CLOUDS

I woke up this morning to a cloudy day and it got me thinkin'... while it may sound simple, some of my favorite things to photograph are clouds.

There they are - over our heads in the sky every day, just passing us by on the wind, morphing every second into something new. And every once in a while you look up and they take your breath away. With their whispy shapes, they way they catch the sunlight and the colors in the sky, each one different from another, relaxed & dreamy one moment and then threatening & gloomy the next.

So, here's a little selection of some of my favorite clouds I've photographed in recent months around the U.S. for your day-dreaming pleasure...

PUGS AND THE ART OF SUNBATHING

I definitely do not consider myself an animal photographer. Motorcycles, landscapes, objects of Americana - those typically are my favorite subjects to shoot. But, I must admit that I am a sucker for dogs - particularly when it comes to capturing images of our two Pugs, Rose & Percy.

Pugs are just funny. I love them - their expressions are priceless and their personalities are one in a million. And today is our little black Pug, Rose's, 1st (or 7th, depending on how you count it!) birthday - so, I felt it was appropriate to honor Pugs today with a lil' post about one of their favorite pastimes... Sunbathing.

Rose the Pug - Turning 1 (or 7!) today!

AROUND THE GARDENS

I've always enjoyed gardening, but never really dove into it as a hobby until after I was married to Tim. We love gardening. And, perhaps it's my husband' English roots, but he truly has a green thumb and I learn so much from him every day.

I'm constantly struck by the beauty in the details of the plants around our garden. Particularly in the morning sun after a dewey night...

A LITTLE THING I LIKE TO CALL 'MOTORCYCLE CHURCH'...

I've found many ways to feel at peace in my life amidst the madness of daily existence - Yoga is a main one for me. As are things such as an early-morning walk with our pugs, a good laugh with my incredibly funny husband, and even cooking a particularly fantastic meal... there is a feeling of peace that comes through the pure enjoyment of these moments.  And, I suppose this is a reflection of my general attitude towards life as a whole - that life is meant to be enjoyed.

Photography is another form of meditation for me. I love to envision an image far before I ever hold the camera to my eye... I find life in general to be so inspiring, I probably drive my husband crazy sometimes with the number of times a day I say, "Oh wow! Let me grab the camera, because that would make an amazing photo!"

So, last but not least... a rather unexpected place where I've found peace in recent years - probably more than anywhere else in my life - is in the saddle of my motorcycle. A dear friend of mine gave me a sign for my bridal shower last year that I proudly display in our living room that reads, "You never see a motorcycle parked outside of a psychiatrist's office."  Amen.

So, on Sunday mornings some people go to church to feel closer to God. For me - I ride my motorcycle. And, I call it 'Motorcycle Church'. Alone with God, on my 'bike, the empty Sunday-morning streets, a refreshing chill in the air and nothing but my thoughts & the sound of 1600cc's rushing around inside my helmet.