2011ends

Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, 

with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.  

~Hal Borland

 One resolution I have made, 

and try always to keep, is this:  

To rise above the little things.  

~John Burroughs

 Time has no divisions to mark its passage, 

there is never a thunder-storm or blare of trumpets 

to announce the beginning of a new month or year.  

Even when a new century begins it is only we mortals 

who ring bells and fire off pistols.  

~Thomas Mann

On this last day of 2011, I spent some time outdoors in the sun. 

Lucky for me, it was 70 in the Valley of the Sun.

My wish is that this new year brings each of you

great things, 

happy moments, 

and special memories.

     ~Gal

Creativity

When work is busy, chaotic even, 

it helps to get out and do something

creative with my camera.  

The sun was setting, 

I'm standing on a floating bridge,

ducks are swimming around,

calling to each other.

Sometimes I imagine 

its the mother ducks

calling to their ducklings 

that its time to come 'home' 

for the evening.

 

To think creatively, 

we must be able 

to look afresh 

at what we normally 

take for granted.  

~George Kneller

Resolutions

just a little

more play

with some

lights.

This was

created by

using a red

"party light"

It certainly

brings out

different shadows

and almost textures.

With a New Year fast approaching,

I wonder if any of you are the type

to make resolutions?  When I find

myself thinking of something, the

standard "eat better, lose weight,

exercise more" come to mind first.

I think I'll make resolutions 

not about self improvement,

but more about attitudes and 

sense of well being, like being

kinder to those around me,

smiling more often, or even 

the old fashioned "call Mom

more often".

 

May all your troubles 

last as long 

as your New Year's resolutions.  

~Joey Adams

Light

Light can be 

gentle, 

dangerous, 

dreamlike, 

bare, 

living, 

dead, 

misty, 

clear, 

hot, 

dark, 

violet, 

springlike, 

falling, 

straight, 

sensual, 

limited, 

poisonous, 

calm and soft.  

~Sven Nykvist

I spent some time experimenting with my new camera

in the low light settings, and the new electric candle lights.
It may take some time to get used to a few of the new

bells and whistles and special things this camera can do,

but I enjoy the  trial and error of learning!

There is a sense of relief for me that the Holidays are 

nearly over.  Lately, Christmas seems to have lost some

of the magic, the allure, the fun.  Perhaps the role of the

media, and the big box stores, has replaced the things

of the past, and there's pressure to buy, perform, do more

than ever before.  Maybe its time we say 'no' to the type

of Christmas retailers want, and go for something really

old fashioned!!

Spirit

The Christmas Spirit

isn't something you can taste,

touch, or even play with

It's something you feel inside.

And it's the best feeling there is.

Santa's Helper

Christmas is not in tinsel and lights and outward show.

The secret lies in an inner glow.
It's lighting a fire inside the heart.
Good will and joy a vital part.
It's higher thought and a greater plan.
It's glorious dream in the soul of man.

~Wilfred A. Peterson

In the spirit of the holidays,

I donned my outfit dubbed

"Santa's Little Helper"

although, not so little, or young,

but I still believe.

Merry Christmas to you!

Believe

Be naughty -----
 ------ save Santa a trip

 “The main reason Santa 

is so jolly is because he 

knows where all 

the bad girls live” 

~George Carlin

“Believe in love. 

Believe in magic. 

Hell, believe in Santa Claus. 

Believe in others. 

Believe in yourself. 

Believe in your dreams. 

If you don't, who will?”
~~ Jon Bon Jovi

Fragments

Just a few

bits and pieces.

it has been

one of those

kind of weeks

and the pictures

are fragmented

which is how 

 I've been feeling.

Hopefully, your own week has been a good one.  

We're winding down 2011 and a new year is 

about to begin. Have you had thoughts about 

changes you've been wanting to make?

Come on, admit it, we all think some kind of 

thought such as "this is the year I'm going to ...... "

What will 2012 hold for you??

Hands

It's so easy,
To think about love,
To talk about love,
To wish for love,
But it's not always easy,
To recognize love,
Even when we hold it
 In our hands.
~Jaka

Lots of extra traffic through here in the 

past couple of weeks,for that I want to 

thank you all for following my posts.

                                                   ~Gal

Inspiration

“I wish more people felt that 

photography was an adventure 

the same as life itself 

and felt that their individual feelings were worth expressing. 

To me, that makes photography more exciting.”

 ~Harry Callahan

I'm a regular at our local library.

About a year ago, I found a book 

of Harry Callahan's work.

I think that was my turning point 

in exploring my own photography 

(and nudity) as art.

(You can see a few samples here )

The mystery

isn't in

the technique,

it's in each of us.

~Harry Callahan

Snowflakes

One little snowflake

with nothing to do.
 
Along came another and
 
Then there were two.

Two little snowflakes 

 

laughing with me.
 

Along came another, and
 

Then there were three.

Three little snowflakes 

looking for some more.
 
Along came another, and
 
Then there were four.

Four little snowflakes 

 

dancing a jive.
 

Along came another, and
 

Then there were five.

Five little snowflakes having so much fun.

Out came the sun, and Then there were none!

Wear Red

When in doubt, wear red.
~Bill Blass

Brevity is the soul of lingerie. 
~Dorothy Parker

i hope each of you is enjoying your holiday season,

whatever that means for you and yours.

Its always a busy, stressful time of year for so many of us,

it's my wish that you find some time to stop and enjoy the moment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The joy of Christmas stays here inside us

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Red Joy

The real joy of life is in its play.

Play is anything we do 

for the joy and love of doing it,
apart from any profit,compulsion, 

or sense of duty.

It is the real joy of living.
~Walter Rauschbusch




 “I do it for the joy it brings,
cause I'm a joyful girl.
'Cause the world owes us nothing,
we owe each other the world.”
~Ani Difranco

79 %

In a current women's magazine,
they reported the following:

100 men voted on the looks they want to see women in (and out of):

79% of men want a peek at cleavage.

I don't know what the other 21% of the men preferred.....  *smile*

Rose

 The rose speaks of love silently, 

in a language known only to the heart.

You’re where I belong
Like red on a rose

Red

 

Christmas waves 

a magic wand 

over this world, 

and behold,

everything is 

softer and 

more beautiful.

~Norman Vincent Peale

With the Holidays fast approaching,

life is a bit busy for the moment, so

just a quick post for a next few days

with  a thought or two from me to you!

May your holiday be decorated 

with the most precious of gifts!

Q & A

When I first posted pix of my guitar,

I was asked, "Do you really play?" 

(Original post can be seen here )

To answer a few questions, then, 

yes, I do play.  Do I play well?  

Not so much. hehehe  It's been so 

long I'm down to basic chords, which

barely gets me through a few ballads, 

hymns, folk tunes.

This guitar was a gift from my parents

when I turned 12 years old.

(If you do the math, that's 40 years ago!)

I still have it, as you can see.  It is well worn,

and much loved.  My son can play it well, 

much better than I ever did.   It's a joy to be

able to listen to it still being used.  

Even though the music selections have changed.  :)

If there's something you'd like to know,

as always, feel free to email me at 

ForTheLoveOfGal@gmail.com

Holidays

A little slice of the ordinary
from the Valley of the Sun.
In keeping with Holiday Traditions,
the Christmas Tree is up,
and I'm in my Santa Hat!









 With a large collection of
ornaments, one of my favs
is the high heel!

My new camera has

a new "fish eye" tool

for taking interesting 

perspective pix.

Seeing is believing, 

but sometimes the most real things in the world 

are the things we can't see.

~Polar Express

And of course,
I needed to try out
the "fish eye"
for a pic!!!
(This looks odd to me!)

Though I've grown old 

the bell still rings for me, 

as it does for all who truly believe.

~Polar Express

Just remember, the true spirit of Christmas lies in your heart.

Many thanks to all of you

who take the time to look at things here...

I hope each of you are ready 

for your Holidays! ~~Gal

67Degrees

December and 67 degrees
here in the
Valley of the Sun!

I decided to take
a book,
and my lunch,
along with a cool drink,
out to sit on my patio.

It was heavenly to feel
the sun wash over me.







As I read my story, this jumped out at me, and made me laugh out loud!
This is an exchange between father and son, after the girl leaves the son :

"When it comes to love I'm as dumb as the  next guy, who's as dumb as the guy next to him.
Kind of like dominoes.  Men are dumber than dirt when it comes to love."
"So its hopeless"
"No.  You just have to learn to understand how women think."
"I'm listening."
"How many pairs of shoes did [your dog] Jett chew up before you got her to quit?"
"About a dozen."
"But you didn't get rid of her after she ruined two pairs. or four. or ten."
"Hell no, I loved her, and I was determined to train her."
"That's how women think. They love us, and they're determined to train us."

(From James Patterson's "Kill Me If You Can")

The Sun

The sun is 

a phenomenal symbol 

to tap into when we need 

love, 

warmth, 

acceptance 

and healing 

in our lives.

Lucky me,

I took part of the day

to enjoy some

here in the Valley of the Sun!

Keep the sun

in your thoughts to .....



Renew creative energy.....

 Rebuild vitality.....

reawaken radiant love.....

Increase your passion for life!!

Love is a passion for life shared with another person.

~Terry Goodkind