Bugs 'N Flowers

Last weekend I was 75% of the way to completing a small album of my 2008 nature photos. I had spent countless hours on my photography, selecting and editing photos, and creating the album (from scratch using AccuCut dies). I was quite pleased with its progress. Doughboy had ventured into my scrap area to check in with me and say hi. Being the only person around, I handed my precious album to him for a look. I knew before handing it to him that his critique was likely to be over-the-top (it usually is). Why do I do this? When will I ever learn? Going from page to page he pointed out all its obvious, and not so obvious, flaws. Not being a scrapbooker himself, he doesn't understand that handmade items come with imperfections and uniqueness. But it was his comment after closing the album that got me thinking. He asked, "When are you going to graduate from bugs and flowers?" What!? My confidence was shaken. Are my photos boring? Repetitious?

Although I visited Madison Park several days this past week, I was reluctant to post my photos for fear of being more of the same. As I think more and more about Doughboy's comment, I have to agree to a point. However, I have a career that consumes most of my waking day. I rise each weekday between 5:15 and 5:30am to prepare my day, make the 30 minute commute to work, and spend my day inside an office until roughly 5:30pm. Once I get home, I have three canine children that need dinner and attention. Sprinkle in my evening chores such as laundry, picking up the house, washing dishes, paying bills, and preparing dinner for myself, there isn't much time before I go to bed and start over the next morning. I have 60 minutes each day - precious little time - to squeeze in a lunch break. Preferring to spend as much time outdoors as possible, and wanting to perfect my photography skills, I spend my lunch break walking around Madison Park or Summer Grove. There isn't much to photograph...except bugs and flowers. Just say the word, Doughboy, and I will gladly quit my job and travel so that I can graduate from bugs and flowers. Until I win the lottery, or someone dumps a wad of cash in my lap, it's off to work I go. And, because most of my readers lead similar lives, I know they will forgive me for my many photos of bugs and flowers. Boring or not, I thank you for looking!

Empty playgrounds seem so sad to me. It needs laughing, playing children. Don't you agree?

I hope you have a safe and enjoyable weekend.