Mandarin Orange Monday ~ January 13

It is hard to believe that two months have gone by since my last post ... Thanksgiving, the Christmas Holidays, entertaining, work and play seem to have taken precedence ... and even my photography went by the wayside!

While I've taken few photographs, there is not enough to edit and post.  Instead, I have enjoyed creating in PSE - experimenting with techniques and generally using the program for more than photo editing - fun and nonsensical things - it's been fun.

Lori encourages all forms of digital manipulation and art in Mandarin Orange Monday, so I decided to post a piece I'd worked on over the holidays, to get back to swing of things and posting on "musings" ...

The next 60 days will be a busy time, I am a legislative/regulatory lobbyist by profession, and the New Mexico Legislative Session will convene on Tuesday, January 15 and adjourn on Saturday, March 16.  My posting during this time may be sporadic, but I plan to post when the opportunity presents itself.

My thanks to Lori for sending an e-mail reminder that her site was up and for allowing me the opportunity to share.

 “Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.”  Mark Twain

Mandarin Orange Monday 18 ~ Bartlett Pears

In the background are the brilliant orange Bartlett pear trees

outside the east entrance of the State Capitol.

The photo was taken last Thursday before the snow on Friday

and hard freezing nighttime temperatures we have experienced the past few nights.

Mandarin Orange Monday #17

Loved this display during Spanish Market;

the contrast of the dried native flowers and the poppies

and the natural clay pot!

Photo Art Friday ~ Pathway to Heaven

Bonnie's prompt this week was to use her beautiful new texture Cobblestone.

On Monday we had the brightest, most magnificent sunrise ... couldn't resist capturing it!

52 Photos Project ~ Celebrate!

Bella's prompt this week is "celebrate" ...

"How do you celebrate?"

"On what occasions do you celebrate?"

she ask us to

"Capture the essence of our unique celebrations

and share on them with you this week!"

While not unique, I do celebrate Day of the Dead;

the house is decorated, an altar is built and

I ask family and friends over to help me celebrate

It's a time to be together,

to visit, laugh, reminisce, eat, drink,

and honor those who have passed before us.

 

(Dia de los Muertos graphic by Rebecca McMeem)

{Texture Tuesday} ~ free and easy eDition

I spend a lot of time in and around the New Mexico State Capitol.

I have always been intrigued and mystified by the choice of landscaping at the Capitol.

It is so unlike most state buildings; it is not (seemingly) structured,

but rather has a sort of disheveled, unplanned look about it! 

The state Capitol is surrounded by 6.5-acre garden and has more than 100 varieties of plants,

including roses, iris, daises, chrysanthemums, russian sage, native plants, plums, almonds, pears, nectarines, Russian olive trees, yews and sequoias to name a few.

KK's texture "Poetic" used twice: Soft Light @ 100% and Color Burn @ 100%

KK's texture's "Paper Stain", Overlay @ 100% and "UggLove", Color Burn @ 100%

 On a positive note, with all the varieties of plantings, I'm never at a loss for something to discover!

Mandarin Orange Monday #16 ~ joy

no matter what, these poppies coax a smile

it is an artificial arrangement that my sister brought me years ago,

it sat in my office where the sun shone in on it and I had a birdseye view of the bright colors,

it always helped me retain my humor, particularly in negotiation sessions

it now resides in my home, various places, always in a place where it adds 'pop'

an area that when I turn the corner, or see it head-on,

I smile and feel joy!