I love this John Lennon quote because it reflects my life.
I love taking pictures and I love posting 1 picture daily on Instagram,
but rarely is the picture I post the first (or second or third . . .) shot I take.
I was looking at my computer desktop this morning and it was filled with a ridiculous amount of photos all of the same thing.
The other day I wanted to take a photo of my Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt to show Jann of Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson because she recently posted a pic of a similar quilt she found at an estate sale.
I literally took more that 50 shots (and edited most of them) just to get one pic to post on Instagram.
That led me to take my grapevine basket off the bench to get it's own photo, but I just wasn't satisfied with the photo.
I added a few more flowers, but I thought the photo needed more color
so I swapped the flowers in the basket, but I still wasn't sure about the photo.
I placed the basket on my sewing machine base table in the garden,
tried it on a tree stump by my garden house
and then on the patio table.
My last attempt was to put the basket on one of the garden chairs
and this was the final edited shot I posted on Instagram.
After looking back at all the photos to write this post, I am wondering if all those shots and all that editing was a waste of time because I really like this view that I took about 40 shots before that final picture.
If I listen to the words of John Lennon, all the photos I take
and all the editing is not wasted time because I am enjoying myself.
Now my only problem is deciding how to waste my time tomorrow.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Join me at
Poofing the Pillows for Thoughts of Home Thursday
Awesome from John Lennon (how I miss him) to the very last thought.
ReplyDeleteI spent all week on spring break, as you know. I wasted time too, but never was I so happy.This is the first spring break in the 13 years I've been teaching that was perfect. The weather, the activities, the wasted time. I came to this conclusion this week: our bodies and minds, and especially as teachers, we need this time that we unplug from stress. We need this time to find ourselves on the playground of child-like wonder in order to think more clearly, in order to direct, inspire, facilitate. Yes, wasted time doing what you love has great results.
It sure has been fun being on IG with you!
I agree, if you enjoy it, fabulous! You're creating art and that's never a waste of time. :)
ReplyDeleteWith your picture taking, you are learning, you are seeing things differently, you are being inspired, you are creating, you are enjoying your life and all that fills it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing ~ FlowerLady
Gorgeous photos!!! I take a million photos of the same thing too. Remember the days when we had to buy film? Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are always stunning! Now I see why - not only do you have an excellent eye, but you are a perfectionist! Enjoy your weekend of wasting time - that is what they are meant for!! xoxo
ReplyDeletePS - how is your arm??
All the time you spend doing what you love, shows! You have great photos to share.
ReplyDeleteI love it! I spend alot of time doing things I love too, so never regret that time spent. By the way, all the photos looked great to me!
ReplyDeleteI'll be making a note of that particular quote,Carol. I take scads of photos of whatever cat I'm fostering, trying to find the right ones to use on the animal rescue page.
ReplyDeleteKaren
Oh my, you could be talking about me, Carol, except I don't use Instagram. I have hundreds of photos that I shoot every week to try and set up my posts. I need to take some time and clean out the unwanted ones. You take great photos, by the way! Enjoy your weekend.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Sandi
WOW!! I love the idea of planting in a grapevine basket!! I just may have to borrow this idea when we van finally plant here. We had temps. near 70 yesterday but will be in the 20's on Sunday morning with s dusting of snow!!!! Yikes!!
ReplyDeleteThanks os much for stopping by and have a great weekend!!
Hugs,
Deb
Thats to funny but I think its just human nature to keep clicking for that perfect photo only to realize we already captured it. Love the basket on the yellow chair though!
ReplyDeletenever a waste of time to take photos and enjoy the editing. to me all those shots prove you are a photographer and not just a picture taker!
ReplyDeletehugs,
Linda
To some, what may seem like a waste of time, is detail and art-in-the-making for others. And if it's something that gives you pleasure, so much the better.
ReplyDeleteI do the sa,e thing take toms and never post them to blog, etc. In fact I need to get back to blogging, too much fun with IG at the time. I love editing although it can take so,e time.....
ReplyDeleteI love this post Carol. It sounds a bit like me when it comes to playing with my camera and 'wasting time' editing and playing on the computer. I do enjoy it. A lot! My husband will ask me if I'm getting paid for every tap on my keyboard. Ha! He's a busy electrical engineer and he thinks I waste my time. I love the basket of flowers in any form and location. The yellow chair really pops too. Enjoy the weekend....and taking pics. xx Pam
ReplyDeleteIf it feels good, do it!!
ReplyDeleteLOL Carol, you need more of those baskets. I loved each shot. :):) Your garden is looking wonderful. So many pretty flowers and arrangements. Blessings, xoxo,Susie
ReplyDeleteLove this Carol! I totally agree that time is not wasted f it is spent doing things we enjoy. Your photos are always beautiful. I am looking forward to summer break so I can figure out how to waste my time each day...:) Have a lovely rest of the weekend.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Vicky
LOL I HEAR YOU :)
ReplyDeleteI will say that for two years I spent an inordinate amount of time on bird photos. People would think that I was some [hotographic genius for a great shot when in fact I took about 20 to get one good one and so on.
Now, there are plenty of beautiful bird shots on my blog but last winter or the one before ( I forget now ) I decided to stay at the table with my needle and thread rather than jump up everytime the birds were at the feeder.
But you are right, it is an enjoyable hobby and I love your grandmother's flower garden quilt. I gave mine to my oldest son when he was home this last visit and he and his girlfriend of some 10 years or so were absolutely thrilled but I can Always Visit It Via My Photos ! :)
Doing what you like is not wasting time. You have so many wonderful things to waste your time on.
ReplyDeleteThe beautiful ocean, the walks you take, playing with Lulu,and all the wonderful things you make. So my dear you are not wasting time.
Love the quilt your grandmother made it is stunning. Now they are made with quilting machines. But when I make the baby quilts I hand stitch all of it. Stop by my latest post and see the baby quilt I made.
Enjoy your Sunday and the rest of next week. We are going to be hitting in the 90's.
Mary
When I first started blogging, Someone told me food was the hardest thing to get great photos of and that you needed a super good camera...I have found I love taking photos of food more than any thing else...I don't have a super good camera but I sure have fun trying for that one shot that says it all...and then editing them...so much fun. It is the fun part of blogging for me. I've said many times on my blog that it's not about the FOOD...it's about the PHOTOS of the food. :)
ReplyDeleteI finally figured out how to get on Instagram on my computer (we don't do Smart Phones) but haven't found out YET how to post photos from my laptop....still working on it, tho.
Your pictures are always so gorgeous and worth every minute you spend "enjoying your time."
ReplyDeleteJohn Lennon was my first 8 track I purchased on my own. Imagine! So loved his music.
ReplyDeleteLove all your pretty pics Carol. Happy Week End.
Kris
Well Carol what you call wasting time looks like lots of fun and I'd love to waste some time with you. Creating pretty flower arrangements and then photographing them to capture their beauty. I adore your photography.
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Vera
I have perfected wasting time - one of the true areas I excel at so I am most happy to find this quote (and see others take photos like I do!) Beautiful post~
ReplyDeleteNo such thing as wasted time if it's spent doing what one wants. I love that quote! I can also relate to taking multiple photos to get just the right one. I need to clean out my files and save only the ones I really, really like. '-)
ReplyDeleteBlogging and all that's involved (I'm not on Instagram) is time consuming, and sometimes I feel guilty that I wasted precious hours when I could have been doing something more productive. I'm going to embrace that John Lennon quote and throw the guilt out the window, because I do so enjoy the process. I had to laugh at your comment that in the end you liked one of the first photos you took of the basket of flowers, because I do the same thing. Let's all enjoy wasting time! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteIf what you're doing fills you with satisfaction it is definitely NOT a waste of time! Quite the contrary - it is the best use of it.
ReplyDeleteOthers may call it wasting time but I call it time well spent. I can get caught up in Pinterest for hours looking at quilts and fabric, in the fabric store looking at fabric, walking the beach just enjoying the view or reading a good book. I have even spent all day doing these things. What do I have to show for it? A thousand ideas for new creations or just a relaxed smile.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your wonderful pictures.
The care you put in to your daily IG post shows and, as they say, it is the journey not the destination. Keep having fun!!
ReplyDeleteLovely lovely pictures...
ReplyDeleteTitti
It's a great quote! And ... if you have time to waste ... what a great way to waste it ... photography in the garden / on the beach / at the cottage / taking a walk / or any other place! What program / app do you use to edit? Happy 45th anniversary to you and Steve! God has been good to you! Blessings, Cindy xo
ReplyDeleteI could spend hours looking at your lovely photos - daydreaming . . .
ReplyDeleteDearest Carol! HELLO MY FRIEND! OK, I went back to school today and it was NOT easy for any of us, both student and teacher! Sunburned faces, sleepy eyes and a bit groggy myself, we chugged along. Bad weather and snow in our forecast is really testing us to see if we can old out!
ReplyDeleteThank you for coming to visit my blog. Yes, Clara and I have much planned in the next month and you can bet I'll share it! Have a great evening!
I love that quote and it validates for me the times I take a long time to perfect something, when it would have been easier just to it quick. It is always worth the time! Your pictures are gorgeous...I couldn't pick just one to use.
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are always beautiful.!!
ReplyDelete~Cindy
I agree! If you are enjoying yourself then how can it be wasted..And I take way too many photos of the same thing too. And a lot of the time I end up going with one of the first ones I took.. so many photos on my computer, I really need to delete a lot. I always love your photos Carol!
ReplyDeleteThis made me smile, this is how I enjoy spending my time too,taking too many photos! You aren't wasting time as you give us all so much pleasure! Sarah x
ReplyDeleteGosh my friend, now I know why your photos are so fab. I literally take a photo with my phone, edit it on the phone, and then post it. I may take 2 or 3 now and then and pick the best, but it really is just a quick daily have a cup pic. lol! If you love doing it, it's not wasting time. It's your thing, do what ya wanna do! :) Just another quote I love along with the fabulous John Lennon one. Thanks for the shout out!
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
LOL I liked the first and second picture of the basket with the simple purple flowers. But I do the same thing. My daughter and I took a quilt I finished for a family friends baby with us to the hill country and took I can't tell you how many pictures in various positions and locations. I think we found one that was pleasing to our eye. LOL so you're not alone.
ReplyDeleteIf it makes you happy its not wasting time!
Have an awesome week