Sometimes You Just Gotta Smile...

It gets too easy at times to complain about our lives and what makes us unhappy.  You don't have to look too far to find something to be angry or sad about.  But staying in that negativity will make life pass you by.  The little things that make life beautiful will go unnoticed and before you know it, another season, another year, another lifetime will be over.  I get stuck in that rut too at times.  It's hard to pull myself out, but acceptance is the key.  If I can't change people or situations, I just sit with the knowledge that I have a choice in how the rest of the story plays out.  That surrender brings me peace and puts a smile on my face.  

I hope you're having a wonderful Sunday.

Solemn Visitors

The weather has been glorious this Fall.  It has given me extra opportunities to get out with the camera and shoot nature in its jewelled Autumn splendour.  I have favourite places I love to visit this time of year, and the cemetery is one of them.

Many people find these final resting places eery, cold and sad.  I on the other hand, enjoy them immensely.  I love the care that people have put into celebrating their lost loved ones.  I'm always touched when I see fresh flowers, cherubs and candles on the graves.  I sense alot of peace there, in spite of the grief that death brings for those of us left behind.  The stone angels are my favourite thing about cemeteries.  They evoke a deep sense that we are protected, sheltered and loved - here, and beyond this world.

On my visit last week to St. John's Cemetery near my home, I photographed these three angel statues; they are part of my new collection called Guardians.

 'Anguish'

 A grieving messenger marks the grave of an infant who died much too soon, many years ago.

 'The Prayer'

A winged child looks toward the sky in devotion as he and his twin flank a large family gravestone.

'On My Shoulder'

A beautiful angelic guardian holds two doves-their song brings a smile to her lips.

Also present at this most serene location were these precious creatures.  My daughter noticed them first as we got out of the car.  There were three of them - a mother and her young ones.  Curious but unafraid, they watched as we studied the older stones and looked for angels to capture.

They too, looked as though they were visiting the stones, pausing every now then to investigate.  I could have watched them all day if they had decided to stay with us.  Solemn and silent, they moved in and out of aisles and trotted gently, disappearing eventually up the hill into the forest. 

The day was warm and the colours made brighter by the sun's brilliance.  In the distance, a blue jay sang while we sought and sat with our favourite stone guardians.  We got a lot out of that visit, and not necessarily just photographs.  It was a truly blissful afternoon.

(Chicka) Dee And Friends :)

For my Facebook friends, this album won't be anything new.  I posted it on my profile a few weeks ago.  Ever since the grackles took over the larger feeders in the backyard, we decided to move one closer to the house and hang it by the porch.  This helps us control the bird traffic and gives our smaller friends a chance at the snacks.  Although many a redwing blackbird helps himself when I'm not around, they are still timid to forfeit the feeder when show up. 

 

Finches and chickadees seem to get along just fine this time of year.  I wonder it they know that the cold season is upon us and that they need all the food they can get.

This finch feeder hangs from the clothesline and was also brought in nearer to the back porch to deter the redwings from making huge holes in it. 

We've had a little sparrow with no tail living in our yard all summer.  I love watching him zip around like he's the biggest and fastest of the gang.  It doesn't appear to slow him down in the least!

This one speaks for itself, and adds to the explanation of why I like to have a feeder near the house for the little birds...

Apparition

 This eerie little figure appeared in the upstairs hallway of my home. She sat waiting for me, as I turned the corner and stepped up from the final stair. I had my camera in hand, but it wasn't on, or set up for any particular shot.

Obviously, this is no ghost; it's our beautiful cat Paisley. She was sitting pretty so I took the picture without adjusting the focus. It could have made a nice, 'ordinary' picture if I had focused on her properly. And to be honest, I'm glad I didn't. I prefer this result.