I spent most of my day today writing a book.
I think I like it.
Its not a traditional book.
I am not exactly traditional.
At least not when it comes to what I find creative.
I am not an author, nor do I consider myself a writer.
I think of myself as a story teller.
I just tell MY story.
So here is the story of how I came to 'write' a book today.
I simply set out on a path to fill a need.
I spent a week waiting in a doctor's waiting room one day,
then waiting in an exam room,
then waiting in the waiting room lab,
then waiting in the lab, then....
Well you get the idea.
I left that day, (it felt like a week) tired of looking at drab paintings,
medical posters,
warnings to wash your hands,
turn off your cell phone,
cover your mouth,
and my only visual alternative...,
9 month old magazines that had been read 27 times too often.
I didn't know how to approach my physician regarding my idea, and while my husbands work space wasn't as bad I thought it could use a bit more color, some interesting things on the walls,
and hopefully I could make it more cheerful.
He liked the idea and was very supportive.
I began by framing some photos of local parks, playground equipment,
and a lighthouse on the coast.
I used familiar sights, common items.
I hung them around his office space and they were well received. I then created calendars with family pictures, favorite sights, and some macro photography.
I had fun creating things that might help alleviate someones boredom, and perhaps remind them of some time or place that they had been or seen.
If nothing else, the pictures might be a conversation starter.
Well the photos are now familiar, and unless you come at the beginning of the month, the calendars are familiar too. I haven't stopped taking pictures,
so I also have an abundance of photographs on my external hard drive.
At my husbands suggestion, encouragement, and perhaps even some pestering. I finally got around to fulfilling his request and decided to 'tell my story' with photographs in book form.
My first book (I have 2 more in mind) uses my pictures of mushrooms.
I know what you must be thinking...Mushrooms? Like Toadstools?
Mushrooms aren't exactly a common item to photograph.
And for this Kansas Girl, when I began,
I had no idea there were so many different kinds of mushrooms.
In order to photograph mushrooms, you first have to find them.
It involves, camping, and hiking through the woods,
generally in the rain. I like both those activities,
and the rain is what makes it great!
I've taken hundreds of photos throughout Oregon, and only used a small amount of them in the book.
It's not a technical book containing information, facts, or details.
It is simply a book that tells my story of why and where I hike, hunt, and shoot mushrooms.
It begins with the first mushroom I saw while camping at Silver Falls State Park over 2 years ago.
For my 48th birthday, I gifted myself with my first ever weekend away.
Yes, that's right, alone ... on my birthday.
(Okay, I wasn't alone the whole time. The family was worried about me and HAD to join me for 1/2 the time. There is a lot more I could share about that awesome weekend, but I already blogged about that a couple years ago.)
I wish I could tell you about the whole book and show you all the pictures, but I am not technologically savvy enough to figure that out yet.
Here are a few pictures from my hunts.
These are not necessarily my best photos, but they are some of my favorite finds.
The elusive
Violet Cort!
My absolute favorite mushroom find so far.
The two largest mushrooms I have ever found!
They were 12 inches and about 9 inches tall.
I like these itty bitty guys growing from the underside of a tree branch.
This was the most unique mushroom.
It was translucent and fuzzy!
A very strange find indeed.
Hunting for and finding mushrooms is fun for me.
As a kid growing up in Kansas, I rarely saw wild mushrooms, and when I did see them either my brother was kicking them into the neighbors yard, or dad was swinging a golf club or a rake at them to rid the yard of the eye sore.
I am anxious to get back out there and resume the hunt!
I hope you can join me some day!
Steppin' out with DWNTWN
DWNTWNimages.me
I think I like it.
Its not a traditional book.
I am not exactly traditional.
At least not when it comes to what I find creative.
I am not an author, nor do I consider myself a writer.
I think of myself as a story teller.
I just tell MY story.
So here is the story of how I came to 'write' a book today.
I simply set out on a path to fill a need.
I spent a week waiting in a doctor's waiting room one day,
then waiting in an exam room,
then waiting in the waiting room lab,
then waiting in the lab, then....
Well you get the idea.
I left that day, (it felt like a week) tired of looking at drab paintings,
medical posters,
warnings to wash your hands,
turn off your cell phone,
cover your mouth,
and my only visual alternative...,
9 month old magazines that had been read 27 times too often.
I didn't know how to approach my physician regarding my idea, and while my husbands work space wasn't as bad I thought it could use a bit more color, some interesting things on the walls,
and hopefully I could make it more cheerful.
He liked the idea and was very supportive.
I began by framing some photos of local parks, playground equipment,
and a lighthouse on the coast.
I used familiar sights, common items.
I hung them around his office space and they were well received. I then created calendars with family pictures, favorite sights, and some macro photography.
I had fun creating things that might help alleviate someones boredom, and perhaps remind them of some time or place that they had been or seen.
If nothing else, the pictures might be a conversation starter.
Well the photos are now familiar, and unless you come at the beginning of the month, the calendars are familiar too. I haven't stopped taking pictures,
so I also have an abundance of photographs on my external hard drive.
At my husbands suggestion, encouragement, and perhaps even some pestering. I finally got around to fulfilling his request and decided to 'tell my story' with photographs in book form.
My first book (I have 2 more in mind) uses my pictures of mushrooms.
I know what you must be thinking...Mushrooms? Like Toadstools?
And for this Kansas Girl, when I began,
I had no idea there were so many different kinds of mushrooms.
In order to photograph mushrooms, you first have to find them.
It involves, camping, and hiking through the woods,
generally in the rain. I like both those activities,
and the rain is what makes it great!
I've taken hundreds of photos throughout Oregon, and only used a small amount of them in the book.
It's not a technical book containing information, facts, or details.
It is simply a book that tells my story of why and where I hike, hunt, and shoot mushrooms.
It begins with the first mushroom I saw while camping at Silver Falls State Park over 2 years ago.
For my 48th birthday, I gifted myself with my first ever weekend away.
Yes, that's right, alone ... on my birthday.
(Okay, I wasn't alone the whole time. The family was worried about me and HAD to join me for 1/2 the time. There is a lot more I could share about that awesome weekend, but I already blogged about that a couple years ago.)
I wish I could tell you about the whole book and show you all the pictures, but I am not technologically savvy enough to figure that out yet.
Here are a few pictures from my hunts.
These are not necessarily my best photos, but they are some of my favorite finds.
The elusive
Violet Cort!
My absolute favorite mushroom find so far.
The two largest mushrooms I have ever found!
They were 12 inches and about 9 inches tall.
I like these itty bitty guys growing from the underside of a tree branch.
This was the most unique mushroom.
It was translucent and fuzzy!
A very strange find indeed.
Hunting for and finding mushrooms is fun for me.
As a kid growing up in Kansas, I rarely saw wild mushrooms, and when I did see them either my brother was kicking them into the neighbors yard, or dad was swinging a golf club or a rake at them to rid the yard of the eye sore.
I am anxious to get back out there and resume the hunt!
I hope you can join me some day!
Steppin' out with DWNTWN
DWNTWNimages.me
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