Gratitude 19.30 ~ Play

I am grateful I take the time to play!

Sugar Doll Award ~ Thanks Cora!

Cora over at Heartfelt & Homemade surprised me today by giving me this little Sugar Doll Award and asking me to tell a few previously unknown things about myself!! I'm always up for a fun little challenge!
So... here goes!
1. My heritage is Lithuanian, Polish & Russian.

2. And keeping in line with that... I LOVE pierogis!

3. Like Cora, I paint my toes but usually not my fingers.

4. I have a fear of bridges, heights & flying!

5. My favorite movie is Chocolat... with Johnny Depp.

6. My favorite book is "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein.

7. The favorite place I've ever visited is Nova Scotia.

8. My pets all have middle names!

9. Besides photography, my other passion is gardening.

10. I'm a thrift store addict & love all things old & vintage! They are often used to decorate my home!

Gratitude 18.30 ~ Preservation

I find myself constantly drawn to areas of wild uspoiled beauty. If I lived in another age, I would have been on the Lewis & Clark expedition! I am so very thankful for large tracts that have been preserved by Federal, State & local preservation efforts. This shot was taken on the Greenridge Trail - part of lands managed by the Conservancy in Benzie County, Michigan. My favorite places are the Sleeping Bear Dunes, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness, Ontario north of Lake Superior, Nova Scotia and Assateague on the Eastern shore of Virginia & Maryland.

Gratitude 17.30 ~ Sense of Self

I am getting close to a new decade – age wise. I am so very grateful to be who I am at this moment. Yes, there are some wrinkles. Like Maggie, I am not the high energy, constantly on the go girl I used to be. But I am content with & confident in my skin – something I wasn’t in my 20’s. I am looking forward to growing, learning & getting better & better!

Gratitude 16.30 Don't Worry ~ Be Happy!

Today I am grateful that I choose to be happy!

15.30 ~ Faith & Hope

15.30 ~ Faith & Hope, originally uploaded by *ojoyous1*.

Today I planted some bulbs… alliums, one of my faves. Today I am grateful for faith & belief in good things to come. Faith that there will be a spring & that those bulbs will come up & bring me happiness.

I am grateful for wonderful possibilities both here & in my 2nd home of Michigan.

And today I did a photo session for a couple friends for their Holiday cards… I am grateful to be able to give something that makes my friends happy!

Gratitude 14.30 ~ Nature

I am so very grateful for the natural world and all its diversity. It offers so many lessons & such beauty & inspiration. Walking through the woods or fields, I feel grounded, at peace & closer to God.

Gratitude 13.30 ~ Mom

Yesterday I was thinking of my mom… I mean I think of her just about everyday. But I guess I mean I was almost overcome with emotion by her coming to mind. Then I realized it was just this time of year 15 years ago that we found out she had terminal cancer.

I am so very grateful for the love & friendship I shared with my mom. She was such a remarkable, giving woman. When I think of her, I think of her smile, laughter & loving heart. I am so thankful for all the wonderful memories I have of her & of our times together. And I’m grateful for all the photographs I have of her. And while through my teenage years, I wanted to be my own person & would cringe at any comparison between us… I hear her when I laugh certain ways, or when I say certain phrases. And I smile knowing she is still right there… & it’s like a big hug.

Gratitude 12.30 ~ Seeing With New Eyes

Yesterday, I did a pet portrait session with a 16 year old dog. She had recently suffered a medical incident and the owner wanted to make sure they had portraits of them with their girl.

Many of you know of Maggie May – my lab/greyhound mix. But I also have 2 kitties – Harrison Sutton & Bobbie Jean (here). Bobbie is 15 ½. Sometimes we become comfortable & familiar with the things in our lives that we love – the things that are important to us & are always there. We see them, but not really. After that session, I saw my pets & friends & the things I love with fresh eyes. The things we love will not always be there. I am grateful for these lessons & opportunities to see the world anew. And I so appreciate my sweet pets who fill my life & share my living space with me, & my friends who are always there & making me smile & for this beautiful creation all around.

Gratitude 11.30 ~ Enough

I have a wonderful friend, Monica, who is always keeping me on track. When I get in a funk about feeling like I need more … more money, more things, more security, more work… she simply smiles and tells me- “But you have enough.” It’s her way of saying bloom where you are planted, have what you want & want what you have, less is more…. Etc.

So, today I am thankful that I have enough. I am thankful that things always seem to come together to help me out when I am in true need. I am thankful that I’m not caught up in keeping up with whomever. Life is simple & life is good.

And also today, I am thankful for our veterans.