Just the word itself seems so fancy yet makes me feel almost giddy. This is my absolute favorite time of year. As a child, I could never quite grasp why so many people were so animated by their enchantment by this stretch of three months. Then, it actually seemed ... pointless. The trees were dying and everything was brown and ugly. It took a level of maturity to appreciate that the trees really only stay these brilliant colors for a short window of time. It really IS a special time, I think.
Now, as an adult, the allure comes from a perfect mix of the cooler temperatures, the light seems to shift to a richer amber, the sky is a more brilliant blue, the thoughts of warmer foods like soups being simmered all day and then eaten with my family around our dinner table. For me, autumn means warm woolen sweaters, rich colored leaves to decorate the trees in the neighborhood, icy cold floors to greet my toes first thing in the morning. There are so many reasons to love this season. What are your reasons for loving this season?
Currently, I am limping along while my regular lens is "in the shop." I hope to have it back soon. I sure do miss it. I have used an older auto focus lens, but it was injured, too, and using it just annoys me. I am reminded why I decided to go ahead and just replace it. Right now, I am using only my 50mm lens that came as a kit lens with my very first SLR camera as a gift to me from my parents for my 15th birthday. Yes! I STILL have it. And...YES it works on my DSLR. I've done a little experimenting with it. While I wouldn't use it to shoot a wedding....at least not exclusively, I am grateful I can use it to capture some fun shots like this one.
During this time of learning patience with the repair shop, I have tried to relax a little more when snapping away and I am not even looking for technically correct images. Not every photo that works well hast to be completely thought out or possess technical strength I just want to have fun and I simply cannot go a single day without taking a photo.
Before my post production edits, this capture includes those happy, crisp-white, puffy clouds backed by absolute cerulean. It also include the nearly naked top branches of tree across the street from my house. I sat on my cement stoop in my bright pink striped jammy pants. My feet were bare. The sun was shining. The air was warm. This was a beautiful moment I wanted to freeze forever......don't you ever have those?
Yesterday, while the big kids were in school, Q and I packed up a few things and headed to the water park to feed the ducks. It was so good to get out of the house for a little while as I was beginning to suffer a case of cabin fever. The air was heavy with humidity and chilly; the sky was cloudy and gray. The trees were full of color and were beginning to shed their foliage. It was just a wonderful way to spend a little time.
We had a really great day together.
