Semi-Sabbatical

Hello all, I'm back to the ever so enthralling world of blogging. I'm saying all of this like I've vanished for another 4 years, only to return with hundreds of photos that I've taken. I've tried to steadily blog this year, so not blogging for nearly a week means something to me now. If I'm being honest, the thought of not blogging again did cross my mind, but then I think of all the photos I've taken and the fact that no one - other than myself - would get to see them.

I mean, I show my sister everything I take usually, but she doesn't share the same love for photography, so I often feel like I'm being annoying when I'm showing her pictures of well lit leaves or weeds. I like posting on Instagram, or I used to, but I've blogged about why that's an issue for me, so I will probably never return to posting on that platform again. Besides, Instagram is riddled with these so called "influencers" that literally only want to sell you this or that. 

I'm going to stop myself there, there's really no need to be rambling about that right now.

I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but LaVaughn got me a really nice, full-size keyboard for Christmas in 2017. I had purchased myself a learners keyboard back in 2011 and used it all the time. I mean, at the time I thought it sounded amazing, but I had never used a decent keyboard before. It was well worth every penny and what I taught myself to play on, so I'm in NO way knocking the value of it. It was on the short side, maybe half the size of the one I have now, so playing a full size keyboard really opened my world.

In a way I kind of had to re-learn how to play certain songs. This was mainly due to the fact that my keyboard is so much larger and the keys feel entirely different. I had only ever touched real piano keys when I was younger and before I knew how to play anything. So going from a youth piano with flimsy little plastic to a full size with piano style (not ivory) keys was difficult. 

Since I've given you a far too in-depth backstory on my keyboards, I guess it's time to get to the reason I brought it up in the first place. LaVaughn and I were watching Halloween with Jake one day and he looked at me when the theme song came on, so I asked him if he wanted me to try and learn it for him, which he did. This was months ago and I hadn't even had my keyboard out since before my mom passed away, so I got it out and dusted it off and started playing.

That's what I've been doing with my free time this week, which is why I haven't been blogging. I've been super busy in the garden this week as well - cleaning out the rows, picking up millions of rocks and then planting more zucchini, cucumbers, peppers and cantaloupe today. I'm honestly too damn sore to do anything else at the moment, so sitting on my ass in front of the tv is a priority at this point.

So aside from trying to learn the Halloween theme and gardening this week, I haven't really had time to blog. I mean, today was the first day that I went out and took pictures. They're really nothing special either, but I just can't hardly bring myself to post a blog without at least one picture.

So yeah, that's been my week and what I've been up to. I have a couple random videos of myself playing what I've learned over the few hours that I've been playing this week, but I don't know if I'll upload them or not. Hope everyone is having a great week!

Beautiful little iris looking flowers.

Weeds in the sunset, shocker.

I feel like these could really use a Lightroom edit, but I just don't even wanna go there.

Pretty purple widlflowers.

Photo Dump: Day 3

 Back again with another arousing round of photos from the day. I have to say, I do believe the lighting was much better today than the previous ones, definitely got some photos that are in my top 30, maybe even top 15. If I was left alone with no one to rush me along, there's not telling how many pictures I would end up taking. I have to say, I am better than I used to be. Back in the day I would take 15 pictures of the same thing before moving on. Now, if I get a good picture of something I leave... one and done.

I did save a bumble bee today! It was drowning in Max's pool, so I scooped it out and put it on a flower. I probably saved 5 or 6 more little bugs as well. I can't stand the thought of something drowning, even if it is a bug. 

I guess that's all for now, time to pack of for work. Enjoy!

Weeds in the sunset.

I'm obsessed with these weeds.

The tiniest little white flowers.

Couldn't really get the lighting right on this one.

The bee I saved.

I think he was super grateful.

I know I would be.

Their "fur" looks so fluffy and soft.

He was drying his little wings off here.

Our potato plants. They seriously look amazing.

Our lettuce is coming in very nicely too.

Pretty wildflowers in the sunset.

More leaves in the sun.

Probably some of my favorite types of pictures.

This one is a new favorite. I might even have to change my wallpaper on my phone.

Too much movement here.

This one is almost perfect.

And a bleeding heart for good measure.

Photo Dump: Day 2

 Back at it again. Today's photo journey holds a smidge more excitement than yesterdays. This is entirely due to the fact that I found frogs and was able to photograph them. Well honestly, the best pictures are the ones LaVaughn took. She doesn't like frogs, so she wouldn't hold them for me, so I held them for her. I honestly love the pictures and think they look fantastic!

Not going to drag this out anymore than I have to, enjoy!

Beautiful Max and his adorable face and ears.

I don't normally like to share photos of the animals anymore.

He's just too cute not to share, though.

Lovely little white flowery weed.

Purpleleaf Sand Cherry in full bloom.

I'm seriously in love with this tree, I wish its sister tree hadn't died.

More green leaf macro.

I think LaVaughn took this of the cucumber fence.

And I think she took this too.

And this one.

Beautiful purple iris.

The center of the iris is so beautiful.

Very exotic looking flower.

Some type of pretty white whildflower.

Here's the first frog that I found. Way to bright, but I was in a rush and one-handed.

Here's the amazing picture LaVaughn got of the second frog!

Amazing macro shot of this adorable little spring peeper.

Photo Dump: Day 1

 This post is going to contain mostly pictures, as the titles suggests. Nothing has really been going on this week, it's been pretty mellow and quiet, which is nice. I always tend to grab my camera when I go down to bed the chickens, so naturally I have oodles of pictures to share. 

The weather has been really nice and mild this week, clear skies in the evenings with a cool breeze make for the perfect photo weather. Sometimes the lighting hits just right on certain pics. It's hard to explain, but there's a certain feeling I get, a sense of accomplishment when a picture turns out just how I want or expect it to. Out of the hundreds of pictures I take in a month, there's usually only a couple that give me the feels.

I'm not gonna drag this out anymore than I have to, enjoy!

More cantaloupe plants for the ever growing garden.

Orange bell pepper plants.

Green bell pepper plants.

More zucchini, naturally.

My obsession continues.

They're just so beautiful.

Dandelion seedheads are best when photographed with a macro lens.

More micro lens, as some would call it.

Last one.

Love macro shots of green leaves.

Pretty little green leaf during golden hour.

I think LaVaughn took this.

And I'm pretty sure she took this one.

This one as well -- see, she likes them too!

And she also took this one.

Ants attacking the iris bulbs.

Annoying little bastards, ants.

 I found a tiny little spider with neon green legs.

He was pretty chill.

More ants on the iris bulbs.

I refer to these ants as "bullet ants" due to their size, even though they're not really that big.

One more of Mr. Neon legs.

Love the beautiful white Azalea blooms.

And a nice somber macro shot of a Bleeding Heart.