Reflections.

Where I Stand - Out on the bluff in my old shoes harvesting peaches (from the little tree that keeps producing) before the birds and critters get them....oh good golly I can hardly wait! #cy365 #captureyour365

First coffee in the morning is a pour over...I love the ritual of grinding the beans, boiling water, and watching the grounds take in the water..the sound of dripping...all of it fills my senses to prepare me for my first sip. Ahhhhh! #cy365 day250 coffee #captureyour365

Endometriosis Awareness Week and International Women's Day

Hi ya all, I am ‘the wife’ and I am here to say a few words about endometriosis. It’s a condition where the lining of the womb migrates out of the womb and attaches itself to any organ with in your body. I had a very common case where I had endometriosis on the back of my womb (between the bowel and womb), over my fallopian tubes and both ovaries. Every month like the lining inside the womb, endometriosis thickens and when menstruation occurs it bleeds, but it has nowhere to go. The pain can be agony and soul destroying but the thing that hurts even more is the lack of understanding from friends, family and even health care professionals. I went through 10 years of this pain, it started only being when I was bleeding but gradually starting to get where I was in pain most days of each month, not to mention the bowel problems. Friends and family got mad with me, “Why are you always ill” “go lose some weight and you will feel better” “you just need to walk it off” I didn’t go out or socialise and a lot of people walked away. Then to make a bad situation even worse my doctors didn’t even take me serious. I had a number of operations to see what was wrong, I had several different pills, coil, implant to help but these only made it worse. I would go and see my doctors who would imply it was all in my head. I did start to doubt myself. However, I had a very supportive husband and two children I had to get well for. After 6 different gynaecologists and many hospital stays, I found my current gynaecologist. Within 6 weeks of our first meeting he had me in for exploration surgery and he found endometriosis. He destroyed what he could but it sadly made no difference to the pain. So on the 10th January 2013, at 30 years old I had a full hysterectomy. I now have no womb, fallopian tubes or cervix but had to keep my ovaries to prevent me going into menopause. It was a mess inside my abdomen. The pathology report also stated I had adenomyosis which is like endometriosis but inside the muscles of the womb. I will continue my fight against the endometriosis as it will probably grow back on my ovaries until I hit menopause. I don’t want people to feel sorry for me or say how strong I am because I am not, I am just like everyone else, but I want people to realise that someone you know could be suffering like me who needs a friend. Read up on endometriosis, understand that they have physical pain but also emotional, they might be suffering with infertility or the prospect of surgery, and understand if they are not their normal bubbly self. Understanding goes a long way, ignorance only leads to hurt. Spread awareness!

www.endometriosis-uk.org/index.html

The aim of Endometriosis Awareness Week is to draw awareness to a condition that often goes unrecognised and therefore untreated in women. So what is it exactly?

The problem arises when the tissue that usually grows inside the womb starts growing in other places in the body. While the tissue in the womb falls away with a period, this tissue remaining on the outside can lead to cysts and scar tissue. For more information and endometriosis support visit the website.

Do you want to help women with endometriosis? Well, you can and in so many different ways! All you have to do is ask for a fundraising pack online and get planning your own event. Host a dinner party for your friends and ask for a donation - or do some spring cleaning and hold a jumble sale! We all have stuff that we don't use or wear hidden away and I bet if you got other people to band together and do the same you'd soon have a great event!

From a Lapland Husky Trail to cycling round India - Endometriosis UK have done it all.

Now it's time to show what you can do!

I chose this shot to raise awareness of Endometriosis Awareness Week and thought it fitting to use the Marilyn Monroe Lego figure as she was just one of the many women who have suffered this debilitating condition. I chose to wait till today for this shot as it is also International Women's Day and the most inspirational women I have ever known is my wife who has batted through thick and thin with this condition as well as others.

Sharing life with these two boys and Bailey...3 boys is aways entertaining, sometimes unpredictable and always make me smile. #cy365 #captureyour365

In the midst of a flurry of busy here to prepare for the big event this weekend...I pondered the prompt for today, wondering how to best represent myself. Isn't it funny how when you see it, you know it is 'it'! So this is me...in spirit anyway. My amaryllis bulb is four years old...it was a centerpiece gift at a Christmas dinner that many years ago. It is the biggest A bulb I've ever seen, and it has bloomed every year without disappointment. It lives outside under the glass eves and gets radiant heat and reflected light. It must be right. Well, two weeks ago I saw the tiny green leaf beginning to sprout. And today it is 20" high. The point is, and back to the prompt, I love that this plant keeps coming back despite being neglected. It possesses a strong drive to thrive ...I am not neglected nor on my own, but I am driven to create with color and fabric, line and ink, paint, and anything that expresses my happy. #cy365#captureyour365#representsme#resiliency

For my Colour My World Week. I decided to do a colour week because I'd just lost my motivation a bit with my 365s, and photos in general. I think the weather has a lot to do with that. Plus things generally being a bit rubbish at the moment. I just needed a little photography boost and so far it is working. I plan on taking a self portrait involving the daily colours all week.

Also works for the Capture Your 365 prompt of 'colour'.

A diptych of my two cats, Lulu and Charlie.

A view through the trees.

I'm unable to go out shooting today so I thought I'd try and see what landscapes I could get from the window in between the rain showers. I've been trying different compositions on the rule of thirds for a landscape shot for the camera skills course. I set this up with the pylon and the edge of the tree on the right hand third line, the buildings fall over the left and right thirds line and the bottom thirds line.

I would appreciate creative comments and suggestions on improving this shot rather than just negative comments on what you don't like.

I shot this, while hanging out the window, in aperture priority mode with an aperture of f/8 for 1/140sec and it is sooc.

I'd just like to point out that the border is for all my flickr images and would not be on the final upload to the camera skills site.

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Lesser goldfinch singing. So strange...their bills hardly open, but their throat feathers puff out.... beautiful song. Lesser goldfinches are the smallest goldfinch in the USA.

Thanks for the faves and comments!

It's crocus time with snow still on the ground....these little babies are about a week old. What color will they be? #cy365 #captureyour365 Day68/365

International Children's Book Day 2013. A small selection of children's books in my house at the moment, I took this shot to raise awareness for International Children's Book Day, today the 2nd April.

April the 2nd was chosen to mark this day for young literature lovers as it's the same date as Hans Christian Andersen's birthday, the author of many famous children's stories like The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling.

Organised by the International Board on Books For Young People, or IBBY, the aim is to promote books and reading to young people. IBBY was founded in Zurich, Switzerland in 1953 and today there are 70 National Sections from all parts of the world.

During International Children's Book Day there will be a number of events held around the world, including writing competitions and talks from famous authors and illustrators.

While you might be familiar with well-known works like Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland, there is a whole host of fabulous children's books out there waiting to be discovered - not just by children but by adults who are young at heart too!

To find out more about the day and events happening near you, visit International Childrens Book Day website and pick up a book today!

I set this shot up on my hallway floor so that I could get a darkened background and I liked reflection of the books on the flooring. I took this shot in manual mode with an aperture of f/4.5 for 1/250sec and used the pop up flash on my camera to highlight the books and highlight the reflection on the floor.

This lizard loves our screened porch... and our cats love to chase him. We are constantly putting him out, but he keeps coming back :) (He is only about 6 inches long.)

Thanks all... I do love the screen's shadow on him.

MS Awareness Week. I decided on this shot of BOB (Multiple Sclerosis Trusts mascot) to promote MS awareness week 11-17 March in America and 29 April to 5 May in UK. Just want to say thankyou to my two kids who ran round the house to find lots of blue things to make this picture.

MS Awareness Week is about encouraging people like me and you to give people with multiple sclerosis a chance. So what is it exactly?

In short: a progressive disease affecting the brain and spinal chord. The effects can vary from person to person, so to understand more about the different levels and symptoms take a look at these MS facts. In 2012 the campaign slogan urged you to 'Be bold in blue!' That meant anything from blue-themed parties or cake sales to ... dyeing your hair blue! It didn't look good on me before, but for charity ...

There are plenty of other options too. Why not give a talk in your local community? Or if public speaking isn't your thing write a letter to your local newspaper - or even skydive to raise money!

It will be a challenge but worth it if we can draw attention to the cause and help suffers at the same time.

And don't forget to get on facebook or twitter and post facts to raise awareness or make your picture blue. Online networking campaigns are usually so successful because information is delivered so fast between everyone. And the sooner the better!

For more details about MS Awareness Week go to the official website.

Black skimmers on the Rockport, Texas beach.

Thanks all!

'Narrow Aperture'....looking through the front door at dusk and shot at f22. I love the fractured view including the Paulo Solari bell. #cy365 #captureyour365 Day82/365

Male Rufous Hummingbird

Red Nose Day 2013 (Comic Relief). I chose this shot to raise awareness for Comic Relief (red nose day) which is today 15th March 2013.

Red Nose Day - we are asked to get our red noses at the ready! Comic Relief is also asking us to 'Do Something Funny for Money'.

You can make a difference by showing struggling people that hope is possible. Ready to get started?

Fundraising activities take place all over the country- there are so many ideas to choose from! Take inspiration from the options on the Red Nose Day website, or your own brain - I bet it's full of ideas.

So how has the money raised in the past made a difference? Previously 4 engineers from Exeter each dressed up as a superhero and raised £250! A sum like £250 can provide ten people living in slums in Kenya with a loan to start their own business - and allow them to feed their family.

The vision is simple: Comic Relief wants to free the world from poverty. People in Africa and the UK are being helped by the money we raise to protect, educate, feed and free those in need.

Pre-order your fundraising kit now and start planning your red nose day games! It doesn't matter if you're a pupil or a worker, young or old, this is everyones chance to be silly!

You can also make a simple donation by clicking here. And after all your hard work is done, don't forget to lie back and enjoy the special Comic Relief that will be shown on the BBC!

Another bird photo shot out our kitchen window. We usually do not see Mockingbirds at our elevation of 5800 feet. This one was coming to our bird bath.

Thanks for the faves and nice comments!

Against the grain. Shot in manual exposure mode.

The simple signage for a fabulous local bakery in Silverlake, CA...Mr. Holmes. #cy365 #captureyour365 Day320

slow shutter speed in natural light - #CY365

This little black-crested titmouse is on our birdbath... giving him a strange reflection and makes him look like he is sitting in some low fog.....

Thanks all!

Multiple spanners.

Keeping going with my toolbox project again today with this shot of some combination wrenches (spanners).

I am enjoying this mini project in my 365 project because it is encouraging me to take everyday object and try to make them as photogenic as possible. I love black and white photos which is another plus to this project.

I shot this in manual mode with an aperture of f/3.6 for 1/6sec. I used a torch to light the shot from the right hand side in line with the jaws of the spanners to create the shadows on the jaws.

My morning view that starts my day and feeds my soul. #cy365 #captureyour365 238/365

These are teeny tiny birds that travel in flocks. The females have yellowish eyes and the males, brown.

Thanks all!

Think of a colour .... now focus on it!! Yes, today's 365 is "focusing" so what else to do but focus on one of Lewis's little red crayons!

Capture Your 365 .....

Thanks, in advance, to everyone who views this photo, adds a note, leaves a comment and of course BIG thanks to anyone who chooses to favourite my photo .... thanks to you all.

Valentines mini project image 5. In honor of valentines which is only 3 short days away, I have decided to go for a mini project all about valentines. As it is also National Heart Month I have decided to capture different hearts this month.

Coffee and chocolates. I decided to try shooting from a different perspective today.

Where I stand today - off to do errands in town...first, the post office to mail bits and things, then groceries and gas, and a coffee (well, that isn't an errand) Off prompt today. #cy365#captureyour365

#whereistandtoday#ourwisproject#standwood#converse

#laurelburchsocks#red#redpt

I'm beginning to think about what I want to do for my 365, the night before, so I think I'm managing to get that part of my project correct. Just need to start writing down one or two more ideas and whatever I don't use for a particular day becomes a "fall back" for the next day. Got to keep my good old Mont Blanc in good working order!!

My problem with writing - of course, I can write - is the fact that I rarely write nowadays! Everything, I "write" is on my Apple goodies and thanks to iCloud it is on all that I pick up!

Thanks to everyone who has been taking an interest in my 365 ~ BIG thanks for viewing, commenting and in some cases favouriting, always appreciated. Have a great weekend!!

365 Project (2013 and Beyond) .....

Capture Your 365 .....

These birds nest in the Davis Mountains of West Texas.

One of our most common hummingbirds in the Davis Mountains of Texas.

Today's prompt is "a vision of twilight" - "silhouette" and "calm" - and therefore I had to await the evening. I went for a walk just as the sun was disappearing in my attempt to catch a twilight shot.

Just as I took this shot we had a fierce thunder and lightning storm - that was the time to get back home, quickly!! I managed a few shots en route which I will hopefully upload soon!

Capture Your 365 .....

Thanks, in advance, to everyone who views this photo, adds a note, leaves a comment and of course BIG thanks to anyone who chooses to favourite my photo .... thanks to you all.

A red bed....what could be better on a dark rainy day?! #cy365 #captureyour365 #flossie #red Day6/365

These finches are irregular visitors to the Davis Mountains in far West Texas. A large (20+) group have been here this winter. They love our seed and water :) The Cassin's finch and the house finch (previous photo in my stream) are sometimes confused. They do look similar. Another shot through the kitchen window.

A line of bushtits waiting to get to our seed feeders. They travel in groups of 20 or more! The females have yellow eyes and the males, brown.

Thanks so much for the faves and nice comments!

Well, six days in and I've tried to avoid a theme - for the moment - but I guess doing a 365 will be like writing a journal or starting your own BLOG (I might just do that!!). Well, I've got plenty of writing materials and of course I have all my nice hi-tech bits-and-bobs to help me!!

365 Project (2013 and beyond)

Capture Your 365

The emerald prompt is in the kitty grass which grows in my kitchen window. It is part of Obby's morning ritual...a munch here, a sniff or two there. #cy365#captureyour365#emerald

The smallest bird in the United States.... less than 3 inches in length.

Art class this morning and my finished painting in acrylic...perfect for today's prompt: 'jack-o-lanterns.' #cy365 #captureyour365 day303

A stunningly breathless moment captured as the day fades. #day217 #cy365 #captureyour365

This orange handmade box was given to me by one of the first friends I met when we moved here 15 years ago. It is heavily embellished with buttons, lace, and all sorts of this's and that's. Inside is more orange delight plus tiny birthday wishes. The box lives in my studio as a reminder of the importance of reaching out in friendship to someone (gasp) new. And, it makes me smile. Every darn day!!!!! #cy365#captureyour365#atreasure#15of365#orange#friendship#stephaniedavis