Flora & Fauna

I have developed a new passion. Remember a while back when I wrote about my phone book delivery job? I guess I was making lemonade out of lemons or maybe stopping to "smell' the flowers along the way, if you'll pardon my use of those tired old cliches.....but out of that experience I unexpectedly found something that has consumed me, possessed me, obsessed me, occupied me, amused me--take your pick...I am in love with the florals and wildlife (although not too much of the latter has come across my path) along the way. I cannot drive anywhere, not ANYWHERE without either stopping to take a photo or making a mental note to come back if my camera isn't handy!

I drive to work, to church, to the mall, grocery store, etc. with my eyes darting about, looking for a photo opportunity! I need a bumper sticker that reads "I brake for florals!" I've even gotten bold enough to pull off the side of the road and snap pictures! I don't CARE who sees me! I'm a floral photo junkie......

Since Doug and I don't go out on dates any more, no movies, no dinners out, our sole source of entertainment away from home has been our little Saturday afternoon motorcycle rides. This gives me the opportunity to yell in his ear as we roar down the road, "Stop! I want to photograph those..." Crazy, huh? I don't know what has gotten into me--is it the color, the size and shape of the flowers? I think it is "eye candy" for me. Somehow, it satisfies my craving for something beautiful or at least interesting?

Lately I've been petting the residents' dogs here at the apartment complex. I mean I go out of my way to stop and ask "Can I pet your dog?" There's the little mottled Dachshund, the Cocker Spaniel puppy the color of our Gunnar, the speckled black and white who-knows-what-it-is, the Golden Retriever puppy across the hall and yesterday when I was at the gym I spied a large boxer-looking dog with a big grin on his face. Yes, I almost got down off my machine to run outside and ask permission to pet the friendly looking canine! Do I need a shrink? Is my life so lacking that I fill it with flora and fauna? Hmmm........

P.S. I haven't gotten bold enough to ask the owners of those cute dogs if I might photograph them--yet!

Anyway, here are SOME of my many photos.....