4-25, Lilacs

I love lilacs.  They were my first favorite flower.  We had a giant, deep-purple lilac bush at the end of our driveway of my childhood home.  I loved to stand by it and admire the beautiful blossoms and wonderful fragrance.  When my husband and I were house-hunting for our first home (years ago!!), I told him I wanted to have a lilac bush.  We planted one but got restationed before it had a chance to grow too much.  Each time we moved, I revoiced my request:  I want a lilac!!  House #2- no.  House #3- no.  House #4- BINGO!  I wasn't fond of the giant bush that had overtaken a corner of our yard by the back deck UNTIL the spring came.  My husband said, "I think that might be a lilac bush".  My reaction?  "Don't tease me!".  Sure enough, as the blossoms began to grow, I was astonished at my good fortune of that 'big, ugly bush' being the very one I had been longing for for the past 14 years.  I was delighted!  While the hue may not be the rich shade that evokes the wonderful memories of my childhood, maybe this lighter variety will do just that for my own kids in years to come.  I love looking out my kitchen window and admiring this wonderful, aromatic flower.  If only I could attach a scent to these photos......

"Lone Lilac"

"Lilac Cluster"

 As Eye See It - Flower Album

4-22, A Successful Seminar

Lately, I've been struggling.  Struggling with the loss of two very special people in the past year. Struggling to heal from a painful, energy-zapping surgery.  Struggling to come to grips with an unexpected, heart-breaking experience on the six-year journey to adopting our little girl from China.   Struggling to understand why I've had no desire to pick up my camera and do one of the things I love most.  Given all of these things that have been weighing on my mind, I was worried I'd be wasting time and money attending the one-day photography seminar I had signed up for several months back.  But, I thought optimistically, maybe this day would be just what I needed to get my mind back on track.  I was out of the house by 7:30 AM yesterday and drove the hour north of Denver to the seminar location.  I didn't return until 6 PM that night.  For seven hours, I sat in a  dark room with 200 other people watching slides and listening to photography talk.  To you, this may sound like a dreadful way to spend a beautiful spring Saturday.  To me, it was wonderful.  It was energizing, enjoyable and it kick-started my enthusiasm in a way I couldn't have imagined.  It made me appreciate how far my skills and knowledge in photography have come.  I realized that 5-10 years ago I would have been very lost in all of the lingo and concepts that were presented.  The photographers gave ideas and techniques that I can't wait to try for myself.  Yes, the day was a success.  With all that we have going on in our lives now, I may not have a great deal of time to dedicate to my photography, but I'm so thankful for the spark that has been reignited.  If you're looking for some wisdom from seasoned photographers, be sure to check out Gerlach Nature Photography.  John and Barbara Gerlach are a married couple who have been professional photographers for 25 years.  They live in Idaho near the entrance of Yellowstone National Park (not all that far from where I grew up in MT).  They give a great seminar and I can't wait to dig into their photography books.  I'm so thankful for the seminar catalog that found its way into my mailbox in the dead of winter.   With spring, all things anew.