A horse is a horse of course….right?

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of going up to a ranch in Sunol to see, for the first time, my BFF’s new horse. She had a horse when we met 20+ years ago and I had a chance to see it a handful of times. She, the horse (LOL), was older and gentle and sweet. Age took hold and the poor girl passed away about eight or nine years ago. Since then, my BFF hasn’t talked much about horses and I didn’t realize she felt a void after hers passed away.

Since I’m not a horse person, I had no idea that they could have such a hold on people and that horses could have such complex, individual personalities. So I was somewhat surprised and, of course, happy for my friend when she announced that she was “thinking about leasing” a horse and getting back into having one in her life. Knowing my BFF as well as I do, “thinking about leasing” meant she was actually going to buy one. I was so excited for her when she found a young female horse that was a “lease to own” if the fit was right. They made a great connection and fell in love. YEAH! The horse became hers and now is boarded just a few miles away from home. It was so much fun to go up and be introduced to someone so important in her life.  

Here are some pictures of the horse, the place and their new friends. You can see them at Poppyfly.Smugmug

The Farmers Market

I love the Farmers Market! Who doesn’t, right?

The one in Campbell is held every Sunday all year around. Lucky for me, it is walking distance from my home. You will rarely find me with a “To Do” list of things to buy. Why? If you know me well, you know I’m not the “only buy organic, meal planning, make everything from scratch” kinda girl. There’s nothing wrong with planning, organic, and scratch. It’s just not me. At the FM you’ll usually find me looking at and/or buying the things that provide instant gratification like the fruits, humus, flowers and (OOOOH YES!) the chocolate. Snake and Butterfly is the BEST!! Try their Toffee Bacon, Cherry Chili, and Smoked Almond and Sea Salt chocolate bars, just for a start.

Besides the smell and flavors of the aforementioned, the visual part of the market is my weakness. I find myself entranced by the color and texture of the boxes, tables, buckets and baskets full nature’s art. I might even liken walking through the FM to mediation. It clears my head of the bad stuff for a while and brings me back to center.

So here are a few of my favorite visuals. I tried some black and white versions to see how they look. Enjoy!

To see more of this gallery go to Poppyfly.smugmug.com

The Photo Bug Just Bit

OUCH! THAT HURT!! (my bank account)...I knew this would be a dangerous bug to mess with...

I took my first photo-workshop through a gallery/academy in my neighborhood. It was a day long class given by Aperture Academy. SOOO much fun! I was lucky enough to go with a couple of good friends who have a similar interest in this particular form of art. Chris is the technical guy who researches every camera, lens, filter, backpack, etc. to make sure that, whatever the device, he is ready with the best reviewed piece of equipment one might need within a budget. Lisa has a fantastic eye for photography. She takes amazing pictures but is in the same boat I am as far as knowing the the technical side and gear side of what she is shooting with. When one of the instructors asked if I had brought a wide angled lens with me, I handed him my bag and responded, "Here. You tell me."

There were about 12 of us with two well known photographers/instructors that paid one on one attention to each and every one of us at every location we visited. We started at Baker Beach (on the ocean side at the foot of Golden Gate Bridge), where we were given individual instruction on how shoot the environment and construct a photo with good composition. They were overflowing with information and suggestions on how to get a great shot. The instructors were working with a group of people that ranged in knowledge and ability that varied greatly. Some folks were already well seasoned photographers that were working on advancing their skill and others, like me, were just trying to learn how to use our cameras.

Next, we moved to the bay side of the bridge at Fort Point where we got to explore the interior and exterior of the building and all kinds of lighting conditions. This place was filled with old cannons, interesting vignettes and beautiful architectural details. It was definitely a place to go back to on a week day when we could take more time and not have a quite so many visitors in the way. After that stop, we drove over to Sausalito for dinner at a cute little cafe on the water where we could go over what we had learned so far.

We were then driven to Rodeo Beach (Fort Cronkite) where we hoped for a good sunset. Unfortunately, the weather didn't permit the typical orange, pink and blue skies you see at this time of year when the sun is going down over the ocean. BUT, there were sea stacks that we got to focus on and learn to manipulate the look of the water as it crashed against the rocks and swirled back into the ocean. Again, with more expert help from the instructors. Thank you, Brian and Scott!!

The last stop was at the Marin Headlands Overlook looking towards S.F. where we took shots of the lit up Golden Gate Bridge after sunset. BEAUTIFUL! Very gusty!! Raining. BEAUTIFUL!! Because of the weather, we were only there for a max of about 20 minutes. It was just enough time to get a perfect last shot without any rain spots on my lens. I lucked out. Not everyone had a rain free shot from that location.

So don't bother sending me links to the cure for a Photo Bug bite. I'm just fine with this disease, thank you!

To see more of this gallery go to Poppyfly.smugmug.com

Junior Hunt Weekend

Junior hunt weekend, for those of you who aren’t familiar with duck hunting, is the weekend after the end of the regular duck season when anyone 16 and under can hunt without the very seasoned adults getting the chance to get the birds before the youngsters do. My son has become, from what my friend Clancy has told me, a “seasoned hunter” himself. Here's the proof.

Jordan is 14 and is a great caller and shot. We went out to Clancy’s ranch in Marysville, CA for junior hunt weekend. Here are some photos of the event.

Jordan’s first two birds of the weekend (Pintails)

Jordan’s nice sized Drake Mallard and another Pintail

And I can’t pass up the opportunity to hunt for a few photo opps!

If guns and hunting don't offend you;
To see more of this gallery go to Poppyfly.smugmug.com

Carmel and Monterey

One of my most favorite areas on the California coast is the Carmel and Monterey area. The first time I remember going to that part of the coast, and didn’t go shopping, was in college during a botany class field trip. We took a day long stroll through the forest, meadow and out to the beach on a quest to discover and admire the coastal flora and fauna. It was incredible. I promised myself I would come back again and again. I kept that promise to myself and it turns out it’s like going somewhere new every time because the coast is always changing with the tide and storms that pound its shores throughout the year.

This visit was THE perfect weekend to go. It was a beautiful, sunny, 72 degree day. There was a nice breeze and HUGE waves that boomed against the cliffs and rocks. You could feel the sounds waves travel through your body. I couldn’t help but let out an “Oooh!” and “Ahhh!” at the sound and show the ocean was putting on for us. Certainly, only the brave or insane risked their lives while they stood on the rock formations along the shore as the enormous walls of water crashed upon and then swallowed entire mountainous outcroppings that peppered the edge of the shore.

After an afternoon of beach combing and photo taking, we stopped at a monastery directly across from Point Lobos and then cruised up to visit the Carmel Mission. Both had amazing buildings in beautiful settings. The mission was especially spectacular as far as the size, structures, history and age. It certainly brought back memories of my Catholic school days going to the old Saint Joseph’s church in down town San Jose.

We ended the day with dinner and dessert at Cannery Row. I didn’t get any pictures of that…Sunday evenings are very quiet there. I will definitely do that again. No crowds. I should have taken some photos there. I’ll do it next time!

To see more of this gallery go to Poppyfly.smugmug.com

China Town

I went to San Francisco's China Town last week.

I took my 14 year old son and his 16 year old best friend. I hadn’t been to China Town in 20+ years. My motivation for going was to get my son out of the house, out into the fresh air. My self-indulgent and hidden agenda was to look at buildings, do a little window shopping, and take some photos... Guess what theirs was?

.....trying to convince me to let them buy knives, throwing stars, grappling hooks and smoke bombs….

I prefer the lanterns.

To see more of this gallery to go Poppyfly.smugmug.com

In Aptos of all places!

Here are a few pictures of a bamboo farm in Aptos, CA I visited. I am in no way, shape, or form an expert about where and in what conditions bamboo grows best but I was shocked to see it growing in such variety and height at this place. It was a momentary step into another world. Quite beautiful!

 

See more of this gallery at Poppyfly.smugmug.com

Bamboogiant.com

When I was a kid...

I am mostly English, German and Irish with a little French and Portuguese thrown in there for fun. When I was a kid in school, it seemed like once a year we were asked to do some sort of a project involving something to do with our family heritage such as a traditional food, some sort of clothing, a holiday ritual, etc. I went to school in downtown San Jose in a community of people most of who were relatively new to the U.S. and brought with them very strong cultural traditions from their previous homelands. Even the kids whose families had been here for several generations had a strong singular lineage that was an integral part of their daily lives.


I was a mutt and it bummed me out. Sure, we had our “family traditions” but they were in no way a part of our cultural heritage. Our traditions were built around birthdays, holidays and vacations mostly. With that being as it was, I came to the conclusion that what my family had decided to do with their culture was just let it fade away. They chose to become “Americans.” What did that mean to me? Didn’t they didn’t care about where they had come from? Were cultural traditions really not that important?

It wasn’t until recently that I came to understand that my family had been in the U.S. for quite a lot longer than I had assumed. They came here almost 400 years ago. I wasn’t raised with strong cultural ties to another country’s heritage because this country is my heritage. My ancestors settled on the east coast in 1632. Eventually, they pulled up roots and ventured out to the densely forested wilderness of Northern California’s coastal mountains. My great great grandfather was one of the first settlers in Mendocino, CA in 1853. He built a home and a mercantile and had a cattle ranch there. His home still stands and there is even a street in town named after the family. Eventually, he moved to San Francisco, was a successful businessman, raised a family there and took his last breath there.

So after almost 400 years of family history in the U.S., I suppose my family heritage and cultural traditions come from the things that truly represent who my family is and where we have come from. My culture is one of pioneers, inventors, builders of towns and cities, teachers, artists and caregivers. We are lovers of all things in nature and all of the wonders of creation, invention. Our traditions revolve around being together in places that have significance for us and with people that are significant to us. I’ll take that any day over a style of dress, a particular dish served at dinner or a holiday ritual. My heritage is American and, even more importantly, Northern Californian. :-)

See more of this gallery Poppyfly.smugmug.com

Treasure: any thing greatly valued or highly prized

I was walking the Farmer’s Market in Campbell last Sunday. There is a photographer that displays exceptional photos of nature in varying compositions from landscape panoramas to still water macros. They are natural pieces of artwork or treasures he has discovered and then captured with his camera. This is something I will be in the process of learning to do with a new and better camera than I could have ever imagined being the owner of. I can already feel it in my hands! Thanks to all of my wonderful friends and family for giving me this generous opportunity! Ok…this wasn’t suppose to be about photography, but what better way to capture natural art or treasure, especially the big stuff, and bring it home so that others can have a look if they aren’t willing or able go out there and discover and experience it on their own. Enough about photos. This is about treasure hunting.

Treasure hunting gives me the opportunity to be out in nature and find the most magnificent pieces of art I have ever seen. Nothing else compares. Natural treasures are unencumbered by the artistic doctrine or the persuasive interpretation of an aficionado. Unlike walking into a gallery or museum where everything is organized, categorized, and compartmentalized, natural art is there for the thoughtful pursuit, hunt and discovery. It is what it is. No one can tell you what it should be or mean to you. And even better than a painting or photograph, you get to hold it in your hand, feel its surfaces, turn it in the light to see it change color and if you are lucky, sometimes you get to take a little of it home with you!

The hunt for treasure involves research, motivation, some hard work and planning to be able to enjoy the end result of a collected "natural history museum.” In my opinion, the most pure version of “treasure” is the material that occurs because of a perfect combination of mineral, maybe animal, heat, pressure, water and time needed to propagate the end result; crystals, shells, stone, patterns, colors…not something left behind or created by humans. Hunting for treasure gives you the chance to travel to new places, learn about geological history and physical chemistry. You feel the accomplishment of working hard, digging in the dirt, understanding the beauty with no one to tell you how it should make you feel or what you should think it means. It is what it is; a treasure.

 

Looking forward to my next treasure hunt!

Photography and Nature; So this is love....

I love taking photos, especially of nature’s subjects or things that exist along side nature, things that have been worn well by nature and, of course, things that are lit naturally. You could almost (I said ALMOST) say both are a passion for me, nature and photography. Taking photos of people can be equally rewarding when you capture a moment from just the right angle that captures an emotion and makes it feel journalistic….natural.

My growing love for photography has developed…developed, hahaha …over the last 5 years or so when I got my first, and still only, digital camera. Boy, it is easy to dive in and take a few hundred pictures in a couple of hours when you know you don’t have to pay for developing and printing all of them and you can delete the ones that you don‘t like. I LOVE that.

It always surprises me when I take what I think is a “nice” picture and get enthusiastic compliments on it. When I take a photo, I expect I will be the only one who really loves it because of an emotional connection I have while taking it. I think Rick Sammon is right, “The camera looks both ways.” He talks about taking photos of people and how the photographer’s mood, energy, etc. will be reflected in your subject’s face. I think it goes beyond that. I think that it reflects in the photo itself whether you are taking a picture of a person, a landscape, a close-up or whatever.

All I really know is that I love taking pictures. It is relaxing, fun, artistic.

Here we go!

So…this blog, unlike journaling, which is not something I do or have ever enjoyed doing, especially when it was assigned as homework in school, is something I have been feeling a need to do for some time now. Not exactly sure why….Well, maybe I am. It’s probably due to the fact that I have had a TON on my mind over the last few years that has clogged my head so greatly with good and bad that it has become almost impossible for me to spit out even the smallest thought from my overloaded brain and have it make any sense when it reaches my twisted and confused tongue.

I’ve decided to write about the good “stuff” and make some room in my head for what is left and what, including a few self produced after school specials, is to eventually occupy the relieved space. After all....a teenager lives in my house full time….Yes, it’s true.

So it is the positive and mildly entertaining stuff that I will put out there to help with turning my focus on things that are affirmative. You know: things that I love, that inspire me, that I am in awe of and that I wonder about….Not sure how this will work….let’s see….