The Third Act

riding the waves

I don't know what was going on with me yesterday.  All day there was this shroud of melancholy that seemed to drape over me.  Sometimes I just can't think my way out of such situations.  Sometimes there are just inklings of what may be going on.  I mean, I had a routine dermatologist appointment (everything's a-okay) but I don't think I was particularly worried about that.  Oh, and the sun didn't shine most of the day...most likely a factor.  But still.

Over time I've learned to just ride these things out.  It's still not comfortable, but what in life is 100% comfortable?  There's always a lot of self talk to get me through, in which I've become a pro!  But still.

While there was some light rain during the day yesterday, it didn't amount to much.  I'd been thinking how the weather has been relatively dry now for a couple months.  Then last night, well after dark, I heard this boom.  Checking the weather app, sure enough, there was a thunderstorm cell moving over us.  And then....it poured!  For a good five minutes the rain came down in buckets.  What a relief.  This morning as I lifted the blinds, it was so nice to see a saturated landscape.

I sat outside in the sun, having my tea, listening to the birds and waving at the trash collectors as they went by.  What a difference in my mood!  Should I really be this sensitive?  Ah well.

(ummmm...lots photos to follow...)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Monday!

It's the last Monday in March.  The first quarter of 2023 is almost complete.  Blossoms keep blooming and seeds slowly pushing out of the soil.  I would venture a guess that spring is here to stay.

Perhaps we'll get some April showers.  Precipitation still seems to be in the northwest half of the country (if it were divided on the diagonal).  Well, it's not here in Richmond, VA anyway.  So strange.  But...nothing ever stays the same does it?  This spring is just a dry one.

 

 

 

 

Saturday

It was warm, but cooled off significantly overnight.  This morning is very overcast.  I'm hoping it rains a bit later.

Finally some radish sprouts are poking out of the soil.  I put in greens seeds as well yesterday.  The tomatoes and some of the peppers have been transplanted to bigger pots and remain indoors under the lights.  I might transplant the hollyhock seedlings today.

The garden kind of consumes me right now (but doesn't it always).  However, I've been making time for art/photography as well.

 

clove scented black currant buds

 

blueberry blossoms

 

choke cherry blossom buds

 

angelica

 

the path

 

hosta and violets

 

paw paw leafing out

 

bluebell buds

 

 

 

I do love a good mystery film

I'm not talking about a movie, by the way.  I had one more roll of black and white film to process...that had been waiting for, I wasn't sure how long.  Turns out it was from November, when Julian and Josie were visiting.  These were taken at Great Falls, Virginia.  The kids had an evening flight from Dulles and we wanted to find something to do before they had to board their plane.  This was a great option, because it was out of doors and got us moving around.

Now, this was very expired film, from what I know.  So...it's definitely quirky.  But I rather love these nonetheless.

 

 

 

 

bulbs

I went out in the garden this afternoon, to take some photos for this post.  Let's say I got a bit overly enthusiastic.  As I picked what I wanted to share, the realization came as to how long it would take to get them ready.  I don't do a lot of modifications, just tweak the light a bit and size the images down, but it can add up.  And then I thought how it might be too much for anyone to view at one time.  Seems I've never been very good about whittling down my work!

So, I decided to share just the bulb images.  Tulips, daffodils and a couple sweet little narcissi.  Tomorrow will be more of, some other category...maybe...we'll see!  Unless I process that other roll of film I loaded in the tank and get excited about that.

It's good to feel enthusiastic, though.  I've gone through long stretches of just going through the motions.  This is better.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hollywood cemetery

More images from Hollywood cemetery.

I did actually load a tank with film again today.  But I've been taken up with outdoor work so that may wait until tomorrow.  It'll be another surprise as I don't remember what's on it either!

 

 

 

 

 

on a roll

Get it?  Film?  Roll?  Bad pun...but...I did process another roll of film today!  That's two within a week.  Sure, it's not like the old days when I might process three in a day (I know for some folks that's nothing).  Still, even though I need to fine tune the effort, I'm just pleased to be getting at it.  And I did this while waiting to go on an errand with a friend.  I was questioning whether I had enough time (I had plenty, but thought I didn't), but decided to just get it done.  I'm glad I did because it proves to me this doesn't have to be a long and onerous task.

There are folks who feel processing the film the most critical and creative part of film photography.  I've never found it so....that's just me and my brain.  The best I can do is just do it more and more until it becomes second nature (again).

These images are from Hollywood cemetery...back in October (or maybe November).

 

 

 

 

 

welcome spring

It's finally here.  That being said, it's been cold in these parts.  Thankfully the sun has been out, so I've been eking away at a very tedious task.

There's a gravel pathway across the front of my house that leads around to the patio.  Over the past few years a variety of weeds have been gradually filling in the edge of this.  For a couple years now I've been making halfhearted attempts to get the weeds out...and then getting really ambivalent and just weed whacking the area.  Well, for some unknown reason, the urge to go ahead and tackle this task has come upon me.  For three days now I've been sitting for one or two hours a day going at this project.  It's been lovely, actually.  Quite meditative.  And sunshine has been a blessing.  It's almost done.  

For Avery's part, she wanders around the yard, seeing what's up, visiting me, and then laying in the sun (or chomping on sweet grass).  I don't think she minds too much that we haven't gotten out for a walk yet.

Yesterday I had another self directed no screen day.  To be technically accurate, it was a no internet day.  I did check email and respond to texts.  I had intended to make this a regular thing starting a month ago and only did it once.  Since weird head space obstacles have been arising for me, it seemed that this practice would be useful.  It was really strange to notice how anxious the prospect seemed to me yesterday morning!  Which was a good indication that it was needed.  Once I'd made the decision and mapped out my day, it was pretty great.  I got a lot of reading done and more writing in my journal.  Now, to see if I'll keep it up!

 

 

 

 

the light

Standing at the kitchen sink, working on dinner, I mused on the fact that in another month or so, the light won't be coming in this window.  With angle of the earth tilted and the trees leafed out, there's no afternoon sun here.  Light, yes.  Sun, no.  Of course, in the summer time that's a blessing.  Afternoon shade is a protection.  But I do love some beams making their way inside.

 

 

 

yesterday, in the garden

I'm trying to figure out how to balance all my avocations (and how to turn something into a livelihood) and their presentation online.  Am I an artist?  A gardener?  A cook?  Which comes first?  My therapist asked me at my last session how these might be ranked and I said, "I guess gardening comes first."  It certainly seems true during the super active growing season.  

But art also means so much.  The more I make art, the more art I want to make.  Processing the pinholes yesterday, working with the film and seeing the results...it's such a great feeling.  

And of course, food has always been an interest to me.  Although that dovetails nicely with the gardening.  And certainly there's artistry in the practice as well.

So, my blog and other online venues are a hodgepodge.  (Which reminds me...when I was a child, maybe 10 or so, there was a program on PBS called "Hodge Podge Lodge"...it was definitely a fave.  Foreshadowing for my life?).  Or perhaps they're a tapestry.  I think I like that better.

Anyway, yesterday in the garden was just perfect.  Sunshine, not too warm not too cold not too windy.  Avery chomped on the sweetgrass, which she seems to love, while I schlepped compost.  Rain is forecast later today, so I may go out and plant seeds for root veggies.