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A new normal?
So, a lot has changed since October, when I last posted to my blog. I think my writing has been hibernating, afraid to come out for fear of frostbite. Is that possible? In a week, it will be April and of course that means taking part in the Blogging A to Z blogathon. I’m not sure I’ll make it – okay, that’s not the right way to go into this event. Yes, I’m sure I’m going to blog every day (except Sunday) in April, fully completing the A to Z blogathon! So, Covid 19 happened. Today the first death in our county was reported. The only data that we have…
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A to Z Challenge: “Q”uite the hardworkers!
I am fascinated by squirrels. First, they are one of the hardest working animals I know. You never see a squirrel kickin’ back on a Chaise lounge, drinking a fruity drink with a little umbrella sticking out of it. They are always running hither and yon, finding nuts, burying nuts, unearthing nuts, chasing each other (usually over nuts), harassing my dog, attacking our bird feeders (you guessed it – for nuts!) Second, they have incredible memories. How do they remember where they planted their nuts? I can’t remember where I put my keys and my brain is larger (at least I think it is!) In the spring, it’s like they…
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“W”here did the summer go?
Can you believe it’s July?! Where did the summer go? I had knee replacement surgery in April, recuperated in May, fell twice and began recuperation again in June. I’ve noticed the seasons change and have been outside some to enjoy it. We’ve had a lot of rain, too, so it’s made the corn tall, the rivers full and the greenery lush. Before we know it, it will be August, then September, then fall, my favorite time of year. I know, for a lot of people in the midwest, they prefer summer to other seasons so I’m trying not to look too far ahead. I thought I’d list my 10 favorite…
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Blogging A to Z: F-arms
It’s happened. I’ve become one of those weekend drivers who likes to wander the countryside, aimlessly looking for something: an old barn; a herd of sheep; a cool flower garden; any type of unique farm animals (miniature horses, goats, etc.); tractors (the older the better). I happen to think farms are cool! I drag my friend Sandy with me, along with my Canon Rebel, just in case there is a neat composition. It may be the silos or the worn wood of the barn that attracts me. It could be the Tootsie roll-shaped bales of hay. Or, it might be a rusted-out tractor in an overgrown field of grass. It…
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“I”nspiration and jigsaw puzzles
Early morning sun peaking through a wooded area in Terre Haute, near Deming Park. © 2012 by Diane Weidenbenner Inspiration is one of those things that you simply can’t define, explain or control. It’s intangible. Yet, when you have inspiration, whether you are a writer, painter or other type of artist, it’s the most wonderful experience in the world. That’s what photography is like for me. When I take my camera along, I have no set expectations of what I might see or photograph. It depends on available light, the time of year, whether I have a telephoto or regular lens on the camera, and whether I’m paying attention to…
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“C”amera
Bales of hay are common around the midwest. They do remind me of Tootsie Rolls. © 2013 by Diane Weidenbenner It seems like I’ve always had a camera. Of course my first was a Ricoh film camera. I traipsed around Europe with 28 rolls of film and swapped them out as they filled up with memories. I then had to save up money in order to get them developed after I returned to the States. When I did finally have the money, and the gumption to fill out all those film envelopes, six months later, it was exciting. Through those developed photos, I relived the highlights of my vacation all…
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Owly visitors help us celebrate our anniversary
Two barred owls around 8:15 p.m. in our back yard. Joe and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary July 1. We gave each other a card and promised to go to dinner soon to celebrate (Joe’s parents had sent us an anniversary check to sweeten the deal.) It was a busy time at work that included the weekend. I was glad and happy to celebrate 13 years of marriage (and 18 years of relationship) with my best friend and love, but it happened without fanfare or revelry. We actually received our “anniversary” gift two days earlier. On Saturday evening, I was working at the kitchen table and periodically took a…
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Early morning magic …
To say that I’m not a morning person is an understatement. I work days (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) but many mornings it is all I can do to get up, move into the bathroom, wash my face and put mascara on (which requires that my eyes remain open). My preference would be to stay up late and then sleep until 9 or 10 the next morning. Early morning sun near Deming Park, Terre Haute, Ind. © Photo by Diane Weidenbenner On those rare occasions when I have woken up early, I have encountered the most amazing things. There is a special kind of magic afoot in the morning hours,…
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Up close and personal
For Christmas, I got a zoom lens for my Canon Rebel camera. I was thrilled. I received gift money, and saved up additional funds, to buy the lens, which I have dreamed of since 2006. I was happy with my camera but wished I could capture more close-up moments when traveling around Indiana and beyond. I’m a “Sunday” driver, but that’s a whole ‘nother story. This photo of two doves taken in February is the product of my first real photo session with my lens. It means a lot to me because of the different textures, the beauty of the birds and the fact that I took it (it’s not…
