Tuesday's Tune: I Get Lonely Too

For a moment, I was really in love (musically) with Drake and came across this song.  I've heard people criticize him as being really "emo" and "touchy-feeling."  I think he's just a sensitive guy and isn't afraid to show his emotions, which are reflected in his songs.

I really like this song, especially the lyrics.  It reminds me of the times when I've been lonely and was just waiting on someone to get his act together.  It wasn't as if he had people knocking down on his door because I knew he was just as lonely as me.  Rather than having two people be alone, why not just get together (even for a short period of time) and not be lonely?  Generally, it's nice to have company.  Maybe I'm too logical and am forgetting all the reasons why we were both lonely in the first place.  Oh well . . . .

What do you think of this song?

Stressed

Life has been hectic and crazy lately.  Much of it has to do with work.  A little of it comes from my own personal aspirations.  I haven't felt like I've had time to really just enjoy the moment and breathe.  There's too much to do and so little time.

This morning, it was beautiful and foggy.  At least I took some time out of my busyness to take a picture.  I really wanted to sit on the dock (my neighbor's to be exact) and just appreciate the quiet calm, but I didn't have time for that.  It was so hard to pull myself away, but I knew I had a meeting to get to.  Perhaps another time.

I hope you're having a better week than me.  How are you doing?

Distracted

Tuesday's Tune: R.I.P.

Apparently "R.I.P." was written by Drake, but given to Rita Ora, who turned it into a hit in the U.K. several years ago.  I actually like Rita Ora as an artist and think she has much potential.

Anyhow, I love listening to this song and the beat.  Sometimes, I find it as a personal anthem and symbolic of the rebirthing that takes place when I make up my mind and move on to the next phase of my life.  Rather than be sad that I'm shedding the old me, I'm embracing my future and not looking back.

What do you think of this song? 

Picnic

Yesterday, I attended a picnic with friends.  They had planned it with such good intentions that I couldn't say I wouldn't go.  So, I went.

Hmong "soul food."

It was a bunch of grown women talking, barbecuing, hiking, and frolicking in the water (we went to Willow State Park, which has a waterfall), and it was such fun.  It was really nice to be carefree, have good company, and be with nature.

Behind the waterfall.  It was deafening but very peaceful.

I really enjoy my time with these women.  If there's another outing, I hope to be able to go.

Have you been to a picnic lately?

Friday's Quote: Robert Tew

“Sometimes walking away has nothing to do with weakness, and everything to do with strength. We walk away not because we want others to realize our worth and value, but because we finally realize our own.”---Robert Tew

Have you met someone, whom you think you could love for the rest of your life, yet feel that the relationship just wouldn't work?  Even if they tell you that they will love you forever and ever, and in return you tell them that you'll love them for forever and a day, you still can't shake that awful feeling that the relationship just isn't going to be anything more than what it currently is?

It's during those times that I force myself to come to terms with reality, as harsh as it is, and accept the truth that walking away is the best solution.  There may be times that I want to sit and explain myself and try to win that person over with my words.  Basically, I'm trying to tell that person how great of a person I am. Yet, if that person refuses to see my worth, and thinks he's too busy to even acknowledge my worth, then I don't know how to get that person's attention or even make him see me.  As painful as it is to realize that this person doesn't value me, it's even more painful to just let go and walk away.  In the end, I am testing my own strength and knowing how to value myself.  Of course, it still hurts.

Have you had to walk away because you realized your own worth and value?

Purple Cone Flowers

First Strawberries

I harvested my first strawberries from my garden.  Three to be exact.  Even though they were the size of my thumb, they were so sweet and flavorful.  Store bought strawberries can't even compare and would wilt in comparison.

Funny how last summer my strawberry plants were on the verge of extinction, but I was able to save a couple of plants.  This spring, with all the rain, my plants are stronger and sending out runners like crazy (making many more strawberry plants possible).

I'm excited about the prospect of more berries.  I can be patient and wait a bit longer.  These berries are one of the few highlights of the summer that I look forward to every year.

What do you look forward to every year?

Chasing Waterfalls

Cascade Falls in Osceola, WI

 This summer, I've been really trying to better my landscape photography.  For me, that means finding and chasing waterfalls.  I knew that most of the waterfalls in Minnesota (or the most well known) are located in northern Minnesota, well past the City of Duluth.

Willow Falls in Willow State Park,  near Hudson, WI.

To my surprise, there are actually several waterfalls within an hour's drive from the Twin Cities.  The most well known is Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis (which I already knew about), but I've gone and photographed the other lesser known waterfalls (and they really are beautiful, especially with all the rain the Midwest have gotten this spring).

Minnehaha Falls, Minneapolis, MN

I hope to go to northern Minnesota later this summer and photograph the waterfalls in that area.  Wish me luck.  Have you been chasing waterfalls too?