A Stormy Harbor Scene

This photo was taken of the stormy sky as it cloaked the heavens at a state harbor in Michigan. I have decided to write mini fiction scenes with my posts...off the top of my head. Here goes:

Marissa had waited for her fiance to sail into the quaint harbor of Safeway along the shores of Lake Huron for four hours, but he never appeared. She had rushed to arrive at the previously scheduled time and had spent the first hour or two enjoying the lake scenery and seagulls, but even that grew wearisome. One could only skip so many stones on the water, and she had run out of crackers for the screeching birds. There wasn't a vacationer to talk to. In fact, the harbor was deserted, with not one moored vessel, as if boaters knew not to travel on such a gloomy day. Marissa's eyes had grown sore from watching the horizon, and the brooding storm and distant thunder did nothing to ease her concern for Marcus, which had her pacing back and forth on the shoreline like a nervous plover.

If she notified the Coast Guard and nothing was wrong, Marcus would be embarrassed. Marcus lived by his own time schedule and was a loner - loved the swelling of the waves which spoke to his soul, and he tended to forget time, while plunging himself in his world of blue sparkling waters and golden sunrises and sunsets.

When Marissa thought about it, she was lucky to have any part of him at all. A day in Marcus' company was worth a month of Sundays for the joy she felt in his embrace, and Marissa didn't mind the fact that he had such a passion for the water. She had a child to care for and that was her main priority after the devastating heart attack and death of her first husband, Steve. Marcus had helped her past that. "You deserve some time for yourself too," he had whispered in her ear, and she had nestled her head on his shoulder with a contented sigh as they danced under the moonlight to her favorite oldies song on her patio.

She did deserve some time to enjoy adult happenings. But she wasn't enjoying the wait now. Where was he? The sky growled and Marissa saw rain falling over the lake in long, slanted, grayish streaks in the distance. The wind whipped up, blowing the scarf off her head. The white fabric took on a ghostly appearance it caught a wind current and flew too high for her to reach, drifting away like a billowy sail.

Rain drops began to fall and a lightning crack made her jump. She ran through the tall grass and to the protection of her car. Perhaps Marcus had anchored in the shelter of a bay to wait out the storm. Perhaps she had gotten the day and time wrong. Perhaps...she was crazy for being all alone when night was falling. She would have to leave the harbor and find a hotel nearby. And she could check the docks again in the morning for Marcus' craft, Always.

When Marissa turned the key in the ignition, nothing happened. She tried again and only heard a click. Sheets of water now blanketed the windshield. When a rapid pounding on the passenger side door reverberated through the car, Marissa's shoulders bunched.

***

End of the fictional scene...hope you enjoyed it. :D

Hugs, JJ

Wildflower Season

As a child, I grew to know this columbine wildflower as honeysuckle and still think of it as honeysuckle in my mind because it reminds me of a time when I was young and the neighborhood kids and I would pluck the flowers and taste the tips...lucky it didn't harm us, thinking it was honeysuckle. The most interesting fact for me is that Native Americans used to crush the seeds of columbine to use as a love charm: Celebrating Wildflowers.

When I read that, I remembered a hot summer day when a neighborhood boy and I had plucked some of the wildflower, tasted the tips, and then decided to swing on the rope swing in his yard to cool off from the 95 degree temperature outside.

"Higher!" I cried. "Higher" as I sat on his lap, innocent of the fact he was boy and I was girl, wanting the thrill of the rope swing. We were 7 or 8 at the time and our giggles filled the yard. The swing swung up to new heights, kissing the sky, when the rope broke and down we crashed with a painful jolt. We were both stunned for a moment and hurting. And then I stood up and my skirt fell off. The fabric had been ripped in two. Mortified, I picked it up and threw it around me, hearing my friend's laughter in my ears. That's when I realized there was a difference between boys and girls. A girl would have cried with me. This boy turned out to be the neighborhood jester. I ran home, red faced and hoping I would make it with the accident pain running through my bones.

My other friends and I enjoyed this boy's company at times...he was always knocking on our doors with some weird thing he found and wanted to show us that made us laugh, but we also had many times when we wanted to bean him over the head. Now, I'm remembering the garter snake down my back. LOL

Hugs, JJ

My Cat Flower Taking a Dirt Bath

Meet my cat Flower. :D She's quite a roller when it comes to dirt baths. In this photo you can see the sand spraying up around her while she's in cat heaven.

This was one of my first shots with my Canon and at first I didn't think it turned out, but then I took a closer look at the washed out areas in contrast to my dark tabby cat with her golden eyes... and showed Jeff. He wants this photo enlarged and framed and hung on our wall. This goes to show you the rules of photography are variable. If you use a wrong setting, you just might make an artwork you can show to your family. :D I may try some more wrong settings on purpose.

All is well here, this morn. I stepped outside to the fragrance of petunias cloying the air, and the songs of happy birds chirping in the forest. How full of gusto they are first thing in the morning. I wonder if they exercise before they perch? Wish I were 100% in the morning. Have to work on that if I want to catch some sunrises. :D

Have a super day, dear friends. I plan on playing catch up today. My project has been sent off to my editor. :D Thought I'd take two days off from photographing, but I caught myself outside at 6:10 AM trying to snap a shot of an unfolding rose. The flash went off under the bright half pie moon. LOL I have a funny feeling photography has become a passion.

Hugs, JJ

Lake Huron at Dusk

Lake Huron has many moods and a couple of nights ago it was churned up, washing sand to the shoreline, its foaming color a light tan from the usual blue hues. It's amazing how the shoreline can alter from visit to visit, always changing like we do on our journeys through life. I'm attracted to the boulders in the lake because they stand firm from the wave action and hold their own, glowing after the waves wash over them. May I have a glow like that on my face, no matter what the world brings. :D

That night I also snapped a submission photo and I can't tell you how hard it is not to post it! I've been trained to show! LOL

The Lord has decided to use me for his ministry and I gladly follow. Without His guidance, I wouldn't see most of what I capture on film. I have a deeper understanding of my faith and God's Love for us because of photo snapping and am enjoying the peace of mind that comes along with it. Peace of mind is one of the greatest gifts on this earth, outdoing many other emotions and anyone can achieve it in their hearts, no matter what their circumstances. Rich or poor, healthy or sick, the Lord gives you a place where you can discover His warmth and protection. It's within your spiritual side.

Sweet Angel has tagged me with a 6 random fact MeMe. I tag anyone who wants to participate and pass the tag on. :D

Here I go. Let's see if I can come up with some odd facts. LOL

1) My knees have lost their fluxy. Wish I could take them to the auto garage for new shocks.

2) Have had sunspots removed from my face...please wear sunscreen.

3)My shoe size is a size 6 and I have a hard time finding footwear because discount stores have started carrying shoes at size 6-and-a-half.

4)I have been trying to lose the same four pounds for years. I lose them and they come right back. Must have totalled a 100 pound loss by now. I'm fighting this again because I need my photo professionally taken for my publishing house.

5)I have a cowlick that drives me nuts. I wear my hair pixie short and the colic POPS right on up there. Last Sunday I looked at myself in the church bathroom mirror and ended up plastering down the stubborn thing with water, hoping I wouldn't look silly taking communion if it decided to rise from my head before the service was over. Next week it's getting more hair spray.

6)When I'm nervous and try to smile, I have a jittery tick on the right side of my face by my lips.

Blessings!!!

JJ

Plum Blossoms Delight the Eye!

What a year from plum blossoms! Both trees were covered with white blooms. I spent a couple of days snapping photos with my head stuck in the trees. LOL My camera needed pollen dusting.

Jeff has a tomato tower made of reinforcing mesh which stands next to one plum tree, and I couldn't help noticing it had the same shape as the tree branch so this is a shot to show the similar design.

You would think with all these blooms we would have a bumper crop of plums to feast on but the two trees we have are in full bloom two weeks apart so we end up with very few plums. We're talking about adding a third plum tree but Jeff has been so busy it hasn't happened yet. I'll add that to my honey-do list for autumn. :D

All is well here. Jeff and I traveled to the Upper Peninsula yesterday and I have some more photos to add to my project. :D It was a beautiful day with a calm Lake Superior and a golden sun. But after we arrived home a vicious thunderstorm moved through. We've had growling thunder and heavy rain lately and areas downstate have flooded. The weather sure has stepped up a few notches lately in intensity, but Jeff and I noted that the lake levels are rising so that's a good thing.

Have a super Sunday!!! We're taking my FIL out for pizza after church. He looooves his "pissa". :D What are you doing for Father's Day? I'd love hearing about it.

Hugs, JJ

Wild Strawberries...Ah!

If you want to see where wild strawberries grow, look in the sunny meadows; they're usually all around in Michigan and I'm sure many of you have picked them as kids in your areas. Remember any stories? I remember my childhood dismay when a building was erected on my favorite wild strawberry patch in the neighborhood. I mourned the loss because it was a wild run with the neighborhood kids to see who could pick the most berries. Competition was everything in my childhood days, down to who was given what color of M&Ms. LOL

Wild strawberry blossoms brighten the landscape the same time the lilacs bloom in Michigan. The berry taste is superb as compared to the large strawberries I have tasted from the garden. The wild strawberry taste sweetens the tongue without having to pour in granular sugar into the dessert.

I'm going to watching for the fruit to start ripening after the petals drift away in the wind. Wild strawberries have me humming that Beatle tune, "Strawberry Fields Forever." The plants do appear year after year, as hardy as ever, and they delight the eye to see the glowing, white blossoms cheering you on, telling you better things are to come.

I have some catching up to do. Dandelions and Daydreams has awarded me the beautiful Arte y Pico Award. Thank you. :D Angel has also tagged me and I will post that tag next.

If you have been tagged for this award:
1) Pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also for contributing to the blogging community, no matter what language.2) Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone3) Show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.4) Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of “Arte y Pico” blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award. Make sure you visit the link above.

My choices are Elaine for Life, Lee Morrison, Donna Michaels, Chicago Nature Lady, and Nature at Closer Range. I admire the talent these authors, writers and photographers have. :D Please visit their blogs.

Hugs, JJ

At the Lakeside

As the sunset glowed warmly along the Lake Huron lakeshore, I snapped this photo, appreciating the golden grass seed against the golden sand and water background. Spring ROCKS!

Jeff and I loved the calm of the evening and plan to enjoy more moments like this. This is a time when we can close our eyes and listen to the waves rolling in, inhale the tangy freshness of the fresh water and enjoy a time of quietude.

All is well with me. I am taking one day at a time and working my way through to publication. My life has changed in a good way. :D There are many steps that have to be taken and I am working my way through them. I am happy I wasn't instantly published because it would have been such a change all at once. Increments are better for me to adjust to, and I am able to keep up with the pace and have a happy heart as I approach my new career.

We had a rainy weekend with tornado watches so it was limited to what we could do. The bad weather continues so I will work on my fiction manuscript edits. Please keep good thoughts for me for this week. I may have more photography and writing news. :D

Have a super day, and I hope you have a blessed start to the new week!!! Let me know how you're doing. :D

Hugs, JJ

Spring Glow and All Things New

Last week the wild cherry blossoms graced the landscape and against the vibrant, green maple leaves and blue sky, it was an amazing sight. I walked around marveling at how a fresh start to the season looks - all things new and uplifting. :D

How great it is that each day is new to us...a chance to start over if we have gotten off track. A time to branch out in different directions. It's AMAZING when you find the right path. I'm on it now and my whole world is changing for the better. I was stuck with permanent carpal tunnel years ago and that stopped my community life cold. But the Lord has found a way to make me useful again by my becoming published ,and he has found a way I can do it with the debilitating, scar tissued carpal tunnel. :D Praise the Lord!!! I had prayed to Him again and again asking Him to give me one more chance. He listened, even though it took years but I can see now I was in training. Thank you, Lord!!! You have shown me wonderful things.

I hope my future success shows others with physical problems that has them stuck that HOPE is out there and that the resources lie within them...just ask God for guidance. :D Everyone has hidden talents begging to be explored. I believe in God more than ever and look forward to my future books. :D I pray others will find their passions so they can move on also. Physical problems rob our self-esteem and bury us in an emotional avalanche. It takes faith to pull ourselves out to see our new spring.

Love, JJ

Apple Blossom Morning

A golden landscape greeted me after the sunrise yesterday morning when I ventured outdoors for some photos of the blooming apple blossoms, the trees still somewhat in shadow. I loved the richness of the pink buds and the dewy white, unfolding petals. While my nose was in the fragrant apple blossoms, a hummingbird's wings vibrated close by and bees buzzed around me, gathering yellow pollen, telling me life goes on as usual even though the world has its difficulties.

I have more photos of this tree I would love to show you, but I have to hold them back for submissions. On a funny note, I spent so much time thinking about photos yesterday that I forgot to curl my hair. When I asked Jeff if it bothered him, he said, "Bother me? I see you when you wake up." LOL Don't you love an honest husband. Still, with all the beauty around me outside right now, I don't see how I could compare. :D

Hugs, JJ

Glistening Beach Stones

Don't you love glistening beach stones! Ones a wave has just washed clean, leaving the them to gleam in the sunlight and look like precious jewels you want to keep.

"I'm going to make you a necklace of this one," Jeff will say, showing me a perfect stone that looks like a precious opal. "Let's look for smaller matching stones for earrings too," he adds. A warmth surges through me as we hunt around, our eyes watching every stone we step over, our hearts wanting to find a matching set to complete the imagined jewelry pieces.

"Found one," Jeff says as he bends over and plucks a fine piece of gravel from the wet sand.

"And I the other," I say with victory in my heart. I smile, thinking what a sweet hubby I have as I hand him the fine stone and Jeff compares it to the others.
"That'll do," he says. Our eyes meet and we we connect as loved ones do.

I envision the glistening necklace and dangly earrings, and it warms my heart that Jeff even thought to do this for me, even if he never gets around to it. Walking along with the beach with him is reward enough, with the wind in our hair and the seagulls wheeling overhead, and the romance nourished between husband and wife.

Hugs, JJ