Living In the Moment

Today I decided to do something that I do not usually do. I wanted to share some of the work from a class I am currently taking. Here are some short poems I wrote in Liz Lamoreux's  INNER EXCAVATION online course. This is from Week 1 - Entitled, Just Write ...  4 Prompts Given To Start  ...  I Begin ... I Am ... I Stand Alone ... I See a Man   I Begin … Each morning with a cup of coffee Giving my brain a jump start  Preparing me for the day ahead  Usually a traffic filled ride  Horns blaring  Grateful for good music  Thoughts swirling in my head  Wondering what the day will bring  Thinking of weekend plans ahead  I Am …  A modern day woman with an old soul Seeker of authenticity in all things  One who continues to believe A wide eyed explorer  In search of the next best photo  Or words that will resonate After I am gone  I Stand ...

Much Has Transpired Since My Last Post ...  Some Good News ... Some NOT So Good ... Some Ups and Certainly Some Downs ... The Ingredients That Life Offers Up To All Of Us ...  The doors that have recently closed for me have thrown open new ones. I have been given time to shift my attention to a new passion of mine.  Conceptual Photography.  Recently, I took Catherine Just's "Begin Deepening"  10 Day Online Course ... Conceptual Photography is very new to me. It seems to have come along when I needed it most. I am easing into this new art form with comfort. I find it aligns with my love of writing and storytelling Here Are a Few Examples  Self Portraiture- The Real Me  Storytelling -The New Journey Series Self Reflection - Only Words What doors have opened for you lately?  I would love to hear from you ... 

Photography by Kristine Dubuque Ortega  LIFE LESSONS FROM THE FURRY SIDE   Rest when the body asks for it  Eat, play and explore Always be alert  Ask for comfort when needed  Adapt to change Welcome others with gladness  Enjoy nature's surprises Chase after what you want Take time to get pampered Use the sun as a source of heat  Pounce on good opportunities Let go of what no longer satisfies Take breaks  Ponder for a moment or two Find the place in the world that suits you  Appreciate the simple things  Show gratitude 

It seems when we need an escape, we head off to the ocean.  A place where we can reconnect to after a long winter season.  The first trip is always the most meaningful to me.  All Photos taken by Kristine Dubuque Ortega 

Early Morning Thoughts ... 3:45am I awake to hear tires on the pavement ... I feel a cat paw on my hand ... My husband sleeping soundly next to me ... Is it Sunday? Or will the beeping begin going off soon? No, It is the weekend - One more day before the routine begins ... Thinking of things that need to get done ... And how I seem to fall short lately ... I am glad that I have kept up with on-line classes That I thoroughly enjoy ... If they could only make housework Just as pleasurable ... Trying to incorporate a few more hours into each day ... And an extra day on the weekends ... Needing to start benefiting from the extra daylight hours ... My mind turns to how we need clothes for upcoming family events ... How I need wrapping paper, self tanner, nails manicured, etc ... I dose back off to sleep ... Noticing the alarm clock in the early morning light ... 3:52am ...

A Few Things I Love ... Morning Coffee A Favorite Song On The Radio Coming Across a Great Quote Sharing a Hearty Laugh Collaborating with Other Artists Spending Time With My Family A Warm Shower  Returning to The Old Ways of Doing Things Visiting a New Bookstore The Comforts of Home Replacing Hot Chocolate for Lemonade Watching a Favorite Movie Going from Winter Boots to Sandals  Finding an Unexpected Photo Opportunity Hearing From An Old Friend

My Original Photography  Saturday Mornings Sipping my coffee in my living room Thoughts of the upcoming weeks swirling in my head At peace knowing I have done the best I can The washing machine is going, preparing for a new week A favorite movie, Julie & Julia is in the background One of our cats gives a howl to let himself be known Comfy clothes replace dress pants and tops Our street hums with passing cars The house feels warm and comfortable No time restraints, no deadlines A phone call to my folks to check in Perfect afternoon for a nap Rainy day in New England Three Words Home Sweet Home