New Lens!

About an year ago, I entered my first juried show. The theme was Flower Power. I absolutely love taking photos of flowers. Flowers are my favorite subjects. I worked very hard and took tons of very strong pieces. I thought I would get into the show.

But I did not. The rejection was brutal and what made it worse was that some of the photos that were selected were not that great. Let's just say cows in a field. Anyways. I moved on and got over it.

What does this have to do with buying a new lens you ask? Absolutely nothing. Nada. Just want you to know that I am planning on taking a ton of flower photos and publishing them on my blog. So please be kind cause I am needy.

So what did I get? Nikkor AF-S Micro 85 mm f/3.5 ED VR. Yeah baby!

I am off to shoot some photos. You guys have some fun this saturday and keep me posted!

Spooky Ranch

Spice Rack

My exciting life. I got a new spice rack from IKEA. How cool is that?

IKEA has to be my favorite store. What is your favorite store?

Award!

While I typically don't accept awards, this one simply floored me. 

The Deborah Award!

Hope

Courage

Faith

That anyone would read my crazy ramblings never ceases to amaze me. That someone comes back again to read my stuff is shocking.

The friendships I formed via my blog is priceless. I thank each and every one of you.

I thank Janice who is crazy enough to think that I have any of these virtues. Let's not tell her. OK?

And thank you Deborah for creating this beautiful award. 

I am not worthy!

I'd like to share this award with all my readers. You teach me daily all about hope, courage and faith.

Thank you!

Earth Day

Happy Earth day! 

May we all find some way of nourishing and returning the gifts that Mother Earth provides to us.

May we learn to respect and love like Mother Earth.

Note to my American readers and American Idol watchers:

Sanjaya was my papaya

Turbon was my bourbon

Nough said.

Flunk!

So I know that my regular readers think that I am this super macho woman. Embodiment of perfection. Flawless. OK. Give me a break. I would like to believe that you think of me that way. Play along with me. OK?

Last weekend, upon my friend's insistence, I bought tickets to do the segway tour of Austin. Segway is like a motorized scooter that you ride and look utterly stupid in. I have no problems looking stupid if I am having fun. And as long as it is legal. While I told my friend that I had absolutely no atheletic abilities and the last time I rode a bike was decades ago, she did not listen. She said it would be easy.

Wrong!

I went there with my hubby and met a bunch of friends. We rented the segways and got training lessons. Everyone else did great. I sucked. When I wanted to go left, I went right. I could not stop the darn thing on demand. Two trainers tried to help me. I endured dirty glances form other people in the group who could not understand why someone could not do something as easy as that and was slowing them down. I was mortified.

And then I heard the most wonderful statement in a long time. 

Trainer: I am sorry but we must ask you to stay behind. We cannot take you with us.

Me: So I flunked this?

Trainer: It is not you. It is a liability issue.

Me: Thanks so much! What took you so long to decide that I am not capable of riding this darn stupid thing? And can I have a refund please?

So I was stuck in downtown for 2 and1/2 hours while my friends went their happy ways on the tour. I was so relieved that they left me behind. Which is not bad if you have your camera with you. I spent the time taking photos of downtown and the Capitol of Texas. When they called me to tell me the thingie was over and to meet them, I was almost disappointed. I had so much fun walking around and taking the photos.

Here is one of the Capitol of Texas.

Questions:

• Have you ever flunked at something and been really relieved?
• Do you love me less now that you know that I am not a super woman?