Thursday, June 4, 2015

It's a Tough Job


As Steve and I sat on a bench overlooking the ocean today


we laughed about our life.


We ride our bikes along the ocean


or take Lulu on long walks at different beaches in our area.


Both of us have other things we could be doing, but we joke that our "job" is to just enjoy life.


Steve's actual job is to paint


and he is fortunate that he can paint what he wants.


The first two paintings are his most recent pieces and the work in progress is of a family that lives on our street as they head out for a surf session.


My latest "job" is to take pictures.


I am always looking for something to photograph 


for the one picture I post on Instagram each day.


And the day I took this photograph, 


I made a decision.


Our county fair is coming up in August


and I am going to enter 3 photographs (the maximum allowed) in the photography exhibit.


One will be a still life - 


I am having fun staging photos


of things around the house.


I am sure one will involve flowers - 


probably in my garden,


but maybe from around town.


Considering where we live, I know one of the photos will involve the ocean either from a kayaking adventure


or just from one of our walks.


As the saying goes, "it's a tough job, but somebody has to do it" and I'm giving this photography "job" my best effort.

71 comments:

  1. What a lovely post to read this morning. It is filled with joy in living each day that you are blessed with. Laughter is a wonderful thing to enjoy together, as you walk the beaches, ride your bikes, walk your dog, paint paintings, and take photos.

    The paintings are great and your photos are wonderful. It will be hard to pick just three. Have fun and do keep us posted.

    Enjoy your 'jobs'. FlowerLady

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  2. Wow, how exciting, Carol. Two famous artists in one household, people buying photos and paintings? Maybe so. Good luck!

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  3. Such a happy post today! Not that all of yours aren't happy, but this one is especially! How exciting to enter the photography contest! I am thinking of finally purchasing a nice camera. I have wanted one for years although I really don't have a lot of time to learn how to use it. With summer here now I could play around with it a little. And, Joey and I are thinking about a trip to the Keys and it would be nice to have for that. We'll see! Have a wonderful day my friend! PS....Love Steve's latest!

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  4. Oh Carol, at this moment, at 5:44am while I write this, my heart is ringing with yours. But it always is.....maybe it's because I am finally on summer vacation or that Carmel is calling, but I HEAR YA. Since I've been on Instagram, I have been developing more and more of a sense to take photos, and try my hardest to make them focused and special. It's a tough job, THAT IS FOR CERTAIN. But anything (including teaching) is very hard when it's worth the work. I LOVE that you and Steve have taken the responsibility to observe and report. SOME ONE DOES have to do it! Too many people miss the beauty and the world just keeps getting busier, noisier and uglier as a result. But when someone daring takes the job to sit quietly, watch and report (in whatever medium), our world slows down just a tad, enough to take our breath away.

    GO FOR IT. Enter in your photos. I personally love them all, but that white gate with the heart cut-out is outstanding. My job this summer? Poetry and photography. That's it.

    MUCH LOVE TO YOU! OH! And my sailboat is coming along so wonderfully! I painted it white of course with a slight aqua interior and strip. teeeehhee..soooo cute.

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  5. Carol, we all could learn so much from this post. Sometimes, I feel like I am constantly living in the world of things that must be done, instead of just enjoying life! Your photos are always wonderful and I wish you the best on entering the contest. Thank you for sharing all the lovely photos in this post.

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  6. I will repeat what the others have said...we learn from you...you are reaching and that keeps life interesting and fun! Keeps us young too.

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  7. I have no doubt you will do well in the contest. Your photos scream of joy and happiness, color and liveliness! How could you not win?

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  8. I'm glad you are going to enter in the County Fair... Hubs and i did that in TX and won a blue ribbon for our picture taken in the redwood forest in CA.... So you never know what will be a hit with the judges...Hugs! deb

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  9. Carol keep those pictures coming!! How beautiful!

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  10. I aspire to have a similar life! So happy for you both! Good luck in the contest xox

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  11. Carol, I think you and Steve have the prefect retirement mindset. You two are making the most of these years. Those of us retired are very fortunate to have a life to savor the things around us rather than rushing here and there.
    Your photos are beautiful. I think you will take home blue ribbons. '-)

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  12. I love your photography and your plan to enter the contest. I'm also glad that summer has finally arrived in NY so that I don't get as jealous when looking at your pictures!!!

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  13. We're on vacation on the beach right now and I'm jealous that this is the life that you get to live every day! We rode bikes on the beach and it was so much fun but since I haven't done it in YEARS, I was sore afterwards. Now I know why my grandparents retired here. It's a great restful place. I love your husbands paintings and your great photography. Hope you win the contest you're entering.

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  14. I love that your job is to enjoy life! I'm adopting that as of now! Of course we have other jobs and I'm glad one of yours is to take photographs since you do it so well. Proud of you for planning to enter your photos at the fair. Can'w ait to see which one's you choose.
    hugs,
    Linda

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  15. Carol, Good for you to take on the challenge of entering 3 photos. You have lots of material around you! I love the last photo with the sail boat. Enjoying life is the name of the game. Sylvia D.

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  16. Good luck in the contest, photos are so pretty.

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  17. I think entering the photography contest is a wonderful idea. You always have something interesting to share in your posts, Carol!

    Karen

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  18. Huge smiles on reading this! Go for it ~ your pix are spectacular! I love the one of the lone sailboat ~

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  19. Loved seeing all the pretty inspiration photos here today. I know you will pick such beautiful pictures to enter. Good luck. Thanks for the smiles.
    Kris

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  20. Thinking that you guys have the best jobs ever and love that art. What fun entering that photo contest.... best of luck!

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  21. No doubt about it - you will definitely win - probably with all three. Your photography is just gorgeous. And I am so glad that you two are enjoying every minute of your beautiful life together in that wonderful place you live. Keep up the good work.

    Judy

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  22. I was just thinking as I scrolled through your post how your photos complement your husband's paintings. Or do his paintings complement your photos! :) I love your photography, and what a fantastic idea to enter some of your work at the fair!

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  23. You and Steve have the perfect life style. Living at the beach and seeing all the wonderful views. I am sure you will win all three.
    This was a great post and i enjoyed the tour of your lovely surrounding area.
    Have a great weekend.
    Mary

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  24. Yes! I am so glad you're going for this. Your photos are beautiful.

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  25. Oh yes! Your photographs are always so lovely, I'm so glad you're entering them in the fair! Can't wait to see which ones you choose. jonni

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  26. The best thing that you can do in life is to enjoy each and every day . . . so the two of you are doing it right:)
    I love that you are going to put your photos in the fair. It will make attending even more fun!
    Have a great weekend.
    Connie :)

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  27. What lovely photos. Good luck with your contest entries. Please let us know what you've chosen to submit. I'll bet they'll be beautiful. xoxoxo

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  28. You definitely should enter the contest! For sure! You take beautiful photos of beautiful things. In the duck picture that Steve did....at the bottom of the picture it looks like a duck's head shape in the white sea foam. Did he do that on purpose or am I the only one that sees that? LOL!
    I wish everyone had the attitude to enjoy life each day.....the world would be a much happier place for all of us! Happy Weekend!

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  29. Your photos are fantastic! Somehow I think photography will never be "just a job" for you!
    Cheryl at 22 Applegate Lane

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  30. Carol, I love Steve's paintings. You are very good at your photography too. There's no shortage of beauty to see around your area. I love that you may be getting the hang of retirement.LOL....Remember in your new calendar there are six Saturdays and one Sunday every week. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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  31. Happy Friday sweet Carol,
    I couldn't imagine a day without artful expression. I love your photographs and it allows us a glimpse into your thoughts as you frame and capture a moment in time. I am sure whatever photos you enter will be greatly admired. When I read this I thought of the saying "Life is but a dream". You live that saying!
    xoxo,
    Vera

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  32. BEAUTIFUL images that your keen sense of observation recorded for our inspiration this weekend! PLEASE enter the contest; you are a true artist!

    Poppy

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  33. Good for you entering...I'll have my fingers crossed for you! Your photographs are always so good.

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  34. Your photos are so beautiful...

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  35. You have a very good eye, Carol. I enjoy your photography. You have a great job and you're good at it! :)

    xo,
    RJ

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  36. You have so many beautiful pictures....how will you ever decide?? I love them all

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  37. Hi Carol, isn't it grand to have such tough jobs. Love all your photos and Steve's paintings. Best of luck with your entry.
    You're already a winner!!
    Have a nice weekend. Hugs, CM

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  38. I think you and your husband have great jobs! Of course I love photography but admire someone who can put the photo to canvas with paint too. Beautiful photos! I know you will have fun preparing for the photo contest. Blessings, Pam

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  39. You take such beautiful pictures. I like your husbands art as well. Favorite this post is the surfers and chair with flowers. Have a blessed day. Debbie

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  40. I wish you would come and vignette my house up for me! Good luck at the fair!

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  41. As they say, "nothing ventured, nothing gained" Kudos to you for entering your photos...I'm sure you'll do well!

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  42. I used to be a judge at our fair for many years. I loved seeing all the crafts and photos...but there were so many wonderful things that made it hard on us judges sometimes to figure out who got what ribbons. I'm sure that your photos will do great at the fair!!
    hugs,
    Cindy

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  43. That's a great idea because your pictures are really beautiful.

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  44. Ah, you have so many lovely photos that you'll have a very hard time narrowing it down to three! That's going to be a 'tough job' ! :)

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  45. You are very successful at your "job" and it shows. I enjoy seeing your photographs on your blog and IG. Maybe you could even teach others how you get such beautiful photos.

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  46. Your "jobs" are perfect! I'm looking forward to seeing which photos you decide to enter and wishing you luck!

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  47. What great shots and how fun to enter them in a contest. Hoping you do well!

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  48. Oh I have a feeling you will win a prize with your awesome pics! What kind of camera do you use? Re: Ikea, if I had one 12 miles away I'm sure I'd go at least monthly ;) But the prices are great!

    Mary

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  49. Happy to hear you are entering the fair....good good luck

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  50. This is awesome Carol! Photography so suits you my friend! Im wondering if I should start in on Instagram??? Is it hard to keep up with the blog and Instagram?? Your photos of those flowers up there is just beautiful! Wishing you more of the same this week buddy! Happy snapping! Nicole xoxo

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  51. The paintings and photos are gorgeous! You are both so talented!! Those are two tough jobs you guys have! ;-)

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  52. Good luck. Love all the pics.

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  53. I was just thinking yesterday I want to get a camera and learn how to take photos. All these photos are amazing to me. I hope you win something at the fair. You win online here everyday!

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  54. ....and what a lovely job you're doing too! Wish I had a better camera. You two make quite the team. You live in the perfect spot to do what you do. I wish you much success! And yes, I have done a post or two about where I keep my pretties when they're not being used. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  55. Tough jobs, but I must say that you both do them so very well! I love your IG shares and your photographs are always fabulous! I'm sure to see a blue ribbon soon!
    hugs,
    Jann

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  56. As well you should, Carol! You are good at it and gifted! Will look forward to seeing the results of your entries! Blessings, Cindy

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  57. Good for you! You obviously have a talent for photography and a keen eye for what makes a good shot. Love the one of the life guard tower!

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  58. You, my friend, are a photographer extarordinaire !!!
    You with your camera - and Steve with his paint brushes - both of you incredibly gifted artists !
    xox

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  59. I' m sure your photographs will be a big success at the country fair!
    Tina :)

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  60. I love all your beautiful photos!!!

    Kathy

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  61. I think you guys have the best jobs. And the best life philosophies!

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  62. It is tough but someone has to do it, so why not you?
    Gorgeous photos.
    Amalia
    xo

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  63. Go for it! Your photos are delightful and keep me scrolling along, one smile after another!

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  64. I always enjoy seeing your cozy cottage and it's looking beautiful for summer! I adore the romantic floral pillow and cover on the patio. So pretty!

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  65. I always enjoy seeing your cozy cottage and it's looking beautiful for summer! I adore the romantic floral pillow and cover on the patio. So pretty!

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  66. your photography is always beautiful.....you have such an eye to capture what you love. I am proud of you for entering photos into the Fair. John and I love our life too.....after forty years of working and caring for others it is nice to take care of ourselves and each other. We do what we want when we want and that is so relaxing.

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  67. It's going to be a tough job choosing those 3 pictures! You have so many wonderful ones that would fit into those categories. Your jobs sound like paradise and in that wonderful location too! Sarah x

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  68. Can't wait to see what 3 pictures you pick. Love your pictures
    Good luck!

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