Living In the Moment

Photography by Kristine ~2016~ Taking a look back on this past year had me thinking of what it consisted of.  I thought I would create a list of "Highlights" ... - Birthday Get-Togethers - Football Games  - Some Online Creative Courses Taken - Holiday Parties - New Routines - Memorable Photography - Made New Friends - Sickness and Loss  - Laughter From The Littles In Our Family - Took a Great Family Vacation   - Home Repairs My next writing will be in the 2017 ...  Have you chosen your "Word Of The Year" yet? I will be sharing my chosen word in an upcoming post.  Happy New Year To All My Family & Friends -- Much Love 

WELCOME FALL !!! This is the time of the year I wait for ... The warm, colors, delicious comfort food. football season, and sweater weather that brings in cool, crisp air! These photos (above) were taken on my day off, at a pond not far from where I live. This is where I go to clear my mind. I have visited this pond for many years now, always anticipating my next visit! Where do you escape to find answers? I would love to hear back from you!

You've Got Mail Throwback ... After viewing so many posts of friends and families children heading back to school ... It brought me back to the movie You've Got Mail and certain lines that I so enjoyed! I have to say after all these years, I can still watch You've Got Mail and smile for a full two hours. It is one of those movies that I return to often and it does not take long to remember why. Nora Ephron had a way with her writing, casting and bringing us back to the special connections we make. I came across this image while surfing google images and remembered how much I loved this line in the movie, "I Would Send You A Bouquet Of Newly Sharpened Pencils If I Knew Your Name & Address" ~Joe Fox (Tom Hanks). Just one of so many incredible lines spoken in this film. Do you have a favorite line in this movie? I would love to hear back from you ...

My Original Photography AUTUMN AWAITS Sitting here  Taking in thoughts  Yesterday Today Tomorrow  Knowing what matters Where my heart needs to be A new season awaits My favorite of all  Staying grounded  Asking for strength Finding my way  Remembering where I came from  Awaiting a New Year  Anxious to see what it has to offer  Kristine Dubuque Ortega 09/21/2016

This is the book I have been reading. Before my work days starts, and on breaks in between. I have thoroughly enjoyed each word and each chapter. Shonda, as many of you know is the television producer, writer and screenwriter of  Thursday Night Shows such as Grey's Anatomy, Scandal & How To Get Away With Murder. Her Words Have Inspired Me! She grew up simple, had awkward moments along the way and rose to become a strong confident woman. Her strength pushes me to become a stronger version of myself. Her words resonate in a way others have not. Perhaps "My Year Of Yes" will be the upcoming one ... How about yours? #yearofyes #sayingyes #shondarhimesyearofyes

Original Photography by Kristine MUDDY WATERS As I sat Thoughts of days gone by Have I made the wrong choice? Did I muddy the waters, and disrupt the natural flow Should I have been more patient Or was the timing right? Feeling lost I gathered my worry and continued on In hopes of a sign One that would be so bright, there would be no mistaking it Wanting more Or needing less A fine line That lingers in the air Slowing disappearing Until tomorrow The next day And the day after that Kristine Dubuque Ortega 06/26/2016  

From Time to Time I Come Across Items and Articles That Are Too Good to Keep to Myself !!! Have Fun Looking at These Sweet Finds:  Heart This Sand Art Typewriter Piano Key Mug Nice Remembrance Always Choose To Be A Mermaid Inspire Me Great Reminder # 1 & #7 Are My Favorites Unicorn Love This Summer Chair This Hat This Bag These Tins

My Original Photography  MOVING IN SLOW MOTION Watching myself from above Many lessons to learn Accept others opinions Get a hold of my emotions Stay open to attraction  Show up in my life Moving in slow motion Listen to my heart Follow my own beat Believe in myself Trust in what I do know Remain strong willed Swaying to the music Leaving the rest to chance

Photo found on PinTerest  Later In Life ...  We Appreciate The ...  Accordion Lessons Help with Homework  Cheer Leading Practices Orthodontic Appointments Baseball Games Halloween Costumes Three Course Meals Free Hugs Basketball Practices Homemade Soup Shopping Trips Science Projects Taxi Rides  Three Meals a Day Clean Laundry  Snacks on Request  A Full Refrigerator  A Clean House Great Coffee An Ear To Listen  The Best Advice  With  Never a Complaint  Happy Mother's Day, Mom  I Love You  Xo

THROWBACK THURSDAY  Who remembers this ad?  My Dad was a member all those years ago. I remember him saying, "Pick an album you like". A phrase that will never be uttered in any modern day household today. I remember my small finger following down the musicians and album titles to choose from, in my tenth year of life. Yes, I came across Eddie Rabbit's, I Love A Rainy Night (with the album titled with the same name). Perhaps this is where my Country Rock / Country Pop attraction began. I remember the excitement when a thin square box held the mailbox cover open. My Dad handed it to me saying, "This is yours". I remember going into the living room and setting up my Dad's compact record player. I flipped open the paddle locks, found an outlet for power, took off the cellophane and placed the vinyl down. Turned the power on and placed the needle to hear my music choice. When he began to sing I knew I had made a good choice. I am unsure why this momen...

Original Photography by Kristine  Welcoming The Month of May!  So I am back after a month of writings for April Love (Susannah Conway's April Love). Thank you all for staying with me for these posts, I had been wanting to add a writing practice to my blog for awhile. Hoping you enjoyed it! Something New!  Each Spring I find myself making a list of places I would like to visit. This year I gathered a few places right in my hometown of Boston, MA.  My Spring 2016 List: Swan Boats - Boston Public Gardens The Boston Public Library Museum of Fine Arts Sam Adams Brewery The Algiers for a Great Cup of Coffee  Bull & Finch Pub (The Cheers Bar) Brick and Mortar for a Delicious Meal   The Bleacher Bar to Watch a Red Sox Game  Central Bottle for Wine Tasting What is on your Spring List? 

Dear Kristine, I am writing to tell you it will be alright. Knowing you, better than anyone I have many hopes for you. Grow more confident in who you are.  Stay Strong. Breakdown when you need to. Stay true to yourself. You will blend in as an old soul in this modern world. Bend but never waver. Never lose faith. Believe in your way of thinking. Accept who you are. Move through this life with more ease. You have it in you. Dig deep and you will find it. Use the qualities you have been given. Know that you have come a long way. You have already found your passions, continue to work on them. Show the world the smile that gets you compliments, and laugh that is contagious. I think we need more of that. You will find your niche, give it time. You will never be without worry, but you will adapt better. You will always have a guardian angel through the difficult times. Your future looks bright, continue to be you - and you will get there!

Dear Sanctuary, You are where I retreat to find answers. When silence is needed. To sort out my thoughts. To be still. To listen. To ease the pain. To find peace. To ask the questions. To find balance. To listen to my own voice. You are my escape. A haven I can find my center. To take fresh air. View nature. Watch the light dance on the water. To find solitude. To return home, whole.

Dear Laughter, Your best characteristics are belly laughs, making me feel light headed and not being able to catch my breath. Conversations, Jokes,  and movies bring out the best in you. I could watch my friends and family mimic you all day. I love seeing this effect take hold. A moment in time. A snapshot that I would love to bottle up for safe keeping. The best times are when I am with friends and family and you accompany us. Please continue to visit to brighten my days.

Dear Change, I have never been in favor of you. Although, I have had many in my life. I am not fearful of you, and I like to feel secure. You bring uncertainty. Anxiousness. I do prefer things remaining the same, in this ever changing world. Status Quo. Existing conditions give me comfort. Feeling prepared. Ready for the next turn. I have learned to stop and start again. Gaining confidence with every turn of events. You have taught me flexibility which I am grateful for. All I ask is if you continue to show me a path to better myself in home, love and life.

Dear Heart, I have been wanting to write to you for awhile now. My head often has disagreements with you. You have been broken, cracked open and shattered. I live by you. I always feel your tug. Whenever I have a tough decision to make. I weigh the odds. More times than not, you win. I look deep inside for answers and there you are. Rooting me on or telling me to steer clear. I depend on you to get me through my days. Yes, the physical aspect but I am speaking of the emotional, as well. I have always been a fan of following you. I collect items that are shaped liked you. I seem to find you in nature, and you are always photographed. Please continue to show up in my life, in my daily travels, and in unexpected ways.

Dear United State of America, I have never lived anywhere else but I do know, there is no better place. We have so many facets to be grateful for. Premium healthcare. Expertise in Science and Medicine. Acres of land for purchase. Larger living quarters. Good quality of life. Different Seasons. I am blessed to live here. I will never leave. I may travel but I will always return back to the place I call home.

Dear Truth, You are told. Avoided. You always come out in the end. You set us free. We search for the whole truth. Not always something we want to hear. I have understood you more as time has gone on. I am speaking of “My Truth”. The real me. The Creative. The Writer. The Photographer. The one who always resided within me. I believe in you, when I used to have doubt. I listen to my inner voice that always stands by you. You never steer me wrong. I will continue to trust you. Tomorrow and the next day after that.

Dear Magic, I have witnessed you many times in my life. But you do keep me guessing. You always hold out until the very last minute. Just before I hit my breaking point. I wait. Then I wait some more. The phone does not ring when expected. The decision never comes on the day promised. The results take longer than guaranteed. The worry sets in. The doubt becomes greater. Confident assumptions lessen. Conclusions are questionable. Opinions seem unrealistic. Suspicions feel more real. Fooliness begins to creep in. Then the magic happens. Always.  

Dear Fear, You have been the driving force behind my toughest choices. Afraid I was not ready. Not qualified. Not strong enough. Not worthy. Holding me back. Stifling me. Keeping me in my comfort zone. Being my worst critic. Telling me I was not good enough, smart enough or attractive enough. Reminding me of who I used to be. Failing to realize I have grown. I listen to my positive voice and dim yours. I hear mumbling and realize you have not been silenced. I feel your presence, but know how to distance you. Strength sits in your place now. Confidence needs to also dominate over your voice. That day is in view.  

Dear Sky, You have watched over me. Your morning sun blinds me while driving. Your moon shines a pathway to the heavens over the water. You make me realize how small I am in this life. Each new day begins with your light and ends with your shadows. I find myself looking upward towards you for answers. Different weather patterns fall from you. Rain. Sleet. Snow. Your sunshine brings joy to all. Your warmth leads us outdoors to enjoy nature. I am glad that as I age I seem to appreciate all that surrounds me, the sky being ever present.

PRINCE  1958 - 2016 Singer Song-Writer Multi-Instrumentalist Record Producer Actor Film Director Innovator  Gone Too Soon ...

Dear Reflection, I have to admit I have not always been a great supporter. It took me a long while to like your  unconventional nose, your dimple and a half, freckles and round face. Broad shoulders. Larger frame. When I was younger, I would zone in on my looks in a cynical way. As I age, I try and find the oneness. Uniqueness. I may not like the changes but I am accepting them. It is what makes me who I am. This is not a love letter, but I am beginning to like you more. I am growing into a more mature me. Hopefully an enlightened one.

Dear Money, Although we need you to live, I do feel we need to develop a better understanding of each other. I do keep track of where you go, other times I wonder. You have been made, paid, given, transferred, deposited, withdrawn and argued about. Thoughts of needing more of you. Thoughts of wanting to give more to charity. Normalcy. Steadiness. Changing careers to change your flow. My hope is that you become more stable. Only choices I can make. To better myself. To better the both of us.

Dear Kindness, You were there when the woman infront of me paid for my iced coffee. There when I reached out to a friend that was hurting. You are there when I need to find the right words, when there aren't any. When I feel compassionate. Empathy. Understanding. When I want to be who I truly am without judgement. When I approach a difficult situation. When the world is unkind. When I know I need to rise above. What I know for sure is, I want to walk this life with you beside me.

Dear Family, I would love to tell you so many stories. Ones you have not heard. How grateful I am for the family that surrounds us. Hearing a story from you that I had never heard before. How I enjoy hearing of relatives that have left us. The heartaches, the lowest moments, the smaller achievements that only I know of. The late nights that tears appear. The early mornings that bring back the greatest of memories. When I hear a song that brings me back in time. Where my mind goes when I see nature at its best. How I believe in the smallest of gestures. How I wish I could change my future years with him still in my life. The moments I spend at the local pond, finding answers. How I crave the ocean after long Winter months. How the aroma of a holiday dish transcends me back to childhood. My belief that I will find my niche in the world. How I feel when I hold a camera or when I am writing. The rush I feel while having a great conversation. How I enjoy the first cup of coffee to s...

Dear Legs, You are a part of my body that I am not ashamed of. That took courage to say. You are muscular. You move me forward. One step at a time.  You have held me up since my first steps. You have helped me onto buses, trains and airplanes. Have helped me learn to rollerskate, ski, play baseball and basketball. You stayed strong when I was cheerleader, and when I joined a gym. You have let me know when a pair of sandals were not the best choice. You have had a few pulled tendons, scratches and scars. You have been tanned, moisturized and shaved over the years. You have been hidden under jeans and dress pants. I have shown you in shorts. Please stay healthy. You still have many places to carry me.

Dear Shadows, I have come to appreciate you. Without you, there would be no light. Light has become a major part of who I am. In my photographs, in my thoughts, in my life. The shadows are where the truth lies. The light and the dark. The balance. The root. The core. Where new ideas are born. Where the courage lies. Where strength grows. Where we become alive. Where we find ourselves. The parts that are shown and hidden. The words that resonate inside of me. Our foundation. The ebb and flow. I am glad you exist. You are my twin. That walks beside me and reminds me I still have much living to do.