Seedplanter’s Porch

My new Day Trippin’ series was hatched one day while I was tranferring photos from my hard drive to a new external CD-DVRW drive I purchased recently. I thought, Why tuck them away in files when I can share them with people who may not have seen these places for themselves? It’s been fun revisiting each locale, and I hope you’ll enjoy the mini tours.

I began with a lens about Smith Rock State Park, one of the most surprising discoveries (and best-kept secrets, I think) in Oregon. Next came my second Day Trippin’ lens, Crater Lake National Park. Last night I launched the third lens about the Oregon Coast, where we camped two weeks ago.

Day trips are smart. They’re an economical way to grab a quick vacation (some call ‘em staycations because they don’t require major planning) for a time of R&R. This lens series will begin with my own region, and will eventually spread to other areas as well. Our Yosemite trip in March 2007 was a major vacation for us, but for someone closer to that area, it could be an unforgettable day trip. Stay tuned; it’s next in line.

New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today!

TwttrLists are great! If you’ve not discovered them, it’s time to expand your Squidooey horizons and make a list of your own. Start with the template (thanks, Megan!), and create a list of your favorite topical twitters. Like movies? Check out the latest feedback. Planning a trip? Run a Twitter search to see the destinations people are raving about.

The fun of TwttrLists is that everyone’s is fresh. Different. Plus there’s no end to the number of lists one person can create. My first TwttrList is Great Gardening Tips on Twitter. Why? Because I love flowers, vegetable gardens, herb gardening, and nature photography.  It seemed like a natural fit. And hey – did you know, you could win an Amazon Kindle? Check out the details at this lens about TwttrLists.

Here are some other creative examples that I’ve really enjoyed!

Great Quotes via Twitter by CCGAL

Best of Productivity Tips on Twitter by AlexShalman

Tweeters Who Plant Tomatoes! by Mickie_G

Best of #bea on Twitter by totai

Bank Error in Your Favor by rms

So, what are your favorite TwttrLists?

New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today!

Unless you’re caught in a time warp, you’ve undoubtedly noticed a rise in the cost of utilities, grocery prices, fuel, and more.  A vacation may be out of the question, but a day trip – a staycation – may be just what you need to clear your head. My husband and I have been taking day trips for years, partly because they’re economical, but mostly because they’re fun.

Amazing, how a few hours in any given direction can feel like an adventure. Just pack a picnic and go, or plan to grab lunch along the way. If you’re into photography as I am, take your camera and prepare to record the day in detail.

My latest lens, Day Trippin’, is the first in a series I am planning at Squidoo. This one features Smith Rock State Park, one of central Oregon’s most beautiful destinations. I’m not a travel writer, but I do love sharing photos and describing these day trips as I saw them. Hopefully they’ll spur you to plan a day trip of your own!

New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today!

I’ve been anticipating Spring for months. I could almost smell the sunshine-warmed earth even when snow still frosted our valley and March mornings welcomed us with icy windshields. Sometime during my bout with the flu, Winter danced away and Spring settled into my backyard.

In celebration of Spring, I’ve updated a lens that showcases some of my favorite nature photos. My Zazzle Gallery Showcase is so much more than a lens about a Squidoo-Zazzle connection. It’s a snapshot of my passionate love for nature photography, and a call to take a closer look at your own little corner of the world. I chose samples of my photomontage work to whet your appetite for the outdoors, and to share how photography isn’t just photography anymore. For every photo, there’s the possibility of making art beyond the snap of a shutter.

Enjoy my new collection of art…and get out there and enjoy the beauty of Spring for yourself!

New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today!

Have you joined Tagfoot yet? Why not?

How transparent are you? Do people know the real you, or only the person you allow them to see?

I’ve posted a new “Backstories” column over at SquidLog this morning titled The Beauty of Transparency. It’s a topic that will grow more timely, I think, as the economy continues to birth personal hardships.

We can reach out to the needy, but unless we make ourselves transparent–allow our real selves to touch others–where’s the warmth? The authenticity?

Stop by SquidLog and have a look around. Its a new site hatched by Squidster and Chef Keem, and I’m happy to be a part of it.

New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today!

Have you joined Tagfoot yet? Why not?