The Hues of Winter

Posted on January 23, 2012 by orples

This was one of my favorite paths when I had access to the trails in Halifax County, Virginia. This trail started the ride. No matter what time of year it was, the colors changing from woods to fields always complimented each other as I rode down the hill. When you added the birds, squirrels and often time deer, the whole package was a celebration of Nature.

Down the hill, and off we go.

If you’ve never experienced a trail ride, you really don’t know what you are missing. It is like being in heaven unless of course it is a hot summer day and the bugs are out, then you might think you went in the wrong direction. LOL. Obviously, when I took this photo, that was not the case.

The Fork in the Road

Posted on January 22, 2012 by orples

Sometimes choices need to be made as to which is the best way to go. I remember watching the movie “The Butterfly Effect” (a thought provoking and unusual movie worth watching if you’ve not yet seen it), thinking how my own life may have been different had I taken different roads along the way. Of course each of our lives effects many others. Funny how some people might not even be here today if not for the choices of their parents. Life leaves so much to ponder and where better to ponder than from the back of a horse?

Which path should we choose?

Okay,so on the trail, long term effects might not be so radical, but nevertheless, they set the course for the day and the sights to be seen along the way. The paths represented in the accompanying photograph lead in two totally different directions, with two distinct destinations.

Turning Nature into Art

Posted on January 21, 2012 by orples

From Photo to Fabric Wall Hanging

The colors of Nature have always soothed my soul. When I used to ride the trails for hours at a time, on occasion, I would take my camera to capture the beauty of the sights that were mine to enjoy. As all things do, I knew these days would pass, leaving me only memories to rekindle the joy I was experiencing at the moment. As I reflect back on those times now, I am grateful that I had the foresight to capture my memories on film (on in this case digital format). Some of my photos were taken specifically to use as a guide for various forms of artistic media. What better guide for color and content, than Mother Nature herself, when trying to capture the beauty of a landscape? The fabric wall hanging in the photo was inspired by one of my trail shots, although I admit I got a little frisky and added a few things that were not in the original photo. You’ll see beaded vines, and ‘button’ lovebirds sitting in the tree. The grass that extends beyond the fabric background is actually fancy yarn that gives the grass a 3-D effect and a few red ribbon flowers compliment the corded border. I used a little embroidery to outline the leaves even though if I had it to do over again, I ‘d have used single strands of floss, so the leaves would be less defined. Oh well, the whole point in creating art is to be creative, don’t you think? Live and learn.

Weekly Photo Challenge (Winter)

Posted on January 20, 2012 by orples

Riding on a blanket of white.

Another Path

Posted on January 20, 2012 by orples

Another path to travel down.
Where does this one go?

Step by step, onward Ho!
Is where the answer is found.

Such is life . . . You don’t know what lays around the corner, ’til you turn the corner. This was a trail I used to horseback ride on from time to time. Being out in the open, or the woods, exploring places many people never see, my thoughts roamed free. I used to love to ride paths that I’d never been on before; wondering what is over the next hill? . . . and wondering where the future in general might lead? Riding always gave me time to count my blessings and be thankful for all of the little things in life that people so often take for granted. The spaciousness of the open sky and the breeze on my face set the stage for my imagination to run wild and free. I miss those days.

"Trails of days gone by."

The Road Ahead

Posted on January 19, 2012 by orples

Sometimes the road ahead can be a beautiful thing. Even though the destination might be unknown, there is no reason not to enjoy the scenery along the way.

The Unknown Path

Insight into “How Orples Came To Be” . Part 5

Posted on January 10, 2012 by orples

“What on Earth? An orange with arms and legs? How can it be?”!

Examining Oscar

Continued overview …

… part 1
… part 2
… part 3
… part 4

Insight into “How Orples Came To Be” . Part 4

Posted on January 9, 2012 by orples

Mr. Zimp just knows he left his orange, soaked in formula, on the table last night. Hmmmmmmm.

Where's my orange?

Addition insight into the book …

No Internet?

Posted on January 8, 2012 by orples

http://www.nationofchange.org/internet-giants-consider-nuclear-option-fight-against-sopa-1326040008

I thought the above link worthy of sharing. Our Government is getting ready to introduce SOPA as their remedy to online ‘piracy’ (wink,wink). I think their newest law to further dissect our Constitution is going to be regulating the Internet. And Amazon, among a few others are going to ‘blackout’ in protest. Good for them, maybe the Government will realize the impact of Large Companies since the people’s voices don’t appear to matter any more. We are getting ready to have our First Amendment rights altered (for our own good, of course) if this Bill passes through Congress. I was trying to avoid political views on this blog, but I think we should all be aware of this potentially new law since it will effect all of us that use the Internet on a daily basis.