The Stroll October 30, 2011 - Celebrating One Year

Here is the October 30, 2011 issue of The Stroll: Observations While Out Walking (and sometimes driving).

The is a very special edition of The Stroll — the first anniversary edition.

First, I want to thank you, all my readers, for continuing to peruse my adventures around Colorado. Taking pictures has been my motivation to get out and walk and document what I see so you can see too. I hear from some of you regularly and others intermittently. It’s wonderful to know my efforts bring you pleasure.

http://www.theelementalpress.com/The_Stroll_103011.pdf

Thanks so much for taking time to smell the roses and part the herd of cows with me. ;->

Kobi and a Bone

Yummeeee! This is really good. I don't get bones very often 'cause I have allergies, but I stole this from Torrey, the big Golden girl at my mama's office. Mama took me in with her on Friday. Then my mama got down on the floor, right at my level, to take this picture. See me eyeballin' her? Not gonna let her get this big boy.

Textures thanks to Shadowhouse Creations (Square 159, 162) and Kim Klassen (andthensome)

The Story of the First Snow - 2011

We went from 80º on Sunday, to 6" of snow today. It was a heavy, wet snow and fortunately because the roads were still warm from the weekend the drive to work was not too bad. But, it was sad to see the beauty of the autumn leaves weighed down and broken by this first snow fall.

Before I left the house, after shoveling the driveway, I captured the frozen drop on the red leaf of a burning bush in my front yard.

And on the way, I couldn't help myself. I actually pulled off the road to shoot the chain linked fence that reminded me more of a sheet of Quilted Northern!

But, here you can actually see the context of the fence and the two lines of barbed wire along the top that also caught the snow. I've never seen a chain linked fence so nicely defined.

When I got to work, I couldn't seem to get over the wonder. I continued to take some photos outside. My favorite is the red berry with its green and white cloak. Is that a frozen tear shed for the heavy weight on its back?

When I arrived home, I banged the snow off my lilac, the rose bushes, and the burning bush. The webbed branch caught my eye; then the rusty leaf; and I couldn't overlook the pink rose peeking out as it hangs on in the cold.

As I took these photos, I was struck by the silence that always accompanies snow. There is something so peaceful about it, but a bit eerie sometimes too. It's grand to take time to be observant. It's also grand to relive it in telling the story for others. I hope you enjoy the journey.

It's supposed to be really cold tonight, but no more snow.

The Stroll October 23, 2011

Here is the October 23, 2011 issue of The Stroll: Observations While Out Walking (and sometimes driving).

There always seem to be new walking paths to stumble upon in Boulder County. I took the winding path through a Niwot an upper-class residential area. It was a place to dream, to discover. Afterward, I went to see the movie, The Way. It’s about a pilgrimage in Spain, the Camino de Santiago. I loved the movie and upon contemplation believe The Stroll has been my own Camino.

http://www.theelementalpress.com/The_Stroll_102311.pdf

Thanks so much for taking time to smell the roses and discover new vistas.

A bright spot

During my stroll yesterday, I happened upon this one of many bright spots with all the colorful foliage. This one stood out for me though. A single leaf transitioning from its full life nestled in the crack of a fence.

An Orchid Remembrance

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The original image is not mine, but it is most beautiful and I've been given permission to post it here since I did the enhancement.

It started when my new Flickr friend "Fernbrook," said his family had experienced a tender loss. He shared this with me even though we'd only "met" on Flickr because he liked what I had done with my Aspen Leaf with superimposed text and he'd hoped to create something similar in remembrance. He found he was having trouble coming up with the right words.

I began to ponder what words might be appropriate as I took my strolls. But, when he posted his already exquisite Phalaenopsis Orchid it all came together for me, so I offered this textured image as my gift to him and his family.

Textures thanks to Shadowhouse Creations. Textures used are Raised-Effect-2-Texture, Square 68, Stained 5.

Zareba In-line Strainer ... what? who?

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You might think I'm a little crazy that I spent time texuring this Zareba In-line Strainer. And what is it anyway? Well, that's the ratchet thingy that tightens the wire fencing that keeps the cows and horses in their fields.

When I was walking Kobi last weekend, there was something about the sun shining on what appeared to be a brand new one. I couldn't resist texturing it to make it look rustic as I imagine these things should look after years of wear.

Thanks to Bonnie5378 and EleanorT67 (Flickr friends) for directions on making the framing. I finally got it and doesn't this look like a beautiful flower? Just a little?

Textures thanks to Shadowhouse Creations. Textures used are Square 39, 59, 61, 75.