Monday, May 4, 2009

What A Weekend!

Friday, Michael comes home looking a bit conspiratorial and says, "Rory & Fiona sent me on a mission for early Mother's Day because they thought you might need some time to get used to this in order to be ready for our trip next week." I look down at those two Wild Highlanders of mine as I open a box...and to my my surprise and complete delight, there is a new red camera! A camera of my very own!!

Now, I'm not the sort of person to point fingers and assign blame, but I have to say it's because of Beth that you'll probably see my bizarre attempts to add pictures. Which proves the generosity of her spirit, that such a fabulous photographer as she, would encourage a camera challenged picture taker like me! So, if you find yourself slapping your forehead in wonder of, "What the hell was she trying to take a picture of???!," from this point forward, you can blame her. And, then go immediately over to be yourself...everyone else is taken, to relieve your eye-strain by looking at her beautiful images.

This weekend held more gifts and surprises for me than just my impromptu visit from my friends Coke and Lou. Your Mother Knows was honored by three readers. And, I want to thank them for finding it worthy. The first one was given to me by the lovely and talented Soulbrush who does many great things...and like Toni is a visual journaler. So, thank you for this bit of bling!

And, then I began blushing when I went reading a bit further and found that both Sema and Sarah think so much of my work that they both gave me this one. Now, I have to admit that I've seen this one on a lot of the sites I adore visiting and, I've always imagined what it would look like on mine. I never thought I'd have it. Sema, you already honored me when my words inspired you to create the mandala that I so proudly display. Knowing that you and Sarah both really like my work makes me very happy. Tears-of-delight, happy.

Speaking of tears, my weekend with my friends was marvelous and I tried not to cry when they headed east yesterday morning. But, I didn't make it. Tears are good; they mean you care.

I had to wave goodbye but, I have this to mark the memory and share with you thanks to the gift from my puppies. Pittsburgh is a beautiful city. Look at that, would ya?! What other city in the U.S. has three rivers running through it? What other city in the U.S. has more bridges than Venice? Even on a cloudy day, I think this is one of the best sky lines ever.

My new red camera with Michael's help captured this picture of Coke, Lou, and me. And, Lou, who is from Germany, really enjoyed visiting and seeing another part of the U.S. Michael and I were glad to show her this new home city of ours. We had a drink sitting high atop the slopes of Mt. Washington and caught up on things. We laughed. We shared memories...and made new ones.

And, I realized that none of this would be mine if I didn't stay open to possibility. If I didn't invite people and experiences into my life. If I didn't take advice from qualified people when they offer it. If I didn't stay open to encouragement. If I didn't worry less about looking the fool as in that first picture, and try new things. If I didn't learn to love my life exactly where I find it on any given day. If I didn't, well...

...simply remain-

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka The Shooter

14 comments:

beth said...

what a beautiful weekend with friends and the idea of being "open"...yep, I need that reminder too, sometimes !!!

{love that sign}

congrats on all the awards...you are loved !!!...and isnt' it great to be told how amazing you are?

which of course you did to me {once again} so I'm starting my monday off by flying and dancing...and keep those photos coming....I'm loving them !!!

Cindy said...

I am thrilled for you Holly. what a great weekend and you will be just great with your new red camera. Guess who else has a red camera! You are wonderful HOLLY, your energy just exudes off of you,

Cindy said...

...oh, oh,.oh Congratulations on the award. That is fabulous.

Sarah Sullivan said...

Very well deserved hon!! Love the new treat from the pups - I looove my cmera. So glad your weekend was full of joy!!! Namaste, Sarah

Alison said...

Hi Holly,
After feeling that I have got to know you via Toni's blog, I have flicked across to yours. It's just great - as I kind of expected it would be! Keep up the photo work and the great writing.

Cam said...

Congratulations!!!

I am so thankful you got to spend some good times with your friends! Wasn't it grand?

And, I cannot wait to see what your creative eye captures with your new camera. Bring it on, girlfriend!!!

Life With Dogs said...

Nice new camera Holly!

I am expecting that your posts will be sprinkled with some interesting eye candy as you get the hang of it.

You nailed the ending, love the sches

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a wonderful weekend spent with old friends...good for you.

Love the camera...

Awards well deserved.

mel said...

A zillion congrats on your many accolades...so very much deserved. And I'm glad you had a wonderful time with your chums....

Dig the red snapper....can't wait to see the fruits of your photographic labours...

~much love~

Unknown said...

Hey! We have that camera too!

Eileen said...

Reading your amazingly unique and honest take on life's often mundane but sometimes monumental twists and turns is more than one could hope for ... and now this ... wow, I love anticipating what visions you'll share with us also! The pooches were good to their Queen Mum ... but so deserving! Love to you and love Holly's "red eye"!

Genie Sea said...

Congrats on your much-deserved awards. May more abundance come streaming through your open doors. :)

xxx said...

Holly... congratulations on your very much deserved awards!
Awesome camera too!
Lovely to read about your fun weekend.

Best wishes
Ribbon

Toni said...

Yea Beth, she's trouble, the wenchlet! She's got us ALL wielding cameras, doesn't she? Gotta love someone that inspiring. You'll do great ...

visits from friends, homesickness, dreams of bridges and rivers ... I hear ya, I feel ya ... I miss Rock Creek Park and Ocean city, in Maryland (my home state) like you miss Baltimore. Real trees and waves ...

applause and solidarity on the awards, Holly ... I didn't vote but I sure woulda!

you look blissed out in this photo, My Queen ... look at your eyes!

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