Linda Bourgault

No, I am not advocating XXX Swinging, although...a Vulcan mind-meld with Jeff Turner, Sally Cheeseman, Brad Andersohn and Kathy McGraw would be the best real estate industry education you could ever receive. However, I wouldn't hook-up with them simultaneously because my wee brain would explode and you'd all have a heckuva time cleaning the backside of your computer screen... YUCK!

What I am saying is whenever I'm stuck, blocked or on empty trying to conjure a blog post to Activerain... I go swing. Yep, that's right, I head outside and hop in my swing. I live in a wonderful place... surrounded by Live Oak trees, natural vegetation, wildlife and gorgeous views. It's a park-like setting where I have the perfect perch to sit upon. My swing is located down two flights of stairs and a few steps the left... it's the old fashioned kind surrounded by a huge sand box. When you jump out of the swing you are guaranteed a safe landing... well, most of the time!

Swinging takes me back to my childhood, it encourages me to play, be curious and see the world through fresh eyes. A few days ago I was in a rut, so I headed out to my swing, but this time I grabbed my camera. I placed the camera strap around my neck just before kicking-off. While I was swinging, I shot randomly not caring about what or whether I was capturing anything. It was the act of allowing the camera to capture whatever it was pointing at without any concern as to subject, quality or anything else... it was serendipitous and whatever revealed itself would be a surprise!

What fabulous fun to swing with abandon... to lean back watching the sun dance on the leaves... to feel the wind blowing through my hair... to smile and laugh with the delight of it all. After swinging for about twenty minutes (it's good exercise too) my head was clear and I was ready to go back inside and hit the keyboard once again.

Then I hooked my camera to my computer and downloaded the images I captured. I selected two to

accompany this post. The first one is of my legs and feet which turned out darned good considering it was unplanned. The second one displays the frivolity of my experience!

So when you are in a rut, blocked or just need some fun... go swing. Your readers, friends, family and co-workers will thank you!

Happy Swinging in the RAIN!

Copyright 2009 Linda Bourgault, lulugraphix, and Double D Enterprises. All rights reserved.

Spring has arrived with its riot of color, gentle breezes and blue skies filled with puffy clouds. Personally we are busy spring cleaning... our homes, apartments, townhouse, condos, weekend cottages, storage sheds, yards, and flower beds. Professionally we are clearing the decks... whether it's our offices, computers, desk tops, file cabinets or supply rooms.

When spring arrives we also set about de-cluttering our minds and spirits. It's time for taking winters' reflections and turning them into action. Sometimes when I'm in the midst of doing this I become overwhelmed. I've discovered that I'm distracted by the profusion of nature's activity as well as the myriad of activities I've involved myself with professionally whether it's professional or charitable organizations, organized physical activity or social activity. This is when I know I need to refocus and simplify my point of view.

Don't get me wrong, I love spring and all of it's beauty. Yet when I feel sensory overload coming on I begin to search for a way to rest my over-stimulated senses. When this occurs I revert to what I call my personal basics and study my surroundings and thoughts in black and white. I desaturate everything I'm thinking and feeling and reduce to its most common denominator. This allows me to see things more clearly, to evaluate without distraction and to make note of my actions in a very fundamental way.

The photo accompanying today's post is an good example of what I'm describing. The original color photograph was filled with bright colors of yellows, greens and blues, but it was too much color. I couldn't find the focal point of the vine or it's details. I decide to desaturate it, remove all of the color, and re-evaluate the image in gray-scale. It became clearer, but it still didn't provide the simple focus I desired. I began to work with the background to soften it and have it recede instead of fight with the foreground. The focus was "almost" where I wanted it to be, but it required another step. So I highlighted the foreground and simplified it as well, sharpening only the vine itself. It was then and only then I discovered the simplicity of light, shape and texture I needed to focus upon. My overly complex photo as well as overly stimulated self regained it's proper focus.

So if you are feeling the same way as I have been, take a look at my photo and remember that you too can regain your focus and momentum by simplifying your perspective.

Now— go outside, fill you eyes with the glorious colors of spring and check-out the entries at the Positive Attitude for the Weary Soul SPRING FRESH contest. There are amazing entries to read and share. The winners will be announced later today... or if I'm jumping the gun, it may be Saturday. I need to check with Sally about that just to be sure - lol! See how my excitement can get me in trouble!

Copyright 2009 by Linda Bourgault, Double D Enterprises and lulugraphix. All rights reserved. Photos taken by Linda Bourgault and may not be reproduced without express written permission of Linda Bourgault, lulugraphix, Flower Mound, Texas. lulugraphix is a creative design and photography service for the real estate market, small to large companies, start-up companies and nonprofits.

Is there a group for Thoughtful Thursdays? I searched and located a couple of entries with text that included Thoughtful Thursday, but did not locate an "official" group. If this is an error on my part, please let me know and Ill join the Thoughtful Thursday group.

Meanwhile, I missed Speechless Sunday and Wordless Wednesday this week. I've received a few emails from Activerain friends asking me IF I'm OK. Yes, I'm alive and well... just inundated with work! I will not complain about that, but it sure makes me dull, duller and dullest - LOL!

Easter Sunday was the only day in the past two weeks I've had with a few hours off. I made the best of it by taking a walk around Lake Grapevine which is located in Flower Mound, Texas.

Here are a couple of the images I shot just before and right at the magic hour which invariably emits the most wonderful light of the day... at sunrise and sunset. Hope you enjoy them and thanks for checking up on me!

Copyright 2009 by Linda Bourgault, Double D Enterprises and lulugraphix. All rights reserved. Photos taken by Linda Bourgault andmay not be reproduced without express written permission of Linda Bourgault, lulugraphix, Flower Mound, Texas. lulugraphix is a creative design and photography service for the real estate market, small to large companies, start-up companies and nonprofits.

Sometimes when my loss mitigation business get me down, I need to do something to perk up my spirits. Yesterday was that kind of day! I didn't have a whole lot of time, so I Googled "gardens Argyle TX." I followed the link and discovered Argyle Acres. It sounded like it was the right place for me to fill my eyes with nature's colors and warm my weary soul. So, I printed out the map, grabbed my camera and jumped in my car. It was only after I was half-way there that I thought I should have called first, but it was too late and I like to let serendipity take it's course.

What I found was a picturesque log home, set back from the road, with a huge yard filled with iris beds. I didn't see a sign or any identifier, but the numerous flower beds filled with irises announced this must be the place. I parked my car, walked up a long drive-way and knocked on the door. A nice man answered. I asked him if he would allow me to take photos of his irises... and he said, "sure, but I was a bit early in the season... that the blossoms wouldn't be in full bloom until mid-April." By this time, I knew his name was Joe Spears, co-owner/operator, of Argyle Acres. I explained to him I wanted to take photos today as I didn't have time to wait. Joe graciously let me have full run of his yard. I proceeded to walk, crawl and scramble all over the place taking photos of irises I had never seen before. I had so much fun I almost squealed out loud. My weary soul soaked up the sun's rays, the irises filled my eyes with glorious color and the physical activity got my heart pumping... it was exactly what I needed to rejuvinate my body and soul. It was a wonderful experience and one I will repeat again!

Argyle Acres specializes in growing and selling historic and modern bearded irises. Irises are easy to grow. They are hardy perennials, requiring little attention. They specialize in varieties that can withstand the heat of long Texas summers.

Testimonials which reiterate my thoughts about Argyle Acres:

—Argyle Acres is a great place here in Texas that sells all kinds of wonderful Iris's, and ships everywhere. They are a state licensed and inspected nursery. They guarantee all their plants to be true to name as registered with the American Iris Society. The order deadline is July 31st for shipping in September. They have historic and modern varieties, one named Swertii is 400 years old. All are gorgeous and healthy!!!

—Argyle Acres has been my personal favorite for years. They are especially good for providing iris which will weather the Texas heat, as iris from other states sometimes "burn up" here. Argyle iris have always been huge and healthy, and they always throw in great (also huge) bonus iris with an order. Their web site is easy to use (www.argyleacres.com), and they communicate well with their customers, especially by email. I have been visiting their display gardens for years, and have always enjoyed their friendliness, helpfulness, and the high quality of their product.

I hope you'll visit Argyle Acres and discover for yourself the plethora of irises available plus make new friends with Joe and Donna Spears. When you visit be sure and tell Joe and Donna, "Linda sent you!"

Thank you Joe for letting me run wild in your garden!

P.S. If you'd like to know more about the town of Argyle, this is what the Argyle Chamber of Commerce has to say:

"The citizens of Argyle, Texas settled here because they found this beautiful, quiet town to be the perfect getaway from the “big city.” Residents love the small-town, rural environment that provides a peaceful community for raising families, relaxing at home, but also enjoy the convenience of close proximity to the Flower Mound, Lewisville and the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex for commuting, shopping, dining, and entertainment."

Copyright 2009 Linda Bourgault, lulugraphix and Double D Enterprises. All rights reserved.

1. Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain.
—Anonymous

2. Never allow anyone to RAIN on your parade and thus cast a pall of gloom and defeat on the entire day. Remember that no talent, no self-denial, no brains, no character, are required to set up in the fault-finding business. Nothing external can have any power over you unless you permit it. Your time is too precious to be sacrificed in wasted days combating the menial forces of hate, jealousy and envy. Guard your fragile life carefully. Only God can shape a flower, but any foolish child can pull it to pieces.
—Og Mndino, American Essayist and Psychologist, 1923-1996

3. Life is like a rainbow. You need both sun and the RAIN to make its colors appear.
—Anonymous

4. The best thing one can do when it's raining is let it RAIN.
—Henry Wadworth Longfellow, the most popular American Poet in the 19th century, 1807-1882

5. A poet is someone who stands outside in the RAIN hoping to be struck by lightning.
—James Dickey

6. In our lives there's bound to be some pain, surely as there are storms and falling RAIN, just believe that the one who holds the storms will bring the sun.
—Anonymous

7. May you always have walls for the winds, a roof for the RAIN, tea beside the fire, laughter to cheer you, those you love near you and all your heart might desire.—Irish Blessing

8. Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the RAIN.
—Anonymous

Have a wonderful day in the RAIN!

Quotations from Thinkexist.com