Last Year is Merely a Shadow...

Father Time Waits for No One! 

I meant to post this 'last year' and shcedule it to appear this year but, ran out of time and find myself posting this in what was next year and now is this year! Did I loose you? Hope not.
My gosh...2011 is now here. It will be a good year. I believe that with all my heart. As to whether or not all of it is happy, I'm good with any amount of 'happy' that comes my way. Really. I mean that with all my heart.

The New Year was rung in with my husband and some friends present-much of tonight's gathering at my house had several layers of spontaneity to it. That's what made it all the more special! I think we Westerners overplan so many things and forget to leave room for spontaneity. Perhaps it's not unique to Westerners though. I just think that it is.

A few years back, Mark (hubby) gave me an hour glass for Christmas. Not sure why, as I never had a desire to own one, but now that I've owned one, it is a bit unique to have one. And, it came in handy this afternoon in using it as my image for today's SSS!

I raise my glass in toast to all of you out there:

"Here's to the present-and to hell with the past! A health to the future and joy to the last!"

Happy New Year, everybody!

Every week, a group of us from around the world post our shadow shots over at Hey Harriet. Entertain your muse and be amused by stopping by to see what others have posted! You can view all of my 2009 Shadow Shot Sunday images on my Flickr account. Click here and then select the "Shadow Shot" set.

WISHING YOU...

SEASON'S GREETINGS 

(on our front porch...)

FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS

 (holiday silhouette in the dining room window)

WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THIS WORLD

 

(holiday reflection)

MAY PEACE AND JOY BE ABUNDANT IN YOUR LIVES

Every week, a group of us from around the world post our shadow shots over at Hey Harriet. Entertain your muse and be amused by stopping by to see what others have posted! You can view all of my 2009 Shadow Shot Sunday images on my Flickr account. Click here and then select the "Shadow Shot" set.

Come Ride With Us!

A 'sticker' on a car window can make for a pretty cool shadow (at least I think so in this case). This on the side windows on the back of my car. It says, "TTN Film Crew".

TTN is an acronym for a twin tip ski company called, Twin Tip Nation. A company that my husband and a couple of friends started up a few years ago. It's not our livelihood by any means. It is more like a hobby. It is constantly evolving with each year. It's gone from being an internet only store to internet and store front  back to internet. But over the years along with this 'evolution', it is becoming more so a 'life style' kind of company. I think this is most evident via the videos that they have made. This trailer is one my husband edited (I think Dan shot it). It has cool shadows in it. And, if you hit it on pause when you see a skier through the round lens who is on the tips of his skis, that is my 'baby' boy, John (he's 19).




As we post our shadow shots, they will be up at Taos ski valley creating another movie. Everyone is excited as there is fresh powder to be skied on! I will remain at home getting things ready for the holidays (such as getting the Christmas cards and letter out in the mail).  Shopping. Wrapping presents. Cleaning the house. At least I'll be warm!

Feeling chilly from the winter's cold edge? I hope this will warm you up:

This is from the trip out to Petrified Forest in October (hey, I took at least 2,000 images on that trip, so there are still more to come!). This is from somewhere along the old Rt. 66.

Every week, a group of us from around the world post our shadow shots over at Hey Harriet. Entertain your muse and be amused by stopping by to see what others have posted! You can view all of my 2009 Shadow Shot Sunday images on my Flickr account. Click here and then select the "Shadow Shot" set.

Arachnophobics-Don't Look!!

I admit it. I am a wee bit arachnophobic! Which my husband finds that to be very humorous, considering I grew up in Hawaii. He calls that the land of spiders.

However, I was cleaning up his office area the other week and saw this creature on the picture of me. Is that not ironic? I mean, there were other photos in the same area that this one was in. Why me?. I got the nerve up to take this shot as my love of shadow chasing is enough to want a shadow of a spider (and I am shuddering here as I type this just thinking about that eight legged creature).

Chili Ristra in Truth or Consequences, NM

Oh, this was just too easy and fun! Bright morning sun on a turquoise wall with a red chili ristra. You gotta have fun with something like this! Many have been there, done that (this kind of shot). Now I can say I've done it too! This one's for you, Joe!  ; )

Every week, a group of us from around the world post our shadow shots over at Hey Harriet. Entertain your muse and be amused by stopping by to see what others have posted! You can view all of my 2009 Shadow Shot Sunday images on my Flickr account. Click here and then select the "Shadow Shot" set.

Triple Play with Shadows...

Old dog, new tricks. 

Well, well, well, wouldn't you know. My son downloaded the retro camera into my cell phone. Look out! I could be dangerous now. Anyway, since I always have my cell phone with me, it does come in handy for shadow shots. And, with all the shopping everyone is doing right now, I thought this fit quite well!

Triple Exposure

I woke up one morning (this was during my stay at the Petrified Forest last October) and looked to see a neat shadow cast by the mini blinds. I reached for my camera on my nightstand (please don't ask me why it was there! I've no idea as that is not what I usually do-really) to catch the unique pattern cast by this shadow. And then, for kicks, I set the camera to do a triple exposure and vuela! You see it here. Too much fun.

Every week, a group of us from around the world post our shadow shots over at Hey Harriet. Entertain your muse and be amused by stopping by to see what others have posted! You can view all of my 2009 Shadow Shot Sunday images on my Flickr account. Click here and then select the "Shadow Shot" set.

Running With The Dinosaurs

HOLBROOK, AZ

Pretty funky town; just west of the Petrified Forest National Park. They have a really neat museum. And, if you ever watched the Oprah Show where she and her best friend, Gail, drove across the country one summer and on their way, stayed in a motel that was wigwams?

That was in Holbrook. I have pictures of said wigwams. I'll post those later (what a tease). It's really neat town and the folks there are very helpful and friendly.

These dinosaurs are near the museum. They made for some pretty fun shadow shots!

This one could use a little more food, huh? He's starting to look like a skeleton!

Want more shadow play?

Every week, a group of us from around the world post our shadow shots over at Hey Harriet. Entertain your muse and be amused by stopping by to see what others have posted! You can view all of my 2009 Shadow Shot Sunday images on my Flickr account. Click here and then select the "Shadow Shot" set.

Shadows, shadows everywhere...

Wouldn't you love to be able to look out on your deck every morning and see this?

That is, if you had a deck! I don't. A group of us get together about once a month to do critiques of our work. At a previous meeting at Mercia Lee's home, I had noticed the lovely morning shadows on her deck, but was without camera, so could do nothing about it. The next time we met at her home, though, I came prepared! As you have witnessed here.

A Sculpture in Old Town, Albuquerque

I think we have more than 330 sunny days a year here in New Mexico. It is rare that we have overcast days-particularly for consecutive days. So, I almost feel guilty having so much light every day of the year. Shadows are everywhere to be had. And, sculptures always lend themselves to the most interesting of shadows.

Every week, a group of us from around the world post our shadow shots over at Hey Harriet. Entertain your muse and be amused by stopping by to see what others have posted! You can view all of my 2009 Shadow Shot Sunday images on my Flickr account. Click here and then select the "Shadow Shot" set.

Of Hubcaps and Washes

Location: somewhere along the old Route 66 around the Bluewater area. We stopped to photograph some old trucks in a junk yard.

Since it was a junk yard of old vehicles, this hub cap lay upside down on the ground and the early morning sun made for perfect collaboration: casting this wonderful shadow!

And this sweet little ditty? Well, really, it's the edge of a wash...

The wash was located in the wilderness area that lies below the Painted Desert Inn. You can hike for miles and miles out there and be the only one there. Breathtakingly beautiful.The cool thing is, that is is nearly impossible to get lost since all you have to do is look up and see the Inn up there on the mesa.

Every week, a group of us from around the world post our shadow shots over at Hey Harriet. Entertain your muse and be amused by stopping by to see what others have posted! You can view all of my 2009 Shadow Shot Sunday images on my Flickr account. Click here and then select the "Shadow Shot" set.

Simply Irresitable!

I took this whilst I was at the Petrified Forest National Park in October. 

Donna and I were out for a hike looking for what we hoped, were huge panels of petrogylphs. We did find some but, they weren't the large panels we had hoped for and to get up close to them involved climbing up an escarpment of large boulders. Instead, we got as close as we safely could, and sat down to enjoy them. Before I headed back down the rocky terrain, I noticed this little dead plant casting a shadow on a rock wall. I had to climb a little bit further up to get a shot of this and then realized what really was the backdrop for it.

It was this:

It took my breath away. And no, those are not petrogylphs on the top of this rock (or, I guess it really is a boulder). It's just the natural patina that it takes on after centuries of wind and rain.

I do find vignettes like this to be simply irresistible!

 

Every week, a group of us from around the world post our shadow shots over at Hey Harriet. Entertain your muse and be amused by stopping by to see what others have posted! You can view all of my 2009 Shadow Shot Sunday images on my Flickr account. Click here and then select the "Shadow Shot" set.

Go Ahead and Have a Seat...

Tired? Feet need a rest? Go ahead and have a seat. Make yourself comfortable....

Perhaps this one is too sunny. 

And this one is too small...

This one has lots of shade and room for friends. Maybe someone will serve you some tea while there. One can only hope!

Or, perhaps this one will do...

Well, whichever one you choose, I hope you take a moment to sit and be still. A quick little shot of 'quiet time'. It does the body good. It does the soul even better!

Every week, a group of us from around the world post our shadow shots over at Hey Harriet. Entertain your muse and be amused by stopping by to see what others have posted! You can view all of my 2009 Shadow Shot Sunday images on my Flickr account. Click here and then select the "Shadow Shot" set.

 Here's to All Hallow's Eve!

Back to Reality!

Early morning at the Petrified Forest National Park (PFNP) Visitor Center

Sigh.....best laid plans, as they say. I thought I had done a post ahead of time for today since I would be leaving today to go back home to New Mexico. 2 weeks here as an artist in residence was a dream. A life changing event. But, I've concluded that it isn't long enough!

The beauty here at this park is not one that one can take in as a 'drive through' as so many do. The entire length of the park runs about 28 miles and crosses the interstate 40 freeway. I took this shot this morning on my cell phone after I realized that I did not do a scheduled post for SSS (I thought all I had to do was to post my link! not!). This is in front of the Fred Harvey restaurant at the park which is also located next to the visitor center.

Every week, a group of us from around the world post our shadow shots over at Hey Harriet. Entertain your muse and be amused by stopping by to see what others have posted! You can view all of my 2009 Shadow Shot Sunday images on my Flickr account. Click here and then select the "Shadow Shot" set.

Don't Fence Me In!

Yep. I'm on the OUTSIDE of this fence! You can't fence me in! 

And, if you watch for it, you will see some cool shadow shots in video on this one:



In search of a ghost town in the northern central New Mexico lands. And so, we found it. But, we loved it so much and it was so peaceful and quiet that we decided not to disclose the exact location of it so that it can stay that way!

Every week, a group of us from around the world post our shadow shots over at Hey Harriet. Entertain your muse and be amused by stopping by to see what others have posted! You can view all of my 2009 Shadow Shot Sunday images on my Flickr account. Click here and then select the "Shadow Shot" set.

As you read this post, I will be in the "way over yonder" at the Petrified Forest National Park. Out in the middle of nowhere and limited internet (I have to drive over to the visitor's center to pick up the wi-fi). Leaving comments at your sites will be nearly impossible, but I do hope you come by and visit my site and leave comments (assuming I can get my link up on SSS). I've done these posts ahead of time and scheduled them to appear when we do our weekly posts.

Gracious Lines

Soft curves on a sculpture make for graceful shadows.

Below, Pepper the cat is watching one of her favorite 'movies'. The birds that come to visit the bird feeder (which is the orb shadow).

Well, actually, it's a double treat as she also loves the warmth of the sun through the window. What a life!

Every week, a group of us from around the world post our shadow shots over at Hey Harriet. Entertain your muse and be amused by stopping by to see what others have posted! You can view all of my 2009 Shadow Shot Sunday images on my Flickr account. Click here and then select the "Shadow Shot" set.

On Oct. 10th (tomorrow) I will be in the 'hinterlands' away from the internet (I'm pretty sure) and even a phone land line. I'll be at the Petrified Forest National Park for a 2 week stay there as an artist in residence. Being thrilled about this doesn't even begin to describe how I feel! I will schedule my SSS posts to happen here on their own. I'm not sure if I will succeed in getting my link up to the SSS site and if I do, I know that visitng and leaving comments at your sites will be nearly impossible. But, please, do come and 'visit' me and leave comments. I'll be back at your sites with comments after the 23rd/Oct.

AND...jpg magazine has an on going call for shadow shots. You can view some of the recent 'best' images posted here. You might want to consider setting up a jpg account and submit some of your own images! I think our group is worthy of it based on all the stellar shots I see each week.

Have a Seat!

Do you know what these two images have in common with each other?

They are places to sit. 

Neither of them have televisions or any electronic gadget in front of them. And both have a view of the great outdoors and are out doors.

And both are not utilized by us (and I mean all of us) often enough.

Sometimes you need to sit and smell the flowers you know.

Oh, yes-and both are shadow related.

So, have a seat!

Every week, a group of us from around the world post our shadow shots over at Hey Harriet. Entertain your muse and be amused by stopping by to see what others have posted! You can view all of my 2009 Shadow Shot Sunday images on my Flickr account. Click here and then select the "Shadow Shot" set.

Salty Shadows

When they said, 'eat your fiber' I don't think they were talking about this! 

It was a lovely fiber arts exhibit at a gallery in Silver City. I'd tell you the name of the gallery if only I could remember it!

Hawaiian Salt

I keep a little jar of Hawaiian salt out in the patio where the BBQ grill is. That's because I use the side burner to cook on during the warmer months of the year. Hash browns are done out here a lot and I must say, it is nice to be able to cook outside. I get to cook, 'al fresco'! This Hawaiian salt is a combo of the red and the white sea salt. I forget as to why I was out there at that time of the afternoon, but I couldn't help but notice the cool shadow cast by the salt container and the shadow of the window screen on the tray (click on the image for a larger view). You all know the drill-run in and get your camera before someone interrupts you!

 

Every week, a group of us from around the world post our shadow shots over at Hey Harriet. Entertain your muse and be amused by stopping by to see what others have posted! You can view all of my 2009 Shadow Shot Sunday images on my Flickr account. Click here and then select the "Shadow Shot" set.

Cruising and Musing on Lake Abiquiu

I forgot all about the image file that I had on Abiquiu from my trip there a year ago! Silly me...the file is full of the spectacular images of Abiqui, Lake Abiqui, and the area surrounding the Georgia O'Keeffe Ghost Ranch.

I have all these image files full of stuff-much like going to the refrigerator to see what's good to eat in there. And, sometimes, something really good ends up behind some other mundane things. Such is the case here, so to speak. Not that this image is really good, but, it does have some cool formations and shadows.
These formations are the canyon walls of Lake Abiquiu which is a reservoir in Northern New Mexico. It contains the spectacular geology that you find throughout the Colorado Plateau area which encompasses New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado.  If you've seen my shots from Chaco Canyon, Ah Shi Sle Pa and from Abiquiu, then perhaps you will have a better visual sense of the incredible geology there. Makes me wish I had studied geology.

And, for fun, a contrasting image from my yard. The shadow is cast by a bird feeder, a live bamboo and some bamboo screen that we use to block out some of the intense sun that comes streaming and screaming through the east facing bedroom windows.

Every week, a group of us from around the world post our shadow shots over at Hey Harriet. Entertain your muse and be amused by stopping by to see what others have posted! You can view all of my 2009 Shadow Shot Sunday images on my Flickr account. Click here and then select the "Shadow Shot" set.

Katydid, She Did

Right there. On the screen of the window to my rose garden. Katydid. 

She told me that ordinarily, she doesn't pose for paparazzi shots like this, but she made an exception. Perhaps because she could see that I was totally enthralled with 'her'! Oh, and I told her that the whole world would see this on my Shadow Shot Sunday post.

Very gracious, that Katydid.

Barn door hardware never looked so good.

And it might seem familiar to one from a previous post. Same door, different piece of hardware, that's all! New against the old.

 

Every week, a group of us from around the world post our shadow shots over at Hey Harriet. Entertain your muse and be amused by stopping by to see what others have posted! You can view all of my 2009 Shadow Shot Sunday images on my Flickr account. Click here and then select the "Shadow Shot" set.