The Five Senses

The strangest thing happened to me today. I was laying in my lounge chair in the yard, reading "The Notebook" for the third or fourth time. As always, the songbirds were flying around over the trees. I saw a crow coming toward me, flying low..everything was quiet..and for the first time in my memory, I heard the sound of his (or her) wings flapping as it flew over. It was amazing! Freedom means a lot, and there was a sound to it! Wow, how amazing!

Saturday, while out shooting with a friend, we spotted a bald eagle sitting on the top of a dead tree next to Watts Bar Lake. We watched as the majestic bird rose above the trees and over the ridge. No sound, but the sight was amazing!

To see a beautiful flower, to touch the soft petals, to smell the fragrance is putting many of these senses together. The taste of a wonderful new dish you have never tasted - the way it smells as you put the fork in your mouth..

And then there is the sound of nature, and the flapping of wings!

Behind the camera the senses are amplified. Taking the photo as you see it allows you hear the waterfalls, the animals, the car or motorcycle. It allows you to smell the flowers, taste the food, or touch the fuzzy baby chick that stopped to pose. And with your eyes, you see the world in a different way.

2011 so far..

The year started as any other..I watched the ball drop on "New Year's Rockin' Eve", thinking how bad Dick Clark looked, but how brave he was to go on air with something that was his passion.

This year has already had some ups and downs. I was honored to have one of my photos chosen to be displayed in one of the restaurants at the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga. I go to work there every day, with great co-workers, great bosses, and super customers. My children are achieving their dreams and making great grades in school. My grandaughter is growing up healthy and happy! She is a true blessing!

I went to two funerals. One was for my great-nephew, who was such a blessing through the eleven years of his life. One was for his grandmother. She was waiting for him in Heaven. His mother lost two of her precious family members within a few weeks of each other. I see her remaining strong and going on. I love her strength.

I have hiked the mountains, and the sidewalks to follow my passion. I have lost people I love, not to death, but to other things in their life that were more important than me. It has taught me to be okay by myself. I find myself thinking about them quite often, and hoping that sometimes they might think about me, too.

Friends are chosen family. I choose my friends to be my sisters, my brothers, long lost people who come into my life to let me know that I am not alone. Friends are people you can confide in, question your judgement with, and listen to when they have suggestions to make you better.

Spring is here..I've watched it rain today, and I can almost see the grass growing. I have grown a little inside already this year. I have learned a little more about myself and considered the mistakes I have made in the past. I am hoping by summer to have come up with solutions to the questions I still have.

I am going to travel this year, see things that I have driven past and paid no attention to. I'm going to the beach, exploring my mountains, and finding a horizon that goes on forever through the lens of my camera. I intend to push myself to a happier place..

It will be a good year!