July-Jinks - 2018 #31SRW Photography Challenge

The prompt today in the #31SRW Photography Challenge by Shelley Quaint is fire.  Since yesterday was 4th of July here in the US, I have a couple of pictures of our "Safe and Sane" fireworks show.

When I was young we used to have fireworks in front of our house all the time.  I wrote about that here.

We are one of only a couple of towns in our area that still allows the safe and sane fireworks.  Most other cities have outlawed them and all the ones that go up in the air are definitely illegal to shoot off.   Our city uses the sale of fireworks as a fundraiser for local children's sports programs and my husband volunteers his time in the booth for the Pony Baseball teams.  On the 4th he brings home our fireworks show and we have some friends who come over from the next town to share them with us.

Fortunately it wasn't too windy.

One of the best ones got started when I was in the house so I only caught the reflection through the window.  It was still impressive.

I love the fireworks setting on my camera that lets me get some of the pretty colors, but it takes a while so I can't do rapid shooting.

And even though they are illegal, some people still manage to find and shoot off the ones high in the sky.  

25 people were arrested for shooting them off.  That's a $1000 fine each!  More money for our city.  

Hope you had a great 4th.  

July-Jinks - 2018 #31SRW Photography Challenge

So today in the 31 day photography challenge Shelley gives us the prompt of Clutter.  While food and clouds gave me a challenge I couldn't overcome, clutter is pure simplicity for me!

It seems like everywhere I look in our house there is clutter.  I know we are not the only ones who feel that way because I hear a lot of talk about people going minimalist and there are a lot of folks my age looking to downsize.

We've slowly been trying to take steps to repurpose some of the things we no longer hold dear.  I've started a collection of things we may use for a garage/yard sale this summer.   

In addition to this batch, there are 2 more plastic containers in my closet and I haven't even gone through MY clothes yet!

How much space we will have when these things are gone remains to be seen.  I have a feeling that no matter what it is still going to look like we have a lot of stuff.  If we are able to sell some things, that would be a bonus.  If not, I'll call the local charity and have them come and pick it all up.  

I don't know if taking all the color out makes it look any less cluttery. 

Some may consider this clutter too, but to me it is artist at work.

I'm making a baby album and when I am deep in the process, things are everywhere. 

In this instance, I think making it black and white makes it look a little bit more organized.  

I did make a bag of crafty items that I know I won't use to give to our friends who are coming over today to watch the safe and sane fireworks we are allowed to shoot off.  She is a teacher and I know that supplies are sometimes hard to come by so win-win for both of us!  How about you?  Got clutter?  Trying to downsize? 

Thanks again to Shelley at Quaint Revival for organizing this little picture program.  Have a happy 4th to all in the USA.  

July-Jinks 2018 - #31SRW 31 Day Photo Challenge and Escapist Colorist Club

July-Jinks as in "high jinks" or "hijinks" - however you want to say it, I'm on a mission to have some fun this summer.  Of course I'll be sharing as much as I can along the way.

I just found this wonderful 31 day photography challenge by Shelley at Quaint Revival so I'm hopping on.  I may not be able to get them all done because we are going on vacation for a week in the middle of the month but I'm gonna do the best I can.  I also may not make every part of the challenge, but again, I'm trying to have fun this month, not make it a stress factor.  Here is #1:

The prompt is Tower and as I understand the rules, there should be a photo, a silhouette, a reflective silhouette, a black and white and a story to go with it.  I'm not sure I covered all the bases but here is my take on that:

I really loved the waterfall displays that were at Michaels when I worked there.  They went on sale so I figured with my employee discount I couldn't go wrong.  

It sits in my craft room and my husband says he doesn't hear the water falling but I do and it really doesn't matter anyway, just the look of it is soothing to me.  

Next to it sits my rock collection and the little old man and drummer boy, an altar of sorts.  

If you think you might like to do the 31 days of photography, come on along.  

Next is the Escapist Coloring Club for July as hosted by Linda G. Hill.   I think I had a fondness for purple and red for some reason.  I did learn some new techniques from Linda this month so I'm looking forward to putting them to good use.  

I didn't even realize that I was using the same colors until I put them together to take these photos, but on the other hand, I was recently reading about the Red Hat Society, those lovely older ladies who wear purple dresses and red hats so maybe I was subconsciously thinking about that. 

I'm putting these things together today so you don't get so many posts from me in one day.  I certainly don't want to overwhelm you!  Happy Sunday and first day of July folks.