Texture Tuesday: Autumn Burst

I wish I had something amazing to write about today. Frankly, though, I feel a little blah. Today was the Home Going service for my son's grandpa. In a series of unfortunate events, I found myself missing from this very important family affair. Try as I might, there was just no way to make an appearance and that is just not acceptable. It's a true epic fail.

Ya wont get the opportunity to really know the man that was his grandpa. At just three years old, his time with him was short and his memory of those visits will fade. I regret deeply that I didn't insist on bombarding the in-laws with my camera. I guess when it comes right down to it, I'm unreasonably shy about snapping away when I'm just coming into an environment. Now my family? They already know - expect - me to come with camera in hand, so though they may not be fans of my paparazzo persona, they accept it as Rachelle being Rachelle. I should've snapped more pictures. I should've insisted on grouping them together for a portrait or two. I should've snuck around a corner in stealth mode and just sniper fired snap shots. I should've... I didn't.

So... there isn't anything to write about. Nothing profound to say. So I'll retreat into what brings me a little peace in my otherwise tumultuous day.


Today's Texture Tuesday challenge was to incorporate the theme "do" with the texture Autumn Burst. First, I love the boldness of this texture offering by K.K. It's divine. I had a mediocre shot of a family of mushrooms (I'm thinking it's a new Smurf estate and condo offering that's not quite ready for market yet). Because I didn't have to worry about faces being distorted by the texture layers, I felt I had freedom to really apply them to the capture.

I adjusted the levels on the original image and chose to keep it on the darker side. I ran Pure PhotoShop Action's Brown Haze, which seems to really pull out the color I saw in the real mushroom collective. I used a "soft overlay" of the Autumn Burst in PS-CS5. I also added Break Free texture (at 35 percent) with "multiply."

I really liked the idea that the mushrooms were bursting from the ground (courtesy of the wet weather of late). Despite the carefully manicured lawn they appeared in, they were doing exactly what they wanted to where they wanted. Plus, their ability to break through the wood chips with complete abandon and freedom is always impressive.


Shared with Sweet Shot Tuesday @ My 3 Boybarians.

How exactly does one teach a child?

How exactly does one teach a child
About death
When the body can handle
No more
Of the pains of the world
The sadness
The turbulence of living
How exactly does one teach a child
That Grandpa is in heaven
And no
He cannot be fixed
Except by God
Who has chosen to keep him
In paradise
The place he’s earned with his Father
A place we cannot visit
(and this means he can’t be with your father – who is terribly said)
And yes, we may cry because Grandpa is gone
But we are happy for him
How exactly does one teach a child
That life is exciting
And fun
That we cherish every moment spent
With family,
With Friends,
Even with strangers who pause to say “hello”
But sometimes
We get sick
And our bodies need to rest
(we don’t wake up from death)
How exactly does one teach a child
That memories keep men alive
That love keeps their spirits strong
That even those who have gone home - -
Not to Grandpa’s house, baby, to God’s - -
Are with us still
Always
How exactly does one teach a child?

9.8.2011

Six Word Fridays: Easy

Falling in love was so easy.

Simply opened my heart to you.

Stepped out on faith of feeling

and allowed emotions to guide me.

If allowed, it would've lasted forever

running on passion and primal connection.

 

But something happened, an intervention began.

Sneaking into my mind, slowly interrupting;

beginning like a tiny shoe pebble.

Walked upon, at first, hardly noticed,

but rubbing into sole - my soul -

and causing discontent. The mind wonders.

 

It's been too long lingering here

I long for something more concrete.

It's not enough to say it --

sweet sentiments to honey a moment.

Walk forward into our eternal knot

or untie this string hold now.

 

Endings never seem an easy start

even when it begins a new.

Can I fall up? Clinging to truth.

There's no ring to encircle us.

No declaration before powers invested in.

I did. I don't. I do.

Shared with Six Word Fridays hosted by Melissa Camara Wilkins.