For the Love of Texture X 4

 Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Treasures in the Woods

Abandoned Cabin

Leaves Refusing To Leave Their Home

This post is linked with Texture Thursday.

Taking’ a Hike by the Ice

Here are a couple more shots of our January 2, 2012, frigid hike up Wigwam Falls on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was a “questionable" way to start the new year...hiking in 24 degree weather, way up high, and the wind blowing wildly. The water was flowing, but there was not nearly as much as there could of been if we had had more rain.

This post is linked with Watery Wednesday

and Black and White Wednesday.

Lowe’s Parking Lot ~ Lexington, VA

For me there is nothing worse than having to go to our local Lowe’s. It is a gigantic building with so few employees I have to search multiple aisles and buzz buzzers for endless periods of time to get any help. Yesterday I needed what I thought was a simple thing...wire on a roll to use for making fabric Christmas wreaths - presents for my fellow teachers. Well, I walked up and down the long, concrete floored aisles one after the other never finding what I wanted. After probably 20 minutes, I spied an older gentleman in the Lowe’s red vest, and I went over to ask him for assistance. Of course, he was helping a man with fittings he needed for installing a dishwasher so I had to wait...really wait. Finally, it appeared the shopper was leaving, so I jumped right into the mix asking where I could fine the wire. "Aisle 2,” was his abrupt and curt reply. “Great," I thought. "Now, I have it made." "Not so fast, Genie...pace yourself...stay calm. Aisle 2 is rather long and there are two side to it.”  I searched methodically up and down and down and up, and you’ll never guess where it was. I found it on the very bottom shelf midway in Aisle 2 so far down I had to get on my knees to see and feel the stuff, and that was not fun. Still, I wasn’t finished. I now had to decide which of the 3 different gauges to get. “Midrange" was my decision. I struggled to get back on my feet as gracefully as I could and headed for the checkout only to be faced with another wait. Finally, I paid the lady my $7.95, and I was out of there. Oh, happy day!

Here is the payoff. When I walked out into the parking lot, the skies had opened up, and I was surrounded by the most beautiful blue sky filled with lovely white clouds. Out came the old point and shoot Canon from my purse, the snarly look on my face disappeared, my blood pressure returned to normal, and I stated smiling and shooting. These are my two favorites. You see, there is life after a trip to Lowe’s.

“One good wish changes nothing. 

One good decision changes everything.”

~Annonymous

This post is linked with Skywatch Friday.

Friday Fences ~ 11-4-11

I pass this beautiful  farm on my way home from school each day. The people who own the property also board animals in luxury stalls in the old barn. Amazing.

This post is linked with Friday Fences.

Reds, Water, and a Bridge ~ 10-19-11

Experimentation with Color, Texture, and Movement
The Reds Are Popping Through

The lake at Watoga State Park in West Virginia.

Here is the same picture, but this time I experimented using the “twirl effect” in PSE9 as well as a texture.  I wanted to do a mouse-over, but I tried and tried to no avail. I cannot figure it out to save my soul. I went online and read multiple entries and even tried Kim Klassen’s tutorial, but still had no luck. So here you have it. 

I think the experiment turned out a bit bizarre but really cool.

Another West VA Bridge...see that wee bit of red popping out around the corner?

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”

  ~Albert Camus

This post is linked with: 

Barn Charm ~ 10-17-11

A Drive-By Barn from West Virginia

Thank goodness Genie wasn’t driving. How could I pass up this precious little barn on the fly? I was just lucky the shot came out as well as it did... and the barn did have hay in it. I kept it monochrome because that was the way I saw it. There was NO paint on it anywhere.

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."

~Leonardo da Vinci

This post is linked with Tricia’s Barn Charm. 

Macro Monday ~ The Simplicity of Nuts and Bolts ~ 10-16-11

Nuts and Bolts

They may be simple, but they do some very hard and important jobs. Such is life. The simple can be  so important.

"The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary can speak.”

~Hans Hoffmann

This post is linked to Macro Monday and the Creative Exchange.

Sunday Bridges from West Virginia ~ 10-16-11

Another One Way Bridge...But Not a Swinging Bridge This Time

These pictures were taken as we were leaving Calvin State Park in West Virginia last Saturday. It was on of those times when veering off of our planned route turned out to be a treasure filled with beauty. Thank goodness when we go out we’re not ever tied to a set plan or schedule. The fall colors were divine.

This post is linked with Louis LaVaches’s Sunday Bridges.

Daily Photo ~ 7-20-11

Experimentation with Coffeeshop Fames 12 ~ Vintage Frame
These are free and include a tutorial.
“Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic.”
~ Author Unknown