Life Through My Lens - Gathering storm...

This is the sight that greeted me as I walked out of school this evening. 

Dark and ominous on one side, brilliant and blue on the other.

Kind of like my day today....

A lot like life...

We cannot stop the storms that gather, but we can endure them and enjoy the beautiful times between.

A day at the beach... sort of...

Saturday started out on a beautiful - if warm - note. A few clouds dotted the horizon, but they didn't appear too threatening. After running a few errands, I thought I would talk a little jaunt in my trusty vehicle. I headed through Elgin towards the base of the Book Cliffs. I followed the increasingly rough road toward what locals call "The Beach" but which is more formally called Gray Canyon. I thought I'd take my camera with me and see what I could capture through my lens on this impromptu outing.

This critter and friends crossed right in front of my car as they left the river bank after having quenched their thirst. 

After pausing for the sheep crossing.... (no there wasn't a sign...lol) I continued on further to see what else I could capture. Here a few photos of the ruggedly beautiful area I call home.

Life Through My Lens - Day 1 - Mission accomplished....

Today was the first day of school for the year. The days and weeks leading up to this day have been fraught with hours of preparation, hoping for everything to go well in both of my roles. I have to say that today felt like a success. Here's to 179 more... :)

As evening approached, I took my camera to the banks of the Rio Verde and snapped a couple of shots to remember the day by. It was a lovely end to a great day.

Anticipation... (with gratitude to Carly Simon...)

Carly was kind enough to put to music some a bit of the way I am feeling as the beginning of school draws near...

Anybody else feel the mix of eager anticipation and barely contained panic at this time of the year?

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A sense of school...

The smell of new crayons filling the autumn air

The sound of crisp, clean pages turning 

The pointed touch of sharpened lead

The sight of polished floors and painted doors

The flavor of an apple, gifted

All signaling a new beginning

Any dream will do...

The world and I, we are still waiting

Still hesitating

Any dream will do 

-From: Any Dream Will Do (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, by Andrew Lloyd Webber)

Image from: http://www.thelostogle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/josephpanel.jpg

         From the first time I saw "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" it has been one of my favorite musical plays. I think part of the reason that "Joseph" resonates with me is the fact that it is ultimately a story about never giving up. It is a tale about taking what comes, facing fears, and making the best of any situation. In doing so, who knows the wonders that will be seen or the impact that can be had on the lives of countless others. It is the ultimate testament that good can come of evil. It is also a story of redemption and change. Joseph's brothers who had sold him into bondage in the end save young Benjamin from a similar fate, proving they "now were honest men" leading Joseph to "reunite them all again." 

      I think that we, like Joseph, often have dreams that have us wondering, waiting, and hesitating to see if they will come true. 

...any dream WILL do...

As a sidenote,  last weekend I had the opportunity to attend a performance of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at the Hale Centre Theatre in West Valley, Utah, with my mother, sisters, and a brother-in-law. I've seen the play several times and each time  I love it more. This particular performance was the second time I have seen it performed "in the round" and it was extremely well done.  After the performance we all gathered at Leatherby's from some delicious icy confections. An excellent way to end a wonderful day.

Life Through My Lens - Where am I?

Whew! Glad I found out... I was afraid I might be lost... 

Life Through My Lens - Sleepy and Co.

A little while ago I posted a picture of a local motel in town where I thought Ichabod Crane might feel comfortable staying. I drove past recently and decided that perhaps the Seven Dwarves might feel more comfortable there... at least one of them anyway...

(I apologize for the picture quality... still getting used to the camera.)

Ups and downs...

As I pondered what I wanted to write about in this post, the lyrics to a song I first heard several years ago came to mind.

The world turns 'round like a Ferris wheel

Some times you're low and sometimes you're high

But even way down you can never forget

The thrill you feel when you're touchin' the sky

 From: MY TURN ON EARTH

(Lex de Azevedo / Carol Lynn Pearson)

Image from schools.iclipart.com

I thought of how true that really is. What do they say? The only thing constant is change? Getting ready for this new school year has me thinking about some of the lows and highs of years past and contemplating the certainty of new highs and lows of this coming year. I guess the key is to keep the memory of the sky touching "thrill" when I'm feeling the lowest. 

And that reminds me... I haven't been on a Ferris Wheel in ages... maybe I need to find one and go soaring...