Always seeing something...

...never seeing nothing,

being a photographer."

-Walter De Mulder

"Never Seeing Nothing"
Somerset, Pennsylvania

Sometimes it's a curse.  But mostly a blessing.

Here's where I "link up" today

August...

"It was June,

and the world smelled of roses."

-Maude Hart Lovelace

"The World Smelled of Roses"
Ocean City, New Jersey

Except...it is August.

Here's where I "link up" today

Things to like...

Just because you LIKE something, doesn't necessarily mean you have a ton of time to dedicate to it.  If only life was that fair!

Exhibit "A".  My new macro lens. I sure do LIKE it. But it holy cannoli, it is giving me a run for my money when it comes to learning how to use it properly.  I can't quite figure out how to consistently nail the focus. I really, really LIKE it.  But I do not LIKE the amount of time I need to dedicate to it in order to get the results I LIKE.

"Like"

Exhibit "B".  Blogging.  I sure do LIKE it too.  But yowzers, it's become a time suck! I blame it on Instagram. Which is just so darn quick and easy, especially when it comes to visiting other Instagrammers.  I can either post a short comment OR just hit the old 'like' button before I move on to the next Instagrammer I follow.  Sure is nice knowing if someone has seen your post and/or photo.  I know "I" sure LIKE it.   And that is the problem I've been running into here in Blogland.  I still LIKE to hop around and see every one's blog posts.  And believe me I do!  But I just don't always have the time to leave comments these days.  So how the heck do you even KNOW I was there seeing whatcha been up to?  

Because I am egocentric at times, I have to assume EVERYONE has the same problem as moi.  Just because you LIKE to do something, doesn't always mean you have a lot of time to do it.  My solution?  I've installed a LIKE button at the bottom of my posts.  Yeah, go ahead and glance down to the left.  Directly below my name.  See it??!!??  PLEASE see it...because it took me waaaaaay longer than it should have, figuring out how to install i (truth be told, I'm still not sure I actually did it right...so this might wind up being a 'work in progress').  So if you stop by here, LIKE what you see, but just don't have the time to post a comment...please feel free to go ahead and click LIKE. That way I know you've been here. And believe me...I LIKE knowing that!

Now...if only there was one simple button on my macro lens that would give me the perfect shot each time.  Sure would LIKE that!

Here's where I "link up" today

Sadness is...

"Ode to the Last Peony"
Still Life

...when the lady at Trader Joe's tells you this is the last week for peonies.

Here's where I "link up" today

Song-ography, the "59th Street Bridge" edition...

"Got no deeds to do

No promises to keep...

I'm dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep...

Let the morning time drop all its petals on me...

"Morning Time Drop All it's Petals on Me"


...Life I love you
All is groovy."

-59th Street Bridge Song (Simon and Garfunkel)

You know what they say, when life gives you lemons (or flowers past their prime)...photograph them.

**********

Welcome back to Song-ography.  I am a bit sad to tell you that THIS will be the LAST Song-ography link up.  It's been three years.  And I'm ready to to take a break from hosting a weekly link up.  I haven't had the time to visit everyones' submissions the past few weeks, and I hate being a rude hostess.  So it's time to end this party.  I've been mired in a  photography and blogging "bog" the past few months.  I'm hoping to take some time and figure out exactly where I want my photography and blogging to lead me.  I need some time with "no deeds to do, no promises to keep".  Therefore, it seems like the right time to end Song-ography, and to thank everyone who has taken the time to link up.  I hope the idea of combining song/lyrics with photography has inspired you...and will continue to do so.  Sing on!  Photograph on!

An InLinkz Link-up

Song-ography, the "Soak Up the Sun" edition...

"I'm gonna soak up the sun

I'm gonna tell everyone

To lighten up...

"Soak Up the Sun"

...I'm gonna tell em' that

I've got no one to blame

For every time I feel lame

I'm looking up

I'm gonna soak up the sun."

-Soak Up the Sun (Sheryl Crow)

Once springtime hits, and I get that extra hour of sunlight each day...I'm definitely not feeling so lame.  Things are looking up!  Hello Spring.

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Hello, and welcome back to another Tuesday and another edition of Song-ography where we mash up song and photography.

Song/Lyric + Photo(s) = Song-ography

I've been noticing more and more "non Song-ography" specific posts being linked up here on Tuesdays.  I urge everyone to please abide by the purpose of this link-up.  It's only fair to all the bloggers/photographers who do.  Thank you!  I look forward to stopping by all your blogs in the coming days to see what songs you've been photographing to, it's always a treat!

(Join me on Tuesdays for Song-ography.  Click on photo for full link-up description)

An InLinkz Link-up

Favorite time of the year?...

When my winter blues...

"Spring Allergies"

...give away to my spring allergies.  Keeping Kleenex in business since 1959.

Here's where I "link up" today

(Join me on Tuesdays for Song-ography.  Click on photo for full link-up description)

365-day project (week #8)...

The week that was (February 15 - February 21, 2016)...

"I'll Follow the Sun"

46/365

"Rather it Snow"
47/365

"Ding Dong...Flower Delivery"
48/365

"Philadelphia City Hall Photo Tour"
49/365

"Soooo, to replace one broken lens I bought three new things...fair is fair"

50/365

"Gender Reveal for My Niece"
51/365

"Think I'll Have Eggs for Breakfast"
52/365

Wow!  Week #8 and still going strong.  #MiraclesHappen.

**All 365-day project photos are via my Samsung Galaxy phone camera.  For more, you can find me on Instagram @KathyMcB  

Here's where I "link up" today

(Join me on Tuesdays for Song-ography.  Click on photo for a full description)

"Song-ography, 'I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas' ...

"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

Just like the one's I use to know

Where the treetops glisten and children listen

To hear sleigh bells in the snow...

"White Christmas"
(my sun room)


...I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white."

-White Christmas (Irving Berlin)

I live in Pennsylvania.  It is December.  This is NOT normal.  I've had to open my windows this past week while decorating and baking Christmas cookies because it's been so dang warm.  DREAMING of a White Christmas is probably about as close as I'm gonna get to the real thing this year. Somewhere Al Gore must be smiling from ear to ear.  Bah humbug!

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Welcome back to another Tuesday, and another Song-ography.  Greetings to all who join in the fun.  And for those who haven't, seriously...the "rules" are pretty simple:

Song/Lyrics + Photo(s) = Song-ography

Oh yeah, one more thing.  Please take some time to visit a few of the other Song-ographers who link up.  I'm sure they will appreciate it, and I'M sure you'll be inspired by their creativity.   Mucho gracias!

(Join me on Tuesdays for Song-ography. Click on photo for a full description) 

An InLinkz Link-up

"Song-ography, the 'October Roses' edition...

So I got side-tracked by a rose garden when visiting Chicago last month.  Believe me, I've been know to get side-tracked by things that most would think are waaaaaaay less interesting than this!  I was heading back to my Bestie's house after spending the day in Chicago watching Thing #2 run her marathon.  The Better Half and I decided not to bug the Bestie to come pick us up from the train station in Evanston...instead we walked.

"Spring roses are lovely, they make my heart sing

And in summer the roses sweet memories bring

But I most need the roses when the bitter winds call

October roses are the fairest of all...

"October Roses"
Evanston, Illinois

...As a maid you were lovely, your cheeks bloomed so red
And you gave your heart freely, too freely you said
As a woman full grown you knew passion and strife
And a gentle heart torn with the thorns of your life...

It was about 6:00 p.m.  The golden hour was upon us as we walked the neighborhood blocks. We turned a corner and there it was.  The most beautiful public rose garden.  Tucked in the midst of an every day normal kind of neighborhood.  Illuminated in gorgeous Autumn early evening light. October light. October roses.

...Now you're growing older, sometimes you feel done
But your strong roots still guide you, you'll still find the sun
For you blossom with wisdom and courage and care
You're the finest of roses that bloom anywhere...

Because she is my BFF, she was nice enough to come looking for us to give us a ride back to her house.  Because she is my BFF, she totally understood I was a "bit" preoccupied with my camera in a rose garden when she found us.  Because she is my BFF...she turned around and drove home without us.

"Fairest of All"
Evanston, Illinois

...Spring roses are lovely, they make my heart sing
And in summer the roses sweet memories bring
But I most need the roses when the bitter winds call
October roses are the fairest of all."

-October Roses (folksong)

In the spirit of November being a month known for gratitude, I thank God for Besties, Better Halfs, and my keen talent for getting side-tracked. Especially in October when roses are involved.

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Hello Tuesday!  Hello Song-ography!  Welcome back to my little piece of the blog-o-sphere.  Before you link up your creations this week, just a quick reminder of the guidelines...

Song/Lyrics + Photo(s) = Song-ography

I urge everyone to stay true to the purpose of Song-ography when linking up.  Sorry, but random posts are kinda annoying to both myself AND to those who DO take the link-up seriously by putting in the time and effort to link their photography with song.  As always I want to thank everyone for stopping by, commenting, and/or participating.  All are appreciated.  And I also urge everyone to do the neighborly thing by popping by a few of the blogs of your fellow Song-ographers and leaving a comment.  I know I will!

(Join me on Tuesdays for Song-ography. Click on photo for a full description) 

An InLinkz Link-up