Thursday Reflection: Time Out

I need only be still,
 and let the day unfold

as it is meant to.

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Photo supplied by Ella Wilson

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While I normally advocate active navigation of one’s own life, there are days when a time out is called for; days to accept that perfect control is an illusion and to trust that what we did not plan might bring us just what we need at that time.

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A quiet bench, a moment of pause and a modicum of faith can still the chatter in our heads and reveal to us a world of possibilities we might otherwise not see.

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Poets United has introduced an exciting new feature called 'Reflection' into it's Thursday Think Tank. On the first Thursday of each month, the talented Ellen Wilson will graciously provide us with a photo prompt around which to build a poem. If you find this as much fun as I do, check out other work at the link below!

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Utah Photo by Lynette Killam

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http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.com/2011/06/thursday-think-tank-51-time-out.html#more

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And if you're up for a real treat, do stop by Ella's Edge and settle in for a great visit...

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http://ellasedge.blogspot.com/

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Las Vegas photo by Lynette Killam

Valley Skies

 Because I posted photos yesterday that were taken in Utah after a rainfall, I thought to include shots of the rich blue skies that greeted us on our drive toward Monument Valley, before the rain began.

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It was spectacular to ride through this endless, wide valley and watch that big sky fill with clouds that soon tossed long, dark shadows across the golden fields.

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I could not take my eyes off the clouds...the sky-lover in me had found heaven, and wanted to record every mercurial shift and shadow that magically transformed this incredible landscape.
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The clouds grew thicker by the minute and I kept shooting, each new frame etching ever deper into my soul the complete joy I found in this beautiful piece of the world...

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You might like to check out the results here:

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http://imaginationlane.blogspot.com/2010/11/stormy-utah-skies.html

and here

http://imaginationlane.blogspot.com/2011/03/desert-weekend-reflections.html

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To view skies from all over the world on Skywatch Friday, click onto the link below and enjoy…

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http://skyley.blogspot.com/
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Another Shadow Shot Sunday

Oops! If you've landed here on September 3rd, it's because I entered the wrong link for SSS. Please follow this link for today's shadows...:)

Sorry for the confusion!

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http://imaginationlane.blogspot.com/2010/09/leafy-shadows.html

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For this week’s Shadow Shot Sunday, I challenged myself to go no farther than my own backyard in search of interesting shadows. As projects often do, this one started out one way and ended up another.

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What began as a search for shadows, turned into a study in texture and line as I prowled through our admittedly less-than-pristine garden.

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I’ve always been drawn to things shabby and worn. To me, rusted-out fences have a quiet beauty of their own, and weathered wood glows with a charm I do not find in things brand new.

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.................Even a forgotten pair of secateurs found in long-neglected grass cast a pleasing

shadow when propped against the nubby stucco walls of our house.

The resulting pictures are a curious mix of shapes and colours that resemble abstract paintings.
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I must deem my challenge a success. I found my shadows…found my pruning shears, (though they’re no longer fit for use!), and my little dog had a wonderful day poking through our neglected yard with me.

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For a brief…a very brief…moment, I contemplated telling my husband that we really should forgo the long Sunday drives we take in search of abandoned buildings to photograph, and small treasures to round up…that we should instead stay home and do yard work all weekend. That notion passed quickly, however; I could too easily see his small, cheeky grin and hear him

drawl, “Yeah, right!!”

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I’ll be sure to share with you the mischief we get into in place of gardening….:)

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Many thanks to 'Hey, Harriet' for hosting this Sunday event! To see more, do drop by her page at...

http://heyharriet.blogspot.com/

My first Shadow Sunday

I am endlessly fascinated by the play of light and shadow..so when I recently

discovered Shadow Shot Sunday, I knew I'd found a home!

My husband and I are drawn in by the forbidden.

When we came across this abandoned barn warning of 'No Entry', we were inside the second we found an opening.

I have posted a few shots from this series previously, but thought these new pics were perfect for my first Shadow Sunday.

My camera and I were in heaven that day as we explored the golden light that forced its way in through murky windows and the battered remains of doors.

The air was perfectly still, the silence palpable.


Our footsteps were quietly muffled by the sawdust floor, and a wonderful feeling of timelessness engulfed us.

It is this sense of serenity we love about empty buildings.

Whatever their history..however chaotic their past, when abandoned by humans, rooms return to a place of peace.
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I can promise you these will not be the last pictures of abandoned builings you see from me....


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Many thanks to 'Hey, Harriet' for hosting this Sunday event! To see more, do drop by her page at...
http://heyharriet.blogspot.com/
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