So, I've been thinking lately.  And you know, that's never really a very good thing, because a lot of the time I tend to think about weird things.  

Have you ever put a lot of thought into sleep?

Now, this is going to sound very strange, because sleep is something that we all do - in fact, we do it because we NEED to.  It's a daily requirement just the same as water, food, warmth, etc.  

But there is something kind of creepy about sleep.  I mean, you just lie there.  You are unconscious and oblivious to the world around you.  Almost anything could happen and you'd be unaware of it.  

Now  think about this the next time you are up late.  Go and look out your window and see that all the houses around you are dark.  Not a light on.  Now really think about this:  all the people in those houses.... all your neighbours are lying there in their beds unconscious.  Doesn't that give you a sort of strange feeling?  To feel that you are the only one who is awake and conscious?  Everyone else is tucked into their little cocoons and just ..... for all appearances..... dead to the world.     It makes think of The Matrix for some reason, although I don't really know why.

I know, I know, weird, eh?  (that eh's  for YOU Tim)       I told you it was bad when I was thinking too much  

But you know, the reason why I bring this up is because due to places like DA I have met some very wonderful and interesting people who I would have never met, because they live on the other side of the world from me.  It seems strange to me that when I am getting up in the morning, they are half way through their work day, and by the time I get off work, they are getting ready for bed.  As I'm doing my evening activities they are lying in their beds........ sleeping.  Not long after I go to sleep, they are getting up for the new day.

It's kind of interesting to think of people going about their daily business while you and all of your neigbours are lying in your beds in the dark........  

So, anyways, seeing as we have so much moisture around here this spring, I finally bought myself a pair of rubber boots.  They are rather pretty - rubber boots have come a long way in recent years.  They are black with white polka dots on them.  I carry them in the back of my car in case I need them when I go out taking photos, but I have never used them yet.  Until last Friday - it was a beautiful day so off I went to get some shots and I finally decided it was time to put the rubbers on.  It was great - seeing as it's wood tick season and the ditches are so wet, they really came in handy.  The only problem was how much they hurt my feet!!!   Oh my Gosh they hurt!!  There came a time through the afternoon when I actually had visions of those poor Chinese women who used to have their feet boarded so they wouldn't grow past a certain size and I felt great empathy for them.  It was agony.  But it was worth it!  I found some beautiful places to shoot that I haven't used before, and I think I got some really great shots out of it.  But let me tell you, when I came home and walked in the door and pulled those boots off, anyone listening to me would have thought I was having an orgasm.  It felt SO good to get those suckers off!!!  wow....  and then I found a wood tick on me - but it wasn't as bad as last time because at least I was fully clothed and I could just walk out the door and flick it off my pants.  I considered taking them off on the front step and shaking them to make sure there weren't any hiding, but I decided to have mercy on my neighbours and kept my pants on!!!  

So, my friends, I'm going to show you some amazing art I've collected recently - I hope they blow your pants off!!!

First, I have to show you this lovely photo dedicated to me by   Jon has an amazing eye and he captures the most beautiful scenes from Wales, but he captures them in a way that makes you feel like you can smell the grass and feel the wind in your hair.  Visit his gallery - he is one of DA's finest, in more ways than one.  Thank you Jonny


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