Fall -- Autumn -- Changing of the Colors!

Autumn is my favorite season. The colors that appear are in such seeming contrast and change so rapidly that I barely have time to plan a photo trip! But the weather and the scenery is FABULOUS!
I am looking to do some fantastic shoots this season....and it is Family Portrait season as well.
Join me whenever you get the chance!
Have FUN!
Celebrate YOUR Life!
...and the PEOPLE in it!

People are the scenery of life's journey.

Have an AWESOME day!

Justice is truly BLIND today!

So here is my rant for the month!
1. Treyvon Martin is gunned down by a civilian who gets away with murder! A police officer who is expected to carry and shoot a gun gets put on probation (administrative leave) whenever he/she fires that weapon.....and they are suppose to be armed and chase criminals! Yet Zimmerman gets away with shooting a kid in the street carrying skittles and a soda. REALLY?? oh and did you remember that Zimmerman was told on a recorded call with 911 operator to WAIT for authorities and NOT to chase the suspect.....

2. While Treyvon's case reached national media, Antonia Santiago's shooting did NOT get national media attention despite the fact that he was in a stroller and was 13 months old.....the youngest victim of a shooting in the USA and the National Media doesn't touch this tragedy...

3. It's legal to fire someone for being attractive??? SAY WHAT???
"In December, the all-male court ruled that Dr. James Knight did not discriminate in firing dental hygienist Melissa Nelson after more than 10 years' service because he found her too attractive and his wife saw her as a threat."
""We ultimately conclude the conduct does not amount to unlawful sex discrimination in violation of the Iowa Civil Rights Act," Justice Edward Mansfield wrote."
read more here!

I am beginning to think justice is not only blind (as they say) but has totally lost her ever loving mind as well!

Here There be Dragons!

Dragons come in many shapes and sizes in our imaginations. Growing up it was the damsel held captive by a dragon and a knight was sent to rescue her. We still have dragon dreams today. the dreams depend on the author and so does the dragon.
Dragons and tigers and different powerfully regarded animals make our world and ideas take shape.
For example:
Courting Darkness by Yasmine Galenorn has a Fae world coinciding with the human world (as the Fae have always done) and in her "OtherWorld" series...there are shape shifters in Dragon Form....very powerful indeed.

This one is beautiful and shows the love and care of an adoring and beautiful young girl holding and loving what seems to be a baby dragon. It's a gorgeous creation that makes me wish I was that girl holding such a magnificent and mythical creature. Isn't that the purpose of art and illustrations....to take you further into the depths of a story or transport you into a dimension envisioned by the artist?

Then like owls, dragons are given to be the "Keepers of Wisdom and Knowledge" as it would or could appear here with the red dragon...Is the girl talking to him, asking for advice on a matter of life, death, or daily council? or Is she the dragon's next tastey morsel? What do you see in the depths of the red dragon as he peers at the beautiful brunette standing before him?

Dragons seem to resemble magic, long life (centuries long giving them the title "keepers of knowledge" in some realms), power, strength, freedom... to each author they are more than they were before.
To each child, they resemble something larger than life could ever be......

Then there is that crazy children's movie "How to Train Your Dragon".....Well that is certainly a different take on Dragons isn't it!

Then there is Anne McCaffrey! Her vision of dragons was one of my first teen visions of the mighty creatures who could be small enough to ride on your shoulder or large enough to ride and destroy threadfall.
Anne McCaffrey will always come to mind for me when dragons are mentioned.
She is the original "Mother of Dragons" to most book-lovers though Daenerys Targaryen is a great "mother of dragons" to those who have seen the television series "Game of Thrones". The books were awesome to read and the tv series has done great things with the images described in those pages taken from the magnificent mind of George R. R. Martin.
In dreams of an alternate reality...I would love to be a dragon rider of Pern or "Mother of Dragons" who can walk through fire.

Dragons have often also been symbols of the elements....earth, air, water, and fire. Most can "breathe fire" and most can fly. Some even breathe ice or fly (swim as it were) through water.

   

So..... Which of these Water Dragons did you picture at the mention of such a creature?

Then there are Ice Dragons, Fire Dragons, Dragons of Air or Wind....the elements incarnate! Then there are other dragons of magic...."The Last Dragon" Chronicles are written for children by author Chris D'Lacey. a must read for children who have great imaginations or who love family and dragons and art.

Dragons influence many cultures and history as well as the imagination....

the Chinese New Year:

The martial arts of the world have all seen this piece of art or clip art:

Dragons:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon

Today there are any number of creatures associated with dragons. Checkout the Kamodo Dragon! Yes are REAL dragon....well at least it carries the name "Dragon" and it is a lizard!

Yes, when it comes to dragons....the topic and directions are endless...

So where would you take a dragon....would your dragon be more like "Puff" or "Elliot" or "Cassie" or "Org"

Or would you ride that dragon or fight a dragon on a dangerous quest like Harry Potter?

There be Dragons HERE!

(please note: all pictures were taken via "copy URL" from the internet. No Copyright infrigment was meant. 

If you disagree with the pictures posted here, PLEASE contact me via email!)

Another Life, Some Other Place

I love to read! Books were my travels long before I could travel. They were my escape long before I realized that was what I was doing---escaping! This picture says it all. Becoming another person, someone you want to be or can relate to....leads to a different place, maybe a different time...and sometimes to adventures impossible here on earth in whatever city or country you live in. 

Reality and society have their own ties that bind and their own expectations. We readily adopt a lot of those expectations for ourselves and sometimes set the stakes even higher. goals and high expectations are a must in order to thrive in life. You need challenges to grow. Books are challenges for the mind and a subtle hint that sometimes the impossible that you are dreaming isn't necessarily impossible at all.

Remember to dream....to live another life, have another voice, another soul.....YOU make it happen!

What is the title of your latest adventure?

Who are you today? Who will YOU be tomorrow?

Who is YOUR favorite author?

Here are a few of mine...check them out if you need a jump start on your adventures in reading!

Anne McCaffrey

Iris Johansen

Keri Arthur

Diana Gabaldon

Mercedes Lackey

P. C. Cast

Jim Butcher

Melissa Marr

Empty Nests

A Glorious Flight!

Graduation is a glorious experience. High School is over and life is just beginning....talk about a serious change and an exhilarating time of unknown possibilities!

It's May and graduations from High School and from College are taking place all around us. I find myself trying to redefine myself due to the changes happening all around me. The environment you are in impacts you as much as you impact it and others around you--even if you don't realize it.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philipeans 4:13

 When I graduated from High School, I believed this with all my heart and soul. I was ready to take on the world. When I graduated from College, I still believed it was true and hoped I could take on the world.

Now my first child is graduating from High School and I am more lost and unsure than I was at 18 standing on the brink of life ready to take on the world.

Changes came and went and are still coming and will continue to become normal....and I will continue to embrace change in and of itself.... Some changes in the specific sense are a little harder to embrace. I find it was easier to take the journey myself than to watch others that are my responsibility take on those challenges. This of course offers more challenges and more change. 

Embrace life! Embrace Change!....Live, Laugh, and LOVE to the fullest in all that you do!

Change is inevitable.

Need a hand in CyberSpace?

Does "Social Media" frustrate YOU?

I read an article on LinkedIn the other day. It talked about the frustrations of a photographer and listed the main frustrations of a lot of today's modern photographers. Among those frustrations was blogging, websites, and social media. This is a common frustration among many people today. Computers and Social Media are an ever changing area. We, as a people/society in general, try to avoid change if possible. Yet the digital age makes avoiding change very difficult.

frustrated Photographer

IF you are a frustrated photographer (or have frustrations in any industry) in these areas, then you should outsource to someone who loves to be involved in these areas. We tend to out source the accounting areas with not of a second thought. Why not outsource these areas as well?

Personally, I love to blog. I enjoy social media and websites too. They are all forms of creativity. We all get frustrated at things that are viewed as outside our "realm of comfort" or outside our "area of expertise". Things that make that list of obligations are a source of frustration as well.

For those that are frustrated in the areas of cyberspace...contact me! I will be glad to offer my services in that area. A phone conversation or email can set things on the right track for YOU! I can be reached via email (mishalowther@gmail.com), phone, or facebook. I also tweet, blog (obviously) and would love to help YOU!

Cyberspace frustrating YOU? Contact Me!

Cyberspace doesn't have to frustrate you. Let it "frustrate" someone else--someone who WANTS to deal with it FOR YOU!

Not frustrated--just don't have the time?  I can still help you out. I love to blog and spend time doing all of these things. It is a wonderful thing to spend the time doing what you love! We all love our business. It's what we do and what we create. Loving what you do makes life much happier and easier to enjoy.

Have a great day and enjoy the thought of letting go of one area of frustration or obligation...or just getting something done that has been haunting your professional "to do" list. :D

mishalowther@gmail.com (Send me an email!)

1984 Mannford Tornado

Someone posted this on facebook. You may ask why I am posting it here.

I remember this tornado. My grandparents and cousins were in it. My mother refused to let me stay at my grandparents that particular night....so I missed all the excitement.... but my grandpa and others I know are shown in this collection of videos. Mr. Kenny was a family friend.

Posting this here is more for me than for others...but here is a bit of history for anyone in the Mannford, OK area.

Here is a youtube video of the April 1984 Tornado that hit Mannford and Terlton in Oklahoma.




Originally published on: 4/25/2013, 07:31pm Updated: 07/06/2018 at 6:31pm

Do You Need Someone?

I have ran across so many blogs that seem very interesting. The websites are awesome. Professionally done, clean, crisp and easy to read...and yet...the last post was over 6 months ago...sometimes even two years ago. That is a HUGE let down....so disappointing!

I love to read blogs and I love to write. I would write a novel and become a professional writer if I had the patience for character development. I don't think I do...at this point in time. I am not closing the door on it, just not ready to walk down that particular hallway yet.
Until I am, I will blog and read...and hope that my niche for writing will land me something more productive.

Okay, I say hope....what I am really doing in writing this blog post today--here---at this moment in time--- is: I am wondering if there is a place for a "professional blogger"? Do companies hire people to blog for them? Where should I post my services as a blogger so that these people or companies in need can find me?

I would love to write professionally...blogs are short reports that interest people in a way that gives them information without boring them like a traditional report would. I love people and information and learning! Tie all of that together and viola! You have a blogger!

Well...for anyone out there who would like a blog for their company, favorite topic, or whatever--but just doesn't have the time to do it themself---I am RIGHT HERE!!!! :D

.............just putting it out there in cyberspace......................

Spring into 2013

March...Saint Patrick's Day & Spring Break!

Spring is sneaking into Oklahoma....and I can't wait!! I am looking forward to warmer weather with all the flowers in bloom and colors erupting every where you turn. 

Of course the first color is green...for Saint Patrick's Day...shamrocks, leprechauns, and all manner of laughter coming this way. This weekend should be fun. 

Spring Break begins this weekend too...for some...for most in the Tulsa area. I would look forward to this but having everyone home during the day kinda takes away most of my business productivity...though alot  of house work gets done. :D

Maybe we can accomplish both this year. Cross your fingers for me.

Other than these things all recurring year after year, I have been taken over by HOA madness! My husband is the president of our Home Owner's Association and I am its Web Administrator. Spring is a busy time for HOA's especially if they have parks and pools to maintain.

Whatever has the majority of your time, I hope you have fun with it. March Madness--should be FUN!

Thank You Card - Fitness

Well...I braved the elements yesterday and made my gym day. My partner on the other hand was smart and stayed home where it was warm and the weather was even more beautiful (because the snow is easy to enjoy when you are warm and toasty with a cup of joe tucked inside...which she texted me while I was on the treadmill). My workout was good. I did 2.25 miles on the treadmill at an incline of 1. I also opted for bootcamp with Diane who is one of the best trainers I have seen at 10 Gym and who is (I think) the only trainer to survive the company change from "All American fitness" to "10 Gym". she was rather surprised to see me there in her class area and actually asked if I was going to take her class. Of course I answered yes to her inquiry.

It is nice to be recognized. It was nice for me that it surprised her that I would take her class. She has been there for over 2 years because I have been a regular on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays since April of 2011. This April will mark my 2 year anniversary of a regular gym routine. That is an all time record for me...and hopefully will continue to be. My gym partner and I took Diane's bootcamp class a year or so ago...and let me tell you---it kicked our butts! However, yesterday...(granted --it is a year later)...the class gave me a great workout. It was a nice change up with my gym partner being gone.

Today, I am definitely feeling the workout..and in places I don't usually feel sore. this is a good thing. Diane didn't have us use any weights or props of any kind. everything we did in bootcamp was using our own weight. My traps are sore. My triceps are sore. My latts and obliques are sore. It was a good workout.
I told Diane I enjoyed her class and at least this time it didn't kill me. She returned the surprise back to me when she told me she hadn't seen anyone make the progress that I had on their own. I figure as a trainer you would see all kinds in the gym. I have to admit here that I haven't actually done it on my own. It takes that first year with accountability to someone to keep you in the routine. After that, hopefully you have figured out that your day is better, your stress is lighter, and you feel better about everything when you workout as opposed to when you don't. This then becomes your motivation. In my case, it has been my gym partner and friend who has worked right along side me for her own goals who has kept me accountable long enough for me to learn that valuable piece of information.

Thank You Diane for the recognition and for your own hard work for others....

Thank You Colleen for being my gym partner and giving me the short term accountability so I could learn the long term motivation....

Thank You to my Husband for being my extreme-long-term example and coach through all things fitness....

I am very blessed with friends and people in my life and it is the people that make the difference!
Have a great day!

January, February, March....

January, February, March....

Where does the time go? January zooooomed out of site like a rocket launcher pushed 2013 into it's beginnings! February is half over---here comes Valentine's Day!

So far my goals are holding up to expectations and I have found a "new" adventure in the world of geeks and nerds and comic books....I don't mean that in a bad way either! I just visited my first "comicon" and got to meet Kevin Sorbo and Tricia Helfer...Wonderful people! Great time! and lots of exciting costumes and vendors with wares that just make my fingers twitch and my checkbook cringe!

I also got to meet a group of upcoming writers...you can meet them too by visiting their site!

Anniversary done...Trip to Dallas-check....Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day...then OMG it's Spring Break!

April and May.....check back and see what other news comes this way!

2013: To be continued....

Happy New Year.....it's 2013!

So ....I have to update last year's new year's resolution progress.
ok...I don't have to....who am I kidding? Yes I do!

Last year my resolution was to reach a fitness goal by December 31st, 2012. I am sorry to say that my goal was not reached. This is where you get to input that infamous "i told you so".....

I ran the usual Rt 66 5K. --goal reached

I stayed in the gym on a regular basis. ---goal reached. Thanks Colleen for being my gym partner!

I did NOT reach goal weight (125 lbs). That's ok....."I told you so" goes here......

I did NOT reach my pictured goal...(like I could ever look like Vicotoria Pratt)....

....................................................................................................

so...now that the recap of success and failure has been made, it is time for the New goals and resolutions for the year 2013.

Goal 1: Fitness

Part one: My fitness is what has saved me from several boughts of depression I am sure. When you feel fit and in shape, then age is more like a number rather than the passage of time mixed with all the things you can no longer do....."I'm too old for this" is NOT something I want to ever have to say.....Fitness is the key!
I have a friend that I met in 2011 at the gym I have been going to (regularly) for two years now...
.............though my membership has existed for the last 12 years................. so, my friend......... has a goal for fitness too. She related a story of Jamie Lee Curtis to me the other day and that seemed to be her inspiration. Inspiring others is awesome! ---no matter WHO you are! So my friend has asked me about running a 5k together. This is the year....I am running at least TWO 5K's!

Part two: I am determined to stay in the gym this year every monday, wednesday, and friday (or at least three times a week on a regular basis). I enjoy my workouts. They are great stress relievers and help me focus my day, my schedule, and over all balance my life. Besides...Victoria Pratt is an awesome fitness model and I can't see anything wrong with wanting to reach somewhere close to that look.....(yes I am still dreaming....but dreams matter!).....and once again, that "I told you so" offer in December 2013 is still gonna be there!

Goal 2: Career
I opened/started my own business as a photographer and graphics designer in September 2011. I really started working on it in 2012. My website was published, my cannon camera purchased, and social media was added. Here's to growth of the career and passions in 2013!

Goal 3: Family
My son will graduate this May. May I be a good Mother and help where he needs it.....and be encouraging rather than stifling. My daughter enters her teens (officially)....may I remember what that's like and be supportive as well as demanding. My husband finishes his 2nd masters in May.....may I be supportive of wherever that leads without loosing myself and my dreams in the process....

Goal 4: Friends
Friends are life's treasures and are not to be taken for granted....May the number of friends in my life (and yours) grow and inspire....May i be an inspiration to friends and family....and enjoy each and everyone of them for their uniqueness and talents and shared joys.

Watch out 2013! Here I am!