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Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After

Rediscovering Life after Retirement

Categories: Craft and Create

The World Through My Lens 10.2022

The World Through My Lens 10.2022

 

Shutterbugs and photo-lovin’ friends glad to have you join me for The World Through My Lens 10.2022.  Today I am sharing my snapshots for the October prompts provided by my blogging buddy Terri at Second Wind Leisure Perspectives and my friend Lysha at A Camera and a Cookbook.  Terri hosts the one-prompt-a-week Sunday Stills monthly photo challenge.  Lysha hosts the 5-pictures-a-week iSpy link ups each Saturday.  This month, I am also joining my friend Marsha at Always Write (I need to take that to heart) for the last 2 prompts of the month for her Writer’s Quotes Wednesdays photo challenge.

When I stepped away from blogging this time, I also stepped back from taking photos.  I kept thinking ‘what’s the point?’  Which I think is a statement to my mindset in general, my mood, my increased depression over the last few months.  Just didn’t feel like it. As if it were a great effort to snap a picture on my phone!! But it was almost like I was going through life with blinders on. I didn’t see much worth taking a photo of. I am easing back into it and looking forward to our vacation and taking lots of pictures then. But just leave it to a visit to the pumpkin patch with 2 of my grands to rekindle my love of snapping photographs.  And just like that, I’m back at it.

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WORLD THROUGH MY LENS 10.2022

 

A lot of the photos for this month’s post has a seasonal flavor.  Fall weather, fall foliage, pictures from our fall vacation.  I could almost sub in photos of my precious grandchildren for each prompt but trying to add a little more variety.  Have a look.

ISPY WEEK #92

 

– in line:  something was going on at the gate to Ft. Bliss today as we left post.  The traffic was backed up a long way, with all of the cars in line waiting to enter the security gate.  I used Prisma editing app to make the photograph I took a little more interesting.

in line

– back:  actually this photo would work for the prompt above, too.  Lucia and Cami are standing in line for their chance to ride the ponies at the pumpkin patch.  I snapped this photo of them from the back because they looked so cute in their dresses, trying hard to wait patiently for their turn.

back

– front:  here’s the front view of the girls in their dresses at the pumpkin patch.  It was quite an afternoon.

front
– caught looking:  I’ve told you about the stray-ish kitty I call Fluff who we have fed for almost 4 years.  Fluff’s real name is Japser and he belongs to a neighbor down the street.  They take care of Fluff only when they feel like it. Well, I guess they’ve felt more like it lately because I am not seeing Fluff much right now.  Instead, this little kitty is coming by now and then.  We call it Creamsicle.  Not sure if she caught me looking at her or I caught her looking at me.

stray kitty
– your choice:  my little message board makes me happy.  While my granddaughter Cady was visiting earlier in October, we decorated the board together.  Found the felt board ghosts, pumpkins and haunted house at Citrus Creek shop on Etsy.

message board

ISPY WEEK #93

 

– starts with R:  my first elementary school, John D. Runkle in Brookline, Massachusetts.  I did attend kindergarten at another school, Driscoll Elementary, because Runkle was under construction.  But I attended Runkle for first through fifth grade.  So enjoyed seeing it on our trip to Boston.  Tears!!  Happy, sentimental tears.


– band:  we stayed at The Verb hotel in Boston.  It bills itself as “the authentic rock & roll experience” where guests can “dive into music history steps from Fenway Park”  [source].  The lobby was decorated like the Yellow Submarine and the entire hotel, guest rooms included featured museum-quality music memorabilia.  This mural of the legendary Aretha Franklin belting out the names of numerous bands appears in the hall leading to the guest rooms.

The World Through My Lens 10.2022

– selfie – quarterly:  it has been a long, hard year.  And you can see that written on my face.  This selfie was taken in a random red Adirondack chair sitting in an open area beside a busy street in Boston.  Love the fall foliage in the background.

The World Through My Lens 10.2022
– bent:  this tree was so bent over the street that is had a warning sign attached to it.  Although the sign was so high I could hardly read it.  But it appeared to be a disclaimer of some sort.

bent

20221101_144906
IMG_20221101_190326864Flora
IMG_20221101_190404218Gothic

– your choice:  one morning this week, as I stumbled downstairs to fix PC’s breakfast and lunch, I noticed how lovely the sunrise was slipping through the blinds on my loft windows.  I got busy and forgot about going back up to snap a pic.  But once PC was out the door, I grabbed my camera and took this picture.  The lighting is kind of a morning version of the golden hour of early evening.  Those intricately embellished pillows were a gift from Mustafa’s mom.  They are almost glowing.

sunrise

ISPY WEEK #94

 

– favorite:  while perusing the shelves at Beacon Hill Books & Cafe, I came across an old friend and favorite book The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton.  First spotted the board book but then found the paperback version on another shelf.  Had to buy it for my El Paso babies.  It is such a timeless, touching story.  Have you shared it with the little ones in your life?

favorite
– workspace – quarterly:  my craft desk.  Have been trying to finish scrapbooking our trip to South Padre Island the summer of 2021.  Recently put my completed pages into an album which explains why nothing is on my easel (the 2-page black thing toward the back of the desk).  I like my new orange office chair.  Available in 8 colors.  And it doesn’t twirl the entire time I am sitting in it.

office chair
– logo:  thought this Luke’s Lobster logo was a clever design.  And recognizable even backwards through the window glass.  We enjoyed some very expen$ive lob$ter roll$ at Luke’s when we were in Boston.

logo
– foliage:  took photos of ALL the leaves in Boston; then put about half of them in my pocket to press in the pages of my journal.  Maple and oak trees, how I have missed you.

foliage
– your choice:  one more Boston shot.  Can’t get enough of these leaves.  All over the city there is this crazy mix of old and new.  Wouldn’t Paul Revere get a kick out of seeing present-day Beantown??

The World Through My Lens 10.2022

SUNDAY STILLS

 

Moving now from the iSpy challenge to Sunday Stills where Terri has announced the color prompts for the rest of the year.  They are:

  • October: Lava (black-brown, black, and/or orange)
  • November: Leather (shades of brown)
  • December: Cobalt (dark, rich blue)

And the prompts for October…

– 10.02.2022 dilapidated:  while walking Ronalda, the subject of my next photo, I saw this broken down pick up with sun-bleached skull in the bed.  Thought the “BEEF” sticker in the back window was kind of ironic.

Beef

– 10. 09.2022 monthly color challege, lava:  my most recent client through Rover.com was this loveable part German shepherd-part chow chow, Ronalda.  Her soft, thick coat was a auburn color in the bright sunlight and a deep, rich brown in the shade.

Ronalda

– 10.16.2022 fleeting moments:  we never see squirrels in El Paso so this little fellow was a real treat.  He scampered up to me thinking I had something to feed him, paused a moment waiting, then realized I didn’t and scurried away.

20221101_165639
20221101_165629
20221101_165626

– 10.23.2022 glass:  we wandered around Brookline Village, where I lived from 1962-1968, on Halloween morning during our trip to Boston.  Although the residents there don’t have yards like we do in Texas, many of them came up with creative ways to decorate for the holiday.  Including this haunting apparition peering out of the window glass in one apartment.

ghost

– 10.30.2022 mysterious: came across this eerie display while walking across Boston on Halloween.  I am not sure what the message is exactly…that is the mysterious part.  Girl power??  A comment on the Puritanical New England colonies?? A nod to The Handmaid’s Tale??  What do you see?

Writer’s Quotes Wednesdays

Writer's Quotes Wednesdays

I have joined Marsha for her Writer’s Quotes Wednesdays a couple of times but would like to do so more consistently.  If I can get more consistent at blogging, photography and in doing all the things again in life.  Was happy to see her upcoming topics in an early October post so I could begin planning my photos and quotes ahead of time.

October topics for WQW

– 10.19.2022 cold weather tips:  

Mittens tend to be warmer than gloves and offer better protection against the harsh weather. Unlike gloves, they generate more heat because mittens keep your fingers together.

~Gary Johnson, Biketoworkday.com

Apparently, this was old news to Lucia and Camila.

mittens
mittens

– 10.26.2022 holiday, Halloween/or writer’s choice or WOTY review:

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.

~Albert Camus

fall

Autumn in Boston.

YOUR TURN

 

Whew, that’s a lot of photos!! What have you been photographing lately?  Do you tend to take mostly family snapshots, selfies or photos of places you visit?  My post seems to be divided among cute kids, cute animals and nature.

Thank you for stopping by.  Whatever the rest of the week holds for you, I hope you stay happy and healthy.

Hugs and kisses,

  • leslie
  • Get Updates

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    About Leslie Roberts Clingan

    I am an aspiring blogger and children's author, wife, mother, daughter, sister, - in-law, responsible pet owner and recently retired elementary school librarian. I hope to figure out the next chapter of my life as I transition from crazy, busy work world onto totally idle retirement and now to something in-between.

    Comments

    1. Joanne

      November 3, 2022 at 4:01 am

      Such lovely photos of fall in Boston!

      Reply
      • Leslie Roberts Clingan

        January 15, 2023 at 3:05 pm

        Thank you, it was beautiful.

        Reply
    2. Mary

      November 3, 2022 at 4:21 am

      Leslie- LOVE your photos of Boston. I think we just missed you by a few days- went home on the 21st. My friend and I had dinner with Laurie when we were in town and went to the cutest bookstore on Charles Street- looked a lot like the one you were at (maybe it was! 😂). We also were in Salem for a couple days- that place is CRAZY in October! So fun to see all your pics- and those grandgirls ❤️ ❤️ are just the cutest!

      Reply
    3. Dara

      November 3, 2022 at 6:23 am

      I am so glad you got some photo mojo back and loved seeing these! Your last one is especially beautiful!

      Reply
    4. Lisa Elliott

      November 3, 2022 at 8:17 am

      I enjoyed your blog so much today. The pictures are great and I loved your descriptions!

      Reply
    5. Lysha

      November 3, 2022 at 8:59 am

      So many great pictures. The fall colors are gorgeous!

      Reply
    6. Deb

      November 3, 2022 at 10:19 am

      What fantastic photos! So many lovely autumnal colours. Your grandchildren are so adorable!

      Reply
    7. jodie filogomo

      November 3, 2022 at 3:26 pm

      I’m so glad you’re feeling a little better and taking photos. I think it gives us an air of creativity to see things through our camera lenses this way.
      Love, love, love them all (and you)
      XOXO
      Jodie
      http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
      PS, I’m so glad your website is fixed too!!!

      Reply
    8. Terri Webster Schrandt

      November 3, 2022 at 5:46 pm

      I’m so happy to see all your wonderful images and just you in general, Leslie! You have been missed and I’m glad to see you back with a vengeance, LOL, and joining Marsha’s WQW too! The Ispy challenge really keeps you busy! Thanks for sharing your snaps for Sunday Stills–that last one was seriously creepy and mysterious!

      Reply
    9. Iris Smale

      November 4, 2022 at 1:12 pm

      WOW, you sure went on a trip. Thanks for sharing so many pretty colors and interesting sites.

      Loved the little girl’s dresses – and their mittens.
      Iri

      Reply
      • Leslie Roberts Clingan

        January 13, 2023 at 4:02 pm

        Thank you so much. We are still recovering from that trip.

        Reply
    10. Debbie Vietzke

      November 4, 2022 at 4:50 pm

      Hello – I found your blog through another I was reading but now not sure which one. I will let you know when I do.
      Love your them – rediscovery. That is where I am sort of as well. I retired in July 2021 and started off with a bang doing all kind of things and meeting people. But somehow I got sidetracked, lost and bogged down in a heap of listlessness. I just wasn’t making progress or feeling like myself.
      This past July I decided to go back to work at our university volunteering, which I am still doing, just to be with my familiar people. I only have a few family and friends nearby and counted a lot on my coworkers. I also registered for a class at the university. I’ve been working on a history degree since forever. My main issue is mobility and arthritis/back pain. I will finish my class but I don’t think I am going back after the first of the year. I am not sure. It’s just such a physical challenge and I am tired of that.
      But thank you for all the beautiful photos of your trip to Boston and your cute grandchildren (I have never put on a pair of mittens btw).
      I am sure I am going to enjoy reading your previous posts as well.
      I do take pictures – my daughter and I text back and forth every day – lots of cat pictures!

      Reply
      • Leslie Roberts Clingan

        January 13, 2023 at 3:47 pm

        Hello, I am afraid LIFE got in the way of my blogging and reading blogs and responding to comments left on my few scattered blog posts. I am trying to do better with this new year. And I am happy that LIFE is cooperating with my efforts right now. All this to say, thank you for discovering me. Hope you are willing to come back by again and give me another chance!! And would love to invite you to join my winter 2023 photo challenge. Here are the prompts. Just try to snap a pic for each one between now and the first day of spring. If you want to share to social media, please let me know or tag me and I will try hard to stop by to check out your photos!!
        Through the window Door
        Snuggly Shopping
        Cozy place Fancy
        Weather Lights
        Twinkle Fragrance
        Pattern Workout
        Shadow Something red
        Frosty Relaxation
        Toasty Movement
        Something I’m Working On Still
        Love Sweet
        Handmade Savory
        Winter clothes Feminine
        Boots Candlelight
        Fun Golden hour

        Reply
    11. Veronica Lee

      November 6, 2022 at 9:15 am

      Love your fabulous snapshots of October.

      So glad your love for snapping photos is rekindled.

      The girls are adorable!

      Reply
    12. Marsha Banks

      November 7, 2022 at 6:13 pm

      I do hope you feel a little better every day. It is hard to lose your mom…I still miss mine. Take the time you need to grieve.

      Your granddaughters and their dresses are perfect in this season of autumnal colors! And, such fun prompts for all of your photos. I really should do something like that to get me up and out of the house. I am a terrible person to ask about taking pictures. I have film from a trip to the UK that is probably 10 years old and still not developed! I’ve gotten better with having a camera at the ready, but I don’t think to do it!

      Take care, my friend.

      https://marshainthemiddle.com/

      Reply
    13. Jennifer Smith

      November 8, 2022 at 6:35 pm

      Your photos of Boston are great! Looks like a great trip! I know it has been a hard year but, honestly, I think your selfie looks great. I think Boston agreed with you:) I’m still shaking my head that you never see squirrels in your neck of the woods! that is just too funny for me! Always enjoy stopping by your blog. Sending you a hug – hope your week is going well!

      Reply
    14. Kirstin

      November 9, 2022 at 8:13 am

      I’m so glad you’re back at it but totally understand the need for a break. Praying for you! I loved your update and photos…I really liked the ones from your trip to Boston since we were just in that area. I’m currently working on a series of posts about our trip. Will there be any upcoming 10 on the 10th? I keep forgetting to check…life just gets in the way…darn it…lol.

      Reply
    15. Kirstin

      November 9, 2022 at 8:14 am

      I just went to Marshas blog and found the promp!

      Reply
    16. Laura Bambrick

      November 13, 2022 at 8:07 pm

      Your Boston photos are fabulous, but I just love the ones of your granddaughters! Their bright dresses are adorable! They are just precious!

      Reply

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    In what felt like the blink of an eye, I have gone from full-time wife to my sweet husband, hands-on mom to my two beautiful daughters and elementary school librarian to a retired, empty nester with lots of time on my hands. Join me on my journey to rediscover who I am. Glad you are here...
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