View allAll Photos Tagged Unplug
“All the noise in my brain. I clamp it to the page so it will be still.” -Barbara Kingsolver
Similar to hummingbirds almost always being on the move when awake, my brain tends to be quite active. I have found it helps tremendously to get some thoughts that won’t quiet down on paper. It’s rare that I don’t have a notebook with me and I plan on always having one as a companion.
Notebook from Land & She, bandana from Wayfaring Wolves (Etsy).
Mike and I aren’t into adrenaline adventures. We prefer the calmer, quiet ones like hiking, paddling a canoe, riding our bikes, and seeing new sights. Really, any time spent outdoors is what we love!
Notebook from Kate Heiss, bandana from Rayco Mercantile.
Every so often I have to unplug from the news and give my brain, and emotions, a rest. Today was the perfect day to head down to the river and unwind from the global chaos of the past week.
“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts….” -Marcus Aurelius
Our minds are powerful things and can easily make a heaven or hell of our existence. While yes, so many horrors persist, we can take control of our well being by valuing the fleeting, beautiful moments in life.
I’m also a big fan of letting go of perfection, people pleasing, and all of the other internal & external pressures we put on ourselves. I choose to own my darkness while living in the light. I choose to remain true to myself while holding on to my goodness and child-like wonder. I choose to bloom and thrive instead of just surviving. I choose to stay gold & flourish.
Notebook from Wildlight and Wonder (Etsy), bandana from Bandana of the Month Club.
Anyone else feeling the underlying anxiety that comes with the rushing of time, noticing how quickly summer has ended, and now how even faster Autumn is fluttering away? At least here in the Canadian Rockies, fall seems to always be the shortest season, and year after year I feel a slight panic at the realization that I just can’t simply do everything I want to do while the colours are at their prime and before the first snows set in. 😅 I did manage to squeeze in one camping trip for a few days last week, which felt amazing to completely unplug and just be out there witnessing the changes with no distraction - it was my reminder to let go of the need to control my time, as well as the seasons, and surrender to their whims while trying to appreciate each moment.
I’ve hardly taken any photos at all this season (although I have been channeling my creative energy into a video journal instead, so keep an eye out on YouTube this week!) - but last weekend I realized it was now or never if I was going to capture a self portrait before fall finishes, so with the extra push of inspiration from some visiting friends, we played in this lake and froze our butts off for 4 hours in 0 degrees with high winds, finishing just as the first snowstorm of the season set in and blanketed everything on our return drive home.
A few days ago, a blizzard brought us a foot of snow and such a thick layer of ice on the roads that it feels like you’re off-roading while driving anywhere. An Arctic blast is giving us highs in the low single digits with wind chills quite a bit below zero, as well.
With not much color on the landscape other than various shades of brown and a blinding white (when the sun makes an appearance, at least), I’ve been thinking about the warmth & magic of the Southwest.
Notebook from Denik, bandana from Land & She.
Tigers were hunted by the royalty of India and other wealthy people of the world for centuries. A tiger rug was a prized possession and a tiger's tooth was quite a prize too.
Now India is trying to protect their magnificent cat, but they are still on the endangered species list. If I had to choose my favorite cat of the world, it would be the tiger. I love their markings and their eyes.
I am continuing this series of endangered or threatened wildlife species by adding another picture of each one of the previous animals. This image corresponds with # 8. That way you can go back and read information on the animal if you missed it before. They are all in the album titled "Endangered"
There are 9 animals in the series. Count them again, the number is huge and of course there are many more species I don't have pictures of. Many of the animals are ones that we all love and when they are gone they will be greatly missed.
****And I will miss all of you, as I will leave very shortly for a trip to Africa to "hunt" wildlife with my camera in Botswana and relax on the beaches of the Seychelles. I will be gone until the middle of April and as always I wiil unplug from machines and soak in all of the pleasures of travel. I want to experience Africa and the beaches of the Indian Ocean without distractions. I will continue this series when I return and respond to comments and inquiries then.****
A reminder that all of my images are copyrighted and are not for your use in any way unless you contact me.
“An understanding of the natural world and what's in it is a source of not only a great curiosity but great fulfillment.” -David Attenborough
Being curious about our world is the main reason Mike and I love to explore. Spending time in nature and learning about it is indeed very fulfilling!
Notebook from Ecokind, bandana from Wayfaring Wolves (Etsy).
Mike and I are in no way perfect when it comes to being eco-friendly. We do try, though, and are always open to changing things to be kinder to our earth. None of us can live without having an impact on the planet, but we can choose what kind of impact we make.
Notebook from U Style, bandana from United by Blue.
We’re always excited to see so many birds come back to our area at this time of year. The warming days, looking forward to the warmest half of the year, and everything coming back to life makes me feel free.
Notebooks from Flame Tree Publishing, bandana from Kate O’Hara Art (Etsy).
Traveling can be both exhilarating and exhausting. Mike and I always go into any adventure knowing that it most likely won’t be that ideal scenario we hope for. Even with the road blocks we’ve encountered whenever we explore, it’s still something we don’t want to give up. The frustrations only make the good parts that much sweeter!
Notebook from Meijer, bandana from Bandits Bandanas.
Each summer I go to a cottage in North Frontenac for a couple of weeks, and just unplug. One of the great distractions is the wildlife, birds included. This Song Sparrow was a part of a nesting pair, and from the contents of its bill over the week one could create a taxonomy of the insects of eastern Ontario - it darted in and out of the trees capturing insects of all kinds to take back to the nest. Fortunately one of its launch points back to the nest was at eye height. And, fortunately, it wasn't always raining.
16" x 20" collage on panel - "Signs for Our Time: A Modern Take on the WPA" group show at Naked Art gallery in Birmingham
SOLD
This notebook has me longing for a trip to the mountains!
Notebook from Denik, bandana from Land & She.
I'm remembering the tranquility I experienced during our train ride out west to Glacier National Park. The rhythmic rocking of the sleeper car was the only sound as I documented this sunset through the window.
There's so much noise at this point in my life that I'm planning to intentionally force quietness. How close can I get back to this moment on the train? Particularly in the political sphere, I've never seen so many arguments on my facebook feed. Time to unplug (using News Feed Eradicator and other helpful chrome extensions - LINK) and make room for more introspection.
This is an eight-image panorama.
“Although I deeply love oceans, deserts and other wild landscapes, it is only mountains that beckon me with that sort of painful magnetic pull to walk deeper and deeper into their beauty. They keep me continuously wanting to know more, feel more, see more.” -Victoria Erickson
Notebook from Target, bandana from REI.
“Always write your ideas down however silly or trivial they might seem. Keep a notebook with you at all times.” -Michael Morpurgo
This notebook is perfect for me! I completely embrace being an introvert. I don’t feel the need to go out and socialize, prefer the company of nature and my kitties, and never get bored when I’m by myself. People drain me and I always feel recharged with my alone time. When I was younger, I tried to change my seclusive nature, but now I accept it 100%.
Notebook from Tiny Hooray, bandana from Wayfaring Wolves.
Here's a little calm in a hectic world.
Believe it or not, this is a lampwork glass bead. I just loved the cool, calming colours. On the left is the tip of another glass bead and underneath that is a piece of sea glass. I think it's the base of a bottle, which ended up on a Scottish beach.
petals encircling
newspapers crumbling
turn the TV off, wait
for the writing in the sky
from glory, by the acorn, for music monday. i know it's a bit slow, but i believe this might just be one of the most beautiful songs in existence. and it reminds me that i have to unplug from technology, from things i have to do, from responsibilities, and actually get outside, live my life, and see the writing in the sky. i hope you all are able to do that this week. xo
Protesters gathered at the Tesla Service Center in Golden Valley, Minnesota, on February 15, 2025, as part of a nationwide "Tesla Takedown" protest. This event aimed to critique Tesla and its owner, Elon Musk, with participants displaying signs that read "Unplug Mad King Musk," "This car runs on fascism," and "Say no to doge."
“I go to Nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.” -John Burroughs
Notebook from Pike St. Press, bandana from Wylie Wags (Etsy).
I was actually kind of surprised to find this decorated tree in late April. They usually unplug these lights by the end of the winter season, but I'm happy if they don't. All the more possibilities for me to take nice photos.
Three iconic railroad entities in the West meet up in the Apache's yard. The crew had an easy day set up with only 3 inbound cars and 13 to go back with them. However the BNSF X-FTXHOL from Friona, TX showed up to drop off 109 empties for cleaning about 5 minutes before they did.
After some quick conversation, a plan was put together to unplug the yard. The APA stuck their 3 inbound cars into the depot track, then ran down 3 track to pickup their 12 tank and feed cars. The BNSF filled track 2 with hoppers until the DP's were in the clear, seen here, then set the rest of the headend over onto track 3. The APA had to do a quick shuffle to get the tanks together and the feed cars together, and used track 1 to do that. A perfect spot of the ATSF hopper on track 1 allowed this shot when they came back over to 3 with some tanks. After the tanks were secured on 3, they grabbed the 5 hoppers off of 1 and pulled forward onto the connection to hang the EOT and do the air test. With track 1 open, the single BNSF motor came back down to pick up the 2 DPU's and prepare for a light engine move onto Winslow. The APA left the tanks as the car they had planned to use as a buffer was now on the wrong side of the power in the depot track and they were unable to run around it.
“The notebook is the place where you figure out what’s going on inside you or what’s rattling around. And then, the keyboard is the place that you go to tell people about it.” -Austin Kleon
My notebooks also let me write down things while we’re exploring. Notebooks are great for physically roaming as well as letting your mind roam! I’ll often write things down with the intention of sharing it in one of my posts here.
Notebook from Pike St. Press, bandana from Wayfaring Wolves (Etsy).
[The Big Move is scheduled for tomorrow. As I explained over the last few days, no more uploads from me until the 25th or 26th of November at the earliest, assuming all goes well, which one should never assume...]
In the little downstairs room I have been using as an office for so many years in this house, and where I sit today like every morning in front of my desk, the bookshelves are now entirely empty, except for the two large JBL speakers (too heavy for me to dare move by myself), the Revox reel-to-reel tape deck and the small Teac components of my hi-fi installation. They have been unplugged and the cables are all coiled. They look like the folded wings of a dark bird, ready to die... or to fly.
On my desk, almost nothing remains: the PC I will shut down and unplug soon after I finish uploading these daily photos to Flickr, the Bose speakers attached to it, the banker’s lamp that will soon go dark and wait to be packed by the movers when they come tomorrow. All the rest I have already packed away.
There is great sadness at leaving one’s world behind, but as it must be done, then I know that I am also very fortunate because there is a whole new world that awaits me, full of joy and promises, and since for me “a world” implies first and foremost a home base, I am happy, in those moments of separations and departures, to share not pictures of melancholy, sorrow and old dust on empty shelves, but the first photos of the place I will call home from now on. Fate (I would not presume to say the Hand of God as I am quite sure I’m not important or worthy enough for Him to personally care!) has granted me a wonderful new chance at living a life of happiness and love and trust, and even though I am not convinced I deserve such a bliss, I fully intend to make the most of it, and to bring into it all I have to offer, however meager that may be.
The silvery ribbon of the Seine River in the background.
Pentax 67
105mm f2.4
Fomapan 100
Griffin Ranch, Fort McCoy, FL
A working ranch with quaint wooden cabins for rent. Well worth a visit if you want to unplug and unwind somewhere off the beaten path.
“The older I get, the more I understand, deep down at the foundation of me, I was built to wander.” -Tyler Knott Gregson
I’ve had wanderlust since I was a child. Some of my fondest memories of growing up were roaming the fields and forest that our house bordered. I’ve never lost that childlike wonder of roaming through nature and I truly feel that it helps me thrive.
It was love at first sight for me with these notebooks. They combine my love of exploring, nature, and art. The holographic designs on the covers are gorgeous!
Notebooks from Insight Editions, bandana from Cotton Voile Shop (Etsy).
I’ve loved VW vans since I was a kid. Although I’ll most likely never own one, they did inspire me to get our camper vans.
Notebook from Chronicle Books, bandana from The Cotton Square (Etsy).
Seeing photos & videos just isn’t the same as seeing places in person!
Notebook from Compendium, bandana from Woosah.
I’m an animal person, not a dog or cat person. However, cats are definitely one of my favorite animals. They’re such a beautiful combination of softness, attitude, affection, and wildness. I’ve never met a cat I didn’t instantly love!
Notebook from Denik, bandana from Stasia Burlington Illustration (Etsy).
The front and back of this notebook are equally wonderful!
Notebooks from Chronicle Books, bandana from Nature Backs.
Finding these notebooks and bandana around the same time was serendipity. They’re purrfect for each other!
Notebooks from The Nosuch Disco (Etsy), bandana from Heading Prints (Etsy).
used to think I was indecisive, but now I'm not too sure.
Famous last words: Don't unplug it, it will just take a moment to fix.
Famous last words: Don't worry, it's not loaded.
Everything I need to know I got from watching Gilligan's Island.
If it doesn't fit, force it; if it breaks, it needed replacement anyway.
Reality is a figment of your imagination.
Life is just one of those things.
Why should I grow up? This is more fun!
I have crossed and recrossed the line between sanity and madness so many times that I have all but rubbed it out.
Reality is all a point of view. .....................
IT really has been one of those weeks.......................*************SIGH*************
Have a great Friday and weekend everyone.... (at least I remembered the day of the week....)
:~)
A creepy hallway at the supposedly haunted Stave Falls Powerhouse in Mission, BC, Canada www.bchydro.com/news/unplug_this_blog/2014/paranormal-pow...
I recently read a story about the new thing is to do the old thing - i.e. unplug and interact in person. Who'd have thunk it? ;) It's been such gloomy weather here that I am ready to unplug and go outside!! I hope the weatherman is right because it's SUPPOSED to finally be nice tomorrow. Hope you are having a fabulous evening!
"Now don't pick up the phone just wait until I've run the test,
Unplug all these computer's now, we'll burn them with the rest,
And we'll leave this hard-drive by the tree as policeman's bait"
{Stan Ridgway…"This Town Called Fate"}
You can't stay here I said, you're too period fashioned for this town, are you lost? Many here have applications and iPhones. I think you're old school. Nobody affectionately talks nor visits anymore, they just stare blankly and text message random thoughts. Even in this tiny coffee shop/restaurant, folks just look the other way but there's plenty of nostalgia on the walls, some fine artwork. Life is an endless electronic stream of ones and zeros, acronyms describing the gravy variety you had with your fries.
You belong in another dimension, where nothing remains concealed and everything is make believe and surreal. Sure they keep these truck souvenirs to posture about those golden days, but it's only cracked paint and steel.
But hold one moment, I have an idea for your portrait. Then I must run and send an email from my iPad while I order some fast food. I hope they have a Wi-Fi hot spot available.
*Please view LARGE for best detail
**Model courtesy of DeviantArt
***Textures courtesy of Skeletal Mess and EllenVd
****Thank You for your generous visits and comments!