This month, as I’ve said before, I have been rediscovering my camera and my creativity. Taking pictures is so readily available to everyone, or almost everyone now. So many of us have at least a mobile ‘phone that has a camera. It allows us to capture the mundane and everyday as well as those more special or interesting times, people or places.
This week we have had a return of the sun, a much desired taste of summer. With it has gone a not so wanted return to evening wakefulness from 13. Wide awake and wanting to play long into the hours she would normally be asleep. Long into the time when we would normally have time to not be quite such hands-on parents. When we would know she was safe and well, fast asleep upstairs in her bed, giving us the chance to unwind a little, while of course keeping an ear open for any sound of rising or distress.
I try, or am trying, to balance attending to 13 and 17 with not ignoring me. As your children grow you get back some of yourself. You get time and space to return to the things you enjoyed, or to find new things. As a parent of a special needs child, a child whose needs are so high she will always need help and support her entire life, that time is restricted. You learn to sneak a read while she plays. To make the most of the time when she is at school and you aren’t at work. How worried am I about housework? Not so much. Especially not on days like this when the sun is shining and I know that if I don’t take the chance to do something for myself during school hours she will be back home and that will be it.
So this morning, shortly after 13 boarded the school bus and when 17, now on her holidays from college, was still in bed, I grabbed my camera bag and out I went. My neighbours have stopped commenting on me taking the camera with me every where I go. Passers-by, not so much. So MANY opinions of great photo ops I would be a fool to miss. Well, sorry lads but I’ve lived here for nearly 13 years and I STILL haven’t seen the kingfisher. Yes, I know I am the only one. I did meet a man who told me his Jack Russell terrier had seen a tiger, so that was pretty cool. I didn’t see it either, but that might be a good thing. I can scream.
There were, however, plenty of ducks enjoying the early morning sunshine.
And what SHOULD have been a heron but ended up just being light and midges.
And buttercups.
Later on there were some, deliberately, blurred daisies.
So, despite a long evening last evening and a few blisters from not wearing the right shoes for a long walk today, I feel I achieved something and that has to be the main thing.
All photographs © L. McG.-E. All rights reserved.
© 2012, Penbleth / L. McG.-E.. All rights reserved.
