365 {90}

{two takes::east/west}

This picture was taken in Prague. Such a moving scene. . . and such beautiful music.

Sometimes I look forward to coming home to my sheep slippers.

And this is 'T Katshuis from above, from my perspective.

Sometimes I still find an egg in the right compartment when the chickens roamed the garden. The chickens still love to be in there to lay an egg.

We called this little sleep house 'T Katshuis as a sweet little joke. The Dutch equivalent of the White House is Het Catshuis, built around 1650 for Jacob Cats, a famous poet and politician.

Standing back and getting it all in. Seeing him like this I wish I could be a little more relaxed and open. I guess I've become one of those people who takes life lessons from their cat.

Still inward and shy, but soon outward and open. I love the warm lazy days of Summer. Spring is my favorite though. The fresh shy buds and young sprouts show some delicate beauty. And a promiss. This has a similarity with the person I feel I am, a thinker and introvert. #twotakes #365+1

{two takes::inside/outside}

A lot of mornings are like this: playfulness and curiousity are wide awake, the cats play chase me, find me... she's inside my son's bookshelf feeling invincible.

P.S. As this was taken by the itouch (the morning was still dark) and posted in Instagram, the quality here is a bit different. Please squint your eyes if you are bothered by the grain. Otherwise, try to imagine it as a painting. :-) What I'm happy about is I captured one of her personalities... and boy oh boy she has many.

{two takes::inside/outside}

Outside our living room window is an old Indian Mango tree which my mom bonzais every now and then because the leaves mess up the roof and she thinks a big bushy tree can be a great place for robbers to hide in; she doesn't trust the wild. She is a control freak. But she let me keep this buddha on the roof. It used to be by the fish pond in the garden (fish pond and that lush garden gone now). I suppose it serves as a type of 'weight' or can cover up a small hole, whatever. She let this one go for me. It reminds me to look inside my self. It reminds me of my buddha nature.

365 {94}

{two takes::outward/inward}

I was hoping to show how these little flags or banners (or whatever you call them) appeared like they were flying because of the wind... and I guess I got it. I took this at another nearby market place, doing last minute errands and shopping for our trip. It's "holy week". If you're Catholic, it's a pretty big deal. If you're in the rat race, it means a week's vacation.

I remember the 'festive' feeling of holy week; when there is a knowing that a vacation at the beach or in the mountains is up ahead. Everyone prepares to migrate outward, away from what's usual, away from routine. For many it is a time to reflect inward. Going outward to go inward.

We're off to the beach.

This is 'T Katshuis (The Cat house). With a perspective from below, from cats eyes view.

'T Katshuis is our old henhouse, which is now used as a sleeping place by Blackie & Poppy. Both cats have there own compartment.

In the early days when Blackie and Poppy first came here, about six years ago, Blackie snatched all favorites places from Poppy. When Blackie slept in a 'Poppy' place, she refused to use it again. I felt sorry for her and kept busy creating new places.

After we made a new henhouse we decided to turn the old henhouse into a cozy sleeping place for the two. We created a new entrance on the other side and put a dividing wall in the middle.

Now when one compartment is occupied the other one can be used. And even though Poppy is sleeping inside the house now most of the times I notice often that 'T Katshuis is still in use.

365 {103}

{two takes::awareness:: beginning/ending}

{two takes::awareness - accidental/deliberate}

The magic hour light in the market was just gorgeous, I had to take a shot. The vendor was getting change and it seemed like nobody was looking so I did my thing. Still trying to be brave about shooting in public, especially in places like our vicinity.

Look for the "hidden mickey"!

Someone's box at their front door waiting for the mail carrier.

Looking up into the new spring buds.

For me 'above' is looking up at what beauty is here.

So, I thought this might be nice, as well, in black and white. I'm getting ready, Tracey!

Two Takes: East and West

Swan Dive: Post-Processing

The photo on the left was taken with a point and shoot while the photo on the right was taken with an iPhone in a swiftly moving car in NYC (don't you just love those moments!)(I wasn't the driver!).

I'm an east coaster but as I look at the gorgeous view of the west coast photo I can't help but wonder... WOW!

I created the diptych and then further processed the photos in PS CS5 and RadLab. (This photo has a white frame around it.)

After the accidental hair shot here is a deliberate hair shot. The sun was setting and I tried to catch that color in my hair. But it's not exactly the color like in my accidental shot. Surely the weather changed, cold! #twotakes #365+1 #selfie

Waiting (with my daughter at the orthodontist)

{two takes::east/west}

This repurposed sign was the perfect interpretation of old and new.

Stepping back to show the landscape of my library.

this takes some getting used to.

Ilus roosa maja, imeilusa uksega. Ja siis on miskine kõva grafitikunn sodinud ukse peale oma täägi ja väljendanud soovi seksida (arvatavasti välismaiste, sest kiri on ju inglise keeles) korrakaitsjatega.

Loodan selle peale, et ükspäev jääb tüüp vahele, ning kõik ta 10 sõrme murtakse kolmest kohast katki.

{two takes::east/west}

story to follow

{two takes:urban}

On our way to see The Muppets movie.

First day out without wearing a coat. An 'oops' photo. Perspective above. #twotakes #selfie

This is how I would like to see the world. Like a bowl of colorful bubblegum balls. #twotakes

Needed to step back and try to convey the whole image. It's just so hard. I want to zero in on just one aspect.

My view from a relaxing vacation this past week.

contemplating the leap.

I took this image in the Farmer's Market on Friday, and then wanted to wish you all a great Easter/Passover. Plus I wanted to use my new app for writing words. :)

While I was at the indoor flower show today at a fancy store, I spent time taking photos with my iPhone, using my macro lens.

I never capture people on the street, but I had to photograph this woman. I loved her style: the embellished coat, the flounce of her scarf, everything. Such flair when walking the dog. Taking this picture I felt so brave, looking at it afterwards makes me happy.

{two takes:: outward/inward}

My sun sign is Virgo. My moon sign is Taurus.

Beyond Layers: Framed. Taken with Nikon D7000 and processed with PS CS5 and RadLab.

Two Takes: Inward/Outward - Normally a shut-in due to an illness, I find that I most enjoy photographing outdoor things. That became clearly evident to me today when I was told that there was a blimp flying over the house and I didn't hesitate to run outside with my equipment to photograph, and then process, it immediately! What a rush! So, I guess that tells me that while I love my home and my family I LONG for the outdoors any way i can get it!

Swan Dive: Post-Processing