Normally, I’m known for a fair amount of patience. Not so lately. Every morning I leave my house to complete my tasks, I give mother nature a good talking t0. “Why is it so hot, girlfriend?”, “You know I really don’t gals who don’t make good on promises. Where’s my rain? The verbena is cryin’.” Lately it’s been “Honey, girlfriends don’t lie to each other. So let me break it you gently. Mother Nature, it’s time for a change, you’ve been green to long.”

I personally think she’d look fabulous in those gorgeous jewel tones ofFfall. Deep burgundies, striking yellows, intense oranges. Did you guess I’m longing for Fall? I am. It’s my favorite season. Maybe because it’s so fleeting in Texas, maybe because it puts on a spectacular show, maybe because it means relief from excruciating heat. Whatever it may be, It’s when I do my “spring cleaning”, it’s when I start nesting, when I dig in on new projects. This year, I’d like to do a Photo collection.

Ah a photo collection with nothing really even good to “fake” it with. Oh I’ve scrounged a looked and poked and all I could come up with was a couple of beautiful bouquets that will have to sate me for a few more weeks. When I got them home, I promptly took them apart and assembled my own minis. I love them I may have to do that more often.

A few weekends ago, my mother introduced me to a ritual she has held in high regard for most of her life. A day trip!  It’s no secret to those closest to me, my stress level has been at an all time high the last year. I try really hard to put my smiling face forward, I really do. But sometimes it doesn’t work. This particular weekend was preceded by one of those weeks. My mother, the wonderful soul she is, whisked me away from the kids for the day and it was divine.

We left in the wee hours of the morning only to return in the sleepy morning hours the next day. It was all up to me where we would go. We detoured here and there, mom stopping the car anywhere I pleased just so I could take pictures. It really was a hard decision. It’s a big state down here, and in the middle of July, a really hot one. Not to be deterred by 105˚ weather, I set my heart on some rose gardens 5 hours away that I had been pining over for sometime.

I was not disapointed. All 13.5 acres boasted row after row of gorgeous roses that gracefully withstood the beating our Summer heat can dish out. Strike It Rich (above) was hands down my favorite. I hope to see this beauty in my personal gardens of the future.

Yes, I was insane to go in such intense heat. But I enjoyed every minute of it, right down to my tiger striped feet (compliments of my sandals). Their idea gardens, displayed some of the most beautiful combinations I’ve never thought of. Indian Blankets are a wild flower fixture along our highways that I never get tired of, and they had found their way into the gardens as well.

I will go again, maybe when it’s not so hot. But more importantly, I finally understood why my mother for all those year, despite my protests to go with her and my ruffled feathers, would just take a day to get away. It was important to her mental well, a chance to reconnect with own being, an opportunity to be herself and do things on her own terms, even for a short period of.

I am fortunate my mother choose to pass her tradition on to me and all it means. I grant myself permission to use it when needed and never take for granted the solitude and grounding it provides. As the whirls of another crazy storm are peaking in my life, I am feeling the need to find that solitude once again.

…Just me, my camera, the road and a map.

Well, I must say it’s been a rather fast-paced life round here. A lots been going on. New images have been copyrighted and I’m excited to share those (and will be soon). I’m in full swing catalog at my day job which is requiring many hours. So time is at an all time premium. All of us here in my house have dealt with “the crud” that goes around every once in a while.

I’ve decided I need to pursue photographer a little more aggressively than I have been. I really gets me going. But I’m having to restrain to get all those other duties done. You know, the ones that require me to have food on the table for my boys, household duties, 9-5 job, etc. Oh did I mention school is right around the corner? Yep, in just a mere 21 days we start school and the groans have already started. The feet have already dug in…”I don’t want to go to school! It’s boring.” No amount of bribing can coax the kids out to be fitted for new clothes & shoes and I absolutely dread the whole must buy school supplies. Shopping in a mad house and fighting for the last blue brad folder is not good for the karma, creativity or mood. Let’s not forget a couple of birthdays that must be squeezed in during these last fast and furious days of summer.

It’s almost enough to make a grown girl cry.

So you will understand when I tell you I am feeling a little…well….lackluster.