Back to Normal---is there such a thing?

Who knew that this blogging thing would be a monthly event? In the beginning, I had planned to write whenever the mood struck me---thinking probably every couple of days.(My mouth runneth over on Facebook sometimes, so I thought this would be a good outlet for my ramblings). Obviously sometimes life gets in the way of our intentions. The following was written last week, prior to my mom's surgery. Thoughts came tumbling out of my head as I was getting into the shower one morning, so I did what any normal (and I'm using that term loosely) person would do----turned off the water, grabbed a pen and sat on the bed naked to write everything down before I forgot it. (This happens often, so I tend to have pens and paper scattered throughout the house in the event that an idea comes to me. For me, it's a use-it-or-lose-it kind of thing, so if it's not written down or left on a voice memo on my iPhone, there's a good chance that it will be forgotten in the next 10 minutes).

Is there ever really a time that's "back to normal" ? I've put various things on hold during my life recently (exercise, artistic endeavors, blogging, finding an organization to which I want to donate my time, etc.) thinking that I would resume them once life got back to normal (or as normal as things can possibly be in this household). For instance, after I had fully recovered from my pneumonia, once my mom got through her tests and possible surgery, etc. But you name it, and it's going on in someones life at any given time. I don't know of anyone who doesn't have something that they're dealing with, that they'd probably rather not be saddled with. But no matter how thinly you are spread, sometimes you just have to jump back in and do it.....regardless of whether it seems like the right time.

Driving down the street yesterday, I saw a tiny, old-fashioned church set amongst the most beautiful trees in various shades of red, orange and gold. I said to myself "what a striking picture that would be." (and trust me, I actually said that out loud to myself, as there was no one else in the car). I had my camera (I've learned to always have it with me----you wouldn't believe some of the missed photo opps) but did I stop and take the picture? No--I had other places to be (ok, getting my nails done isn't really a good excuse). I think today will be the day. And I think it's worth sharing because it's so beautiful.

DISCLAIMER -- I used to fancy myself as a good photographer, but in reality, I suck. I've surrendered my Canon Digital Rebel to Mike for all of the ski jumping photos (after coveting this for months a couple of years ago, then receiving it for Christmas). In reality, what I envision just doesn't turn out like said vision. Maybe some classes would help. Oh yeah, I did take a basic class on how to use my Rebel, but for goodness sake, even that was too advanced. And as for reading manuals.....it's probably just not going to happen. Anyway, back to the disclaimer.....the pictures that I include in my blog posts will not be good, but hopefully they will get my point (if there is one) across.

You kind of get the idea, don't you? It was so stunningly beautiful in person. I didn't even feel stupid when I had to find a spot to park my car, then jog through the intersection dodging cars, trying to find the perfect vantage point. Wish I could Photo Shop out the traffic lights, but that would probably require me to be somewhat adept at that kind of thing. Or at least require that I read a manual, so never mind. Just squint and try to imagine how pretty and idyllic this must have been.

That's just a little example of what I mean. I need to try to live more in the moment. And on the way home to Madison, after my mom was comfortably recovering from her surgery, I found numerous opportunities. But I realized that I should only stop to take a picture if it can be done safely, without the possibility of being hit by a car speeding past me at 87 mph, or causing a chain-reaction crash when I try to pull over onto that non-existent shoulder. I wanted to stop to take a picture near Beaver Dam of at least 1000 ducks in a pond--- all facing the same direction (did you ever notice that cows do that too?), the big field of llamas, and the Adult Superstore out in the middle of nowhere. I did, however, drive past, then turn around to go back and take this shot, just outside of Two Rivers.

People in this neck of the woods have been known to to put various "lawn ornaments" in their yards. Sometimes it's a toilet or a bathtub (seriously!!!!!) with a plastic Virgin Mary (I kid you not!). Click on this link to check out a picture of one:  http://www.answers.com/topic/bathtub-madonna
But this picture that I took is one of the larger, more unusual ones (for Wisconsin anyway). I drove past this house several weeks ago when I was up by my mom. This time, I was determined to get a picture. See? It's a start for me.

In the past week, I learned of the deaths of two high school classmates, their lives both taken way too soon by cancer. Life is short; life is fragile. I realize that I need to sometimes pry myself off of the sidelines or out of my car with camera in-hand, and be a part of the action while I can. Here's hoping that you do the same.

 *** I know that in the past, some have been unable to add comments to a post. Please let me know if this is still an issue. I have adjusted some of the settings, but if there are still difficulties, I may have to read the manual. ***