Raindrops keep fallin' on my clothesline?

Yes, I know.  It's been WAY too long since I last posted.  It's been way too long since I took pictures just for me or to experiment or have fun.  So, on this very dreary, rainy (but almost 60 degree) January Sunday, I grabbed the opportunity to see what kind of shots I could get of the raindrops hanging from the clothesline.

I was pleasantly surprised by a couple of them.  Pleasant surprises have been on the agenda recently, so I hope it continues a while longer!  In addition to the typical family crazy schedule, I finally landed a job (although just part time) at the Friendliest (and Busiest) Place on Earth.  This past Friday was my first day out of training, so I'm still learning a whole lotta stuff!  The residents have been very nice and welcoming, and the staff is as well (and they're a lot of fun to be around, at least so far).

Those streaks in the background?  That's the rain falling.  Didn't know I was catching it, but oh, so glad I did.

For some odd reason, I am fascinated by the raindrops that just hang from the bottom of the clothesline, feeder poles, and eaves. These didn't fall . . . maybe it's the perseverance I appreciate.

This one was really a two-fold surprise.  One was catching that raindrop streak; two was the tree reflection in the raindrop!  I certainly didn't notice it when I took the picture.  Serendipitous wonder!

For this one, I liked the 3 different shapes/sizes of the drops, yet all reflect the trees in the distance.

I have greatly missed taking pics for fun or experimentation.  So much going on that has kept me from it (not just the weather).  I'm going to have to once again MAKE the time to take my little excursions into experimentation.  So much to learn, keeping in mind perspective and perseverance I'm so inspired by.  To borrow Nike's phrase:  Just DO It!

Sunflower Study

It's been a beautiful day in southwestern Ohio!  Dreary as all get out, but not insanely hot, no major storms, and not all that humid.  I'll take it especially since I got to turn the AC off and open the windows.  Nice fresh air.  Ahhhhh.

I have to admit that I was more than a little surprised to go out back today and see how nicely my volunteer sunflower was doing.  I thought for sure the birds and the squirrels would have decimated it by now (as they have in the past for any that got close to flowering).  I am very pleased and thankful they have decided to leave it alone.

Considering the weather and lack of sun, this rather tall but unplanned beauty made the back yard much cheerier.

I quickly found myself captivated by the symmetry and geometricity (I'm pretty sure that's a made up word, but ya know what I mean by it!) of the flower, not to mention the contrasting and complementing colors.

As I moved slightly to study the change in light and perspective, at times I felt as if I were looking at an optical illusion.

A quarter of an inch move brought different sections of the plant into the focal point.

Each section is utterly awesome and amazing on its own; different from the other parts, but so necessary for the bloom to exist.

The more I looked and the closer I zoomed, the more I felt as I was being drawn into a vortex of amazement.

So many views.  So many different focal points.  But all combine for a beautiful flower.

I think I'm going to go back and slowly go through them again.  And try not to smile.  What about you?