The Beauty of Nature Photography
August 23, 2007
Nature is all around us, and its beauties are unlimited. In this fast-paced world of mocha-lattes and traffic jams at rush hour, too many of us take the beauty of nature for granted. Luckily, there are still people in the world who see this beauty and choose to share it with those of us that are too busy to normally take notice. Poets and photographers are great at this. They take what seems like the ordinary and present it to us in a way that shows us the elegance, the magnificence and the amazing that is on this rock we call Earth.
What is Nature Photography?
So what do we mean when we say nature photography? Well, it may seem obvious but let’s go ahead and explain. Nature is our natural environment. It is those things that exist in our world without human intervention; such as trees, grass, flowers, a forest, a river, and animals in their natural environment.
Nature photography is the photography of these things. There is a wide spectrum that is included in nature photography. Pictures of sunsets, sunrises and ocean waves lapping at the shore are all nature photography. So are the trees in the forest and beautiful flowers growing in an open field.
Changes
August 22, 2007
I am not the one I was before yesterday.
I cannot go back.
I am not the one I will be tomorrow.
I can not see that far ahead.
I am who I am now, today.
The person I see in the mirror changing so subtly, but changing, becoming a new person minute by minute day by day.
The possibilities are endless, but I must choose which way I will change, each decision I make changes me in some way, positively or negatively.
Let me open myself to good changes, to positive steps, happy feelings.
Let me open my heart to others that their joy and experiences may change me in a positive manner into the person I will become
Copyright 2002 Fran Watson
For more poetry and stories you can go to Fran’s webpage http://www.franwatson.ca
Make a Golden Christmas Tree
August 21, 2007
Several Years ago while I was shopping for Christmas I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw the holiday arrangements at the department store I was in.
I was dazzled by the sight, golden branches wrapped in twinkling white lights. The idea was so simple but yet absolutely beautiful.
Within a moment I decided I would re-create it at home. Once home, I took a walk in the woods to gather the necessary branches and the other materials were easily found at my local craft store.
I created three trees that year and placed them on my front porch; two smaller ones on the left side of the door and a larger one to the right. The effect was just what I had hoped for~ a golden glow that welcomed family and friends into my home for the holidays.
Materials Needed for One Tree:
Large tree branch that "looks" like a small tree Gold spray paint Gold fabric Gold cording Soil String of white lights Plastic garbage bag
1. Find a large tree branch that when held on its end, looks like a small tree.
Use Tags and Embellishments to Give Your Scrapbooks that Personal Yet Professional Touch
August 20, 2007
Tags are a little added touch of professionalism that adds to the overall well thought out look to your scrapbook. Tags can be used for accents, captions, and thought bubbles as well as dedications. The design of your tags will depend entirely on your personal needs and desires.
Thus, tags can be big or small, square or specially shaped, white or colored, plain or textured.
Furthermore, tags need not be made of paper. Some of the most interesting tags are made from fabric, wood, and furniture odds and ends found around the house. Be creative.
Pre-made tags are available at most craft or office supply stores.
Your own unique embellishments add a special personal touch to your scrapbook pages. Embellishments can be used as the main focus of your page, to highlight items, or as borders. Embellishments can range from simple items such as stickers and ribbon to more complex techniques such as adding faux beads and silver accenting. Use your imagination and creativity.
Humans Who Are Disrespected Seek Revenge
August 19, 2007
The easiest way to gain enemies is to disrespect people. Inherently for some reason; humans who are disrespected more often than not seek revenge. This should be a warning of what happens in business deals, corporate brainstorming (with regards to hard earned and developed Organizational Capital) or even an outcast member of society. What is the most unfortunate situation in all of these instances is that the whole of the group loses from the possible ideas and innovations of these individuals. A corporate executive who starts to attack their peers at work starts and unending spiral of negativity, thus killing productivity, innovation and higher thought which is what a company most needs to succeed. In the case of an individual in society we end up with those who withdraw their talents to the whole or plot the demise of the fiber holding the civilization together. We see this with vindictive writers, uni-bomber, small fringe groups promoting their agendas.
Save on Kids Craft Supplies - Recycle!
August 18, 2007
Here is some information about how to collect and use recycled objects in your crafts!
You can save a lot of money on arts and crafts supplies by saving things that you might ordinarily throw away! If you are building up a craft supply box for a classroom, daycare, church or school - get the parents involved by sending out list of these items so they can help out too!
Make sure to prepare each item for storage. Wash and dry anything that contained food or liquids. Remove labels from jars, boxes, containers, etc. Be sure to have a place for each type of item. Plastic shoe boxes or empty baby wipe containers are great for storage. If you organize well, the supplies will be ready and easy to find when you need them!
plastic milk jug lids plastic milk jugs (1/2 gal. and gallon) soda can tabs paper towel tubes paper grocery bags plastic grocery bags baby wipe containers baby food jars and lids frozen juice can lids plastic containers and thier lids(like Cool Whip) empty milk cartons (any size) plastic soda bottles (any size) soda bottle lids junk mail newspaper broken crayons camera film canisters old computer and music cd’s plastic produce baskets magazines popsicle sticks old markers mismatched board game pieces cardboard or foam egg crates candy wrappers rubber bands
The Photography Portfolio: Building Your Reputation
August 18, 2007
If you have hopes of becoming a professional photographer, or even just of trying to get your work published in a public forum, you will need to create a photography portfolio. So what’s so important about a photography portfolio anyway?
There are many reasons why having a portfolio of your work available for others to view. If you are seeking employment as a photographer, then the need for a portfolio is obvious. If you are not seeking a photography job, there are still good reasons to have a portfolio. For one, you love photography and you take a lot a pride in your work. They are important to you. Most likely, some of them are very good. Why not create a portfolio that showcases your best work so you can show it to others (even if it’s just friends or family that comes over for a visit)?
- Building a Photography Portfolio
Holiday Survival Guide
August 17, 2007
The Holiday season has officially begun and Christmas is almost here. This is the time of year when most Americans are NOT beginning a new diet, rather ending their old one. The Holidays bring family, friends, and ? food. Lots of food. SO, PLEASE?Don’t fight it. Don’t be a “food martyr”. The Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays are the times of year where food not only "keeps us going", but is a social event. If you avoid everything, you won’t feel like you are a “part of things.”
Avoiding food this Christmas will leave you with a sense of having missed out on something good. Something that brings us closer to the people with whom we celebrate this special time of year. Not eating will leave you feeling deprived. Feeling deprived ultimately sets you up for failure in your diet, and your goal for a lean body.
So go ahead and eat. Enjoy yourself. But let’s make a deal! As soon as Christmas Day is done, it’s back to your healthy eating program. The last thing you want to do is make the Holiday season last from Halloween to Valentines Day.
Here are some suggestions:
Diecast Collectibles: The Collectors? Guide to Making a Profit
August 16, 2007
Millions of people have made a hobby of collecting items of one sort or another, but some take it to a higher level. These collectors view their collections as more than just an accumulation of trinkets that they happen to enjoy; to them, it’s a business, and they’re not in it to lose money. For those who collect diecast models, making a profit can be a challenge, unless you know the ropes of how to effectively collect pieces and then apply the necessary strategies to resell at an increased price.
It’s a good practice to collect only those items that you truly like, and then do quite a bit of shopping around in order to find the best buy. Market trends are never very stable, and by collecting those pieces that particularly appeal to you, others may view them in the same way. This will enable you to resell them more easily. Certainly, it’s never good business practice to buy the first piece that you find. Competition is stiff, and there are some great deals out there that you can use to your advantage.
For My Mother
August 15, 2007
I cannot bear to think of when you will be gone.
I do not understand how I will get along.
Your love has been my resting place, the place that I would go, no matter what, no matter where your love would always flow.
A simple call a quick hello, Where have you been?
What do you know?
Just to touch base and share a laugh a smile or two, a joke or gaffe.
What will I do when you are gone?
Who will I call?
There is no other quite like you no other love that’s half as true.
no one could do the things you’ve done, no other one could be my sun, shining brightly as I get your call, “I’m home now dear, what’s going on?”
Copyright August 2003 Fran Watson
For more poetry and stories you can go to Fran’s webpage http://www.franwatson.ca
