Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems. ~Rainer Maria Rilke

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Waiting for the Prospector

I was kind of nervous and antsy last night.
I don't usually get this way when The Prospector is gone. I'm not afraid of being here by myself and I certainly don't worry about critters.. the animal kind anyway. I'm not afraid of the dark and I don't scare easily.
But , for some reason, I felt unsettled.  The moon was moving in and out of clouds, casting light on the surrounding hills and then disappearing... bringing darkness and quiet.
The dogs needed to go outside, so I decided to go with them.  It was a little after eight. I got a sweater out of the closet. It had been a little colder the last few nights.
I was taking some indoor "night" shots, earlier, because I love to photograph in this kind of light to see how well I can take pictures in lamp light and how my camera works in darker situations. I saw the lampshade reflected in the painting on the wall and realized that I wasn't really at the right angle to catch this reflection.
So I got closer and higher.
This time I got the right reflection of the lamp where it needed to be... in the picture.I think this is an interesting photo.
Kind of like a double exposure. I'm in there too. It's not clear, but it looks like a bird is pecking at the edge of my shirt. Interesting shot.
Anyway... the dogs were waiting. I took the phone, my hand gun and the camera... the three things that I take with me everywhere I go around this place. If something or someone is determined to do me harm they will have to come over an iron fence and probably get shot. That's their choice. That would happen before I called 911.
The Prospector has been gone since Monday. He will be here in a hour or so. I'm usually fine with this, but last night I had one of those moments when I wasn't.
I went outside with the dogs to prove to myself how brave I can be. I do this when I'm unsure of things. I walk right into whatever it is that I'm worried or unsure about. It's an old behavior.
 I had the huge light over the garage on so I could see quite a distance out into and past the driveway. I took some pictures while the dogs did their thing. I put the camera in its auto mode that takes pictures in low light. I forgot that the shutter would be delayed and I moved the camera a little bit. The photo was still interesting.
And then, under the photinia... where a small light was back lighting the bush.
This is the front side of the garage. That BIG light washed everything out at the top of the photo but I liked the Photinia blossoms against the garage wall.
So today, I redid this photo.
I cropped the photo, lightening it and added some shadow.  Then I used a new Picasa 3 process called HDRish (which means High Dynamic Range) and brought out the details, almost like a drawing. It's fun to experiment with Picasa's photo editors. It's like Photoshop only it's user friendly, easier AND FREE.
If I had used a tripod and was not holding the camera strap in my teeth, and the cell phone in my other hand, I could have gotten a much sharper picture. I like the effect but not the blurriness.
This one was looking back into the house through the front door.
There's that lamp in the painting again, on the far wall. I like looking in from the outside.
I also took a photo of the gun sitting on the porch step. It was cool... but I thought someone might be offended if I posted it. You never know.

The dogs were starting to bark at the "critters of the night" below the vegetable garden, so I called them in. It was probably a deer, but who knows.
We went back into the house and shut the door. I turned the outside lights off and went back to my knitting, taking one more photo of my favorite chair before I settled in for my last evening as a single woman, alone on her mountain top.
I felt save and secure. Before I went to bed I set my phone on 911 speed dial and put the gun nearby.
The doors were locked and bolted. The dogs were safe in their crates and as I crawled into bed, I heard an owl hooting in the distance. Then, the coyote started their singing on the next knoll. What wonderful night songs. What beautiful lullabies.
It's Thursday afternoon now. The Prospector just got home. I'm so glad he has returned safely.
I made some potato salad and chicken for dinner.
The nervous feeling is gone. He is home and all is well...



14 comments:

  1. I really like this post. Interesting look into you and your life through this evening in your life. Very nice.

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  2. ha. glad he is home...first order of business, put the gun away...i almost cut my hand off because the knife my wife used to hide under the pillow when i was away did not get put away...just saying...

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  3. You got some artistic photos, and you are wise to protect yourself, especially when you are alone. Well done, friend.

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  4. I have had that feeling for several days now...nothing I can really put my fingers on. Glad yours passed and you are home safely with your hubby. I think I just miss that darn dog so much...especially at night, I don't do well at night. Have a good weekend Connie.

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  5. good to hear that he is back!
    being away from each other too long, you get that stretched too thin feeling...always cured by a hug!

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  6. Great photos. Great post. Glad your husband got home safe and sound. Have a blessed day. Madeline

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  7. Glad The Prospector is home! I know that feeling of being here on this mountainside alone (once during a snowstorm). Can't say that I care for it! Loved the interesting photos too...especially the one over the chair with the lamp reflected in it. I need to try Picasa. I have the full Adobe Photoshop but haven't gotten to first base in learning to use it!

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  8. Beautifully written!

    I have to say: I don't think I'd want to live somewhere that I felt the need to sleep with 911 preset on my speed dial and a loaded gun next to my bed.

    Different strokes for different folks!

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  9. You might should dabble at mystery writing! I was getting the creeps LOL

    I'm glad all you found were beautiful photos and not some boogie man...

    I love the one from the outside looking in...all cozy :)

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  10. Sometimes when Tom is away I get those feelings as well...the world is just not quite the same. LOVE the shot of your cozy house from outside and yes I love playing on Picasa as well...have you tried picmonkey? Lots of cool effects as well. Stay safe...I think i would like the picture of your sharpshooter on the porch steps!

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  11. Glad you are safe and Prospector is now home. You are so far up in the boondocks, I can see how you'd feel uneasy. I love messing with pics on Picasa, it really passes the time!

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  12. Glad you are safe and Prospector is now home. You are so far up in the boondocks, I can see how you'd feel uneasy. I love messing with pics on Picasa, it really passes the time!

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  13. I lived by my self in town for almost 20 years before I married The Shepherd and moved out into the country. I have to admit that sometimes I get a little spooked when he's gone for the evening. Enjoyed reading your blog. T.

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