Framers Friday: Books

What!

Here is what I wrote:

This is purely for your amusement. I discarded every picnic image. This is a total flub — I got the timing of this totally wrong. Upon opening this up to view on my laptop, I laughed. I must admit that this is a favorite of mine. Due to the comments of several, I decided to scrap my original submission and go with this one. I just feel better about this choice. I hope this gave you laughter in the midst of these trying times.

“Abandoned” Alternates

Inside an old abandoned bank located in a ghost town of Sutherland Springs, TX

Found on Hwy 181 between Poth and Floresville, TX

This Old Church II

 

Tomorrow {Five Minute Friday}

“Tomorrow is promised to no one.”
― Clint Eastwood

I am not myself these days. I haven’t returned to 100% health and these times are making it difficult.  I feel like a living walking talking zombie these days.  I hope this doesn’t reflect on what I write; but, I’m not too concerned.  If it does shine through, I covet your understanding. As always, I add quotes and footnotes after writing.

I’ve been having a hard time dealing with anxiety during this crapshoot times¹.  We’ve been volunteering shelter-in-place since March 12² in support of “flattening the curve”³. I only go to the local grocery to get what we can in terms of fresh produce and whatever else we may need.  I haven’t been able to purchase eggs, meat, and more as the shelves are empty.

This entire nation⁴ is in panic mode.

When you encounter empty shelves, the reports you heard become a reality.  Panic breeds panic. It was all I could do to pray and hold myself together within the somber funeral like environment long enough to get what I could and return home.

When I returned to the grocery, my husband came with me in support. There was a long line allowing only 30 people at a time in the store.  He now understands considering he faced the reality of the empty shelves with his own eyes.

I’m ever so thankful that my habits led to having two-three weeks of supplies of non-perishable items, including household products.  I dislike making frequent trips to the “city”, which is about a 30 minutes drive, to shop for things we may need. It’s been my habit to list the last item we took out of the pantry so that we’d never run out.  I always made sure to restock our shelves to last us for several weeks.

I’m ever so thankful for online shopping and subscriptions⁵. I do not have to worry about our cats as most of their food gets delivered to us.

The one thing I regret is not stocking up our freezer with meats. I’ve been lazy in that department. There haven’t been any meat or eggs on the shelves of our local grocery in what seems like weeks. This experience has made me realize I need to stock up the freezer with meats.  I’m not going to lie, I prefer fresh.  But, there are times when frozen will be a lifesaver.

I’m thankful Dan can eat anything. I’m more concerned about me as I am limited in what I can eat.  It may not be all nutritious but I’m surviving. I do have my daily vitamins and I hope that’s helping me to stay healthy as I can.

I’ve come to realize that I’m only focused on today. I’m not worried about tomorrow.  What comes will come.  I can only pray that what we need will be there for us and that the world’s insanity will abate and return to a new normal soon.  But, I must confess, I have my doubts.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. ~Matthew 6:33-34

1. COVID-19 global pandemic.
2. Dan’s company sent EVERYONE home to work.  HIs company will reassess whether or not to extend the work-from-home when April rolls around.  The poor dude has cabin fever already.  We had planned to go to a nearby nature park last Saturday; but, the weather turned atrocious canceling our plans.
3. Coronavirus: What is ‘flattening the curve,’ and will it work?
4. USA
5. We’ve been using chewy for quite some time now.

Framers Friday: Triangular Composition

The Meeting Place

Here is what I wrote:

This idea came to mind after I could not do what I originally wanted to do on account of suddenly having extreme stomach and back pain landing in the ER Thursday night. I was wiped out and decided to work on the original idea I had for another theme/project. So, late Saturday morning, I decided to go to our small city park located just a few miles down the road from us for a quick shoot. I shot two different distinctly different ideas. This shot was overwhelmingly the mini-groups’ choice. I originally wanted to reshoot this picture; but, it did not work out. So, I reworked this image as best as I could.

Abstract Alternates

These were taken during the week of 52Frames’ Abstract theme. [2019]  I chose to do some light paintings which I enjoy very much.

Less {Five Minute Friday]

I’m still feeling a tad wiped out from events Thursday evening that landed me in the ER with severe stomach and back pain.  I felt better Saturday morning and went to shoot for a 52Frames theme challenge.  The effort made me forget all about my problems. However, I realized afterward that I was exhausted.  I’m still not 100%; but, I’m getting there. I’m just letting you know in case this shines through my writing…

Both Dan and I think we could never be the type of people who would live in a tiny house. We love the concept. But, we have hobbies/passions that require space.

He has his modeling cars, the restoration of the 1966 Mustang (which requires a decent size garage) and astrophotography.  I have my quilting/crafting world along with photography.

I’m overflowing with fabrics.  I will occasionally purchase something related to photography and crafts.  And, my newest thing seems to be art.  Fortunately, that requires very little space.

There’s a saying in the quilting/sewing world: “She who dies with the most fabrics, wins.” This is humorous; but, at the same time, it’s not a good thing. What makes me feel better about it is that I’ve purchased most for 50% off or more.  And, it’s been so lovely to be able to go “shopping” among my fabrics for a project without having to make a run to the city (or go online and wait for it to arrive).

I’m beginning to think there just needs to be a balance regarding our projects and loves. This is called… restraint?

“Simplicity is an exact medium between too little and too much.”
—Sir Joshua Reynolds

“As beautiful as simplicity is, it can become a tradition that stands in the way of exploration.” —Laura Nyro

Framers Friday: Abandoned

This Old Church

Note: Title is a play on “This Old House”.

Here is what I wrote:

This is an old abandoned church located within a ghost town. There was a no trespassing sign with a phone number on the building itself. I had my husband call leaving a voice message. In the meantime, I took pictures at an old abandoned bank nearby and elsewhere. After some time passed, the owner returned the call and granted us permission to access the building. I was thrilled because I had ideas floating in my head. A little history: This church was built in the late 1940s as a mission outreach/branch for the days that members couldn’t reach their main church in San Antonio on accounts of flooding (and more). It suffered at least three major floods one of which reached 8 feet high.

This photo also qualified for Urbex (Urban Exploration)
location: Sutherland Springs, Texas