Lens-Artist Challenge #285 Warm Colors

For this week’s challenge, Egidio invites me to look at my photos showing how warm colors appear in my world and their emotional significance to me.

California is taking a beating this week. Last night with no power I sat in the dark, listening to the wind, unplugging all electronics, and leaving on one light. I awoke to stillness. The electricity was restored. The skies still threaten, but the color is returning in the house.

Great challenge for the week, warm colors. Color Photography was one of the best, and most demanding classes I attended.

The warm color of food

The first Valentine’s Day I made my boyfriend (now husband of 53 years) a strawberry shortcake!

Flowers

Warm colors of nature

Sunrise/Sunset

Abstractions created by color

Warm objects are seen here and there

Cork from a New Year’s past

Looking back at my collection of photographs is my best reason for participating in these challenges. I see forgotten images and the photographic journey I am on.

Just as I was about to post, our electricity went out again. Found emergency candles, and we ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. All is back to normal. So without further ado, I will post.

Best Foot Forward 2024

The sun is shining! The day is quiet, and all is relatively ok. I’m home in my happy place with my dog Moxie and my husband.

Lately I have been happy to stay home. Avoid the shopping crowds. Avoid the traffic issues. But after many years wearing my comfortable shoes, I decided to venture out and shop for a replacement. In keeping with not wanting to work through the holiday shoppers, I ordered 5 pairs of shoes in my size to be delivered to a nearby store. Usually, I like a style, but my size is not there. Also, looking for my size often presents a vision issue. So this was my way to solve both problems. Tried the shoes on at the store and went home with a possible 2. But at home they just were not right. The next day I went back to the store and returned them.

Still I wanted new shoes to start the year off right. There is some positivity in play here. Next stop was Macy’s shoe department. Needed to get on the line to ask for my size. Scans the barcode, and tells me to wait in a chair. That works for me. I actually have a problem standing for a long time. 45 minutes and I need to sit. My back surgery a couple of years ago did not fix my damaged nerves. Another story.

So many shoes on display. None of which I would ever wear. But I have my iphone handy and can’t resist. And oh they were so photogenic.

Crowd pleaser
If your feeling patriotic, buy all three!
If only I had the right outfit!

Well, no I wasn’t waiting for any of these fashion statements. I went home with Easy Spirit Explorer. The box says, “Comfort out of the box.” My style!

Dark Chocolate colored clogs

My dog Moxie has idiopathic epilepsy. Epilepsy with an unknown origin. The first medication did not affect her personality, but it didn’t stop the seizures either. For the past week she is on Phenobarbital. And this has sedated her and her gait is off. Vet appointment this week. But there have been no seizures with this medication. So, we shall see.

So how did I ring in the New Year.

Dinner served at home, and a movie from our collection. A New Years tradition. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally. One of my favorite movies. It has a great musical score and I love New York!

Shrimp Scampi, Bang Bang Cauliflower, Salad by David, Key Lime Pie and Prosecco

And no New Year’s Eve baby yet. Did I mention that in 2024 I will gain the title of Great Grandmother. My granddaughter is due any day.

Hoping for a drama free peaceful 2024!!!

Best Wishes to all!

Lens-Artists Challenge #271 Contrast

This week, Amy is focusing on Contrasts. She tells us that in photography, contrasts can include different ranges of tones, colors, subjects, and areas of light and shadow–to name a few. So this is my take on the subject.

I thought this would be an easy challenge, but it took me a while to figure out which way to approach this.

Shapes

Straight and spirally
Rusty stuff in a variety of shapes
Keep out!
River rock in so many shapes and sizes

Color

This colorful photo was taken at a Yarnival
These hardware parts looked like robot eyes
The blue sky really sets off the shape of this plant.

Textures

Fascinated by this belt
A captivating display of textures
So many different textures and colors
A carpet display at an Ikea store
It’s not easy being green, unless you are a fern next to other plants.

Quirky contrasts

Ready to go to the county faire.
What is it, and why is it here?
Rolling down a street in Maui. New and old!

That is all for today’s photographic journey through my images in contrast. What did you find captivating?

Lens-Artists Challenge #270 On Display

This week Ann-Christine from To see the world in a grain of sand… thought we would reuse an old theme – On Display. And it could almost be about anything… from a shoe shop to a garden party. 

This time many of my displays relate to food. When I first started to refine my photography I enjoyed my trips to the local Farmer’s Markets in Sacramento. My banner photograph was taken at Zabar’s in New York City. I just want to remember all the yummy foods I found there.

Mushrooms to eat and for sale

On many a morning I walk out to my backyard, and I find mushrooms. I just hope I find them before my Moxie does. Fungi are not easy to identify.

Mushroom Gills

Fruit & Vegetable Display

Tomato, Tomato?
Peppers in all colors
Bugs Bunny wouldn’t pass up these colored carrots!

Fish and other things from the sea for sale

On ice in Seattle’s Fish Market

Baked Goods for sale

Love this display in Carmel, Ca. for Mother’s Day

This cafe is a favorite of my photography group when we are in Folsom. I’m getting hungry.

Karen’s Bakery in Folsom

Hats & Accessories on sale

Howdy!
Red Hat Society – Welcome here!

Flower Arrangements

Beautiful bouquets
Ready to take home!

Old Fashion Displays

Bodie, Ca. –
Local honey

Entrepreneur with displays

Local Farmer’s Market
Animal Balloon anyone?

I will stop now, and let you ponder which image appeals to you.