Luck or diligence?

My friend Sonia recently wrote: "I love your photos. How lucky (or is it diligent?) you are to find such subjects." I've been pondering Sonia's compliments the last few days. Then, this morning I looked out the window to see a thick blanket of fog covering the neighborhood. What to do? I had several options: get in the car and drive to the river where the fog is usually thicker to capture the city's  bridges; walk to nearby Laurelhurst park; or simply stay snuggled in my warm bed? I chose the middle option and jumped out of bed, got dressed, and grabbed my camera - not even stopping for a cup of coffee. Maybe that's diligence?

I quickly discovered another element: experimentation. I noticed the interesting effects of car's headlights shining through the fog and tried to remember techniques I learned in class to capture movement. I experimented with the camera's controls, adjusting aperture and shutter speed to achieve effects such as this.

That also took patience! I decided I wanted a pretty "frame" for my image. So I found an angle and background that I liked and then waited for someone or something to enter my canvas. One thing I've learned is that a static landscape immediately becomes more interesting with a person or an animal to give it movement and dramatic tension.

Photography is also about paying attention: learning to notice small things such as spiders' webs or droplets of dew.

And finally, there is the element of luck! You've seen these photos before, but I treasure them because I got lucky and caught something unexpected.

A cat on a leash?

Happy Birthday to my amazing mother

Today is my mother's 84th birthday. She has spent 66 years mothering, grand mothering, and great-grand mothering. She has changed tens of thousands of diapers, cooked thousands of meals, kissed away innumerable tears, and said millions of prayers trying to keep her family safe.

She was married at 17, a mother at 18, a grandmother at 40, and a great-grandmother by the time she was 64. She now has 15 great-grandchildren and yet she still drives, still babysits, and still cooks birthday dinners for her large family.

She has spent her life devoted to others.  But what about your needs, your wishes, your dreams? I asked her recently. Did you ever regret not going to college? Don't you regret the lack of freedom since you are always taking care of others? The last few months have been difficult. She's been fine, but she has spent many hours worrying about her other adult children who have gone through health and life crises of their own.  I sometimes feel guilty because I am healthy, happy, and fortunate to have lived my dreams.  I am free to travel, to write, and to indulge in my photography. I am also blessed with two sons who have found love and are enjoying successful careers.

I can't take away my mother's worries.  I can only be grateful for the life that I have and to spare her from worrying about me.

Happy Birthday Mom. I admire your courage. You are an inspiration to all of us.

Mom on her 80th birthday