In a Word: Tools

In class this student is using lots of tools to enrich her writing.

Sibling Assignment #147: Green and Red

This week's  assignment in our series on photography is entitled "Pick Colors":  Create a set of 15 photographs where the main subject is a color. In other words, disregard what the actual subject is (an umbrella, church, street sign), but compose the photograph so that there are only two or three colors. Post the photos and write about the experience.

I will link the sib posts as they are completed.

 I chose the colors red and green for the assignment. I knew I would have to go inside to do these colors in late winter. I began combining these two colors in my home and garden about eight years ago. Yes, they are traditionally known as the Christmas colors, but they have a beauty that resonates year round for me.

In meaning "red symbolizes the blood of Jesus, which was shed in his crucifixion, while green symbolizes eternal life, and in particular the evergreen tree, which does not lose its leaves in the winter."

 To do the assignment I just looked randomly for the two colors. As I snapped pictures I was amazed at how often the colors appeared in the store and also how often they appeared together.

 I don't think any stylist or display manager planned that.  It was a good marketing strategy for me. I was even tempted to buy tools that I don't need because the handles looked so pretty!

When I moved out of the gardening department red was more dominate.

I love how they collage together. Click the collage to see it larger.

In a Word: Anticipation

 It is hard to imagine going camping when we awoke to the sky again covered with clouds and fresh snow on the ground. In the late afternoon the snow melted, the gray clouds lifted and we were once again treated to a spring-like afternoon. I am now anticipating a spring camping trip.
We stopped at Kettle Falls Campground on Lake Roosevelt to let the dogs run. As expected,the campground was almost empty. Some slots were still covered with patches of snow.

Some slots looked ready to greet campers. There was a sense of anticipation today as I wandered around with my camera in hand. The amphitheater seats looked ready to be filled. The swing was ready for a child to jump aboard. The picnic table was waiting for a family to spread out a picnic.

Our dogs were anticipating what critters they would find in the dirt, what fish may be waiting on the shore, and how many new smells they could enjoy during their run.

I also snapped some shots of JEJ, the picturesque trees, and the lake shimmering in the late afternoon sun.

In a Word: Bouquet

 "More than anything, I must have flowers always, always." -Claude Monet

At some point in my adult life I began a tradition of having a bouquet of fresh flowers in a vase somewhere in the house as often as I could. When I lived in a larger town it was always much easier to find a bouquet on the way home from shopping. When I moved to a rural area this became a challenge.
I then began to raise flowers so I could create bouquets from April through early November. I have coordinated colors, textures, vases, fillers, and had more fun creating bouquets. I think I love to photograph them as much as creating them. 

 Then comes the time between the last frost and the first daffodils. The time I have to rely on flowers that are purchased. I am fortunate that stores thirty minutes away carry lovely flowers, but bouquets from the store sometimes don't smell as nice. They often don't last as long. However, they do provide that simple beauty that makes me smile each time I look at the latest arrangement.

In a Word: Perfection

I have taken numerous photos of Barnaby Island all seasons of the year. This morning the sun, sky,and water were just right to create this image. Perfection!

As we approach spring and the water levels drop in preparation for the annual draw down Barnaby Island is no longer an island. Now is the time of year people can hike out and explore the treasures found on this island!

In A Word: Busy

 There are days in my teaching life that I don't get much of a breather. The school day begins with early arriving students, a quick cup of coffee, admit slips from sick kids, an unexpected visitor, an accidental water spill, a lost notebook, important phone call, teaching, learning, papers piling on the desk, sad news about a former student, preparing kids for conferences, early release, quick lunch, then student-led conferences. Whew! At some point in the day my desk looked like this:

 I was glad we held the conferences in a classroom in the other building that was more organized than mine! Tomorrow we will have conferences again. I love the opportunity to visit with families about student progress.