Winter Sunrise Photo

Snow covers the landscape in Northern Michigan as we hunker down for the cold season. This morning I hear waves breaking on the shoreline and they are louder than the wind.

The chickadees, red polls, and goldfinches have started visiting the bird feeder and soon I'll have pics. :D Jeff is building me a shelter so I can snap close ups of the birds that are more leery of humans. When I was outside yesterday with my camera, it was half rain and half snow and I worried the Canon Rebel XTi would become too wet and get ruined so I am more than happy for a shelter to keep the camera dry. :D

This photo shows a glorious cherry red winter sunrise. My fingers froze before I was finished snapping these photos. I hope I find some gloves that are warm and thin enough to work the camera this winter. My fingers get so cold I worry I am going to have frost bite.

How do you keep your fingers warm while snapping winter photos?

Have a super Tuesday!!!

Hugs, JJ

Autumn Walk

Jeff and I are blessed to live in Michigan, especially in autumn when the walks feel as if we are stepping into another dimension. :D Here you see our cat Flower Child checking out the weird vibes ahead. She's a brave soul and I hope she doesn't find another possum.

Actually I was playing with my photo editor and this result reminded me of the first manuscript I wrote. I should blow the dust off that floppy and read that work again. I had no idea of how to craft a story at that time but let my imagination lead me through to the end.

What freedom that was not worrying about a plot or the tension or the various other elements that build a strong story. Sometimes a writer wants to write without rules and regulations. It's a great soul searching experience. I was so proud of writing THE END to STONE'S THROW months later. My heroine was on an autumn color tour in Michigan when her car broke down on a side road and she stumbled into another dimension looking for someplace to call AAA. She met her hero over there and had to decide whether to stay and marry him while living primitively, or to head back to her family when the chance arrived.

Have you tried writing a manuscript? Were you able to finish it? If you have the urge to and haven't tried your hand at writing fiction, give it a go! Write for the fun of it. Write for emotional discoveries. Write to become published. :D

Hugs, JJ

Hello Winter Fiction and Photo

"Hello, Winter. I see you found Northern Michigan. " I shudder as I witness the arrival of the first menacing cloud. It's a doozy.

"Yes, and I'm right in time," Winter boasts.

With my shoulders hunched at the brooding mass, I say, "I was hoping you'd drop in for a visit somewhere else until...around Santa sleigh time." My lips draw a thin line.

"Somewhere else? You know how much I love seeing you. How could you say that? You've hurt my feelings."

Winter's clouds grow stormier. I must not upset him further or I could become Chicken Little.

A cold wind gust raises goose bumps on my bare arms. I have to think of a good excuse to keep Winter at bay for a few weeks so I can frolic under the autumn blue skies some more. Autumn's getting the life squeezed out of her right before my eyes. I ache for her loss.

"I have a lot of luggage. Where do you want me to put it?" Winter says.

My gulp is audible."I see it weighing you down? Why don't you travel lighter?"

"Lighter! That's for women. I'm an alpha cloud, a tortured hero, one who bears my burdens until I can stand it no longer and then burst."

The storm cloud above me glows around the edges with pride. Winter's chest heaves towards earth. I fear he may drop his luggage right in front of me. My heart races. I must try to stop him. He's too much for me.

Snowflakes drift down from the sky teasingly. Winter chuckles.

"You look beautiful wearing my original designs. Soon you can try out your snowshoes and I'll take you on great adventures once I've woven a blanket on the landscape."

"I...I'm not sure where my snowshoes are. I'd have to dig to find them."

"Enough with these excuses!"

A wind gust sails through me like a knife and I make a note to find my winter coat. Ugh, the heaviness of the the winter coat and boots comes back to me. "Winter, you give me a headache!" I cry.

"A headache. A typical woman's excuse. Are you sure you have one?"

"Yes. I have it now. Right here." I rub my forehead and temples and squint my eyes. "So could you visit on a future date?"

"What a fine thing to say on my first visit. I am going to have to stay with you until I change your attitude. You better step inside."

"Oh, all right," I say, dropping my head and ruffling some dead leaves with the toe of my sneaker. "But I am hoping your stay is SHORT!"

"Enjoy the show," he says.

As soon as I retreat inside and lock the door, the slanted snowstorm pelts the land.

Winter has all season to win my affection. Let's see if he can do it. Right now his howl is far worse than my excuses. :D

Hugs, JJ

A Backward Glance at Summer

As I gaze upon the golden leafed willow that stands humbly outside and waiting to drop her leaves, I notice the fallen autumn wardrobe on the ground surrounding her that has gone beyond rust to a dark brown lifeless mess. It's sad to see the season go.

Farewell picturesque autumn, but I really ache for summer with her brightly painted fields of assorted wildflowers alive with buzzing bees. That's when I stood knee deep in the fields and had a great time of snapping photos that will keep my heart light as I flick through them until the first buds pop open again.

All is not lost. Jeff has talked of building ice sculptures in the winter I can photograph and the birds will come to the feeder - as soon as the bears are hibernating and we set food out. I have much to look forward to during the deep freeze. I'm excited to think up fun photos to keep the winter interesting. :D My heart aches for the temporary loss of the beautiful, inviting weather but the woodstove will keep me warm and I have books. :D

Hugs, JJ

Rock-A-Bye Jeff

I know Jeff's parents are waiting to see where I snapped a photo of Jeff next at Canyon Falls in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and I bet they would have never guessed this location. LOL

While walking to the falls, we were struck by the sight of a large, mythical -looking stone headboard that looked like it fell from the sky and landed in the middle of the Sturgeon River! I was searching my mythical knowledge for an answer as to how it got there. My disbelief was suspended and I was in story land.

While we were letting our imaginations run wild, Jeff couldn't resist and hopped the stones so he could lie down in front of the headboard on a slate rock that served as his mattress and take a nap. I didn't think I should disturb him since I had him on the road at 1 AM to catch the sunrise lighting on the Sturgeon River. But I was expecting to hear giant footsteps stomping the earth any second. Someone coming to reclaim the headboard. The whole setting looked pre-historic.

Just reminiscing about that day makes me want to hop in the car and travel to the falls again. I can't get enough of that mind boggling spot.

Hugs, JJ

Glassy Photo Editor Effects

Squee! I found a way to make winter brighter. Yesterday I fooled around with my photo editor and produced this "glassy" pic of a forlorn orchard tree which has straggly leaves and apples past their prime. The design had caught my eye while I was outside and I was hoping I could do something with it. :D

Who knew something like this barren photo could turn into art! WOOT!!! Snowflakes have been drifting down today today and I am especially happy to know I can find color during the long winter ahead and mix it with the winter landscape shots for this blog.

Photo editors are fun. :D I have Paint Shop Pro. Which one do you use when you prepare your photos for the Internet?

Happy Sunday. I'm a little under the weather today and hope I am better soon.

Hugs, JJ

Canyon Falls - and up pops Jeff :D

As I was snapping photos of Canyon Falls, which is on the Sturgeon River in the Upper Peninsula, Jeff suddenly popped up from the rocky cliff below me. Of course I asked him to freeze. This has turned out to be one of my favorite photos of him at the falls. You will never believe where I found him next!

We have had such playful adventures together and have forgotten sometimes how old we are. It's great when the child comes out and we throw our cares to the wind. What arthritis? That's one big reason we love nature. Jeff and I have young and adventuresome hearts. May we never grow old in our visions of life. We're in the middle of life but achy bones already found us. LOL Jeff's feet and ankles bother him where I have problems with my knees and hands.

I have more Canyon Falls photos to show you. My life has been crazy the last few months but it's all coming together. :D

Tell me where your favorite nature spot is that you enjoy with your family. :D

Hugs, JJ

Farewell Bright Autumn

Autumn's last hurrah clings to the trees with darkened, mournful leaves letting go and sailing to the ground to meet those who have gone before them. The earth crunches and thanks the leaves for their nourishment. But the most spectacular event now happens in the sky with the changing clouds. I've had my camera pointed upward for days. The glorious blue will soon turn to mostly gray skies so I must capture these eye-catching photos while I can. This photo shows a rain cloud breaking up right after sunrise. The show lasted for hours. It was as if I were seeing God's hand directly because the majestic view touched my soul in an inspirational way. I know God is there watching over us and I know how much He loves us.

We are blessed to know Him. :D

Hugs, JJ