Saturday, August 9, 2008

Welcome to SW Florida ... or a Study in Clouds

I can't believe that it's been a week since I have written. It isn't for a lack of things to report, but for having too much going on ... I simply haven't been able to slow my mind down. Part of it is being preoccupied with these two incredible magazines:

(You can click on the covers to purchase them on-line)

Of course I had to run out and buy Art Doll Quarterly as there is an article by magnificent Monica Magness of Girl Gone Thread Wild on our beloved Love Squared (have you bought your raffle tickets, yet???). The article was really lovely and the photographs beautiful.

Not only that, but the cover article is on one of my favorite artists - Vanessa Valencia from A Fanciful Twist. Once I had read it cover to cover (and back and forth again and again and again) I raced out to the bookstore to pick up one of the last two copies of Artful Blogging - Vanessa is featured in Artful Blogging, too ... along with a number of brilliant other artists (that I am chomping at the bit to visit) ... if you haven't had the chance to check them out, I do think it's worth your while. :)

Last Monday Don and I ran away from home for a couple of hours (critter had a date with rockin-awesome Grandma). We went to Stump Pass. It was HOT and muggy, so we weren't there for our usual 4 hours, but definitely long enough for Don to catch (and release) a few fish and for me to find some cool rocks, sharks teeth and some pretty cool cloud shots. Believe it or not, the next three photo's were taken from the same spot.

This first one is facing the gulf - look how lovely the water was:



I turned around and took these next two:



Can you believe those clouds rolling in?



This one was taken just up the beach (on the way back to the auto) within just a few minutes of the first three:



and then this one was just simply a lucky capture:


I wish I had captured the prehistoric looking crane with just the sandy background so you could see how amazing these crazy birds are, but I have to admit that I love that I captured it just as it was taking flight. You can click on any of the images to see a larger version of the photo.

I have also been working on some artsy stuff, too. I don't have photo's to share, but might be able to get some before I go back to work on Tuesday. OK, I have taken a long enough break - I'm working on a brochure for my friend Deirdre ... she's been way more than patient, so I need to work the kinks out and send over a proof to her.

14 comments:

dkuroiwa said...

Okay...first of all..that rock you found (that looks like JLS)...I believe in signs and good things are definitely coming your way!!

The sand...the water...the clouds...looks like a perfect day to me!!
debbie

Kathryn Costa said...

What a cool crane shot. Paper cranes, cranes on beaches...you are definitely surrounded by the crane. Here is a little something I found out just now about cranes:
"The Crane is legendary in China for being the prince of all feathered creature on earth. Next to the Phoenix, the Crane is the most favored all Chinese bird symbols. The Crane is the ancient symbol for longevity because of its exceptionally long life span. In many legends, the spirits ride on cranes, which are also said to bear the souls of the departed to the heavens."

Looks like longevity is in your future!

I can't wait to get the latest issue of Artful Blogging.

MARLOU B. said...

Very nice photos !!
You have the chance to take the crane photo :)

Anonymous said...

yum! I have to wait soooo long for my mags to come across the atlantic...

Janet said...

wow!!! Those cloud pics are outa this world! Such amazing skies lately...

Kate Tracton said...

You got some wonderful shots there at the beach! Thanks for sharing. And that crane shot - perfect!

Kate

terra said...

Those pictures are beautiful! Like postcards or something.

Cindy said...

I know, I've been enjoying the AB mag...very much myself! : D

c

couragetocreatewriteandlove said...

what a pictures!!!
Super di duper pictures!
your eye is great so the way you are with the camera and the precious moment to capture wonder
I am happy for you!
hugs,
Carmen
p.s. I run to get those magazines and the one with eb, too, I had to have the articles of my very three favorite women too ;-)

Kate Tracton said...

Thanks for stopping in for a visit today. The giveaway is going on until August 23, when a name will be drawn, so if you want them, go ahead and enter!

Kate

Saucy said...

Beautiful shots! Clouds like that fascinate me.

Cathie said...

Beautiful, beautiful cloud pictures. That is one of the (few) things I miss about Florida - the clouds, the ocean and Publix! Oh how I miss Publix!!!

Enjoy your indulgences (the magazines) are they absolutely delightful??

XO

Mary S. Hunt said...

GREAT photos
reminds me of where i am from...

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous photos!! How lucky you are to live near the sea!

Mark and I love to run away together now and then, too. And we like to run away as a family - we just recently went to Harper's Ferry for the day and had a great time.