Take Away 146 ~ Wait for It

We took a Sunday drive yesterday, leaving late in the morning. The weather was gray and as much as I would have loved to just stay home, I always regret it when we don't get out at least for a short drive. We headed to Yakima and quite frankly it was boring. I was feeling super disappointed that I had not spotted something I could shoot with my camera.  And then ... just 20 minutes from home ... there it was. An old, falling down house we have passed dozens of times before. I yelled "PULL OVER!!". I got some very nice shots and we were on our way.

Take Away: Don't let disappointment seep in too soon.

Sometimes it is in the very last minute that

I'll find what I'm looking for.

Take Away 145 ~ Go Out of Your Way

I met early this morning with a friend for coffee and we decided to take a drive down by the river before I dropped her off at work. It was a little out of the way but not much. Secretly, I was hoping to spot an eagle as I had brought my new camera along. Just as we got to the end of the park, I spotted him. Oddly enough, my friend had never seen an eagle before.

Take Away:  Go out of your way whenever possible

and time allows. You never know what you'll see, hear or do.

I love that!

Take Away 144 ~ Escaping

We took a 3-day weekend trip to the coast recently. This time of year is not famous for great weather but just the act of getting ready for it and anticipating the trip is enough to keep this girl from going insane. Every time we go west, it is such a change in pace and landscape that I actually have the feeling of what it would be like to be on a different planet as we are driving home.

TAKE AWAY: Never miss an opportunity to escape

once in awhile. It matters not where you go,

just go.

Take Away 143 ~ Morning Pages

I signed up for an online class ... hoping to get out of the writing slump I've been in for far too long. One of the suggestions was to read a copy of The Artist's Way. I'm only 3 chapters in but have taken the suggestion to write 3 pages first thing in the morning, no matter what. It works! Creative juices are flowing. I'm a bit scatter-brained and finding that my thoughts are racing even after I fall asleep at night. I wake up for ideas but can't seem to hang on to them. I know this will all settle down.

TAKE AWAY: Take suggestions or leave them.

It matters not. When the time is right, I won't

be able to avoid action.

The

time

is

right!

Take Away 142 ~ Just Ask

Yesterday was the first time I've had my camera out the entire 21 days of December. Crazy.  I asked a friend if I could shoot some pics of her with her visiting mom. She had not seen her mom in 4 years. I pushed past my fear of rejection (would my friend think I was being a weirdo?) and asked if they would let me photograph them together. They said yes. We met at the park. 20 minutes later we had some great photos, a few tears, and a lot of laughter.  If I hadn't asked, I would have missed it.

TAKE AWAY:  Just ask. The worst thing that can

happen is nothing.

Take Away 141 ~ Challenges

I do best when I am under a challenge.  I've been playing the Minimize Game. For each day of the month, I minimize something from my household. It gets challenging when you get into the last week of the month.  But when things are hard seems to be the times I love the most.

TAKE AWAY: Set goals. Be challenged. Never give up!

Take Away 140 ~ Just Pick Up Where You Left Off

Dang. It's been awhile since I posted here!  I was talking with a co-worker last week about blogging and mentioned this blog. Then I looked to see it has been far too long since I posted. That's okay. I'm not much of a quitter. I follow blogs where there are no posts for a long time and it's always so nice when the blogger finally does post.

TAKE AWAY:  Just pick up where you left off.

Don't let complacency and time be an excuse for quitting. That's all.