SHJ Photography

Hello!

I've decided to start selling some of my photos.  I've opened up a shop on Etsy:  SHJ Photography.

Please stop on by.  Custom orders are available.

Thanks!

Stop and Stare

This morning, I hit 5 Catholic Churches looking for a specific stained glass window.

One Church is in such a great neighborhood it has to be locked between Sunday Masses.

The last Church I went into, I opened up the side door and all the parishoners paused in their praying and stared at me as I walked in.  It was creepy.  They continued on as I apparently didn't look all that out of place....

The Scariest Halloween Movie I Can Tolerate

Meltdown

I'm a little stressed.

I'm upset that I don't have anyone (or dog) to curl up to and snuggle with...it's all the more noticeable now that it is getting cold out.  But I can't cry about that...

I'm upset that I don't have a job.  It is looking gruesome for finding a job that relates to my education level.  I feel like my academic dreams are crashing around me and I'll be stuck moppin' floors.  Can't have a breakdown about that...

I'm running out of $$ but I'm too rich for food stamps.  Can't cry about that.  Actually that's worth snark ...

On Wednesday morning, I got up really early and convinced Photo Buddy to go with me to Shaw's Garden to take pictures of fall leaves in the sunrise.  Stupid clouds.  It was supposed to be clear.  It was a great day and I had lots of fun.  Later on that evening, I look at my images.  Horrid.  They are just wrong.  Composition is off.  Camera shake is present.  Exposure isn't great.  I burst into tears and start bawling.  Poor Photo Buddy had to listen to me wail about how I should just delete all my images and sell my camera.

My priorities.  They are so in order.

Wasted

Over the last couple days, it has gradually become clear that I have wasted the last 6 years of my life.

wasted.  absolutely wasted.

Had I known that getting a PhD was not going to improve my prospects of employment, I wouldn't have done it.

I don't need a PhD to sweep floors or stock shelves, becuase that is what it looks like I'll be doing.

Go Cards!

I'm all for cheering the Cards.  This might be a little much though....

This would be the fountain at Missouri Botanical Garden.

Izzy's hat!

Izzy's hat!

It's done using an e-wrap stitch.  When you stretch it out, the hat is very loosely woven.

Apple Pie!

The best part about October is the warm sunny days.  Sunny days that are perfect for apple picking!  I managed to convince Adventure Buddy to come with me.  He's tall (great for reaching apples) and he's strong (great for carrying bags of said apples :D )  To thank him for carrying all the apples, I made an apple pie for him.

Rings of Apple

Apple Machine

It peels, it cores, it slices!

SOOOO much faster when you are doing pounds of apples

The apples don't seem to fit....

In the oven

mmmmm

Adventure Buddy has reported in.  The pie is yummy!

Knitted Hat!

I have finally learned how to knit.  I'm not using needles...I'm using a loom.  It's totally awesome and I pity anyone I know cause they are getting knitted gifts for Christmas.

My first hat!

It's made using a basic knit stitch.

Overlook at Night

In the Ozarks...night is really dark if there is no moon. I went on an adventure with Adventure Buddy on Friday. As he is tallish, my car is uncomfy for him after awhile so we have to stop every so often. So while he was stretching...I set up this shot. And by setting up I just aimed the camera.

This is the uncorrected/unprocessed image.

This is the image corrected for brightness and stuff. I like the upper right corner the best. That blue/purple/pink mishmash.

Talkin' About a Revolution...

Marriage

Had I gone to Mass this morning, I would have heard a Gospel about marriage and perhaps a homily about marriage, like this one.  Frankly, given the homilies I've heard in the last 3 years I doubt it but miracles never cease.

Last night, I watched "How to Make an American Quilt"  In this movie, marriage takes a beating.  Couples are unfaithful; marriages are only happening because of unplanned pregnancies and of course there is snarky dialogue about how unnatural marriage is.

It's interesting that the subject of marriage is on my mind.  My aunt has suggested to me that the solution to my unemployment problem is to marry a rich man.  There have been some interesting marital dynamics I've observed recently.

I've pretty much lost all hope that I'll ever get married.  Not sure how to go out and meet men which is the primary problem.

But I'm also realizing the pool of potential partners is rapidly shrinking.

I'm not sure why I'm thinking about this.  I never wanted to get married when I was younger.  I thought men were unnecessary.  However, after going to a swamp in the middle of the night and clammering around on rocky trails I've realized guys are pretty handy to have around.  They are certainly less catty.

I don't know.  I keep thinking of the line for the Dawes song...I just want someone to make the days move easy.

Sunday Ritual

For the last 3 years, I've gotten up early on Sunday and driven somewhere for Mass.  In the evening, I would write up my experience at Mass and post some pictures.

I finished last week.  I also decided to stop going to Mass.

Today was the first Sunday I didn't go to Mass in 3 years.

It's been very odd.  I'm at a loss of what to do with myself.

The ritual is over and I need a new one to take its place.