Practice makes perfect & a personal note

I was out exploring the yard, taking some practice shots the other day, trying to learn how to blur the background in a shot but have the main subject crisp & clear. I managed some pretty decent shots so I thought I'd share them today.

The bane of my existence are Pecan Trees in the spring. We have five of them on our property, all close to the house, and all are in full blossom. Hundreds of these pollen filled tassels are making everything green and causing me to sneeze.

Some old pots leaning kind of funky against the well. I like how they swoop up and draw my eye to the corner.

A well protected Thrasher egg nestled inside a Holly bush. 

Love this grass!

Spotted this mushroom among some tiny weeds, glistening in the sun. It's not as big as it looks!

I managed to sit my camera on the ground and take some shots. I couldn't even see the viewfinder because I had crammed it so far down. This is my husband's favorite shot of the mushroom so I had to include it :)

I felt kind of weird taking what seemed to be random photos, but it is really stirring my creative juices. I'm no where near where I want to be but it is fun to reach for a creative goal!

Do you ever just go out to play?

~~~~~

By the time most of you see this post it will be Mother's Day. If you are a mom, I wish you all the best memories! I will be remembering my beautiful daughter Amy and our final goodbye on Mother's Day last year.

Here's a poem I wrote recently in memory of Amy, as an assignment in a grief writing course I am taking.

Hands

tiny and weak

your newborn hands,

cradled protectively

within my own,

sweet kisses from my lips

cover them in prayer.

slender and cool

your delicate hands,

entwined  gently

within my own,

hot tears and desperate kisses

blanket them in prayer.

warm and strong

your beautiful hands,

reaching out

enfolded safely,

for all eternity

held by Another.

creased and worn,

my cold hands

rest empty,

wet with tears

and

silent prayers.

Written by Anne Payne, April 24^th 2013

(Do not copy or use in any way without my permission)

I do truly wish you all a blessed day in the Lord!