What I Found

Amongst my many enthusiasms is photography. As mentioned in a previous post, I lost much of  my exuberance for a period of time and a variety of reasons. The main reason - lack of time to focus on my creativity, led to the other reason - flat out depression. Now, I'm not a Dr., but I've been depressed in the past... and I'm pretty sure I recognize the sucky symptoms. Thankfully, I've moved past that and am in a creative place again.

Lomo-fi Filter

Did I mention that I like photography? I've never considered myself an actual photographer for a couple of reasons. Number One: I've always been surrounded by other creatives... and one of them was usually "the Photographer."  I, of course, was "the Writer." That didn't stop me from taking pictures though. I have a pretty good eye and can frame a shot. I also have the ability to recognize amazing lighting when I see it.  Other than that, I'll admit, I don't know a whole lot of the technical aspect of the art. The truth is, the only time I ever thought I might be a photographer was when I had some garden shots published in a couple of gardening magazines along with my articles. The other reason (which for the sake of structure we will call Number Two) that I've never considered myself a photographer, is that I've never owned a really good quality camera. When I needed to shoot stuff for a magazine I simply borrowed the Nikon of my generous "photographer" friend.

1977 Filter

As mentioned, I'm in a creative place again and am thrilled to have discovered the Instagram app practically by mistake. My sweetheart asked me about Instagram a while back. (Sadly, I'm the techie one in the relationship.) Some of our colleagues were sending him Instagrams from across the globe. I didn't know too much about it so I did a little research and realized that there is an app for the Android phone,  not just the iPhone. So download it I did, and I've been having a ton of fun with it every since.

 I love the different filters, borders and the versatility of shots that I can take, and while I realize that "actual photographers" may frown on it, I don't give poop! It has honestly renewed my interest in taking pictures, and as an exuberant foodie, I am jacked about how my food pics turn out, as in "happy, happy, joy, joy." My Facebook friends seem to appreciate them and so do the other folks that I sometimes force to look at them. I even have a follower! I wasn't expecting a follower, but hey, it adds to the fun.

Hefe Filter

Lomo-fi Filter

Lost And Found

Boy, life can get overwhelming can't it? It turns out that life can suck the exuberance right out of a girl leaving a gaping hole that is then filled with a fairly blankety blank attitude, along with a fine mist of sarcasm. Not that life is bad, or has been bad, just... as I mentioned... a bit overwhelming.

Picture yourself in a job where you really aren't doing what you're meant to be doing. Somewhere where you (perhaps) hyperventilate all day. You go there, because for a brief period of time you forget that you have choices in life.

Finally, you release yourself from the situation in order to not die and wait for the expected results. You know, as in...breathing again and well, living. They don't come. You continue to wait, babying yourself along with plenty of rest and some nice self talk about how you're going to reclaim your life and your aforementioned Exuberance with a capital E. Still... nothing. Confusion sets in. Really? You expected to feel better the moment you walked out of the stressful place that did not feed your soul because it was too busy sucking it out. Did I mention the possibility of being covered by a fine mist of sarcasm?

Finally, after you've actually acknowledged that something might be seriously wrong with you, the breathing finally kicks in, the babying begins to take effect and you are on your way back to your former exuberant state.  You take some pretty pictures, you read some good books, you cook some delicious food, you tell someone a clever story that gets a laugh. And you hit your yoga mat and breathe like you've never breathed before, gasping a bit with thankfulness that you are beginning to feel like yourself again. And... finally... you write.

Foodies Unite!

I love food! A certain amount of my time has been dedicated to talking and writing about food and what it means to me. These conversations are sure to take place when I am with members of my family or fellow foodies. Posting observations or obsessions about what I am cooking or craving on any given day, or what yummy, fresh ingredient I picked up at the market or picked from the garden, has become the norm. I'm always amazed at the number of people who respond to these food posts. It seems a lot of my friends are food and/or wine lovers. I love that! I do! Thinking about it makes me happy... and, actually, a wee bit hungry.

Recently I made some new friends who love food as much as I do. Their kitchen is definitely the heart of their home, and when I'm there, which is often, everything seems to revolve around what we are cooking. Time spent with them looks a little like this. Cook, eat, share a bottle of wine, talk, go to bed, get up, drink coffee, make breakfast together, eat, drink, talk about what we will cook next, discuss who gets the hammock, take a nap and then cook again and eat some more. It doesn't get much better than that.

I realized recently that the creative energy that is present in this relationship is what stimulates our appetites and is also a huge part of our fondness for each other. When inspired,foodie types get together you can expect some excellent meals, inventive new recipe ideas and stunning food photos. This creative energy is what happens when "Foodies Unite."