Perspective is Everything

Last night it started snowing every so slowly, and this morning we woke up to this small amount of snow on the ground. It was still snowing, but it was just barely sticking and the roads were all just wet. No issues with commuting and a very beautiful view, so why was I still annoyed by it? Two months ago I was reveling in any snow. What happened?

I realized that I've been wishing for spring - for warmth and flowers - ever since we had that nice warm, spring visit to Corvallis. And I also realized that the difference in my view of what the morning brought was all internal. So I went for a walk, with my camera, and shifted my perspective. Intentionally. What was cold and wet and glum first thing this morning became beautiful again. It was all in my mind.

It made me think, how often is it our own perspective causing the problems we face? If we take a moment to intentionally shift our perspective, we might be happier. We might find more beauty. We might enjoy the moment more. Try it today, let me know how it goes.

Summer Shadows

This image is about summer. Summer sun and shadows. Summer sports where you are out in the sun. Hot, direct light creating sharp shadows on the ground. Have you ever noticed how shadows change focus? Depending on the light, the subject, the distance to wear the shadow is cast. It's really cool, I've been noticing it more lately.

This image is from the Giro d'Italia in Milan last May.

Leave Only Footprints

"Take only pictures, leave only footprints." Haven't we all heard this little saying about spending time in nature? But as I went through my pictures from Corvallis this weekend I thought of this in a new way... maybe that's what we are doing in life. We leave only footprints in the lives of those around us. The pictures I take are only a visible reminder of the footprints my friends have made on my soul. Thanks to each and every one of you for the things you bring and the place you have in my life!

I've uploaded photos from the Corvallis trip. You can see my favorite, artistic shots in this album, and all pictures of our trip here.

A Nod to Spring

When I left Oregon a week ago, the plum trees were in full bloom. I love the pink blossoms that give a sudden burst of color in the sky against the green and the brown of Oregon winter. So today's photo and banner change is a nod to spring in Oregon, and a hope that it begins here in Italy soon. (For those of you who read my blog in a reader, come visit to see the spring-y banner!)

I'm trying to get back into the groove of daily blog posts, hopefully this week will be back to normal!

Patterns

Everywhere there are patterns. In our behaviors, our preferences and in the world around us. This is one thing I've always loved about engineering, finding the patterns so that you can solve the problem.

This kind of brickwork is a very common European pattern. I love how the individual squares are used to create these arcs. This image is of Patrick and Brandon's shadows on a street in Bolzano.

Back in Italy

Home again, home again... it's good to be back home in Italy. I had a fantastic week last week visiting with friends when I wasn't working, but it is truly good to get back home to my family and my cat and my own bed. And, it's a nice sunny morning as well, so there is nothing in life to complain about. I hope you all have a good Monday!

The Best Bookstore

Let's take a little poll: Is Powell's Books in Portland the best bookstore in the entire world? Post your comment below. If it's not, it's got to be up there near the very top. A whole city block of books on multiple floors. New, used, all topics. You could probably find almost anything you are looking for. Oh, and for the techie types, there is Powell's technical books.

And here is a special section to me, the creativity section I discovered last spring at Powell's. I walked around a corner and felt a jolt, it's like the section just grabbed me and said "hello, here I am, you've been waiting for me." I purchased and read several books from this section last year before the move and I've got several more after a visit on Saturday. Can't wait to get reading! I just hope my suitcase is not overweight...