The Diana F+ (+ accessories!!)

So, on my last birthday (over a month ago), I decided to go ahead and splurge on something I'd been looking at for awhile. And since it was nearly Christmas, and the Lomography Store was having oodles of sales, I decided to make a purchase (or 3). I really thought I'd like the Diana Mini, but it was so...limited. So, I decided to get the Diana F+ because you can buy so many more accessories! There was a great sale if you bought 2 or more, and I'm always a sucker for a sale. So I ended up with the Diana F+, the 35mm back, and the wide angle lens.

I'm happy...

I need a project...

Seriously... For this last year, my husband and I have been trying to get a business going and I've really put off any serious projects. My last big project was my solo show back in May 2007. I just cannot imagine another year of a little of this, a little of that, with nothing significant to show at the end. I am a goal oriented person, too. I am really not motivated without one. I cannot just go out and make a coherent portfolio with no "end" result. So, the next few days are going to be used to figure out what that goal is. In the meantime, I'll be shooting with my toys, enjoying flickr, knitting, and taking a metal clay jewelry workshop... See? No direction...

And all this has nothing to do with these two cute critters...

Dedication

I'm sure I've mentioned this before (and I'm sure I'll mention this many times more from now), but there is this amazing painter, Steven Walker I met while working at the FCCA. After admiring (and drooling over) his work for nearly a year, I finally acquired not 1, but 2 pieces of his work. Now that I'm writing this, I feel like I need to post an image of those 2 pieces, but I'll save that for another post. Right now I dedicate this "big sky" to him...

Vacation

This was the last big "hoo-rah" before school starts in September. My daughter and I made a whirlwind tour of the grandparents (my husband's and mine) this past week. With all the sleeping I've been doing (the joy of having doting grandparents), I have hardly time to check my email! I did get out today to enjoy the rural scenes in Parsonsburg, MD with the moody skies and all. Lovely!

Death of the Countryside

Well, the McMansions are coming. There is this beautiful farm (I believe it was called the Springfield farm) on the way to Fredericksburg from King George that was sold to a developer (the one, I believe, who owns most of F'burg now). It's been sold now for a couple of years. I knew it was happening when the cows disappeared from the hillside. But, this is the first sign of construction, I've seen. The corn has been nearly cleared from the field and the roads are beginning to appear. When the developments come, it truly is the death of the country....

On the Road Again

Living out in the country has it's benefits. Quiet (no car traffic), DARK nights full of stars and the sounds of crickets. No homeowner associations saying your flowers aren't pruned correctly. Au Natural, baby. Neighbors I can't see!! But, then again, to get ANYWHERE we need to drive 30 minutes. So, I see a lot on my trips between King George and Fredericksburg. I see lots of corn, soybeans, barns, corn, soybeans, barns, old Virginia Renaissance Faire (I need to get in there and make some pictures), corn and soybeans. But, the one thing I look forward to EVERY time I make this trip is this one particular barn that I have photographed many, many times. I actually stop once in awhile, too. And I have a flickr set dedicated to it. Here is the "fly by" version I snapped today.

I'm home

Just back from a nice relaxing week at my parents' house. They live way out in the country just 10 minutes from town! :) Seriously... It's quiet (you hear cows mooing a mile away), pitch dark at night (real stars to be seen!) and I can get to a good coffee shop in just 10 minutes. Oh, and I get free babysitting and don't have to get out of bed until noon!

Took this from the road... waaaay out in the country.