Photogsnazzy: Dreamy Caterpillars

I actually tried to do a little photography this weekend.  Almost always I'm lazy and do everything on automatic settings--- maybe I'll adjust aperture--- and focus mostly on composition, hoping that there is enough light for the image to come out looking pretty much how I want it.  Well, it's time to stop being lazy!

I did a little refreshing by cracking open a few photography books and borrowed my Dad's Nikon to actually try taking some pictures experimenting with the ISO, shutter speed, aperture and focus on manual!

Unfortunately, I took too long to get around to doing this and the sun was pretty much set by the time I got a acquainted with the camera.  That and I kept forgetting to check the focus!  (I'm so used to the machines doing everything for me!)  Maybe I should stay on auto focus until I get the hang of things.    So I basically took a bunch of really bad photos.

However, I thought I'd share a few dreamy (out-of-focus, over/under-exposed) photographs--- primarily of caterpillars!

I think these are the settings I used: 1/25s, f/4.5, ISO 400.

1/25s, f/4.5, ISO 640

1/24s, f/4.5, ISO 250 . . . also I just like the blurry green in this one, with the white flowers peaking through.

Poem: millstones

This weekend I remembered to check back on my goals for this year, and realized I have not been making too much progress lately, especially with regards to any writing!  That made me sad because I had been making some good improvements last month, so it's unfortunate that I didn't keep up the effort!

As a result of these reflections, I did a bit of jotting down notes, and want to see if I can solidify a few poems this weekend.  I've already got one!

I've been needing to blow off some steam, so this is a little bit angrier than what I usually write.  The disdain is a little potent.



"millstones"

I've had enough with him
just like all the others.

I don't believe you, he says.

That's not my affair, I say.

I don't believe you, he says.
You smile too much to know your own truth.

We're all one-trick ponies, I remind him,
and I'm a fool--- I grin in the face of fear.
Any you're good for mewing.
I tell him through the flames.

I try to show him how I'm made of marble.
but he still clings round my knees,
beaming, like a man.

one of these days I'll learn what's good for me
and I'll crush his bones
under my leaden feet.

until then, swing low, my burdens.

Photogsnazzy: Summer flowers

During my weekend trip to Winterthur (Delaware) and Cape May, I saw many flowers.  Some were in shadow.  Some were in sunlight.  Some held perfectly still.  Some were buffeted by the morning breeze.

Giraffes in Russia

When I was a kid doing my spelling homework, my dad helped me come up with mnemonics for words I just couldn't get my head around.  Giraffes was one of these words.  So we came up with

Giraffes
In
Russia
Always
Fight
For
Everything

This new tank top from American Rag, reminds me of that for some reason . . .

Saturday Adventures at Target & Elsewhere (but mostly at Target)

I had some fun documenting my Saturday adventures with some low quality phone pictures.  Thought it would be fun to share.

I started out planning to go to the library (partly as an excuse to take my new brown boots for a test drive!), which is near the Target.  So I decided I'd stop by to get a poster hanger if they were not too pricey.  On my way out the door, Dad asks if by the way I can pick up a part to the edger/trimmer/weed-wacker-thing/his-new-favorite-toy?  So I head to Home Depot first.

Home Depot was super fast.  I impressed myself by finding the item in question all by myself and in about three minutes.  Strangely though, there was only one cashier open on the complete opposite end of the store.  So I ended up walking the length of the store twice (once to check out and once to get back the car).

Next stop: Target.  The other reason I wanted to got to Target was to see if they had any of the new Kirna Zabete collection.  I've been eyeing these items online, but I wanted to see them in person if I could.  Price is an issue for me for most of the pieces, but I was somewhat interested in the pink or blue long sleeves and dresses done with stripes and kiss patterns (I dig lips/kiss patterns).  I didn't have high hopes that everything I was interested in would be at the local Target, because clothing-wise, it's usually a big disappointment.

As I suspected, there wasn't much.  But the blue dress was there.  I decided not to get it given the price, quality, and the fact that I'm not totally sold on the sheer ruffle on the bottom.  I would have been interested in the kiss-patterned scarf, but it wasn't anyplace to be seen.  I did however get the red lips ring, which I love.  (Talked myself out of getting the bracelet.) I also found another ring set on clearance.  There was a lot of jewelry on clearance; I nearly bought 5-8 things, but settled for just the one ring.  Come to think of it, most of my favorite casual, day-to-day rings were all bought on clearance at Target!

Poem: the eagles' nest

Started doing some poetry work today.  This one came to me only this morning.  Inspired by Baker Tower, for those who'll get that reference.

It's just a first draft, with some small revisions, for now.  I'm pretty sure that I'm going to be making some changes (I've moved the 3rd and 4th stanzas around so many times already!).  I really don't have an intellectual understanding of structure or rhythm, but I'd like to.  So I might contemplate this poem in that regard again.  I'm also still articulating to myself what this is about, and that usually means there will be stuff I'll eliminate later to achieve greater unity or I'll flesh out the imagery in a more meaningful way.  But for now . . .


"the eagles' nest"

we had a tower balcony
for one, two, three days

our eagles' nest
greyed and made of red hot stones

squinting
see just the lake
and the candied sky

the stone wasn't cold
but warm that day

we filled up space with our stretching arms
and throats
lifted higher
on budding, cherried summer breezes
hair-fluffed feathers upon our collars

barefeet
lichen against our backs

flashes of happy digital light in the night
and stars

and nothing but a fall to catch us
below

everything but holding hands
and singing "here we go round the mulberry bush"


my friends

it's all become solid
smiles in the memories