Where flowers bloom

Where flowers bloom so does hope. ~Lady Bird Johnson

You'd think it's springtime around these parts. I keep envying the fall foliage I'm seeing posted everywhere, but then I realized after uploading these pics I had taken recently that we have color, too. Maybe not the way I prefer, but color nonetheless. As the song goes, you may not get what you want, but you get what you need.

Our satsumas are finally starting to ripen. Tiny green fruit resembling small limes began showing up in May. I counted almost 20 satsumas hanging from the branches. Finally, after months of waiting, they are ready to eat, and they are delicious!

I am deeply grateful for all the emails and prayers for my son and me. He has been MIA for 2 weeks, so I have filed a missing person's report with the LAPD. That's the very abbreviated version. I will give an update whenever I know more. Blogging, visiting other blogs, and commenting, along with praying, is keeping me sane for the time being.

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It's come at last

“It's come at last", she thought, "the time when you can no longer stand between your children and heartache.” ~Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Driving around like a lost soul in the country recently I spotted two mules ahead. (They are mules, aren't they? Embarrassed that I don't know for sure.) Pulling the car over, I got out, cautiously hopped over a ditch, and walked slowly up to the fence. Mother and child stopped their grazing and stared while I set up my tripod. After each click, momma got closer and closer to baby, until she was standing directly in front like a shield, giving me a wary look. I got the message, smiled, told her what a good mom she was, and quietly left.

As I drove away I began to think of all the times I tried to protect (and rescue) my eldest from folly after folly. This momma's protective action made me think of him. If you are a praying person, I'd appreciate some for my boy.

More Oak Alley

Last of the Oak Alley Plantation shots.

A unique, teacup chandelier in the gift shop.

This looks like a cannon, but the sign said it was used to put out fires.

The Courting Candle
When a suitor came to court the daughter, each was given a special candle twisted to a certain height.
The higher the candle, the higher the approval rating by the father. A short candle signified a brief date.

Notice how low the table and chairs are in comparison to our lovely guide.
The average height of people in the 1800s was just under 5 feet tall. I mainly took this photo for the red velvet table fan.
A slave stood in a corner with a rope and worked the fan while the guests dined. 

Imagine the mosquito bites if they didn't use netting around the beds. 

The famous Virginia Live Oaks stretching 1/4 mile in front of the home. They are 300 years old; half their lifespan. 

Remembering our veterans today, and the huge sacrifices they and their families make. I honor and salute each and every one. My deepest gratitude goes out to them.

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The Big Picture

When I became serious about photography four years ago, I was told very early on to "fill the frame". Once I saw the benefit of isolating a subject, I couldn't stop. In life I have no trouble "seeing the big picture", but in photography, give me the details, baby. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy all styles of photography from landscapes, to black and white, to artfully processed. And while I marvel at all the different styles, I still end up zeroing in on the details for my own stuff. I went out the other day with the intent to think more about composition and landscape, and by the end of the hour I was back to zooming in like nobody's business. In short, I'm in a rut, photographically speaking.

Last night I was at a dinner for my husband's potential clients. I was nervous before going, and prayed that God would help me be at ease, since social situations with strangers make me nervous. With my stomach tied in knots and a pounding headache, I trusted that God would get me through the evening. No surprise, my ailments slowly evaporated as I held several wonderful, meaningful conversations with all four couples; two of which are birders! They were telling me when and where to go and promised to call if they saw the bald eagle they had spotted recently in our neighborhood. My husband was showing off one of my bird shots on his phone and one of the ladies lit up and said, "You're a photographer? I need someone to shoot a graduation party." My heart sunk because I can't shoot people. I explained that I'm a nature photographer, but I do want to learn how to do portraits and people. Maybe one day.

After focusing on the big picture (pardon the pun), I came to the realization that my fears prevent me from being successful and happy. So I decided to find a local class that teaches portraiture. Right now I have an email out to a private tutor that specializes in portraits, since the community college classes were online only.

Below are examples of my attempt to get the "big picture", and how each time I ended up with a detail oriented shot. I'm determined to break this habit and branch out! The same way God is helping me to overcome my social phobias, I am confident that He will guide me in this and all areas. I just have to ask!

Anyone know what kind of flower this is?

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Oak Alley Plantation

Oak Alley Plantation is located in Vacherie (VAH-shah-ree), LA. Lining the entrance are 28 Virginia Live Oaks, 14 on each side, equalling 1/4 mile in distance. They were planted in the 1700s, about 100 years before the home was constructed. They are now 300 years old and their expected lifespan is 600.

Since this shot has been taken numerous times by infinitely more talented photographers, I experimented with various edits for a little something different. The black and white images were processed with two different CoffeeShop actions, then tweaked further in Lightroom. I can't remember which is which, but one is called Raspberry Tea and the other Irish Breakfast Tea. The color version is an action called Amapad Florida. I have no idea the origin; it's an action I've had for some time and rarely use. I tried to Google to give proper credit, but couldn't find it.

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