July Photo A Day: Workspace


This is one workspace. I have others. But this is where I spend most of my waking hours unless I’m sewing, painting, or being a hostess.

What can I tell you? It’s a small, well-lit corner room off the kitchen, and it’s usually cluttered with dogs so that I always need to take care about shifting my feet or moving my chair. The blurry things toward the front of the photo are windchimes from my SIL Janet and windchimes that my great-niece Morgan gave me when we were in Gatlinburg together. Both tinkle when the fan is on. The fan pull for the overhead fan is a metal bird from my sister; the light pull is a cherub and though I know it was a gift, right now I can’t remember from whom. (Sorry!)

The art that you can see on the walls (there is more art on other walls) is by Jennifer Mathis, Jess when he was a youngster, an artist who stopped being my friend when someone told him lies about me (people are strange), and lots of framed postcards of Rothko paintings. Over the window are framed sparkly cards from Marika and Lynne. Peeking out from behind the blinds is a boy-gargoyle painted by Timmy, and next to him, the light washes out various little gadgets that my parents put in my Christmas stockings a zillion years ago. There’s a framed snapshot of my original family–two parents, three kids–above my printer that is a favorite photo of mine.

At my feet: extra file folders and envelopes, and drawers with greeting cards, power cords and rechargers for my iPhone, Nook, and camera, and a wastebasket.

A closer look at my desk top:


Phone, iPhone, glasses, water, iced coffee in a Scout’s Honor holder that reminds me how awesome Tim and Hanley Inc. are, Yellow Submarine lunchbox from David and Geri, THE RAM, Moo cards, dental floss, a spirit shaker from James to dispel bad energy that sits on my electric pencil sharpener because I still love plain old pencils and also colored pencils for sketching, a brass lamp from my mother with an inadvertently left-out Magnetic Poetry magnet that says “dress,” though when working at home, staying in my PJs is always an option, the lemon coasters that I no longer regift to Lynne or Laura, two random Garfields that should show up one day in one of Katnip’s adventures–and my Twitter page is open on my monitor.

Riveting stuff, huh?

Prompt from FMS Photo A Day.

July Photo A Day: Friendship


Tim and Lloyd.

Friends we have fun with. Friends we confide in and trust. Friends who understand us. Friends for going out, or playing games, or taking care of us when we’re sick or hurt or weak. Friends who are honest with us, even when the truth is hard. Friends who support us through our toughest times. Friends willing to laugh with us, cry with us, stand up for us, and make tough decisions with us. Friends who are there for us. Friends who celebrate our successes, encourage what’s best about us, don’t see us as flawed but as growing. Friends who offer us the gift of loyalty.

Thank you, Tim, on behalf of all the people, dogs, and cats who know the value and depth of your friendship.

Prompt from FMS Photo A Day.

July Photo A Day: Perspective


I’m sure this challenge was supposed to be met with a shot using a photography technique that shows perspective. But all I could think about were these words added to an area business’s building mural. Montrose has been my favorite spot in Houston since 1989 and my home since 1995. I’ve thought of it as many things, but those haven’t included “hipster.” Another example that one of those things I always say is true: Reality is filtered through our own personal lens.

However, one truth holds: Ray-Bans transcend all labels but their own.

Prompt from FMS Photo A Day.

July Photo A Day: This Is New!


Recently when we were at the beach with Tom’s side of our family, I picked up a new deck of Uno cards while I was out shopping. Turns out there was already a deck at the beach house, and representatives of three generations gathered around the table to play. Tom and I had forgotten how much fun this game can be. While most of us were trash talking and gleefully going after one another, my mother-in-law managed to quietly win the game. You have to watch grandmas: They’re sneaky.

Prompt from FMS Photo A Day.

July Photo A Day: Black + White


I didn’t have to turn this photo black and white; Nature did it for me. An afternoon storm blew up so quickly on the Gulf that everything went dark right after our group of fifteen was seated in a restaurant overlooking the beach. Then came the deluge, and by the time we’d finished eating, the storm was over. Great timing.

(Click here to view larger version on black background.)

Prompt from FMS Photo A Day.