Sometimes photography is about the obvious. I won’t get into that since we all know what we love and search for. But have you ever stepped outside your box? Have you ever taken time to notice the coolness of carwashes, or crumbly dirt that might best be described as accidental art.

To begin, I will take you on a brief return to White Pocket Recreation Area. This remote region of the Paria Plateau near the Utah border, brings us swirling, multicolored formations of sandstone. This one square-mile dot on the map should not be overlooked, if you can get there. The gnarly directions, quicksand, and incapable transportation has many put up their hands in defeat. Humbled was my first impression of the landscape. A closer look revealed curious cracks, and crevices that had me studying what was underfoot.

It might look like I’m not paying attention, but trust me. I notice everything.

And that fascination is now art in my home.

Art? Home? Arizona? Our surrounding deserts are especially dry and brutal right now, and what a great time to showcase our impressive saguaro. This majestic, state flower of ours, has a woody, skeletal interior used for storing water and can weigh 80 pounds, per foot. They live for 200 years, but even a dead saquarlo is a stellar sculpture not to be overlooked.

Life is a series of tiny miracles. Notice them.

But today I bring you home, outside that kitchen door I talked about a few weeks ago.

Insignificant in the morning light, I swim/walk the length of our pool.  I look for the baby lizard who has taken up residence in the Bird-of-Paradise hedge. I tiptoe past a floating feather wondering how it stays dry, and I smile at the goggles, evocative of summer and grandchildren. The birds seem to enjoy the invitation to stay, and I faithfully rescue the clumsy bees.

Life is simple. If you smile when you are alone, then you really mean it. – Andy Rooney

With the backstroke, I see the clouds readying themselves for monsoon season, and I notice the underside of the copper, fountain spouts. I am happy they hadn’t come on yet. I like the sound of quiet, and am content with the trickling sounds of nature.

Learn to be quiet enough to hear the sound of the genuine within yourself.- Marian Edelman

The garden gets a once-over before I head in for the day. It continues to make the effort, and I chuckle when I notice my hat hanging on the succulent shelf. The dolphin plant looks like a mane of hair today. A simple pleasure.

Every little victory counts.

And when I turn to go in, the fountain comes on. I can’t resist.

If you cant find inspiration in anything today…look again.

Wind Kisses, Donna

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