Greenhouse

At Woodward Park there is a greenhouse. I love visiting here. I try visiting at least once a week or so. They have some really unique plants. I think I've taken a photo of every plant there at least once. The only gripe I have is not knowing what some of them are.
The following photo's where taken using Hipstamatic with the following settings:  Burke Lens/ Blanko Freedom13 Film.

(click on photos for larger view)

A Shutter bug

I've been called many things in my life.  Most recently a certain person at work has gotten to where she calls me a Shutter Bug. I believe she means it as a dig towards me but honestly the name is fitting. My favorite things in the world to do is take pictures and read books.
Sometimes at work when we are not busy I can get one of my coworker to let me take photographs of them. This is really my first attempt at taking a photograph of someone using Hipstamatic.

(click on photos for full view)

Water Lillies

Tuesday while at Woodward Park I noticed all the water lilies are in full bloom.  I was also able to catch the sun in just the right place.
The following photo was taken with Canon Power Shot SX 50.

(Click on Photo to view full-size)

Trips to Woodward Park

Woodward Park is one of my favorite parks here in Tulsa to visit.  There is always something to see and photograph.  Tuesday as I was walking through the park, avoiding squirrels, just enjoying some fresh air I noticed something setting on the bridge.  I don't have the best vision in the world so I had to zoom in with my camera to see what it was.
Imagine my surprise when I realized it was a hawk.  I didn't move any closer to him but did manage to catch a great photo of him.  Hope he didn't eat any of my furry little squirrels while he was there.
Photograph was taken with my Canon Power Shot SX50.

(click on photo to view full size)

Motherhood

I love this time of year at the Zoo.  Lots and Lots of babies.  One of my favorite birds is the Pink Flamingo.  There was only one baby but by the looks of all the nest setting the flamingos were doing I suspect there will be many more soon.
I noticed the poor baby was being bullied by some of the older birds.  The poor thing moved over to his mother and laid his head against her.
The following picture was taken with my Canon Power Shot SX50.  The only editing done was resizing the photo and putting my copyright on the photo.

(click on photo to see full-size)

Caiman Gator

Okay this is not my favorite animal but he is an interesting little guy.  Okay have no idea if its a he or a she.  It is always in the same place every time I visit the Zoo.  So if you really want to know more about this critter check out this page.
This was taken on my IPhone using Hipstamatic settings: Burke Lens/ Blanko Freedom13 Film.

Trip to the Zoo

Sometimes I get lucky and get a Sunday off.  I will usually head out to the Zoo or go hiking.  Last Sunday I headed out to the Tulsa Zoo.  It was hot outside so I didn't stay but a couple hours.  That's usually long enough to make it around most of the zoo.
There is one place I swear no matter what I always take a picture of.  Its this cement head outside one of the buildings.  I can't help it I love seeing the darn thing in the summer time when all the green vines are growing all over it.  I did take pictures of animals but this is my favorite.
The following picture was taken with Hipstamatic using the following settings:  Burke Lens/ Blanko Freedom13 Film.

Slow days at work

Some days work seems to go by fast while other days it drags.  Our afternoons are spent cleaning up from lunch and setting up for dinner.  After all the work is done we take a break.  Saturday we decided to take a walk around the duck pond.  Well we didn't see any ducks but did have the displeasure of running into several cranky geese.
The following photography was taken with my iPhone 4s.  No added filters.

Lemonade

One thing I have noticed about working with seniors is they like everyone else hate change.  Even when it is just adding a lemonade machine in the dining room they still have to complain.  We had a nice lemonade machine installed today.  Now not only can they get lemonade they can get flavored lemonade.

During lunch I asked a couple of the ladies if they would like to try the new lemonade.  They said no and laughed saying "Kathy we are old ladies and do not like change.  That's okay I told them.  I'm sure someone will want a glass.  Come dinner time we sold them like crazy.  It seemed everyone had to have one.  

The following photography was taken with Hipstamatic with the following settings: Burke Lens, and Blanko Freedom13 Film.

Writer's e-Handbook (book review)

Writers' e-Handbook : The How, Why, and Where Journal for Emerging Writers…

by Jotham Burrello

The Writers’ E-Handbook is a reference work for both experienced and emerging writers of fiction and non-fiction that consists of three parts: “Learning the Craft,” “The Writing Life,” and
“Publish Your Work.” Each section of this unique e-book has individual chapters containing text, hyperlinks, brief author videos, and sometimes interviews with well-known professionals. There are abundant resources listed at the end of each chapter, which also contain links. This writers’ manual is “wired” in a way no print book could ever be. (Needless to say, an e-reader with internet capability is required to use the special features.)

“Learning the Craft” begins with the question, “Why Do You Write?” and insists that the reader should have a definite answer in mind before beginning a writing career. Chapters in this section deal with choosing the right kind of instruction—workshops, seminars, generative, or specialty classes—and weighs the option of online verses traditional courses. Costs and value are compared realistically, and writing conferences and MFA programs are evaluated.

“The Writing Life” opens with a discussion of how the internet has affected today’s writers
and offers advice on how to use social media and blogging as effective promotional tools. The section concludes with the chapter “On Making a Living As a Writer,” which objectively assesses this prospect in light of the current literary marketplace.

The last section, “Publish Your Work,” deals with prose markets in general; various genres from young adult to fantasy, SF, and horror; short fiction publishers and book publishers; “Going It Alone,” the pros and cons of self-publishing; “Licensed Properties”; and “Agents, Briefly.” Once again, there are detailed lists of resources, publishers, and links, links, links. There is even a large appendix that includes virtually everything not featured in the main body of the text.

There is a lot here in 239 pages. It would be a time-consuming task to read the book straight through and follow even half the links or watch all the videos, but as a valuable and user-friendly reference guide for serious writers to consult as needed, this one is top-notch. 

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Except for re-sizing of the following photo there was no editing done.

Did someone say "Friday"

Most people get excited when Friday arrives because it's the start of their weekend.  For me I work almost every single weekend.  I'm not complaining because I usually get my 2 days off during the middle of the week.  Weekends are slower at work and we get to relax just a bit.
Todays picture was taken at work and shows the backside of the building,  I work in the dining room and dont get to see the outside except for looking out one of the doors.  I love the shape of this building.  The following picture was taken with Hipstamatic using the following settings:  Burke Lens, and BlacKeys B+W

Back to work blues

I enjoy my job but when my days off are cut to just one day off it's a bit hard hauling myself back to work. I work a 10-7:30 shift every day so it leaves very little spare time for taking photo's.
My husband and I try to get out and enjoy one of my days off by going to the Park or Zoo.
Yesterday we headed to Woodward Park.  The following photo was taken with "Hipstamatic", using the following settings: Burke Lens, Blanko Freedom13 Film.

1 Year of Pictures

I have decided to challenge myself and post 1 one photo everyday for a year.  The photo's will be varied in subject matter. I may take pictures on my phone or camera. If anyone does this on their blog please let me know and I would be happy to list you on my side bar.
The photo I am posting today was taken about a week ago. This is the oldest cemetery in town, Oakdale. There are headstones that date way back in the mid-1800's. I used my iPhone and "Hipstamatic" settings: G2 lens, D-Type plate film.

Hipstamatic

I miss being able to just grab my camera, head out to my favorite Park or hiking trail, and loose myself in capturing the world around me.  I was setting up for the lunch rush on Saturday when I glanced out the side door and noticed it was raining. I snapped this photo on my IPhone using Hipstamatic. This is an app. I've had for awhile but have done very little with. I found it to be very easy to use.
Actually I have to say this is now my favorite app to take photographs with.