Bay Bridge
July 10th, 2007
9:45 PM

Music Please (A Musical Meme Sent To Me From Laura)

"To stop the flow of music would be like the stopping of time itself. Incredible and inconceivable."

-Aaron Copeland

Yea! I have a new meme to play, y'all know my fondness for memes. :) In fact, I have two new memes for this week. One sent to me from my friend Laura, of the blog, "Adventures In Juggling," and one sent to me from another good friend, Patrick, of "Patrick's Place." I am going to do Laura's meme first, and Patrick's meme later in the week. This is a busy week for me, and we have a Round Robin Challenge coming up this Wednesday, so Patrick, look for the meme you tagged me to do, this coming Thursday! :) So now... on with the Music Meme...

Here are the rules

1. Name between 5 & 10 songs that have made an impact on your life. I'll leave it up to you to decide how many you wish to describe.

2. Pass it onto five other people with a link back to your own post and this one as the original.

Click HERE to see Laura's original entry. :) Thank you Sweetie! :)

My Music List

1. Here Comes The Sun, By The Beatles
It was the first song I remember hearing on the radio as a little girl. I remember singing it over and over as a child, and I also remember that it always made me smile... even to this day. :)

2. I Saw The Light, By Todd Rundgren
As you know, one time, a long time ago, I fell in love at first sight. I remember every thing about it, even the fact that this song was playing on the radio. Well, it wasn't meant to be, but Mr. November did become my friend. It's a fond memory, of a profound moment, a long, long time ago. :)

3. Groovy Kind Of Love, By Phil Collins
Alan and I fell in love to this song. :) We enjoyed it so much that we had it played at out wedding, as our parents walked down the aisle. It's still our song. :)

4. The David Duchovny Song, By Bree Sharp
You knew I had to include this song... right? Oh how I lust after that man! LOL. Sighhhhhhhhhhhh. Hey David, like the song says..."I'll be waiting... in Nevada." :)

5. Sheena Is A Punk Rocker, The Ramones
What can I say? It really, really rocks... and appeals to my wild side, which is fading fast. ROFLMAO! God, middle age is soooo much fun. :)

6. Prelude in C Minor, By Chopin
I really enjoy classical music. Always have. I put this piece on when I am feeling a little lonely, there is just something about it which makes me feel good inside. It's romantic, but a blue kind of romantic that makes it seem a little bit ok, to allow myself remember loves from the past. Sigh... I guess it's a girl thing.

7. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, By Rachmaninoff
Rachmaninoff wrote pure romance with this piece, it was a perfect choice for the haunting tune in the movie, "Somewhere In Time." I had heard it years before the movie came out, but since hearing it in the film, I always associate it with Christopher Reeve, and Jane Seymour in the roles of Richard and Elyse. It's one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written.

8. Soak Up The Sun, By Sheryl Crow
I like this song for a pretty simple reason... it reminds me to stop taking life so damn serious, and have some fun. You know? ;)

9. That's Just What You Are, By Aimee Mann
I swear this song was written about every man, Alan and Elvis included, that I have ever met. Ladies, you can find the lyrics here. Go have a look and tell me if it reminds you of anyone you know? LOL.

10. Amas Veritas/Practical Magic, on the Practical Magic Soundtrack.
I loved the book, but I loved the movie just as much. :) This particular song is so lovely and so vivid that it is what I imagine autumn would sound like if it have an official tune. I love playing it, it is warmth and color and everything autumn is to me. I sound crazy I know, but it truly is sensual in every sense of the word. The whole soundtrack is wonderful, but this song makes the whole thing come alive. I love getting lost in the notes. :) You really must hear it sometime. :)

Okie Dokie, that's it for me. I now need to tag five people to play along. I usually leave it open for folks to join in, or not as the spirit moves them. So here is what I will do, I will send out some emails to some folks, as to not put them on the spot, and if they play, I will ask them to come back here and leave a link in the comment thread for this entry. If there is anyone else out there who wants to play, feel free to join in. Everyone is welcome! :)

Thanks again, Laura! :)

-OndineMonet
"Notes At Rest"
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, California
July, 2007
Afternoon

Bumble Bee Tongues

"For many 19th century artists, the usual reaction to photography was no reaction at all. They simply ignored it. But not Degas. He was deeply interested in the new medium, not just as a tool that could help with his drawings and paintings, but as an art form in its own right."

-Edward Saywell

Can you believe it? It was cloudy and kind of cold yesterday, at least I was cold. Elvis was by my side most of the day, I think he knows when I am not 100%. Sigh. I have been having nightmares again. Nightmares are the most inconvenient things. It's so strange how we can be sound asleep, and yet transported forward or backward in time, to places we have long since forgotten about, visiting with people we know we will never see again. The surreal can seem so vivid. Like I said, nightmares are inconvenient.

That's why I take pictures. Photography allows me to step into the surreal with a certain amount of control. I love taking photos of gardens, because there is so much going on, and everything changes in a blink. It takes a great deal of concentration to photograph butterflies and bumble bees, especially on a warm, sunny day. It's a good thing, but it is definitely a challenging thing. I don't know... my mind gets completely filled with whatever scene is in front of me. The flowers, the things with wings, the sky... whatever. Everything else gets blocked out. At least it seems that way. Maybe that is why I have nightmares when I haven't been particularly active with the camera.

Of course, it might also mean it wasn't a good idea to eat 8 Jalapeno Poppers at 3:00 in the morning. LOL. Jeepers, that is why I dreamed the hills that surround the house I live in were on fire! Could be. Or it could have just been my mind reminding me of my lifelong fear of fire. I have conquered a good many fears and phobias. I took charge of my life, and eliminated panic attacks from ruining my life, but I have never been able to cure my fear of fire. I try to photograph fire when I can. When Alan barbecues, I am right there with the camera, snapping away. Still... the fear continues. Maybe my dream was saying, "Get over it girl."

I used to be absolutely scared to death of bumble bees. Now I seek them out, so much so that recently I was on my stomach in Golden Gate Park, photographing some bumbles that were enjoying some dandelions. LOL. I had to laugh at myself, because it was just a few years ago that I would have left the park, for fear of bees. Silly of me, because look how beautiful they are. They have such interesting lines, and who knew they have tongues? :) It never occurred to me they would, until I was licked by a butterfly last year at the Conservatory of Flowers. LOL. It seems I had a little bit of maple syrup on my hand, left over from a pancake breakfast I had eaten earlier that day. Talk about surreal... being licked by a butterfly, is surreal! Almost as surreal as watching an opossum use it's thumbs. But that is a whole other entry. LOL. It's not supposed to be cold in July... is it?

-OndineMonet
"The Bumble Bee's Tongue"
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, California
Late June, 2007

John Scalzi's Weekend Assignment #173: Share A Joke

"Nothing is better than the unintended humor of reality."

-Steve Allen

Weekend Assignment #173: Share a joke. Make it funny. Also, since I'll want to link back to them, and I am, after all, but a cog in the great AOL machine, keep it reasonably clean and free of ethnic/sexual put-downs. You know.

Put the joke up on your blog or journal and then come back and leave a link in the comment thread (if you don't have a journal/blog, you can leave the joke in the comment thread. But remember, if you have a journal/blog, the point is to let the massive attendance of this blog push people to your online home, with fame and fortune to follow!)

Extra Credit: So, ever been to Kansas City? Because that's where I'm going.

-John Scalzi (By The Way)

Every once in a while John Scalzi chooses this subject for one of his Weekend Assignments. I rather like this subject, and posting jokes, because humor is... well... fun. Life gets way too serious at times, so thank you Blogfather, for the fun assignment for this week! I thought and thought about what kind of joke I wanted to tell, and what might be an unusual and creative way to present it, and then it hit me like a bolt of lightning... how about posting a joke by way of a YouTube video? So, I grabbed my cat Elvis, and recruited him as my audience, and then I was all set.

The problem was, Elvis wasn't in the best of moods. He had to pay a visit to Dr. "B" and have some more blood drawn to see where his blood sugar levels are. We are still working on getting him back to his old self. I will have a full update on him, later this weekend. He is a little less animated then usual, and he and I have a lot of work to go with our video making, but for it being our very first try I think we did ok. :) The video runs for 30 seconds, which isn't very long, so if you just have a little patience while it loads, you will get to meet my cat Elvis. :)

Here is an additional joke to make you laugh. Enjoy!

Einstein Dies And Goes To Heaven

Einstein dies and goes to Heaven. At the Pearly Gates, Saint Peter tells him,

"You look like Einstein, but you have NO idea the lengths that some people will go to to sneak into Heaven. Can you prove who you really are?"

Einstein ponders for a few seconds and asks, "Could I have a blackboard and some chalk?"

Saint Peter snaps his fingers and a blackboard and chalk instantly appear. Einstein proceeds to describe with arcane mathematics and symbols his theory of relativity.

Saint Peter is suitably impressed. "You really ARE Einstein!" he says. "Welcome to Heaven."

The next to arrive is Picasso. Once again, Saint Peter asks for credentials. Picasso asks, "Mind if I use that blackboard and chalk?"

Saint Peter says, "Go ahead." Picasso erases Einstein's equations and sketches a truly stunning mural with just a few strokes of chalk.

Saint Peter claps. "Surely you are the great artist you claim to be!" he says. "Come on in!" The Saint Peter looks up and sees George W. Bush. Saint Peter scratches his head and says, Einstein and Picasso both managed to prove their identity. How can you prove yours?"

George W. Bush looks bewildered and says, "Who are Einstein and Picasso?"

Saint Peter sighs, and says, "Come on in, George."

Extra Credit: Nope, never been to Kansas City. Nope. Never. Not even once. Don't think I have ever flown over it in an airplane. Nope. :) Maybe someday I will. I would like to take a long road trip sometime. :)

-OndineMonet
YouTube Video
Elvis And The Bush Administration Light Bulb Joke

Let's Go Down To The Kwik-E-Mart

"Owww look at me Marge, I'm making people happy! I'm the magical man, from Happy Land, who lives in a gumdrop house on Lolly Pop Lane! By the way, I am being sarcastic."

-Homer Simpson

How cool is this? As a promotion for the new 20th Century Fox film, The Simpsons Movie, eleven 7-11 stores in the U.S. and one in Canada, have been temporarily made over as Quik-E-Marts, just like the one Bart Simpson gets his nachos, Krusty O's and Buzz Cola at. Here in the Bay Area, Mountain View to be exact, was a 7-11 lucky enough to be chosen as one of those special 11 stores. :) A few days ago, Alan and I took the long ride down the peninsula, to see what the hubbub was all about. It was a very cool experience, if not a little on the surreal side. As we pulled up there were about 20 or so people, with cameras of all kinds, taking a ton of photos of the outside of the building, which had been completely transformed. Smiles all around.

I had a great time taking photos of the novelty displays, but watching the crowd was just as enjoyable. One thing happened that was unexpected, while I was waiting in line to pay for my Slushie... I mean Slurpee... I mean Slushie, a very nice looking man, who bore an extreme resemblance to David Duchovny, tapped me on the shoulder and asked, "Excuse me, do you know why everyone is taking pictures of the sandwich and cola displays?" My first instinct, before I looked up was to say, "Hey buddy... where you been?" But when I looked at him, and saw the face of the almost exact Davide look-a-like I kind of froze. Eventually I got the words out to explain it was a movie promotion, but it was all very surreal... and lots of fun! The YouTube clip above, is a movie trailer for The Simpson's Movie, which comes out on July 27th. I am kind of looking forward to it. How about you, do you plan to go see it?

By the way, Karen, over at Outpost Mavarin had her own encounter with The Simpsons this past week. Go see her entry here.

-OndineMonet
"The Simpsons At The Kwik-E-Mart"
7-11
Pear Avenue
Mountain View, California
July 3, 2007
Afternoon

Moments From Last Night

"Photography, alone of the arts, seems perfected to serve the desire humans have for a moment... this very moment... to stay."

-Sam Abell

I needed a break this year from my usual holiday routine of finding the perfect vantage point along the bay, setting up the tripod, and working toward the perfect shot of the 4th of July fireworks that San Francisco displays each year. One downside to photography, is that I usually miss the show, while focusing and working hard to achieve something special with the camera. My shoulder is still giving me a great deal of trouble, so I decided this year to be a spectator, instead of photographer. :) When I set out to get that "perfect shot" I take things very seriously, which means it doesn't leave a lot of time to "oooh" and "Ahhh" at the wonderful shapes and colors of the fireworks.



When I am being serious with the camera, I work really hard. I set things up, and I use what I have learned in meditation to completely drown out all distractions. I can get a little too serious at times. With my shoulder in pain, it was time for a break. So this year, while I was not in photographer mode, I still had the urge to try my best at finding that one special moment, so I would be able to keep it forever. I guess photography is in my soul at this point, pain or no pain :) Anyway, here are a couple moments from last evening, as we drove along the Embarcadero, listening to Norah Jones on the car stereo, watching the fireworks as they rose above the city lights. Oooh, Ahhhh! :)

-OndineMonet
Fireworks
Embarcadero
San Francisco, California
July 4th, 2007
9:30 PM

Independence Day 2007

"Our country is not the only thing to which we owe our allegiance. It is also owed to justice and to humanity. Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong."

-James Bryce

I wish you a safe, happy and relaxing Independence Day! :)


Declaration Of Independence

U.S. Constitution

Flag Etiquette




-OndineMonet
San Francisco, 2007

Life In The Bay Area

"Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair."

-Kahil Gibran

Sometimes, the nicest part about life in the Bay Area, is the rich availability of natural beauty. I am minutes from the beach, and the mountains, and both provide all the things which soothe my soul, and inspire my creativity. Soft sand beneath my toes, and a cool ocean breeze, or the soft petals of an amazing summer rose, grown right in my own yard. I am at home. I love it here. :)

There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and the music in it's roar:
I love not man the less, but nature more.

-Lord Byron, Childe Harold's Pilgrimage

-OndineMonet
Pacifica, California
June 27, 2007
Afternoon

IMPEACH NOW!

"I respect the verdict. But I have concluded the prison sentence given to Mr. Libby is excessive, therefore I am commuting the portion that required Mr. Libby to spend thirty months in prison."

-George W. Bush, July 2, 2007

In the above YouTube clip, Katie Couric, of CBS News, says that "even people in power with friends in high places, are not above the law." Kaite, I was watching you that night... and I was hoping you were right. As it turns out, George Bush, running true to his selfish form, commuted the sentence of I. Scooter Libby today, because he felt that 30 months in prison for lying to a Grand Jury, obstructing justice and committing what amounts to an act of treason, by leaking to the press the name an active CIA agent, was "excessive." Is this what justice in America has come to? Where is the justice for Valerie Wilson? The timing for this is remarkable, it's only 2 days before Independence Day. How sad for America. George Bush needs to be IMPEACHED! Dick Cheney, needs to be IMPEACHED! NOW!

IF NOT NOW WHEN? WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE?

Libby Sentenced To 30 Months


Libby Sentence Commuted


-OndineMonet
7/2/07 3:38 PM

An Early Summer's Day Life Fantasy...

"Art is a shadow of what a person is thinking... a small glimpse of what they hold inside. Little secrets, regrets, joys... every line has it's own meaning."

-Sarah, Los Cerros Middle School, 1999

I have decided to experiment with displaying my photos with frames. I used to use frames from time to time, but I came to think of the frame as a distraction. Lately though, mostly with my florals, my photographs seem a little too stark, so I took a look inside my photo editing program for frames that would enhance my photos, without drawing the eyes away from the subject. I like this frame, because I think it looks a lot like a window frame. It kind of provokes a daydream in me.

A Season Ago...

As I let my imagination go, I can see myself looking at these flowers blooming outside my bedroom window. I breathe in deeply, and as I exhale, I allow my mind to drift to wherever, and whoever it wants. I can almost hear the sound of wind chimes in the far off distance, or is it a clock tower in a far off village square, playing a summer song, as it's hands strike the hour? Is he thinking of me too? Do days like this remind him of me? Or am I now less than a memory? I smile as I close my eyes and wonder...

"They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night."

-Edgar Allen Poe


-OndineMonet
"A Season Ago"
Berkeley, California
June 29th, 2007
11:00 AM

The Strawberry Full Moon

"A house is never still in darkness to those who listen intently; there is a whispering in distant chambers, an unearthly hand presses the snib of the window, the latch rises. Ghosts were created when the first man awoke in the night."

-J.M. Barrie




I love photographing the moon! I haven't taken many photographs of it this year however, so I decided a little earlier this this evening, to step out into my garden and see what the moon and the stars were up to. June's full moon is nicknamed the "Strawberry Moon." The larger photo above, is as it appeared over my garden gate a little while ago, with a nice bit of fog adding some color to the photo, as it was making it's way across the sky. Isn't the color magnificent? I couldn't get the details of the moon as clear as I wanted, without losing some of the details of the trees and the edge of the gate, so I switched to B/W mode, and set it to F 3.5 with x 4.0 on the zoom.

Yesterday, I read an interesting article about an optical illusion that occurs with the moon this weekend. I would like to try for that shot, and my best chance might be tomorrow evening. The conditions are supposed to be very clear. I am also going to try to capture the alignment of Venus and Saturn. It's weatherman says it will be extremely warm and clear here in the Bay Area by mid-week next week, so it should be perfect conditions for doing some evening photography. :) Stay tuned!


*Be sure to click on the top photo, to see it in a larger version. You will be able to see some stars in the photo, in the upper right corner.

Full Moon Names (Farmer's Almanac)

Full Moon Offers Mind An Illusion

-OndineMonet
"June's Strawberry Moon"
Berkeley, California
June 30th, 2007
1o:04 PM