Friday Shoot-Out: Christmas

The FSO topic for this week is "Christmas in my part of the world".  One of the biggest traditions that I have grown up with is the Christmas tree.

I've often (and still do) feel torn about the idea of a live tree. I hate to take the tree's life for my own uses. It means a lot to John, my fiance', to have a live tree because it is part of his tradition as well as mine. This conflict will be solved once we get a house because of the ability to dig up and ball the tree. Then, after Christmas, we can plant it in our yard. I love that idea! In fact, John has taken me to a house he grew up in and showed me one of his past Christmas trees growing in the yard--it is like a 12 foot beautiful tree now.

Of course, another tradition is the chaos of wrapping all the gifts!

I hope all of you have a wonderful Holiday!!

Vibrating Heart

check out more of my pictures on flickr spiritsoflena

no stillness of self,
bell ringing, a vibrating heart,
one note echoing.

For more of my poems check out:
cage
the hunger

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Ten Minutes Away Photo Shoot

The FSO theme this week was to take pictures of places ten minutes from where you live.  I think this is a creative idea.  It is one of those assignments that gets me out of my usual style.  Sometimes, I hate what I end up with and sometimes, I am amazed by it.  Anyone who does a creative activity benefits from stepping out of their comfort zone periodically.  These last two weeks have been incredibly chaotic in terms of time management, so I am sharing shots that I took previously of a place about ten minutes from where I live.  These shots are from when we did shoot-out on a building.  It was something I was totally new to and really enjoyed it.  Often, the FSO gives me permission (in my own head of course) to take a creative risk and try something I may or may not be very good at.  Everytime, I learn something and enjoy myself in the process!!  Anyway, I hope you like!