Category: challenge

VJ’s Weekly Challenge #104: Next Chapter

~ V.J. Knutson ~ 18 Comments

Sold! Next!

Picture me surrounded by packing materials and boxes – I’ll be busy the next few weeks preparing for the move. Preparing for the next chapter.

Some of life changes are abrupt, unexpected, and some, like our upcoming house move, are planned out. Either way, change is a given.

The focus this week is: next chapter. The implications may be personal, or strike a broader chord.

To participate, create a post and link back here, or drop a thought in the comments.

Look forward to your responses.

Threes in Threes (or so)

~ V.J. Knutson ~ 26 Comments

Amateur, I am, when it comes to photography. I’m excited to learn the ins and outs. This week, Nancy Merrill instructs on the rule of thirds. The featured image represents thistles leaning into the third.

This daffodils are leaning outside the boundaries, but there is something interesting about this shot to me.

Thanks Nancy Merrill for your A Photo a Week Challenge: Threes and Threes

Summer Delights

~ V.J. Knutson ~ 18 Comments

The heat of summer, typically fuels our wandering impulses. A spontaneous drive to the beach, or a weekend up north. Now that coronavirus has reined us in, we search seasonal delight closer to home: roses in the garden, the emerald green of farm fields, and the leisurely hunt of a furry fisherman.


(For Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: summer.)

VJ’s Weekly Challenge #103: theme song

~ V.J. Knutson ~ 38 Comments

Lovers like to claim a song as their own, a symbol of their passion. This never worked for me – the only partner who declared a song ours – “Love Lifts Us Up Where We Belong” – dropped me shortly after.

I dated a con-man once who dubbed “La Vida Loca” as my theme song. I never knew why, but in retrospect assume it was a warning.

The best theme songs are the one’s that resonate. Post divorce, when all seemed too hard, it was Jimmy Eat World who kept me going with his song “The Middle”.

Later, when Ric and I married and I’d returned to school to get my Bachelor of Education, “Unwell” by Matchbox 20 seemed to define the moment well, especially the lines: “I’m not crazy; I’m just a little unwell. I know right now you can’t tell.”

Let’s have a little fun this week, discovering our current theme song. Post a video, lyrics, or write your own.

Look forward to your responses. To participate just create a post and then link back here.



Remember to Breathe

~ V.J. Knutson ~ 10 Comments

There’s an old black walnut tree that stands on the edge of our new property. As much as I try to not think about the next house and focus on this one – keeping it sale worthy – I can’t stop thinking about that tree.

Viewed from the back deck, it is a prime model for sketching, and my pencil is itching to get to work.

All in good time.

Meanwhile, we have our first showing today, and tomorrow, our granddaughter comes to stay with us for a week.

I must curb the excitement and pace myself if I am to maintain my health.

A shoutout to all the participants this week:

Stuff and what if…
Sgeoil
parallax
Sanjuna
Eugi’s Causerie I
radhikasreflection
I Write Her
paeansunpluggedblog
MMAStoryline
Thanks so much for your contributions and inspiration. See you tomorrow for a new challenge.

Duck, Duck, Goose

~ V.J. Knutson ~ 21 Comments
I think this merganser is looking for a goose.
This Hooded Merganser is too cool for school.
This Goldeneye is feeling out of place.

Thanks to Our Eyes Open for hosting the Bird Weekly challenge and indulging my obsession. This week’s prompt is ducks and geese. The featured mallard found himself ditched.

VJ’s Weekly Challenge #102: Pace

~ V.J. Knutson ~ 35 Comments

“Don’t worry Grandma; I can go at a sloth’s pace!” my granddaughter once reassured me when I confessed that I can’t keep up.

So, I’m a sloth. I like to think I’m more of an old tortoise: lumbering but steady. There was a time when I was the hare: fast, but not always winning the race.

Pacing, chronic illness has taught me, is the secret to making the most out of life.

When I look what is happening in the world, I am discouraged by how slow we are, societally, to embrace change, but maybe even in this there is a pace: a rhythm that makes sense.

This week, think about how pace affects your life.

I look forward to your responses.