I read a few things this week that reminded me that we all have to start from the beginning. I was reminded to look at what you admire in others and use that to take off on your own adventure.

Now I have said this many times, that I want to put up my own art (photos, scrap pages) for our home.

I haven't put up very much since I did my inital jumpstart. But it thinking about putting up more I just haven't done it yet. I'm a major procrastinator. Anyway with this new lens comes a learning curve and an inspiration to try new things, maybe new things I might one day put on my walls.

I have started digging out and rereading all the books that I bought when I first bought my camera. Things I didn't understand then I'm understanding better.

A friend of mine has purchased her first SLR and has been asking me my opinion about lenses and basic photography questions. Her enthusiasm has refired my passion. Plus it's spring time here in AZ and I love spring in Tucson.

Yesterday both kids had their awards ceremonies. Thankfully both kids received High Honors in their classes. As I was watching Wyatt receive his award I remembered how scared I was about him starting Kindy and with his teacher. I'm so glad I was wrong. Wyatt is thriving in his class. Kelly girl is my rock. She doesn't give herself enough credit. She is sweet and quiet and smart but doubts herself. This year, just like her teacher said, she is coming out of her shell. I'm excited for both kids and their upcoming school year.

This morning after looking at a photo article about 41-delicious-flower-photographs, it inspired my to try again. I love flowers and I love these photos. The one thing I learned is that I most assuredly need a macro lens. Yes I know, add it to my wish list. As Burgess Meredith once said you can wish in one hand and crap in another and see which one gets filled first. If I don't have these dreams i might as well put down the camera. I can only do so much with what I have and believe me I'm trying to figure out and push these limits. I know I have a long way to go and as I tell my kids practice makes perfect.

So this morning I went out into my weed filled back yard to see what I could do with my new lens. I put my camera on the tripod and flipped the center column and flattened the legs. This put me on my belly, no biggie except Chlesea decided that I was wanting her to jump on my back for a pony ride.

I tried a few different things and this is the best I got.

My favorite is this last one. The stem is crisp and clear, which isn't exactly where I wanted the to focus to go, but I'm flat on my gut and it's hard to even see through the lens at this point. Don't forget I also have the midget bouncing on my back too. Thankfully my phone rang and I abandoned my mini shoot to talk and upload to see what I got.

Boring stuff for most of you I'm sure but it's what I do. When I go back and look at these photos 30 years from now I can this is when I was just beginning.