Day 14 Gratitude Project - Friends

I am ever thankful for my friends with such beautiful souls, for the delicious healing chicken soup that one of my friends brought & for the roof over my head (and the fact that it is nestled in gorgeous green space).

Day 10 Gratitude Project {Columbus Ohio Photographer}

I feel blessed to have friends check on me when I'm under the weather & to take me out for a big healing bowl of Pho Ga at the North Market.... for my Maggie May to keep me company .. for my fuzzy microfiber comforter.... & for my remote!

Day 9 Gratitude Project - Following My Bliss { Columbus Ohio Child & Family Photographer}

A little sprout - taken during a recent portrait session.

Today I feel blessed:

That I can make a living doing what I love, & that people love what I do.
That my clients often become friends.
That I finally learned to give my love, time & energy to those who love me and support me.
That I learned not to allow negativity into my life, including those people who tell me to get a “real” job. They just don’t get it & never will.
That I have wonderful friends.
That I can see the beauty in each moment.
That it rained today helping recharge my newly planted perennials.

Day 8 Gratitude Project - Squirrel Baffle

Today I am so thankful to have found a squirrel baffle that finally works... so the birds can eat their seed, & the squirrels can get back to the business of collecting nuts! And I am every so grateful for what might be the last 70 degree day of the year. Glorious!

Day 7 Gratitude Project - To Everything There is a Season {Ohio Nature Photographer}

Each day I spend time in nature - often with Maggie. There is a comfort to seeing the patterns of nature & seasonal changes. My heart & soul welcome the sounds and sights of each season - the changing calls of the birds, migrations, leaves emerging and then falling, days growing long then short. It all helps me to stay grounded and connected to a higher power. And I feel blessed to be such a small part of this large and amazing creation.

Day 6 Gratitude Project - Maggie May {Central Ohio Pet Photographer}

Maggie May - I am thankful for her every day. She is quite literally my constant companion. Maggie is my trail buddy (we went to Dawes Arboretum today), travel companion & co-pilot. She is my family & stands in for my family that has passed. She is the happiest, sweetest dog I have ever owned & is my 1 in a million. Just over a year ago I almost lost her to acute pancreatitis. Every day since then I consider a bonus day & am ever grateful. She has rebounded & is so energetic, happy & goofy. She always brings a smile & happiness & I love her to pieces!

Day 5 Gratitude Project - Feeling Blessed {Columbus Ohio Photographer}

Some days I have to think about & look for my blessings - other days I feel blessed all through the day. Today was one of those days. I had a wonderful time at my art show, made a lot of new connections and chatted with old friends. The November day was sunny & warm enough that I went for a walk with Mags & a friend, & then we went for ice cream (Buckeye - of course! ). As we drove back home, I realized how much I love where I live - lots of trees & green space & lovely rustic woodsy architecture. And to end the evening, we went to a place at Polaris that gives incredible massages. I slept like a baby when I got home!

Day 4 Gratitude Project - Creative Spirit {Central Ohio Photographer}

Today I am thankful for creation, creativity & the creative spirit in all of us. I have an art show today & tomorrow. It still seems a bit surreal that now I’m sitting behind the booth as a vendor - & I feel very blessed to have had this creative spirit. Each time I lift my camera, I ask that what I produce will be like a prayer to God and a giving thanks. The other day there was a heavy frost - & even though it spelled the end for my zinnias, I thought what a beautiful way to go – coated with a sugary frost. The awesomeness of creation amazes me - & I feel like such a small speck – thankful to just be a part of it all. (Kind of rambling, but I’m tired! Lol!)

Day Three Gratitude Project - Good Friends {Columbus Ohio Photographer}

In life, I have found that if you have a friend for each part of your life that is important to you, then you are so very blessed. I do feel so blessed to have amazing friends - both online and in my personal life. Friends add depth and breadth to life and living. My friends are there for laughs, support, adventures, thrift store foraging and hugs when needed. On this day, I visited Amish country in Ohio with a friend & her foster child. I feel like I am Auntie Joy to him & that is a blessing, too! it is so great to see things through a child's eye & on their level - literally!

I find that part of what I enjoy about this gratitude project, is taking the time - really taking the time - to sit and write about what I'm thankful for on a given day. The writing, & then sharing just really let it all sink in and absorb into my soul!

Indian Summer { Central Ohio Photographer }

Day 2

It is one of those beautiful sunny Indian Summer days here in Central Ohio. There are still some colorful leaves clinging to the trees. The birds and squirrels are busy at the feeders and gathering goodies in anticipation of the coming winter. My wind chimes are gently singing in the light breeze. It is a day that just fills the soul with happiness. I am thankful for these days and being in the moment, thankful for the seasons & unique beauty of each one, & glad I can take a moment to appreciate it all & bask in the beauty. It is such a fleeting season, & that makes me take note & delight in each moment!

Gratitude1: Bobina Jean (Bobbie) RIP sweet kitty

Each year for the past several years, I have been a moderator in the Flickr Group 30 Days of Gratitude. As we enter the month of Thanksgiving, it is the perfect time to take a small moment each day & reflect on what we are thankful for each day. After 30 days, you cultivate an attitude of gratitude - perfect time for Thanksgiving & entering into the holiday season. What have you given thanks for today? Giving thanks makes us happier and more optimistic. Come join us in the Gratitude Project. Give thanks!


As I start the month of Thanksgiving, I have had a loss I am mourning, but today I am looking for the sweet spots & giving thanks.......

My teeny tiger cat Bobina Jean (Bobbie) showed up in the woods outside my new home 17.5 years ago. She was a feral kitten whose mother had apparently died or just left her. You couldn't get near her & it took many weeks & patience to be able to get near enough to touch her. Eventually Bobbie took up residence & stayed near our property, although she remained outdoors & pretty wild. In the evenings I opened the garage door so she could sleep safe & sound.

When I went through a divorce & moved out of the house, I went back everyday for a week to try to find her. I did & she came with me & became an indoor kitty - a change she relished! When I got my dog, Maggie (who most here know!) Bobbie immediately took to her - as you can see here.

Sunday night, Bobbie started having seizures. We rushed to the emergency vet, but it was her time to leave this world. I am heartbroken and miss her so much. She was my little squeaky wheel with her strange little meow! But I am thankful I had her in my life for 17 and a half years. We saw so much life together & shared such love. Today I am thankful for Bobbi (Bobina) - thankful for our time, our experiences & adventures, & all the affection & love we shared. Bobbie did not cooperate with the camera & I have few photos of her - this was always one of my faves - & I am so thankful for this photo!

27.30~ Imagination

27.30~ Imagination, originally uploaded by *ojoyous1*.

Thankful for magic & imagination... in the world & in our hearts.

30 Days of Gratitude Project

26.30~ Recipes & Pretty Food

26.30~ Recipes & Pretty Food, originally uploaded by *ojoyous1*.

Part of my Thanksgiving dinner, but I had to play with my food, first! Cranberries, roses... & brussel sprouts? Yep! And they are SOOOOO good ROASTED! So today I'm thankful for the guidance of recipes & healthy, delicious food. For the recipe click HERE.

25.30 ~ Thankful Heart

25.30 ~ Thankful Heart, originally uploaded by *ojoyous1*.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

I know some people who have so much, but don't see it. They are fixated on what they don't have. They don't have a thankful heart. On this day especially I am thankful for being able to appreciate the small things - because in the long run, they are what matters - they are everyday. I'm thankful for all those things in my life, beautiful sunsets, everyday walks with my dog, watching a leaf fall to the ground, having food on my plate, my friends, a roof over my head. I hope you have many blessing to count today & everyday!

30 Days of Gratitude Project

Processed in Lightroom using Joyful Presets.

24.30 ~ Franklin Park Conservatory

24.30 ~ Franklin Park Conservatory, originally uploaded by *ojoyous1*.

The other morning we had a very dense fog. I grabbed my camra & went to my usual park to shoot in fog... then I wondered if there would still be fog in the city. I drove down to Franklin Park Conservatory. There was just enough fog still to give a beautiful mood. I'm so glad we have such a beautiful & historic conservatory, & wonderful support for it.

30 Days of Gratitude Project

Processed with Joyful Lightroom Presets.

23.30~Color

23.30~Color , originally uploaded by *ojoyous1*.

Thankful that nature gives us such bright, bold, beautiful color in the gray days of November.

30 Days of Gratitude project

Joyful Lightroom Presets.

22.30 ~ Signs, Sings Everywhere a Sign

22.30 ~ Signs, Sings Everywhere a Sign, originally uploaded by *ojoyous1*.

There is always a sign... both in the world at large, & in our hearts/intuition... guiding us on our way. Sometimes I need to remember to stop & look!

30 Days of Gratitude Project

21.30 ~ First Art Show!

21.30 ~ First Art Show!, originally uploaded by *ojoyous1*.

Still sinking in that I did my first Art Show! It was a short 1 day event, but I did realy well & didn't have much to take home! Thankful for the friends who encouraged me & supported me in this endeavor!

30 Days of Gratitude Project

20.30 ~ a Place to Walk

20.30 ~ a Place to Walk, originally uploaded by *ojoyous1*.

Grateful that in this metropolitan area of 1 million plus people, I have a wonderful green space & path to walk Maggie.... right out my own back door. And I was so pleased for the beautiful foggy morning!!

Joyful Lightroom Presets

19.30~Art & Artists & Community

19.30~Art & Artists & Community, originally uploaded by *ojoyous1*.

I'm thankful for creativity & art in all its forms. And so very thankful for the support & inspiration of creative communities & forums & Flickr! Getting ready for my first Art Show this Sunday! And excited... well & a bit overwhelmed!