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Have you ever heard the saying, don't be good at something you don't want to do? I heard it many years after I developed the liniment I make, and after it had taken over my life. It was never something I wanted to do for a long time.

Twenty-one years later....

So yes, I did and do make an excellent product, but it wasn't something I wanted to do for a long time. Filling bottles isn't my idea of a good time, or creative. As I'd attended University and received my certification in graphic design, that's what I really wanted to do. Although the business took most of my time, I still found time to do some watercolours and drawing. That took a back seat when I was under a lot of stress.

After moving a year and a half ago into this small community, it was the absolute best decision ever. I have the single floor house I always wanted, with a small yard for me and Sadie (the cat) to enjoy and a big enough garden to grow some vegetables. I joined the local FB community page, where I noted there was a tremendous amount of complaining, and public humiliation occurring.

I started posting some photos on it, just to break up the constant negativity and to show people how much beauty was in the area. Little did I know I'd receive a following and many people that would log on every day to see what I'd posted. Nor did I have any idea that those photos would lead to my 'fans' wanting a calendar - a very lucrative undertaking.

I have already received requests for calendars for next year, although it seems I will have a fair amount of competition. The District I live in wants to use some of my photos in a calendar for their 125th Anniversary next year, and other locals seem to think I should tell them how to put one together and help them sell theirs. Um, they obviously don't get that they are competing with mine, regardless of whether they're doing flowers or whatever. People are funny.

As I knew the District's calendar would affect my sales, I suggested that they do a small booklet, kind of like a guide for a walking tour for their anniversary. After speaking to the coordinator, it sounds like they're committed to doing a calendar, but they also love the idea of a guide for the area and have been given funds to do 'something' for the 125th. I'm thrilled and flattered that my photos are appreciated.

At photo club the other night, as I'm the webmaster now, I had told them how out-dated the site was and how difficult it is to change anything on it. They asked me if I'd re-do their site and they will pay me for it. Woohoo! There's the new camera body I wanted!

So this next month will be busy re-doing the website, meetings with the District in regards to their 125th, and I almost forgot about the book the First Nations publishing house wants me to put together.

At this point, I've still been gallivanting around taking photos, but it appears I'll have to structure my day a little better in order to get these projects done.

When it rains, it pours. But I'm okay with that when it's pouring appreciation and feeding my need to be creative.

Why I can't delete my picture?

Over the past couple of years, I've immersed myself in my photography, loving every second of it, and being challenged to do more and create more in the photo club. It's been a fantastic journey, and now that I'm officially retired, my down time from Dec to May with my business is now spent with my camera.

I can honestly say that I've improved significantly with my photos, but still have lots of room to grow. It's heartwarming to have a 'following' on facebook on my photography page, which I finally launched only a couple of weeks ago. I've received several requests to purchase photos, which, in itself, is quite an honour.

As a result of my immersion in photography, my artwork has taken a back seat. I haven't drawn or painted in some time, mostly because I'd rather be outdoors. The camera allows me to combine my sense of adventure and curiosity with creativity. As a result, photography's the winner. lol.

Although I've retained membership in the watercolour club, I rarely go to the meetings as they're in my old community - a 45 minute drive each way. I don't like driving at night, and my interest in the club has waned, significantly. Partially, that's due to being ousted from the jobs I'd been doing, without any consultation. I was just informed one day that someone else was taking over my jobs - things I enjoyed doing. I told the president that never again would I volunteer to do anything for the club. I'd put up and regulated a fb page, administrated their web site, and designed their bookmark - yes, for free.

As I didn't attend the meetings, that's fine if they wanted someone else to take over, but not to say anything to me ahead of time was, imo, rude and inconsiderate. It wasn't that I hadn't done what they'd needed done, it was simply politics. So fine, don't ever ask me or expect me to do anything again.

When I got home on Wednesday night, there was a message from a member of the club (of course, not the president), would I be interested in scanning and photographing their art work for a calendar for them this year? There'd be up to 36 pieces of artwork to scan and/or photograph and they wanted it all done in one evening.

Ha ha ha ha!!!

No.

I told the guy no, I had too many commitments and my own calendars to put together. It wasn't an 'honour' to be asked. It's a sh*tty job, scanning all that artwork or photographing it. And there's no way I was going to be responsible for someone being pissed off because their artwork wasn't the right colour tones or whatever. And do I want to photograph someone's art work? Hardly. Like I said, it's a sh*t job, because it's not just taking the photos or scans, it's adjusting and editing everything afterwards. For free? Nope. G.F.Y.

There are some people in the watercolour club I really like, and why I continue to stay, but the president can pound sand if he thinks he can send a minion to ask for a job obviously no one else wants to do. It's mind-boggling how many people are trying to pick my brain about making a calendar and my success at it. Just amazing no one wants to know you until you're successful at something they want. Then they expect you to give it to them for free, after they've shunned you. lol.

Anyway, it's another beautiful day here, there's photos waiting for me to take, and orders to get ready. I'm going to enjoy every second of it. :)

A full moon highlighted surrounding clouds, illuminating fields and the ribbon of freeway. Head and taillights streamed the highway in sporadic intervals. I sat in the dark of my car, parked at the south end of the overpass ramp, waiting.

About a dozen pick up trucks with flashing bars on their cabs darted back and forth across the overpass, setting up orange road closed signs. My camera, on tripod, perched in front of my right headlight, aimed at the overpass. Still, I waited.

Another car pulled in front of me, partially blocking my view of the overpass. Fortunately, the young couple were cognizant enough of their position and moved voluntarily. We spoke a little, checked camera and video settings and waited.

Another vehicle pulled in and two guys in safety vests got out and walked up the road closed ramp. As they returned, one of the workers yelled at him to get off the road and couldn't he read?

I heard the rumbling before I saw the bright headlights, my heart skipping a beat as I leaped out of the car to position myself behind my camera. Focussing on the peak of the overpass, the massive load came into view, taking up the entire width of the two lanes.

A bright red truck and attached red low-bed gleamed in the daylight like glow of the numerous pilot trucks surrounding this epic load. Molson Brewery's new plant was ready for the delivery of their massive brewing tanks. Having watched it being barged up the river last Saturday, Monday I was waiting for the last leg to be trucked from the dock to the plant, two of the largest tanks 'dressed' in Molson's trademark brands. One looked like a giant beer can of Molson's Canadian, and the other a giant beer can of Coors Light.

With transportation as our photo assignment for this month, I really wanted the brewing tanks as I didn't think too many would submit a photo of them. One, because very few knew about it, and two, I didn't think anyone from our club would wait until midnight to take photos, other than me.

Although I got numerous photos with great results, a photo just doesn't do justice to the actual size of these tanks. Due to the size, hydro crews were in the intersection to keep the truck clear of the wires, along with all the pilot cars in front and behind this very long and very tall load.

Stopping on the downward slope of the overpass ramp, waiting for crews to ensure clear passage through the intersection, it was obvious the tank was taller than the traffic lights and the back end of the low-bed had flexibility in moving separate from the truck. It was absolutely amazing to watch the skill and manipulation of the truck driver, eking that load in and around traffic lights, street light standards, hydro wires as well as barriers. What would have been a simple left hand turn for anyone, was a complex and complicated procedure that took the better part of an hour.

Once safely through that intersection, the tanks headed for a second overpass, crossing back over the highway before heading towards the plant. Due to the length of time it took to finesse the load, I had plenty of time to find a new location and set up my camera. Finally, the trucks appeared, gears shifting noisily as they chugged into the night on the other side.

Racing to the final intersection, more crews were already set up, waiting for the immense load to make it's debut. Setting my camera up again, one man in a safety vest with a camera was behind me. I asked him if he'd been hired by Molson's to take photos, which he affirmed. As he looked familiar, I asked him if he'd been on the fishing boat that was following the tug and barge up the river, and if he'd waved at me when I was on shore. He affirmed that yes, that had been him.

Many, many photos later and watching the tail lights of the trucks disappear at the plant, I headed home at 3am. The last photo of the truck/tank in motion, with the photographer standing taking a photo is my submission for Monday.

Awake early this morning, I headed out for a bike ride, not too sure of where I was going to go. Deciding to ride along the dike by the river, I was a bit disappointed in the lack of wildlife. Even birds were hiding, although I did see some American Goldfinch on the path, which took off as soon as I saw them. I'd like to get a photo of them on a fence post or the barbed wire. So far, one photo is on a metal farm gate covered in bird poop. Not exactly an appealing feature.

The last one I took was on the gravel road of my usual loop. It's funny how the females are so much duller than the males. The males are a brilliant yellow, while the females are a much more muted shade, verging on brown. I haven't managed to capture any decent photos of the female, as she always seems to be in the shadows.



I was captivated by the weak sun rays stretching across the cut hayfields, highlighting the rusty wheels and seat of an old farm tractor decorating a garden. Riding on, a flock of American Goldfinches erupted from the long grass disappearing into the foliage of a nearby tree. Pedalling on towards the river, the cows that were out on pasture are still not back on it. I don't know if the river is still too high, but it was nice to see the dairy cows enjoying their pasture. They'd saunter up to the gate as I'd ride by, thinking I was there with their grain.

Rather than ride the 'loop' - under the bridge and along the riverside, I doubled back and rode down one of the side streets. After checking the slough and the path the other day, there's still part of it that's submerged in water still, so I'll wait until everything's stabilized and I don't have to ride through muck.

I wasn't going to go down towards the old heritage home, as I was there the other day and there wasn't anything that caught my eye. However, as the morning was so pleasant, I opted to take the extra time as the area is known to be a birder's favourite spot.

I've mentioned before how much I miss the lake I used to ride around as there were always squirrels and wild bunnies, something I've not seen much of here. I was richly rewarded this morning when I spotted a baby bunny crouching in the grass, giving me the wary eye. Quietly getting out my camera, I was able to get relatively close to the little thing. At one point, it almost looked sleepy as it seemed to get used to me being there.



A few minutes later, Mom leapt out of the long grass on the other side of the narrow road, bounding across the asphalt and disappearing into the long grass and brambles. Still, baby just sat while I was able to get some good shots of it. As the school bus appeared at the crest of the hill, I rushed to move my bike out of the way, and baby probably followed it's mother, the noise of the bus disturbing all the wildlife.





With some good shots, I turned towards home, my eyes constantly flickering towards the slough. A couple of redwing blackbirds noisily flew out of the brush, their distinctive red markings brilliant in the morning light. As I didn't have my camera ready, I did not stop to see if they'd fly from the branch they'd landed on in hopes of capturing them in flight. They are so fast, it's a challenge to get them in motion.

A good morning, I'm glad I went out for the extended bike ride, and can hardly wait until I can do the loop again. It seems to be a long, long time, - about a month I believe. It'll be great to get back into the route and routine, as my experience is, the more wildlife sees you, the more they're comfortable with your presence - which makes capturing a photo much easier.

Of course, as long as I'm not their next meal.

I don't know if you are like me, but I love sunsets.
Together with fireworks, waterfalls and wildlife,
they are one of my favorite things to photograph.
Indeed, I actually enjoy photographing them to preserve their
beauty and uniqueness.

The past 4 nights however had been quite disappointing with regard to sunsets.
With each night there was a thick wide dark cloud layer at the horizon,
which prevented any significant color display.

However, last night as the sun was about 1/2 set,
the clouds had moved somewhat
and a glorious color display resulted.

I took about 35 photos of it last night and they all came out terrific.
Below are 5 of those 35.
They are in chronological order.

Let me know which of the 5 is the one you like best.

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A worn out sea shell on top of a geode.