12 Random Photos from My iPhone
“We take photos as a return ticket to a moment otherwise gone.” ~ Katie Thurmes
“A good snapshot keeps a moment from running away.” ~ Eudora Welty
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Sisters
Sisters Jan and Jean sharing “phone-y” secrets?
All three of us on a sunset cruise sponsored by neice Heidi, Jan’s daughter, on the Homosassa River in April 2023. It had been two years since all three sisters were able to gather. You can read about a previous trip HERE!
A seashell found along the shore at Fernandina Beach by my dear friend, Carolyn Phanstiel, giver of wise words. An assortment of shells she gathered over the years were given to attendees at her memorial service in May. She is now enjoying oceans of love in her forever home! How I miss her.
The Grands
The dynamic duo finish deep-cleaning great room determined to deter dust
Daughter and grand-daughter ready for “Are You There, God? It’s me, Margaret,” a movie based on the Judy Blume novel, 1986
Amazon book cover
Pillow Talk
Women Friends at College Retirees Association, Dr. Antonia Grant-Bryant and Ms. Karen Fleming at book signing, May 11, 2023
Blooms
“To be a Flower, is profound
Responsibility —”
–Emily Dickinson, “Bloom” (As seen on Merril Smith’s Monday blog post, May 29, 23)
Rose Festival Thomasville, Georgia
“Bed of Roses” is a hit song by Bon Jovi, but it’s also a movie title, a romantic drama about young career girl Lisa swept off her feet by shy florist, Lewis, who fell in love with her after one glimpse through a shadowy window–starring Christian Slater and Mary Stuart Masterson. (Snapshot of actual bed of roses at rose festival, Thomasville, Georgia.)
Peonies in Aunt Ruthie’s garden, 2017 Breezes and birdsong accompany sister Jan admiration of peonies in May.
These photos started out as “random” but then coalesced into themes. Serendipitously . . . .
Still time to get your copy of my new memoir, 55+ years in the making
Beginning in the month of June, Plain and Fancy Girl will post bi-monthly, that is, twice a month instead of weekly. I’ll still show up on Wednesdays!
My iPhone stores pictures, but as you can see, it also suggests themes for my life now.
What random shots could you find on your iPhone? Any themes you can detect?
Good morning, Marian!
Beautiful random shots of family and nature. It’s lovely you could get together with your sisters. Special times indeed.
(Thank you for the shoutout, too.) 💙
Yes, during the pandemic, shots like these would not be possible. Thanks, Merril! 😀
You’re welcome, Marian! 🙂
Your photos and videos are colorful and fun and family oriented. How lovely. My photos are of friends, family, quotes, birds, beautiful clouds, and songs. So maybe the theme is appreciation for the Creator Who gave us all things to enjoy?
You got it, L. Marie! What a perfect way to summarize. 😀
Family and humour – those are wonderful, happy things. My most recent photos are mostly flowers from the tulip festival in Ottawa and travel to the UK from our trip to visit our son. Those are beautiful, blessed things too.
Arlene, you have the best reason in the world to visit the UK. Thanks for sharing! 😀
Lovely mementoes, Marian. You are indeed blessed to have such a wonderful family.
Yes, I am, Fatima, and I try not to take them for granted! 😀
👍
A great collection of photos and videos. I love the one with you and your sisters at sunset especially. You are so lucky to have sisters. xo
I know I am, Darlene. I’m glad you enjoyed visiting with your cousin recently. Nothing like “girl” friends. Thanks for noticing! 😀
Although I did not have any sisters, I was blessed with many cousins and an aunt my age. So I have always had “Girlfriends” to spend time with. xo
Good for you, Darlene!
Wonderful photos Marian! The one of you and your sisters on the water is a stunner. I see it in a future holiday card? 🙂 And gorgeous flowers everywhere. Love them. ♥ We’re going to be taking many new family photos in the month of June with two reunions. The quote about photos being a return ticket to something that is gone is so smart. Thanks for sharing!
I’m glad you enjoyed the quotes. Photographer and author Susan Sontag said some pretty wise things too about picture taking, but her quotes are quite long.
So happy you have family reunions in the forecast. Released from COVID constraints, we can kick up our heels. Thanks, Melanie!
Finally! 😀
Marian — Oh, what fun snaps! I take photos during my daily walks, select one, and share it on Instagram as “Walking my Muse.”
Yes, Laurie, even if I don’t always comment on Instagram, I follow your “Muse,” all over the Pacific Northwest. 😀
At this time, the peonies and the birdsongs are my favourite. It has a calming effect on me, so important to my wellbeing right now!
When we go through painful times, the beauties of nature help soothe. I pray for you the glory of beautiful flowers, the sweet melody of birdsong, and the comfort of His Everlasting Arms, dear Elfrieda! 😀
Okay, which one of you hyenas told me to stick my finger in the manatee’s nose?
Oh what fun we had.
Jean
It was funny when you poked the manatee’s nose–and it’s still funny. Haha, Jean! 😀
I love seeing the sisters together, especially since I never had a sister and have no living siblings. What a treasure! And the book signing, the river, and the flowers. There’s so much pleasure in these images. Thank you.
I think we are breathing a collective sigh of relief with the pandemic (mostly) in the rear-view mirror, which makes travel possible now. I hope your sons can gather again soon, maybe this summer. Here’s to good health and forward motion with your book. I know it will be wonderful, Elaine! 😀
I love the photo of three sisters with setting sun. It must have been a very special day. I recently transferred photos off my phone to my computer. The ones left are random shots of my daughter, her husband, me, my husband, and the dog (always the dog). The others are of Paul Stream in Vermont, where my husband and I went to last weekend related to the photopoetry book I’m working on.
Liz, your photos reflect your varied and rich life. I need to do a “purge” of my photos again. We take photos one at a time, but still they pile up willy-nilly. Thanks for your comment again! 😀
These snapshots warm my heart, Marian. I especially loved the sunset photos of you three! It’s fabulous that you are all still healthy and mobile.
Aw, thank you, Liesbet. We all work at staying ambulatory: I walk every day and do Pilates a few times a week. Otherwise, I’d turn into a wet noodle–ha!
I tried to get my wife to go to “Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret,” but she wasn’t having it. I have a couple guy friends that I occasionally go to the movies with, but I think I’d lose my man card if I asked them to attend.😊
Ahem!
“Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret,” is a 1970s coming-of-age book and film. As you know, it deals with adolescent struggles but also interfaith marriage: Margaret’s grandmother is Jewish, another set of grandparents protestant and a Catholic friend. I enjoyed the fashions and cars of the seventies as much as the storyline, played convincingly by Abby Fortson.
It would be a manly thing to escort your wife to this movie, just sayin’! 😀
Love the photo of you and your sister, Marian. Definitely frame worthy!
Thanks for your vote of confidence, Jill! 😀
I like the idea of finding a “theme” in your life by perusing the photos on your i-Phone. Clever and interesting – and makes a lot of sense. I guess my theme would be the “flowers in my life,” as many of my phone photos are of flowers, the garden my guy is creating, my blooming (and growing too fast) grandchildren, and my granddog cavorting around me, in love. Love Blooms, for sure. <3
Love Blooms in Pam’s Garden, courtesy of Hubster, the Grands, and the Posies. Knowing your style, you could weave a bit of mystery into the mix. Do I see a future blog post blossoming?
I always feel a mood of optimism here. Thanks for your input, Pam! 😀
PS. I just had a congrats from WordPress that my blog is now 12 years old. :-0 Thought you’d appreciate. I was shocked when you told me I’d reached 10! 🙂
CONGRATULATIONS, my friend! Wayyyy to go!
So, I have to wait almost two more years to get a nod from WordPress. Grrrrr. . .
🤓💖
Hi Marian, what a lovely selection of pictures. It was nice to see your sisters. Your hubby is very entertaining. I love the bed of roses and may make a cake version for my mom’s birthday.
Cliff and I eagerly await a photo of your cake with (fondant?) roses for your mom’s birthday. How inspiring!
I’ll let Cliff know the clip was entertaining. Actually, I caught the tail end; what went on was even funnier. 😀
I’m a bit late but I was taking photos of grandsons, tamping down brotherly fights, driving a carload to a baseball game through busy-busy end of work day scary traffic on a huge Interstate, and washing up EVERYTHING after one boy lost his supper. But I loved the Thurmes quote above “We take photos as a return ticket to a moment otherwise gone.” Yes and yes.
Melodie, sounds as though you may be conducting Cousin Camp again. Blessings on your efforts whatever the reason. I too hate interstate driving. We in Jacksonville are surrounded by I-95 and the bypass, which is equally busy, I-295. You must have made it through unscathed if you have the presence of mind to tap out these words. Now get some rest. ;-D
I owe you a response: not cousin camp, but daughter and her husband were celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary and wanted a little getaway, and the two grandma’s had some adventures with their mutual grandsons!
Oh, I get it.
How nice. . . two grandma’s involved–double blessing!
What I love most about photos is that it can stop time. You have created amazing memories with your photos. It was a joy to see them. The “cleaning video” was awesome.
You are exactly right, Rebecca, photos can stop time, or at least freeze it for a moment. I’m glad you like the snaps. I’ll let Cliff and Ian know you enjoyed the video–ha! 😀
These are wonderful, Marian. It’s so nice to see you with your family. What a terrific picture of you and your sisters!
Thanks, Barbara, and it’s SO nice to be together after literally years of separation! 😀
Donut ever give up! Made me laugh out loud. All your photos are so colorful and happy. Looks like you’ve been having fun.
I pick out colorful and happy because life sometimes is dull and sad. I imagine my peeps may feel the same. Thanks, Ally B. 😀
Fantastic pictures and memories Marian. You are blessed to have a wonderful family. I loved the pic with you and your sisters. Hugs x
Good morning, Debby! You are going to be shocked that I visited your Sunday Book Review blog post before Tuesday. Thanks for swinging by here, always appreciated. 😀