Dark days, low light and stray fingers

 Today saw me wanting to take pictures but alas the light was not suitable. I was able to quell my creative urges by using my iphone and a free drawing app. Not great art but great fun!

Communication - changing times

Before the 1980s communication was a letter or a phone call made from home or from a call box.  How strange it now seems as we all walk around instantly chatting or texting. What busy lives we all must lead with such important things to say.....Sure ?  The art and beauty of the pen and paper seems lost in our world of high tech living. 

Design perfection

It's cold and wet and grey. The sky is white with snow to fall and the wind is bitter. I took this picture on a hot sunny day in July so I'm posting it to say this December weather will pass. Oh but great design lasts.

Dressed for the snow

One small dog was dressed for the weather. Very cold, blizzard conditions and black ice to contend with. Foxy was as alert as usual and ready for any emergency. Oh and yes he is wearing his seatbelt.

November night.....

A wild November night. It took over three and a half hours to drive twenty miles. A bad accident sent emergency services racing to the scene in the distance. Long queues ahead that ran for ten miles. We took to the back roads thankful for sturdy tires and tracking. 

Catch....

The white skies of a winter evening. A very cold day with little or no warmth to be had from the sun. Walking to the car park I glanced across at the tree and saw the setting sun like a childs ball caught within it's branches. 

It's not going to hurt....well only a little.

Well this is a rather strange entry. I've just had minor surgery on my skull which involved having some excess bone removed. As it was done under a local anesthetic I was awake during the procedure. The sense of pressure and tugging was only unpleasant at one particular time. I now have a bump free scalp, whoopee and a monumental headache but I know that will pass. All the staff were fantastic. Kind thoughtful and patient oh and the consultant did a lovely french knot!!!

In reflective mode.....

I saw this sculpture in a cemetery and thought how wonderful to be portrayed as being so calm and tranquil. But then I reflected and thought how sad to be in such tight control of ones passions and emotions. The turbulence of life does leave it scars but we live and learn and learning is the golden ticket to happiness. 

Dare to be different.......

Out walking on the beach I passed this pile of rocks. Nestled amongst them was a small sliver of brickwork. The red handmade bricks stood out amongst the stark grey of the rocks washed smooth by the waves. Being different in a crowd may feel strange but you have the right to be yourself and keep your own identity. 

A Very Happy Day

So what was the memory that made me smile?

A million miles away.....

A moment was all it took to be caught on camera. That moment of the daydream when the memories came flooding back. Thinking of the love of my life.....DDLL that smile belongs to you.  

Solution beyond reach

Trying to sort out a problem and still thinking at 3.00 am. So why is my mind closed to new ideas but not open to sleep?

Imagine a locked door

I passed this door and on the other side of it was the cell.  As I walked along the corridor I thought of all the people who could never walk out of doors that held them in rooms they hated. Sometimes the most locked rooms are in our minds to which we alone have the key.

A old fashioned fence...

Before railings and before bricks came the natural beauty of wood and the simplicity of wire.

Late blooms made me smile.

In the flower bed everything was dying, the browns, grey and oranges of curled leaves and dried out stalks. Then in one small corner this little purple flower a blaze of color. 

Ladybird, Ladybird....

Publish Post

Like a sculpture of metal this dead flower head provides shelter for this Ladybird. Perhaps it like the people in the park is just basking in the warmth of the winter sun and soaking up a few rays.

Playing with my mind.....

The clue is in the word Reflections.  The clouds in the water is breath takingly beautiful and the translucent quality of the light dusts everything with a warm pink glow. Nature amazes whilst we stand and wonder.

Fancy a dip?

This water looked so appealing I nearly pulled off my shoes and socks and joined the birds. 

Last flight at dusk

As dusk begins to settle the birds finished with bathing take to the skies and in strict formation. 

Back to the photographs....

Cool .....Rock Star in the making.......cool.

Not a great master I fear but we all have to start somewhere...

OK so it's not an old master but it reminds me of sun flowers and I drew it !

New toy to play with....

Just discovered this new toy on my iphone. Time to keep playing I think.... 

The Getaway

The bride and groom make a dignified getaway after a long days partying....

Snack attack.....

Tom caught with snack.....again!

Leaves reflected in a window

I almost walked past this window. At first I was drawn to the shape and the lovely little square that open's in the middle. Then as I walked the light, the angle and the reflections all came together - snap!

I looked up...

Walking along today by chance I looked up and saw the beauty of the brickwork in the warm sunlight. The range of brown colors was fantastic.  To think each brick was made and laid by hands that lived upon the earth  in another century. What mark upon the earth will I leave behind? If any.

A little slice of history....

As you will see this walk was once taken by the famous author Lewis Carrol. I wonder if he enjoyed the winding path down to the river or if he sat down by the canal listening to the gentle waters and let his mind wander to the worlds within his imagination? 

Perfect day....

A walk by the river in Ripon I managed to catch the stillness and tranquility of the moment. Home to a lovely meal cooked by Thomas and Amy, then a catch up with good friends over drinks. Each part of the day perfect for different reasons.

Not great art but a great tart.....

I was in London this week stopped at little cafe near the House of Parliament. It was such a treat to watch the hustle and bustle of the city for ten minutes, sip a cup of Earl Grey and enjoy this yummy pastry. On the plate under the spotlight this little tart looked like a famous celebrity  caught under the light of the paparazzi!!.

No rest for the wicked....

The light of the October evening has a warm soft quality. It casts long shadows and despite the cold of the day brings a smile to the face. This week has seen this photographer laid low with a viral infection. So a little recycling was required. Fingers crossed for getting out next week.

Tom lost in music and thought.....

No longer a child but always my boy. I see a man of principle with compassion for others, an inquiring mind, a bright intelligence tempered with original wit. I'm so proud this man with his thirst for  life is my son. 

Imagination to stir the soul....

"Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men's blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die, but long after we are gone will be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistency. Remember that our sons and grandsons are going to do things that would stagger us. Let your watchword be order and your beacon beauty. Think big."

- Daniel Burnham

Late blooms....

A patient and friend take advantage of a break in the rain. Able to get outside for some fresh air at last as the day draws to a close.

From grey clouds to sunny skies...

A whole day of rain and then suddenly the sky cleared and the pink evening sunlight seemed to bleach clean the clouds and a light breeze fluffed them to perfection.

The Golden Hour

Driving home tonight the clouds parted and this wonderful golden light just shone across the landscape. It was so beautiful. 

I wonder what he's thinking......

A rather pensive little Foxy. Just before his eye operation does this little dog have a sense of what is about to happen?  Well a few hours later and now the proud owner of a large plastic collar the patient is doing well.

Color me beautiful....

Not a flower in sight but this beautiful leaf arrangement was a wonderful blend of color a pleasure to see.

Little house on the door step

I love this little house and often wish I could open the door and pop inside. 

Counting sheep.... er one

I saw this beautiful rocking sheep at a local country fair. It was not for sale as it had been in the family of the stall holder for generations. Much loved and a little bald in places is was a toy to fire the imagination and counting sheep took on a whole new meaning. 

A good old cry

Sometimes a good old cry is all that you need to make the day seem lighter and the task more bearable. Emotions bottled up inside can drain the energy and dampen the sprit. So let it all out!

Creative Industrial Design

I was in this building recently. It had a cold clinical feel yet it was a powerhouse of innovation and creativity. Being open to new ideas is a habit worth putting into practice.

My Young Farmer

Next week this little boy turns 18 and is legally a man. How quickly time flies. How fleetingly we share the gift of our children's childhood. 

A true classic....

With so many modern reproductions it was so wonderful to see a real classic. An original Fiat 550 

Flowers on stone

The hardness of the material and the gentleness of the image somehow fit so perfectly. 

The three happy builders

Leaving the main entrance of the hospital today I saw these three builders laying a new path. This will enable patients who are blind and partially sighted to cross the road safely on textured paving. Each was kind enough to let me capture the moment.