Mojave Light Musing

On this day, 225 years ago, our 'founding fathers' gathered together to sign the Constitution of the United States of America.  I wonder what they would say to our political climate of today? My students and I previewed a few kid friendly Scholastic News video clips on the Constitution and its beginnings. Have we really strayed that far from its original intent or is it that there are SO many more of us inhabiting this Earth with such diverse interpretations that makes it all seem so complicated now? Many thanks to those who came together with the intent to provide a model of cooperative statesmanship and the art of compromise for all of us who followed... In spite of all that is flung around on the political 'news' front, I am grateful to live in a country where I have choices - still.... 2012 © Diana Shay Diehl

Still on my black and white kick. Things we usually see in all the glory of their colors look quite different when stripped down to simple high and low contrasts. Have you ever noticed the texture of strawberries? I'm usually distracted by their rich, red color and the anticipation of how sweet and juicy they will taste. Do they look as appealing now in black and white?  2012 © Diana Shay Diehl

Another perspective of the bridge I shot at twilight in a previous post, except this time it was early morning. I love black and white photography. It will never grow old with me...  2012 © Diana Shay Diehl / Mission Bay Bridge, San Diego, CA

This is what summer tastes like.... 2012 © Diana Shay Diehl 101 ways to use tomatoes.....here are just a few of my every day favorites - less than 30 minutes prep/cook time: Place tomato halves on broiler pan Brush with olive oil Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and ground pepper (garlic, too, if you wish) Lightly broil *We ate tomatoes this way for 'brekkie' in New Zealand every morning Place thick slices of tomato on a platter Lay one fresh basil leaf on each Place a thin slice of fresh mozzarella on each Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar Add fresh ground pepper/sea salt if you wish *My favorite summer caprese salad Cut up a tomato Sprinkle with garlic and olive oil Add fresh ground pepper/sea salt *My favorite 'quickie' for lunch Saute 5-8 diced tomatoes in olive oil and LOTS of garlic Add fresh ground pepper/sea salt When the tomatoes are 'saucy', add fresh basil until it wilts Toss with fresh cook...

I feel like I've been in a washing machine of late.... The start of school, two of my 'children' moving (I'm grateful they are both where I love hanging out - San Diego), getting new jobs (not me, them)....back and forth, back and forth. It's all good. In the midst of all the flurry, it's nice to just stop and allow the calming waters to sooth the soul while enjoying all the coastal communities offer. I like getting out of the desert now and again, even more so lately..... 2012 © Aubrey Diehl My favorite day spa - even better shared with people you love who love you back.... Mission Bay Bridge, San Diego, CA Sunset on the bay Seaforth Marina...love sleeping to the clang of rigging on poles, the gentle sway of the boat, and briny shrimp and sea critters scrabbling on the hull...

Happy New Year! For me, January 1st is simply time for a new calendar. The end of summer is all about things new and renewed. A new class. New supplies. New ideas. Clearing out things that don't work anymore - from things stuffed in the back of closets and drawers to toxic relationships. You can't welcome new experiences as you grow when you are hanging on to things that only take up precious space. Appreciate what was then bless it and let it go. This is what full moons are all about - and a 'Blue Moon' is an opportunity to do this clearing out twice in one month.  According to pagan folklore, today, September 1, marks the time for new beginnings since yesterday was the true "Blue Moon" - a time for appreciation and release.  To mark the occasion, I took myself out for an early morning hike before the heat set in. Having completed my first week of teaching, this first 'day off' promised a much needed long, long walk. I was the only one on the trail....

Home again. It was a treat to get away to a place that nourishes my creativity and rests the weary bod. Not only did I gain some valuable experience and insight on a whole new twist for my images, but I found a gallery willing to carry my work. And then, after a warm welcome from all who dwell in my humble abode, the mail has brought me a book, a publication on women's history in California that used one of my images to illustrate one of our local famed pioneer spirits, Minerva Hoyt.  Pretty exciting to see one's work published and in an insightful, historical document at that. For those of you interested in history, particularly of the trailblazing kind, you may wish to check out Women Trailblazers of California: Pioneers to the Present  by Gloria G. Harris and Hannah S. Cohen. This book is published by  The History Press . (You can learn more and purchase the book from clicking the highlighted link - and no, I do not get royalties so I'm not pushing this book for my ...

I have been housesitting for a dear friend 'in the city' for the past several days. While many people like to escape the constant vibrations of city living to unwind in the country, I am one who needs occasional doses of that energy to rev up my creativity. So I escape the country to come to the city! This particular area I am in reminds me strongly of my years in Columbia, South Carolina - the surrounding neighborhoods and village areas around the university where I attended. No track housing. Everything has an ambiance of its own with lots and lots of green. I'm soaking it in.... One thing I was able to do while here is visit the way sweet studio of Lumi  and meet its young, highly professional, and vibrant creators. Remember how I mentioned in a previous post that I was going to start putting my images on fabric and wood? Well, this is the start of all that. I just know it's not only going to be great fun but a success as well... I was the sole visitor this parti...

Going simple today. Getting low and looking up.... Might this be from the perspective of a garden fairy, a mischievous pixie, or a playful sprite? And where might I find this lacy flora? Too hot in my desert for these kinds of delicate blooms - not to mention, they wouldn't exist here anyway unless they are in someone's well watered garden..... Native to the Pacific Northwest, these are Heracleum lanatum - cow parsnip. © 2012 Diana Shay Diehl

My 100th post! Life has suddenly become very busy with school starting up very soon; my daughter coming home on leave next week; and my middle son preparing to move out (again) and start school near the coast. The fledglings are spreading their wings and flying into the big blue yonder. I think I'm over the empty nest thing..... I'll leave you with an assortment of shots from my trip to Alaska. Just random snapshots and commentary - an essence of Alaska from the inside... <----These folks were on the ridge at Hatcher Pass, waiting for their paragliders to land. I think I posted a shot of that area including Summit Lake in a previous post to give you a better idea of the landscape. Fireweed - the roads and hillsides were exploding with it ---------------> <--------Christmas in July? Nope. Used snow booties for the sled dogs.  This is at the Iditarod Headquarters in Wasilla, AK.  Fascinating history around the use of dog sleds a...

Greetings to all my readers melting in the August heat. I'm listening to my air conditioner cha-chinging away, wondering where I'll shave of some funds to pay a most undoubtably high bill for this past month. It's been humid here in my desert which means the evaporative cooler just makes it worse. Ah well, I'll count my blessings that I even have an alternative to keeping sanely cool during this hottest part of our summer........ Here is one image of glacial ice etched with spires and crevices to help cool your mind. And, yes. It is that vibrant of a turquoise blue in real life - even more so up close, which we were able to get. You could hear the creaking and groaning as the ice shifted. And the size is deceiving in this photo. The glacial ice in the foreground is probably 4-5 stories high. If our ship were photographed next to it, we'd look like a pin dot. Massive energy. The miracles of the natural world..... 2012 ©Diana Shay Diehl / Prince William ...

Summertime. That means opportunities for a change of scenery. I just returned from nearly 10 days on the Kenai Peninsula/Anchorage area of Alaska. We lucked out with rare sunny days the first 4 we were there, yet still cool enough to don the lightweight fleece. Aaahhhhh......such relief from the hot, hot monsoonal days of my desert. On one of those sunny days, we explored some trails along the Hatcher Pass near Wasilla where we were staying with friends for the first 1/3 of our trip. The expanses in Alaska always amaze me. You could be in a community one minute and a bit farther down the road the universe opens up with nothing but massive snow tainted mountains and valleys and passes as far as your eyes can make out the horizon... This was my second trip to this part of Alaska. Actually, my first to the region just 50 miles north of Anchorage but my second trip to this part of the state. Luckily, we have friends scattered all over which makes it fun to explore from a...

So all I can say of the past week is 'Wow!'...... Not only have I stepped out of my own rut but I've been catapulted squarely from my dream into my new reality. Can't say too much at the moment as I'm frantically preparing for a trip to Alaska with my son - visiting friends and meandering in the wild, open spaces. Around that, I am tying up loose ends with helping get our annual Open Studio Art Tours ready - my 'job' is prepping the artists' images for the catalog and website and making sure everyone has something suitable to show. It's been a learning experience to be sure - I can't wait to see this year's works. We have some inspiring folks nestled among the desert boulders and thorns..... What a treat to be working with some of them behind the scenes... What's this dream of yours, you ask? Oh.....to take my imagery to a whole new level - for the area I live in anyway. The photograph in the frame route feels so 'been there, done t...

Whew...busy, busy, busy.... Snippets of what's brewing in this desert heat (of which we've been given a lovely reprieve with bouts of glorious rain, cool breezes, and semi-cloudy days - my a/c is on a much needed hiatus...)... This is what is brewing this very minute out of the picture window where I sit and do 'computer stuff' - meaning prepping over 125 photos. Twice. At least. For every photo used in the catalog and on the website. Our upcoming Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours  is the last 2 weekends in October.  Follow it here ! The horizon is now filled with darkening clouds, the promise of more rain in the air. Monsoon season has arrived earlier yet we are still behind in annual rain fall.... Christmas in July! A birthday present 6 months early! Or how about just a well-deserved, much planned for gift to myself? Finally. I can print my works the way I want. Stay tuned for printed pieces and how to buy them and where they will be showing.... ...

Sometimes, I feel like I'm on a path so well trodden that I can't see over the berm to the views alongside me.... Isn't this supposed to be summer vacation? What teachers dream of after the turmoil of test prep, crowded classrooms, and bureaucratic confusion? I have this habit of not being able to say no to things I really have no interest in doing which takes me away from those I do - even during summer vacation. And then nothing gets done. Yesterday was a day like that. I couldn't relax. I couldn't "get productive".  And then I just got grumpy... So, I broke out the trampoline and rebounded for about a 1/2 hour to rev up the blood flow.... Then, I took myself out to a movie.......  "To Rome With Love" - the newest Woody Allen flick. You have to appreciate Woody's meandering, quirky humor of the human psyche. You either get him or you don't. I do. So, it was a fun-get-out-of-my-dull-mood movie for me. Next, I had Ben...