Back To My Roots!

Pastel drawing from: "The Red Boat Chronicle"

Pastel drawing from: "Forever Grateful" 

"Passion and purpose go hand in hand. When you discover your purpose, you will normally find it’s something you’re tremendously passionate about."~Steve Pavlina~

Back to what I really love to do! So fortunate to be enjoying an art class in Matlacha, Florida. I had several different art groups to choose from. Thinking long and hard about what place makes me feel really happy when I visit, the choice then became easy!
Fooling around with some inexpensive pastels that I had purchased for my grandchildren, I became intrigued. The control of the medium, for me, was refreshing. I wanted to learn more and what better place to learn, than an art class.
I have been blessed with an incredibly talented teacher. She is working with me on creating more depth in my work. There are about ten very creative and supportive students in the class all total.
Perspective, has always been one of my issues. I'm trying to conquer that issue and also taking away the fear of deliberate strokes. "It's only paper after all", my new mantra!
Both drawings are rendered from photographs I have taken, and featured previously on this blog. You can click on the links under the drawings to view the posts.
Matlacha, Florida is old Florida, converted into an artist community. Galleries, shops and restaurants line the main street.
Every cell in my body heightens with excitement as soon as I cross the bridge to get there. I no longer have inexpensive pastels and I am working my way up the chain. Sometimes passions don't come cheap, however, worth every penny! "It's only money after all." Working on that issue too!
Have a wonderful day!!!

Notes, Quotes and Images of Cape Cod!

"Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within the reach of every hand." ~  Mother Teresa ~ 

"All glory comes from daring to begin." ~ Eugene F. Ware ~

"Press on. Obstacles are seldom the same size tomorrow as they are today." ~ Robert H. Schuller ~

"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." ~ Nelson Mandela ~ 

"We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right." ~ Nelson Mandela ~

"Good manners sometimes means simply putting up with other people's bad manners." ~  H. Jackson Brown, Jr. ~

"Love is just a word until someone comes along and gives it meaning." ~ Unknown ~

"Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself, but talent instantly recognizes genius." ~  Arthur Conan Doyle, Sr. ~ 

"A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing." 
~ George Bernard Shaw ~

"Whenever you're in conflict with someone, there is one factor that can make the difference between damaging your relationship and deepening it. That factor is attitude." ~  William James  ~

"I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck." 
~ Emma Goldman ~ 

"Sometimes the beauty and knowledge around us must simply be shared." ~ Rosemary Aubut ~ 
Enjoying family, friends and the beauty of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. 
Have a great day!

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The Red Boat Chronicle!

first light...morning swim, 5:50AM

sunrise...6:00AM

morning light...burning off the fog

morning light...reflections 

afternoon light...2:30PM

afternoon light...outgoing tide

afternoon light...relaxing with a bamboo fishing rod...maybe a bit eccentric?

evening light sunset...6:49PM

evening light...a pink sky reflecting... 
Last fall we took a leisurely ride down to Cape Cod, MA, checking out a cottage rental for this summer. Route 28 is a long and winding road with many distractions, some of interest, and a great deal of traffic! 

Crossing a small bridge into Harwich, I caught a glimpse of some amazing and spectacular red boats. "What a gorgeous picture," I thought out-loud. Hubby said, "we'll catch them on the way back, there's too much traffic right now."
  

The capture never happened, last fall as we exited the Cape from a different direction! I mentioned the red boats to my friend Judy at the beginning of our summer rental and she knew exactly the spot, mentioning that she wanted to photograph them as well. A few more weeks passed and still no red boat photos! 

Attending an art show in Hyannis we came across a photographer who displayed a photo of our red boats, still a vivid memory. "Wow Judy, we have to get over there and get some pictures soon," I said. Later we learned that the boats are one of the most photographed scenes on the Cape. 

Several more weeks somehow escaped us! Making it a priority, last Thursday was designated, Red Boat Day, it was going to happen! We will get up before sunrise and make the half hour journey to Harwich to photograph before first light, was the plan. Un-showered, uniformed in sweat pants, sleepy eyed, yawning, along with bed hair we made the jaunt.

What a spectacular morning it was! The serenity deafening, mirror like would be the perfect description of the saltwater estuary. A slight mist covered the marsh, the air clean and fresh with the hint of a warm day yet to follow. I was in photography heaven with a couple of my favorite people who share my photo addiction. Dueling shutter buttons were the only sound that resonated other than an occasional bird whisking by.

Later that afternoon returning from an event, we noticed that one of the boats was occupied. Burly and heavily tattooed sat a sixty-fiveish long-gray haired man holding a bamboo fishing rod sitting under a grass umbrella. I’m guessing that he is a Vietnam Veteran, hence the name Hero on the side of the boat. Just a hunch!

Pleased with our new discovery and captures we decided to return at sunset, making it a Grand Slam Red Boat Day and so we did!  Over two hundred photos later I’m not even sure I picked the best ones. I wish to frame a couple and that I will do as a friendly reminder to never, ever pass up a great shot. 
Some are very much worth waiting for! 

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Bicycle Bicycle!

bicycle bicycle I want to ride my bicycle
 I took this photo in Osterville, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Osterville is a beautiful little town and so typical of small town USA. We enjoyed a craft show along with an antique car parade, a full turn out of town residents with a mix of tourists and antique car enthusiasts who enjoyed the procession.
Judy and I were once again exploring the shops and taking in all that the town had to offer when we came upon this fine old bike laying against a post outside a swanky boutique. When I say swanky I mean that the sale rack at 30% off is far more than I would like to pay! For example what is 30% off of $225 for a cotton blouse! Yikes!!!
One of the shops had scrimshaw and Sailor's Valentines! Google these if you are not sure of what they are! They are quite interesting! 
The bike reminded me of my youth and first bicycle. Quite different in color, it was dark green and I taught myself to ride. It was a First Communion present, that would have made me about six years old in those days. Funny thing is I bought myself a bike a couple of years ago with big fat tires thinking it would be great exercise, however I must say I am fearful of falling or being hit by a car. Maybe I could fill the basket with flowers and make it a garden prop in my yard. It would make hubby most happy to get it out of the shed! 
My minds eye envisions a thin little lady with a big straw hat, a white freshly pressed cotton sleeveless button down shirt, seersucker light blue petal pushers, waist banded and zippered front, navy blue keds laced with new white shoelaces, riding along side the canal on the bike pictured above! My visions are only visions, however, and the frail little lady envisioned, would not be me!!! 
Photo is being submitted to Kim Klassens's Texture Tuesday. I used her Sun Kissed Texture at 80%. 

Lilies, More Lilies And Then Some!

Main Entrance, SOOC

Hydrangea Garden, SOOC

Hydrangea, SOOC

Lily, SOOC

Lily, SOOC

Lily, SOOC

Lily, SOOC

Lily, SOOC

Dahlia,  SOOC

Stargazer Lily, SOOC 

 Children Enjoying The Waterfall

 Lily Pad Pond. Sometimes my camera just paints a picture!

Whimsical Gate Exhibit 

Whimsical Gate Exhibit 

Gorgeous Landscapes, SOOC

I can only hope you sense the joy I felt strolling through the Heritage Museum & Gardens on Cape Cod, in Sandwich, Massachusetts. It is amazing to me that one can grow up in an area and not know about such beauty just an hour away from where we use to live. Mutual friends Frank and Sue, led Judy to this discovery and explained that it was a nice take and that it was! The day was overcast and the conditions could have not been better for photographing. Believe it or not it was actually a little chilly! One hundred acres perfectly manicured and displays of grandeur no matter where one gazed. Comfortable shoes a must! The beauty is just intoxicating here and the bees plumped by all the sweet nectar. 

There was also an antique car exhibit with some of the finest specimens we have ever seen, along with a Norman Rockwell exhibit in the art museum! How much beauty can one possibly take in in one single day? I may have to go back! 

Very little editing on these photos except for some cropping, straight out of the camera (SOOC)! 

Too Much Knowledge Can Be Dangerous!

Grist Mill, Orleans, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Gorgeous Views

View From Second Level

Gordon, Retired Minister/Historian

Hopper

Gears 
I have been blessed with the gift of curiosity... or is it? Wasn't it curiosity that killed a cat? You may be wondering what any of this has to do with photos of a windmill??? 
After lunch, Judy and I wondered off to take pictures and the guys went off to investigate a fly-fishing shop! 
We were in Orleans, Cape Cod, MA, the elbow of the cape, enjoying scenic route 6A. 
We couldn't resist this gorgeous old structure and meandered inside where we met Gordon a kindly and knowledgeable old gent! He explained the history of the mill and invited us up the narrow steep stairs to view the second level! We did so proudly and promptly following right behind him!!! However, what goes up must come down! RIGHT???
My compromised lungs were screaming what the.... have you gotten us into now??? My breathing labored I managed to ask a few semi intelligent questions! Oxygen short circuiting my brain! Then I looked over at Judy whose fair skin tone was now beet red and I knew she had not been drinking. Well past menopause I knew something was very wrong! She was flashing all right and her concerns, turns out were the same as mine!!! How the heck were we getting down??? The guys would never guess where we were and it was too early to call out a search and rescue party. 
Old Gordon just kept on lecturing and was quite interesting. The stairwell however had no railing, was winding, steep and I was getting dizzy just thinking about it, a big black hole, so to speak! It was a Rapunzel kind of moment, only neither of us has long hair! So there we were two ding-bats in the belfry and no prince charming to save us! 
Judy being a person of sound mind and good common sense asked the fatal question..."Gordon, how do we get down from here???" That's easy he replied just hold right here. Well every man for himself, I held onto his shoulder and down we went, he would break my fall I thought, figuring I could turn halfway and help Judy down! But NOOOOOO, she wanted Gordon. Safely down on the first level I watched her gingerly take baby steps to safety. 
Well that was interesting we both agreed! Wondering if we have learned a lesson here, my guess would probably be no, since we both will stop at nothing to get a good shot! 
Once again I have to say that the Almighty put me in the correct century! Women would haul corn from their farms to be ground into cornmeal here and return several days later to haul it back! 
All I have to do is visit a local Dunkin Donuts and buy myself a corn muffin from my air conditioned car, purchase canned or frozen corn and sometimes I even have to shuck it from it's husk. History can really make one think, appreciate and be grateful for what we have today! 
Off on another adventure today, hopefully all on one level!

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So Cape Codish!

Scouting for Quahogs 

Digging with a Quahog Rake

"The hard clam, also known as a quahog, round clam, or hard-shell clam, is an edible marine bivalve mollusk which is native to the eastern shores of North America, from Prince Edward Island to the Yucatán Peninsula." Wikipedia

When back in Massachusetts, probably the first thing we do after greeting our children is to visit one of our old time favorite seafood restaurants. 

Stuffed quahogs an absolute must on the menu! Especially love them if linguica, a Portuguese sausage is in the mix! The stuffing prepared and presented back in the shell before serving. Hubby enjoys quahog chowder, made with red potatoes and cream, a broth not to heavy! 

I captured the old gent above quahoging on the shore while dining at a near by restaurant. Deep in thought oblivious to our presence he was feeling with his feet where to dig. Skiff in tow along with wire baskets to hold his bounty. We were taken aback by his tenacity and relentless search, seeking out the abstruse mollusks.  
A lazy summer afternoon for us and a fruitful experience for him. I'll bet those stuffies and "chowda" will taste all the better knowing that he captured them himself!