It’s okay to not be okay, and drift away for just a little while. If you want to come back okay, just enjoy the drift…Take the peace and drink it in.
Go back again, and again and again and soon the calm will leave with you.
Happy Drifting
Donna George
Wishing you all the best year of your life filled with happy surprises, great friends, much love and good health.
Happy Trails
Donna George
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas.
Happy Trails
Donna George
How many whitecaps can you see?
Happy Trails
Donna George
Visually the beauty of the sea is grand, alluring and exquisite. Forever changes, yet never completely predictable. Nothing compares to this display of majestic magnificence.
The sound of waves knocks on the shore continuously, but seems to somehow recognize its boundaries. Pushing and pulling, breaking, rolling forward, and then backward.
The ocean feels salty, grainy, wet and could be compared to liquid velvet (if such a thing existed) or a giant comfy blanket. As the ocean holds the ingredients of serenity, the wind creates the motion and the sun provides the warmth.
Surrounding the sea like a massive fog is the scent of salty air. There is no other smell anywhere on earth that identify a place as profoundly as the salty air of the ocean. The smells and distinct odors of the ocean have been known to trigger and conjure up memories as early as childhood. Hmm.
What do you see when you are staring at the ocean?
Do you hear what I hear?
How does the sand feel between your toes?
Does the salty air remind of anything in particular?
Happy trails,
Donna George
A peek from my world, to yours.
At the beach, life is different. Time doesn’t move hour to hour but mood to moment. We live by the currents, plan by the tides, and follow the sun.
Happy trails
Donna George
THERE IS NO ROYAL ROAD TO ANYTHING. ONE THING AT A TIME, ALL THINGS IN SUCCESSION. THAT WHICH GROWS FAST WITHERS AS RAPIDLY AS THAT WHICH GROWS SLOWLY, EBDURES.
– Josiah Holland
Happy trails
Donna George
What will you remember about the Summer of 2015? The crazy shark attacks, the exceptionally hot temperatures or just spending time with friends and family.
Seagulls in flight
The summer season is officially over. The tourists are gone home, the kids are back in school and summer vacations are over. But the summer still lives on for many of us who reside on the coast. I prefer to think of Summer in three seasons:
Season 1: Perfect weather, lots of beach parking and dogs at play on the beach.
Season 2: Fun festivities everywhere, vacations, water sports, and hot sun.
Season 3: Tourists are gone, parking availability, and more room on the beach.
Summer memories should be savored, so I take tons of pictures. Memories slip away, but the photographs last forever. I’ve learned how to use some of the gadgets on my Nikon this summer like shooting in manual modes, and learning to develop raw images. I’m getting better, but definitely have some work to do. How do you think I’m doing?
Fortunately, I live on a beautiful coast where photographers are plentiful. And with a little occasional help from my friends, like a local photographer Phil Mancuso, (who by the way captures spectacular sunsets and nature photographs), it’s a little easier. Through his help, I’ve been able to recover goof-ups (like accidentally erasing my files). In addition to local photographers, making friends with the photographers through the blogosphere world has allowed me to learn a few new tricks along the way.
Photojournalism and photography is fun, and rewarding. Especially on those long dark days of Winter when you just need to be reminded of good times and Summer fun.
The camera lens becomes an integral part of your own personal, subjective experience and allows you to view the world in a unique, distinctive way from everyone else. With the camera, the world is similar to a buffet waiting to be devoured behind your camera lens. Your fun job is being the one who sees the object potential, choose the right angle and reveals a story. A story perception only you can build, unfold and remember.
Sometimes photos will reflect a state of mind, happiness, loneliness or just a mood, and other times a photo is just the simple reality of the content in the photo, nothing more nothing less. You are the author of your photos and it’s your story.
A creative writer, and traveling photographer Nihar Pradhan shared this…
“Lines and light both are vital to photography, though the light is visible, but the invisible lines matter”
I don’t always remember the exact day of the Summer I take a picture, but I will remember the events surrounding it. It’s like a melody you hear on the radio that sounds like a memory of a real life Saturday night. Photos conjure up strong memories to cherish forever. How many times have you heard the most beloved item in a home other than a person or a pet are the photo albums? Or seen loved ones that are separated desperately hanging onto a picture? And rightfully so, they’re little pieces of our existence, excerpts from our journey in life.
The most valuable advice I would give someone new to photography would be…
Take the time to label, date and tag your photos as you go.
Invest the time to learn how to organize your photo apps on your computer making retrieval easy. Getting control of my photo folders and itemizing information made sharing my pictures with friends simple, and blogging 90% easier. Trust me on this one and opt for the easy way:) Don’t give up and remember there is no right or wrong photo; only a photo, and a better photo. So Snap Away…
Here are some of my Summer 2015 photographs.
Did Labor Day end the Summer season for you? How will you remember the Summer of 2015 long after the sun steps back? Share your tips on photojournaling or your favorite Summer memories.
Happy trails,
Donna George
Mercy, Yorkshire Terrier
I discovered an adorable video posted on I love dogs.com I must share. There’s a Senior Pet Sanctuary in Maryland, known as The House With A Heart that has inspired me to get the word out about their good works.
Sher Polvinale and a crew of big-hearted volunteers take care of dogs and cats who’ve lost their families, by no fault of their own. It’s a place set up for senior dogs and cats to live out there “golden years” in a safe, comfortable haven. As senior animals typically have medical problems, the need for money to purchase medicine is of great importance. I have a senior dog who is sick, and I know personally how the expenses add up for medicine and care.
To visit the website to learn more about the Sanctuary or to donate, you can click here for information.
This particular story stands out to me for several reasons that centers around a passion for animals, combined with heroic stories about random acts of kindness in humanity. It’s refreshing against the daily backdrop of so much negative in the news.
Pet Ownership Never Stops
Why I know pet ownership never stops? I have two senior Yorkies, Grace (14 years) & Mercy (13) and they have brought our family much joy over the years. Pet responsibility is a serious commitment of caring for your pet throughout the changes of the aging process. It’s not always fun and it’s sad to see your furry friend struggle with health issues as they age. It’s also tough to know when it’s time to say goodbye and set their little spirits free.
My dog Mercy has struggled with a collapsed trachea for 6 years. After years of MEDs attempting to ease the honking his pancreas failed. The little guy gets 2 insulin injections daily, 2 doses of hydromet syrup, and theophylline to help with the cough. Amazingly enough, he doesn’t mind the shots and seems to know when it’s time to get them. Three months ago Mercy lost his eyesight and his hearing is deteriorating quickly. With dedicated treatment and support from our Vet. Dr. Chris Coble and his team at the Port City Animal Hospital, he seems mostly happy. Mercy has multiple complicated health issues, but he remains steadfast with a strong will to live. Only in the recent weeks have we seen his health declining.
As I’ve been advised by many specialist including State Vet Hospital – when a dog loses interest in food it may be nearing the time to say goodbye. Mercy still has a good appetite and forgets about his sickness when he goes outside, but I know the time is near. I will not let him suffer in pain, however, I would never shorten his time for my convenience.
Animal lovers, like me and most of you (if you’re taking the time to read this) can never seem to explain these strong feelings we have for our pets. Love comes in many forms, invisible to the human eye, demonstrated by actions, responsiveness and behavior.
He has been my buddy for so long and the thought of putting him to sleep is almost unthinkable. …
The video is sweet and I hope you enjoy it. I know older dogs are not as cute or playful as the young ones, but they are ours, puppies, mid-life and seniors.
I have seven dogs, but each one is special and unique, just like us. Here are pictures of my pet family. The (4) Australian Shepherds are Father, Mother, and the two sisters…Have a favorite one?
Rizzo, Miniature Australian Shephard
Layla, Minature Austrailian Shephard
Lizzie, Miniature Aussie
Noel, Miniature Aussie
Cole, Pomeranian playing in the beach sand
Grace, Yorkshire Terrier
And here is most of the gang, minus Joy – the white Maltese, RIP
#doglife
And that’s our dog family…
Woman Starts A Senior Dog Retirement Home For Unwanted, Older Pets – You Have To See This
Click on the link below to see the short video clip.
Happy Trails,
Donna George
Donna George Blog 
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