side tracked

photography excites me and disappoints me at the same time.  i go out each day and visit your blogs, i look at your photos, i look at mine, and i think, mmm??  why them and not me? i want to grow and progress and expand and develop and learn, you get my drift. i also want to finish reading doris lessing's the golden notebook but time interrupts my reading as well as my photography. i am enjoying this book for two reasons, the soul searching it inspires and, truthfully, the challenge of reading it. very smart that doris lessing. 

Mrs. Lessing says: 

'About five years ago I found myself thinking about that novel which most writers now are tempted to write at some time or another - about the problems of a writer, about the artistic sensibility. I saw no point in writing this again: it has been done too often; it has been one of the major themes of the novel in our time. Yet, having decided not to write it, I continued to think about it, and about the reasons why artists now have to combat various kinds of narcissism. I found that, if it were to be written at all, the subject should be, not a practising artist, but an artist with some kind of a block which prevented him or her from creating. In describing the reasons for the block, I would also be making the criticisms I wanted to make about our society. I would be describing a disgust and self-division which afflicts people now, and not only artists." 

so today, just like my friend robin, i was up early, had the two cups of coffee, did my hair, packed up the dog and the camera and set out to take the photo to end all photos.  my cell phone rang, it was charley's good friend.  "hi bubby".  

i didn't miss a beat, i said "get your shoes on, charley and i are coming to pick you up, we'll go for a walk and take pictures".  the photo shoot to end all photo shoots had certainly ended, rather abruptly and all of a sudden the day was side tracked, and i was turning down the grandmother path.  he climbed into the car, water bottle and bag of trail mix in hand, and off we went.

he and charley pretty much ignore me when we walk.  they run ahead, they run back, they fall down.  One friend throws the stick, the other brings it back; the boy laughs, the dog wags her tail.
     

the two of them have been close for a long time.  they love a little out of town time together so they can go fishing.

the two little friends were playing and running and i was just preparing to focus very hard, both mentally and manually with the camera when this face jumped in front of the lens, scared me and i accidentally took the picture.  i laughed, it was in focus and cute and i had no idea how or why it turned out as well as it did!

and the moral of my little story, sometimes the best photos are the ones you least expect.  i will always look at this funny little head shot and remember this day.  it was a photo to end all photos.  i will get there, i will take better and better shots all the time, i expect that in due course i will finish the golden notebook.  maybe this funny little head shot was in focus for a reason, to help me unblock my artistic sensibility and focus.   

xo

margie

Comments

[Jori]

What a sweet boy! And what a great unplanned photostory!

[Wayfaring Wanderer]

I'm happy to hear that the day turned into one of positivity. Keep it up!

Don't be discouraged my friend.....comparing yourself to other people will bring nothing but doubts about yourself. You have a great eye and blog, and are well on your way to meeting new people. This blogosphere is very finnicky, I've often asked myself the same questions that you have.....but with determination, you'll become that which you desire - I'm sure of it.

I encourage you to take a look back at some of my really OLD posts.....I didn't have very many readers at all. Since the old days I have placed more focus on quality people rather than the quantity....most of the people I have met are those I actually get to interact with, which makes it more special to me. I make it a point to discover & interact with new blogs weekly, and most times, those people will reciprocate.......that's how it all starts. Your content makes a difference as well, don't get me wrong. Although, I don't think you have any problems there!

[Kath]

I want to see both of them again soon. Oh and you too of course!
xo

[Julz]

That is the best entry to date. Okay, it's possible I've said that before but you had me laughing out loud and also feeling like a little cry. Yeah yeah, I'm sentimental. Love you.

[ELK]

YES YES what a great story~ I can relate to the photo taking
thoughts BUT look what an outing you had ~ amazing!

me and my little point and shoot will keep going ~ I do enjoy it along with so many other thing!!

[L]

Hear hear~ great story! Your pictures are just beautiful, especially the last one! What soulful eyes on your little one...

earthmama

[spread your wings]

what a great story!! i am so glad you stopped by our blog because otherwise i may have missed yours. I'll look forward to visiting you both again.
And yes it is a wonderful experience. I am so new to it, but I thoroughly enjoy the process - especially the meeting of new "friends"

thanks

[robin bird]

it's like a girls club!! "hi i'm robin. i'm came here from 'spread your wings', following margie who followed kath who followed elk who followed i don't know who....howdy!" "it probably all started at jessica's house since she travels the world each week gathering up the threads of friendship.

ok. ok. "robin for heaven's sake get to this woman's post!" ok. honestly you are a good storyteller margie. i like the one of them heading pell mell up the stairs best! i am so glad you got out for your camera walk. you did! see...you really did get your in your camera walk... hey and you even combed your hair! you're better than me and sister carolyn. and you grabbed that adorable photo! sticking his head right in your face. "click!" good work grandma. if you remember the last time i went to Heartwood i only took about 10 pictures before Sister Carolyn showed up. (like you i got one good one.. the 2 chairs waiting for someone to sit in them). and like you i ended up having a very different kind of photo day than i expected.

you are very kind for linking to my blog today.

i never ever got through the golden notebook. i think (oh god i was young) i found it to be over serious and even a little cynical. i was all into marge peircy and those who could tell a good love story while still being politically radical.

this was a favorite post of mine too. am i talking too much?

hey kath!
xo

[Lisa's Chaos]

That is so sweet! It sounds like a great time with dog and grandson. I love your happy accident photo!

[Christina]

I love this post. Please you keep being you and don't worry bout what's going on in the rest of blog land.

We all have our doubts but don't be fooled, blog land (at times) brings back memories of the clicks in high school. I didn't fit in then and it never bothered me, there are times I don't fit in now and I keep going.

Your post and pictures are lovely there is no denying that, my friend.

Jah bless ya naw!

[tangobaby]

What a wonderful post. The pictures, the story. It all worked out, see? I think we all compare ourselves to each other because it's so easy to do that. I find most photos I see so inspiring, and the more I take, the more I don't feel too badly that mine are not as good as others. It's all a process. Photography is at the essence, capturing a moment in time, and only you can capture your own special moments.