Beauty in the Eye

I love to take pictures. Everyone loves to take pictures. I think of myself as an amateur sidewalk photographer at best. I carry the camera everywhere I go. Its in the car, at family outings, holidays, ball games, hiking, on purpose or just in case. It would be just horrible to miss that one chance to take the perfect picture that I’ve waited for all day. Why?
One day I was hunting everywhere for a picture I had taken. Two hours, four jump drives and 3 rubber maid containers later my effort was futile so I started thinking, Why? Why do I do this? Everyone takes pictures and why do I think mine are so much better than anyone else’s? Then it hit me. That afternoon I was pulling down my driveway going to work. I have 20 things on my mind, ball practice, dinner, work, who I forgot to call, schedules, etc. You know the drill. As I reached the end of my driveway I saw something that made me stop dead in my tracks. I looked to my right and saw it. On the narrow road that goes off into the mountain were two magnificent 12 foot tall, muscular light brown horses with blonde looking manes and tails. In between the two Clydesdale looking pair was a farm hand casually and purposely guiding these horses down the road. As I stopped and just watched the trio head toward the mountains, time stood still, my head was clear of the chaos, and I wanted my camera. I wanted my camera because I so badly wanted to share that feeling of peace that I had with the whole world.
That’s what photography is all about. We want to give someone else a moment we just experienced; a feeling of peace, love, happiness, joy or beauty. We use our eyes to feel more than we do to see. That is what we want to really share with the world.

Catch 22

I have been totally inspired. I watched -Jamie Oliver’s -Food Revolution last Friday night and I was so excited about what he was doing, I caught myself yelling at the TV screen! In case you missed it, This Chef from England comes to the unhealthiest town in America and tries to change a culture to eat right and get our kids in school to eat right. Sounds great, right? Not. I could not believe the resistance he received when he showed up to tackle this. I thought “What is wrong with you people” !

After the show was over, in my excitement, I decided to put my money where my mouth is. I searched for Jamie’s website and start writing down recipes and getting cooking advise ( those who know me know I need it!!). Yesterday I went shopping. I bought all the things on my list for about 3 dinners and some miscellaneous grocery items.

I spent $110.00. Then I went..” AH HA!” I figured out the American dilemma. I have to choose. People may think we are lazy or too busy to cook or addicted to fried food which some of that is true but in this economy, it is cheaper to buy processed food that eat a good meal. This is the problem we have to solve before we can educate America on eating right. The almighty dollar. Is it the grocery stores gouging us? Is it the farmers lack of rain? Show me how to buy a week’s worth of meals, 3 a day on a fixed income and I will be the epitome of health.

For the record, the meal I made last night was Bacon wrapped white fish with Asparagus and Lemon Mayo sauce. My husband said it was THE BEST meal I had ever made!!! I support Jamie Oliver in all he does and I will continue to work on healthy eating in my family as far as the budget will allow.

First BLOG about me.

I am a 45 or 46ish stay at home mom. Well, not really. My last child is 9 and he is in school all day so I don't think that should count. I have so many things I love to do. Contrary to the popular belief that the shoe belongs in the screen of your computer, I like to "compute". Not games or anything but creating programs that run or tracking information. Thats fun. Thats also my right brain. My left brain loves to paint, scrap book, take pictures, shop, eat, gourmet and do things with my friends.

I am married, again, have 4 kids from 27 to 9. His, mine and ours syndrome with one grandchild and one on the way. All that makes some exciting stories!

I named it "Searching for Penny Candy" because my husband and I spend alot of time talking about the old days. The days of our parents and their parents. Comparing life in this realm to the life they grew up in. How amazing!

This is my new blog.