This is a  backwards story here..So bear with me, please. Nearly a month ago Mike and I took a mini vacation weekend to Fredericksburg. .  On our way up there  I was able to take this picture below.

When I viewed this mystic sunrise on my phone I teared up knowing that I caught a moment in time that would be a memory maker and personal game changer.  As hubby stopped several times on this trip just so I could take a few more snapshots I realized... I really missed having my camera and taking pictures such as these. No real reason as to why I let photography fall to the wayside, other than I just didn't make the time to grab the tripod and camera.. it had just become easier to use my phone... Most importantly,  While the phone takes good pictures I realized that I missed the intent to go and take pictures. A form of self-care.  As always my husband really heard me when I said that... and with that he ran with it... he researched for weeks without ever saying a word until he was comfortable letting me know what he was thinking.  He said he had been looking at a Nikon for me. He wanted me to get it so that I would have enough time to get comfortable with it before we take  our vacation to go see our grandson once he arrives. Mike knows that I will want to take a million pictures of him once we get there. We also have plans to take one of those weekends and go see a dear friend in  North Carolina. An added bonus, is  hopefully it will be prime fall foliage picture taking time.  So I have lots of practice I need get in before we hit the road.   

 This picture is one of the very first with my new camera. A happy result of  having my photo heart connection  reignited.

From the bottom of my heart I want to thank Kat for continuing to encourage/ support The Photo Heart Connection. As soon has I felt that connection to the picture I realized how much photography really does touch my heart and I wanted this joy back into my life.

Here in south Texas, calm winds are not the norm except  in the early morning hours and behind the jetties down at the bay front... So was I ever thrilled to be able to catch this shot of the bay with it's still waters and palms as well. 
For me the quote " Be still my heart" was all I could think of while I was standing there, it was oh so quite that I could hear the seagulls.
Kat's Photo-heart Connection  makes this all possible to share with you. Please go check her site out.

First let me wish you all a happy 4th of July and give thanks for our freedom, freedom to enjoy the beautiful scenes like this in our own back yard and freedom to participate in Photo heart Connection with Kat. 



The 1st picture was taken right outside my porch around 6:30 in the morning.. What a beautiful way to start my day.  The second picture is just part of the view that I have as I am driving into work each day.
When people ask don't you get tired of the 45 minute drive... I answer with a resounding NO... views like this.. what a wonderful way to start 5 days a week... the only exception are days that are foggy then, those mornings are just plain spooky.

I continue to get so excited about participating in Kat's Photo-Heart Connection. This single picture has flashed in my head ever since I took it.. couldn't wait to write a post on how much this picture has touched my heart. I promised myself that I would take time to stop and enjoy something of nature  each and every day in 2013.  
When I stopped to watch this sunrise I was blessed with an additional "picture". As a boat went out to the bay, it left gentle  ripples coming my way. when the ripples hit the sea wall it headed back out all choppy like. At that very moment, I realized  what a beautiful summary of the ripple effect.
When waves of love go out to others they flow smoothly and reflect lots of light & harmony. When someone  puts up a wall of resistance to the love waves, it throws  everything out of harmony. The reflection of light and love just kind of dissipates. I hope all of us can experience ripple after ripple of love in both directions this year and every year.  Let us not be the one to be a wall. 
This pic is an unedited photo from my I-phone..
Kat thank you for giving us this opportunity to share with your community of photo takers and lovers