Tag: photo friday

Photo Friday, No. 904

Current Photo Friday theme: Waiting


Houston, April 15, 2008

As long ago as the 1970s in Alabama, I’d drive to local post offices on the last night people could get their tax returns in the mail to get them postmarked by the filing date. Some would be filling out their tax forms; others waited in line to hand over their envelopes. A lobby full of people late at night in a small town has a surreal quality. After I moved to Texas, I discovered that at some Houston post offices, traffic cops and postal employees worked that night to make sure people got in and out efficiently and their envelopes were time-stamped.

Now in the days of e-filing tax returns, I don’t know if this still happens. I haven’t driven to a post office on tax night in years. I’ll be thinking of those last-minute filers next week, though, and wishing them luck.

Photo Friday, No. 902

Current Photo Friday theme: Wet


Marina del Rey, California

This was shot on film in 1998, and I uploaded it and another photo from the same place to Flickr in 2008, but I don’t think I ever published either photo on my LiveJournal or this blog.

If there’s a place that haunts me, it’s this one. Maybe, as Stevie Nicks sings,

Well, I’ve been afraid of changin’
‘Cause I’ve built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I’m getting older, too

Maybe.

Photo Friday, No. 901, and Song Challenge: Day 22

Current Photo Friday theme: Color

Happy birthday to my friend Lisa K, she of so many talents (she sings! she paints! she’s a computer wizard! she’s funny! she’s smart!), a tiny dynamo packaged inside a beautiful smile, mesmerizing green eyes, and striking red hair. I’m dedicating today’s song challenge to her.

The theme is “a song that moves you forward.” It’s time I showed the Foo Fighters some love and also reminded myself that “Something From Nothing” expresses how the creative spark and process are often motivated by an underlying rage. Use it; don’t let it drag you down.

Photo Friday, No. 897

Current Photo Friday theme: Futuristic

In 1996, Barbie and Ken joined Kirk and Spock on the bridge of the Starship Enterprise to celebrate the 30th anniversary of “Star Trek’s” television debut. I don’t believe that in 1966, anyone looking toward a future in space imagined that here on Earth, the TV show would launch all the subsequent series, movies, Hallmark ornaments, dolls and toys, costumes, or fan gatherings and enthusiasm the franchise still enjoys.

Live long and prosper!

Photo Friday, No. 896

Current Photo Friday theme: Pandemic

On the Photo Friday site, when they gave the theme, they asked these questions: What subjects captivated your attention? Did the pandemic influence your photography?

Below is why I chose a current “selfie” as my photo.

The pandemic made my world smaller. Prior to the shutdown, I had a career that kept me busy 10 to 14 hours a day. Part of my volunteer work for that organization involved shooting photos of rescued dogs, cats, the occasional pig, and a few other surprising creatures, three times a week. I had plans to transition out of my volunteer photography for them so I could travel more in 2020. But early in the year, the organization laid off a majority of the staff, including me, because of the pandemic. Like many others, I quarantined. I didn’t travel. I adjusted to life without the income from the paying part of my job and without the coworkers who inspired me. My world became what was around me, so that’s what I photographed: my home, family who lives on the same property, and our dogs. I found ways to photograph my hobbies (collecting dolls, listening to music, reading, journaling, painting, homemaking, blogging), and my passion: writing fiction.

When the pandemic shifted in 2021 and the world began opening up, other than seeing more friends, not a lot changed because I decided to retire. I still don’t travel. I haven’t been bothered by the slow march of lines up and down and across my face. I didn’t care when my hair, that for twenty years had its roots colored brunette, and later to strands of brunette and blonde, became gray and white during the pandemic. I’m grateful to be here and for all that I have. I try to adapt to and deal with the challenges. I still mostly photograph what’s around me.