It has been an interesting couple of months since I last posted.  There have been changes, blessings, tension, weirdness and so on.  Sometimes all those things make it hard to pick up a camera.  That is the place I am used to working out my feelings, but being married complicates those things.  It takes time to reestablish who you are in light of all these changes.  That process can last quite a while! 

I would really like to get back into the swing of taking pictures, but I end up feeling so torn.  See, I have this love-hate relationship with my camera.  You know how the biggest blessings in your life can also end up being the biggest burdens?  It is all about balance.  However, my emotions can get in the way of that balance quite often.  I strive for the ever elusive perfection and constantly fail to realize that I am way too hard on myself.  I begin to focus on the tiniest things that mean absolutely nothing.  At that point, it is all over.  Things are not fun anymore!   I believe digital photography makes me more prone to that way of thinking.  I wish we could rewind a little bit and go back to film.  I long for film and a dark room.  Things seemed so much easier that way.  It comes down to the fact that photography is basically deception.  It can manipulate your feelings and thoughts, make you believe things that are not reality.  Digital photography seems more deceptive somehow.  People can fool themselves into thinking they take good pictures instead of taking the time to take a good picture.  It is very sad to me.  On the other hand, digital photography opens so many doors, especially financially.  But this is where I am left torn . . . digital photography is more accessible.  Nevertheless, it makes photographers less spontaneous and more dependent. 

Anywho, I did not anticipate writing more than, Hey, everybody, I am back.  Apparently, I am eager to hear other people's thoughts on photography.  Different perspectives are helpful in jarring oneself out of a sulky place :)  So, please, let me know what you all might think!

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Here are some pictures from a hike this weekend somewhere in Arizona close to the border with Mexico.  It is funny to be on a mountain and see cactus and agave.  It is a very beautiful place though . . .

 . . . prickly pear . . . 

  . . . agave . . .

. . . flowers . . .

 . . . the view . . .