how to fight loneliness. just smile all the time.

My friend Suzana took this picture of me last summer so obviously I did not take it.  But it is today's image.   

I was in a Wilco mood today and this shot to me, is definitely an illustration of their song How To Fight Loneliness.  I frequently associate music with my photographs which is why most of my blog posts reference lyrics.  One of the things I love about photos is that they can mean different things to different people.   I have often wondered when looking at pictures of people, what was going on in their life at that time and how they felt at that exact moment when the shutter was released. 

The thing is,  things are not always what they seem.  Be thankful for what you have been blessed with instead of envying someone or something else.  Find beauty and pleasure in the little things in life!

Just smile all the time.

Lila

This is my dog Lila. 
She was adopted from the Humane Society in March 2009. 
She loves everybody, is super playful, and has no idea how strong she is. 
Her favorite thing to do is collect shoes.  Seriously.
She hoards them and snuggles with them.  Anyone's shoes.  I'm not even kidding.
You take off your shoe, she will come over, pick it up, take it back to her bed, drop it, and cuddle up with it. 

Shoe obsessed, loves to eat, sleep, get exercise and go for long walks.
Yup.  Definitely my dog :)

Happy Birthday Suzana!

Since today is my friend Suzana's birthday, I decided to make it my photo theme of the day!  This is a shot from late Summer 2009 when we were out for a bachelorette party. 

Even though I'm in the shot, I did take it.  I always end up doing the 'hold out the camera to take a picture of myself with someone' and I usually do a decent job getting the subjects in the frame. 

Happy Birthday Suzana!  You rock!

Go go go go now...out of the nest it's time

I always seem to find empty nests.....and I don't mean that awesome 90's sitcom starring Richard Mulligan.  (Seriously, how do I know this?)

Anyway, the nest finding is normally at Christmas time when my family and I go to the tree farm.  The tree we end up getting always has a nest inside of it somewhere.  Probably common, but for us it's always a sign that we've chosen the right tree!  I spotted the nest in this photo underneath a tree in my parents yard on Mother's Day weekend this year.

I'm still baffled that I've just referenced the tv show Empty Nest on a blog entry.  I will actually admit that I could name all of the actors on that show and I'll throw in the fun fact that they are neighbors to the Golden Girls as well.  Who doesn't love a cameo by the late Bea Arthur?

Anyway, the nest..

she's been everybody else's girl. maybe one day she'll be her own.

My all time favorite redhead. You know, besides Carrot Top.  Obviously.
I have a ton more images taken from this show in DC a few years back so I suspect Tori will appear again. I should add that this was taken with a Sony point and shoot camera and I was zoomed out pretty far.  I don't remember my exact seat, but it was the first row of the second section on the center floor.  This was before I got my Nikon, but the point and shoot did me proud that night.

Out of a few hundred shots, this one was one of my favorites....

do drop in at the dew drop inn

You win the prize if you know where the entry title comes from.
What's the prize? 
Satisfaction from being awesome because you know where the entry title comes from.

a photo a day?

I'm toying with ideas on how to be more consistent with my blogging.  My latest idea is to do one image each day.  Let's see how that works out, shall we?

Self portrait: