The Art of Manipulation

We are all victims of manipulation, whether it be to buy the latest lipstick color from the slick ad in the latest fashion magazine to manipulating an image in photoshop, now admit it, we all do it.  I manipulate my face everytime I put on my makeup, manipulating it to somehow give it a younger look by hiding this, accentuating that.  And I try altho usually failing, to manipulate the looks of my body, trying like heck to make it look slimmer and taller.  I used to manipulate my husband by granting him special uhh favors, in order to get him to agree to some wild scheme I had at the moment (and don't tell me you have never done that before!)

But today my focus is on manipulating a photograph....in Photoshop Elements.  Right now I have Elements 9, but I just ordered Elements 10 from ADORAMA for $45. and free shipping, couldn't resist.  I can sit for hours upon hours (maybe that's why so many projects are still on my to-do list) cropping, highlighting, sharpening, tweaking this and that, sometimes over-doing for sure.  I love to work with actions such as Florabella, she has some great ones, and effects.  The Coffee Shop Blog has one of my favorites, Velvet Truffle, and Paint the Moon also has some pretty awesome effects along with Pioneer Woman (can't that woman do just about anything??!!) And without question, Kim Klassen's amazing textures....love these!!!

Today at Kim's Beyond Layers our assignment is to photograph a favorite book or books.  I have stacks of books, and I sure can't name a favorite, some I like better than others, but I can't pick just one....  Right now I have so many books that I haven't read, maybe my favorite will be among those.  So, along with the assignment from Kim, I have also joined another class that started today.  Tracey Clark's Picture It in Black & White, not too late to join if you are interested.  B&W photography entrances me...and many capture it so well.

Manipulated with Effect, Velvet Truffle by The Coffee Shop Blog

Manipulated by changing to black & white with Paint The Moon effects and Adding a Kim Klassen texture... Linking up to Beyond Layers

Manipulated in Photoshop Elements 9 - changed the color of vase and flowers, enhanced with Kim Klassen texture...

Keeps me busy and out of trouble all this manipulation.  Do you like to manipulate??  Share your favorites....

"Lead me not into tempation; I can find the way myself."  ~  Rita Mae Brown

Until next time......

Now is the Time ~ To Work in the Garden

Like beautiful outdoor churches,

gardens encourage our spiritual natures.

They soothe our troubles and

provide stress-free havens.

They open our eyes and hearts

to growth and beauty.

They ground us.

        From - Now is the Time

"The best place to seek God is in the garden."  ~  George Bernard Shaw

Until next time.....

Prayer

I wonder why that sometimes the only time I seem to pray is when I need something?  I am so very guilty of this very act at times.  I drove up today to see my sweetheart and on the way, always on the way, I pray that all will be OK.  That he will recognize me, that he will be in good spirits, that the staff will tell me that he is cooperative and eating well.  I should be praying everyday, all the time, but somehow as hard as I want it to happen, it doesn't.  When I stop and think about this, I am embarrassed and angry with myself for forgetting to say thanks to God and to constantly remember that all blessings come from God and I do have many blessings in my life.  You say thank you to the waitress that brings your food, you give your hairdresser a huge thank you and sometimes a nice tip, but I can't remember to say thanks to God each and everyday for graces that he freely gives and apparently keeps giving even without daily thank-you's?  I buy prayer books, meditation books, good thoughts each day books, and they work for awhile, but then I fall back into old habits and regress to praying only when there seems to be a need.  When my husband was still home, we prayed together everyday, sometimes as simple as a thanksgiving prayer over meals. 

Today at the Memory Care Facility they had a "church" service. A visiting deacon came, hymns were sung, prayers were said, even a homily (sermon) was presented.  I decided to stay.  Eventho each and every person, both the men and women all have some kind of memory issues, dementia, alzheimer's, they all participated to some degree in the service.  I glanced at my husband, he would sing along, mostly just moving his mouth, and the same when it came to the prayers, but there was participation.  If those that are losing themselves bit by bit can still pray and sing and listen then why don't I pray and participate each and everyday? 

I don't think praying has to be formal, think of it as a another kind of conversation, this time with God.  I need to remember to pray the way that feels right to me.  Sitting down - sometimes, standing up - absolutely, kneel probably not since my knees are so bad, lie down - the chance of falling asleep, chant, singing - abolutely, or speaking out-loud, usually. Instead of praying for just something I need, I need to remember to pray that I will be granted wisdom, courage, faith, healing and for my highest good.  I need to remember to pray for others, those I know, those that I don't.  I need to remember to pray when things are going well, that I am grateful, not just when I have a need.  And I should never underestimate the power of prayer, I have seen it work over and over again.   

I seem to be revealing a lot about myself lately.  I think it may be because of Kim Klassen's class "Beyond Layers"...she has us thinking, revealing, wishing, hoping, uncovering our layers and praying.  

A few images from the back yard....a thankful prayer.

Even the dandelions have a special look.....

Slowly opening of the clematis, note the little bug...

A birthday gift....cyclamen on the kitchen windowsill...

"Seven days without prayer makes one weak."  Allen E. Vartlett

Until next time.....