Monday, September 10, 2012

Sunday morning

I know, I know. I’m sorry - I haven’t written in nearly a week. It’s either feast or famine with me, you see. I although I certainly have my excuses, too many of them are things I don’t want to go into here. But one of my excuses is being absorbed in reading books.

You really can escape into a good book, can’t you?

 

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Sunday morning, before I began my leftover Saturday chores, I sat outside with my coffee and my camera.

The air was crisp and lovely with not a hint of humidity. For most of last week, we’d been in a steam bath here which was really getting me down.

 

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But Sunday, and then today were absolutely lovely.

 

 

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Sometimes I like to shoot right into the sun.

 

Mama always told me not to look into the eyes of the sun, but mama
that's where the fun is.
~Bruce Springsteen, Blinded by the Light

 

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"If winter is slumber and spring is birth, and summer is life, then autumn rounds out to be reflection. It's a time of year when the leaves are down and the harvest is in and the perennials are gone. Mother Earth just closed up the drapes on another year and it's time to reflect on what's come before."
-Mitchell Burgess

 

I can feel Mother Earth beginning to close those drapes, and I want this season to last a good long time because I just love Autumn.

And I missed most of it last year.

 

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I heard them before I saw them, and this was my fleeting glimpse of the geese flying as I lifted my camera to take their picture.

 

 

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A pair of hummingbirds were keeping close watch on the feeders, trying to stay out of the way of the European hornets that have been annoying all of us for the past month. It’s chilly tonight and part of me wants to go outside and kill them with my spray, but the other part of me has just read The Hunger Games where the worst part, as far as I’m concerned, was the lethal yellow jackets.

And so I keep my distance.

And they’re so big, I wonder if the spray will really kill the suckers.

 

 

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But the hummers sure are pretty.

And I like ‘em in black & white.

 

 

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I could go on and talk about the pretty flowers, but I just don’t have it in me today. I’m sure I’ll snap out of this funk soon.

I think I’ll head back into my book. Sorry I’m not better company ~ but tomorrow’s another day. And it will be a better one.

123 Signature[5]

 

 

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And I'm driving a stolen car
On a pitch black night
And I'm telling myself I'm gonna be alright
But I ride by night and I travel in fear
That in this darkness I will disappear

~Bruce Springsteen, Stolen Car

32 comments:

Sheila said...

Great pictures, thanks so much for sharing them with all of us!

Kerri Farley said...

Thinking of you Kate!!
Love your little hummers! You captured them beautifully!

Country Gal said...

Fantastic photos ! Just one little thing I would like to mention, please be careful of taking photos into the sun as eventually it can burn out the sensor in your camera, just incase ya weren't aware of this a lot of people don't realize this until it has happened ! Life is busy and unless your retired like me I wouldn't expect you to be able to have much time to post but when you do it is a treat for me ! Yes getting into a good book makes all your tuff times disappear as does getting into photography ! Have a wonderful day !

Sabrina Steyling said...

Beautiful photos! I also love shooting right into the sun; it's fun, especially when it comes out right. :)

Reena said...

Love seeing Blackie! I have to confess that I go out and spray the bees off the hummingbird feeder. Yes, I kill them. Bad me. But they seem to keep the hummingbirds at bay and that I don't like! Anyway, more bees seem to come back .. an everlasting battle. I too am finding it hard to post lately. Too much going on!

Connie in Hartwood said...

I know how you feel. I had lunch today with another blogger friend, and she and I both admitted that we have been doing more reading lately and less of just about everything else. Things go in cycles.

I love looking at all of the photos you post. Today's are really lovely.

bv said...

we all have these times...i woke myself up last night saying 'let it go, let it go' it's hard. and in the middle of the night i have no defences...no cheery pep talk, no counting my blessings...hang in there for i hear the sun will come out tomorrow! fab pics, i also like to shoot to the sun...
bv
and today was good! xo

Bluebird49 said...

I just have to say, I loved each picture and savored them one by one. When you feel like talking....know I'm up to listening!
Trudy

Anonymous said...

Wishing that you will be feeling more hopeful very soon. Your photos of the hummers are just unreal...my favorite though, is that morning glory. It makes me think of Georgia O'Keefe's morning glory paintings, which I saw in the 70's, when her works were on tour. This photo is every bit as wonderful.
LLC

Sweetpea said...

I've LUV'ed ya for soooo long, CG, but did I ever know you were a Springsteen gal??? lord help me. SOOOOOOO luv ya more, even more than words can say.... !

Not been 'round to visit much but have been following nonetheless. U'ved worried me some...home fires seem to temper us whether we desire it or not.

I like what you said earlier..."Sometimes I like to shoot right into the sun." yup. blinded.

Unknown said...

Gorgeous photos. I can relate to you about being absorbed with books. Books do that to me too. I just can't stop reading until I know the whole story. Books are really captivating especially if the plots is good.
albury motel

Daryl said...

and me i have such a lack of things going on that i have two blogs posting every day ... clearly i am in need of help/intervention ... and i too am deep in a book: Mr King's 11/22/63 caught me up and its hard to put down ...

The JR said...

I always love seeing your photos.

Unknown said...

Bruce usually makes things better....

I saw a feisty little hummer chasing a wasp away from the feeders the other day!....hope springs eternal....

smiles.

Anonymous said...

There is nothing like losing yourself in a good book! I always have a book with me and have read up to five in one week. Love the pictures of the hummers, so cute. Thanks for sharing.
Steph

Em Parkinson said...

The Humming Birds are superb but I particularly like the way you've caught those flowers in the first one - absolutely gorgeous.

Know what you mean about feeling like you're bad company but it's always a pleasure to read you!

GailO said...

Isn't this the best season of the year?! What a wonderful clear cool day it is today and yes I should not be sitting here at my computer:)

Your hummingbird pics are priceless! My hummers seem to have stopped coming to the feeder this week...will miss them!

When I read your post I had to stop and smile because I was just telling myself I had to put the book down and get something done. I haven't read much other than New Yorkers all summer because this is always my problem when I like a book...Today it is Careless in Red...:) Think I better finish it today!

beth said...

you were missed, but i know where to find you if i had needed you :)

we are loving this taste of autumn....even with the overly warm temps that shouldn't be here, you can still feel it in the air that something's changing, that something's coming......

i saw hummers this summer thank god, but never got a shot of them. thanks to you and gail i've gotten to love all over them through your eyes !!!
xo

Mental P Mama said...

Love you.

A New England Life said...

Hi Kate,
I can't even remember the last time I looked at blogs so I know how you feel. Life sure does get the best of you at times.

Awesome images, as always. My hummers are gone, but like your yard the morning glories bloom every day. Isn't the cooler weather delightful?

Take care.

Anonymous said...

Got a lot of oooooooooooos and ahhhhhhhhs from me over these shots! So glad the steam bath is over. I'm loving this time of year...only wish I had time to enjoy it but...I will enjoy through your photos! Excellent!

JaneK said...

I am sorry you are in a funk.... Truly; it is not a fun place to be but an honest place..... Thanks for the lovely shots despite feeling funky (and not in the get down and get funky kind of way); they put a smile on my face...

Lee Owenby said...

Wow! Great post!

Gillian Olson said...

I am in a slump too, don't know why. Love the pictures, especially the one into the sun, great effect. Thanks for sharing,

Andi said...

You haven't written as much and I haven't read all my blogs in nearly two weeks!! Missed you! XO. Love the hummingbird pics!

Dianne said...

I love a woman who quotes Bruce

and who shoots into the sun

sharon said...

love the humming bird. Really love your cat! Always studying something.

thecatalanway said...

How do you manage to say so much with so few words? Geese flying. Morning Glory. A black cat in the grass. And a stunning photo of a hummingbird. Those quotes - they made my skin tingle. Here I am back in Spain and thinking of you over there slightly(?) melancholy in the autumn light. YES we must look into the sun sometimes and be damned. Love you and sorry about the European hornets which made me feel vaguely guilty!
Life! You've gotta laugh!
Good night Kate X

Caroline said...

OMG...that first hummingbird shot is amazing. And I do love your kitty!!!

mrs mediocrity said...

I love autumn too, it's the best season. Love the hummingbirds, you have inspired me to sit down and try to get some photos of ours.

And yes, sometimes a good book is just what you need. Escapism is highly under-rated if you ask me.

What are you reading?

xoxo

Lili said...

Sending you a big ole hug Kate. Your photography is just so so lovely. xo ~Lili

Tiggeriffic said...

Love the Morning Glories~! They are Glorious and watching the hummingbirds are so delightful~! This time of year they are getting ready to go South.. Can't keep my feeders full enough.. They are so busy swarming and having a competition to who gets on the perch first to get a drink. This year I didn't get my grape jelly put away after the Orioles left and I noticed the hummingbirds were eating the jelly. I didn't know that they ate grape jelly.. It's been fun to watch them dive bomb the bowl and set on the side of the bowl and eat the jelly.
I love to read and I've been sitting outside in the warm fall sun reading and listening to the hummers buzz all around me..
Have a great Sunday ~ta ta for now from Iowa:)