Thinking About Dandelion Fuzz

The other day I was running errands. car window rolled down, music blasting and enjoying the day when I realized that I was singing along to the Frozen soundtrack, specifically to the song that contains my blog’s name- Dandelion Fuzz- in the opening lyrics. It got me thinking about the name of my blog because this song was the inspiration. Four years ago, I wrote about my love for dandelions and some of the research I did while participating in a blogging class in The Birth of a Name or why I named my blog after a weed. But the seed that grew into this blog came from hearing that phrase in the song- “Bees will buzz, kids will blow dandelion fuzz…”

At the time that I chose this name, I liked it a lot. I felt that it was fitting. But did it have staying power or would I be changing it a few years in? Four years later, although my blog has gone through a few changes, it still feels like Dandelion Fuzz to me so it will be.

It was only as I was well into the song that followed the dandelion fuzz one that I realized that I didn’t have the little guys in the car and really didn’t need to be listening to this CD at all. Such is life!

-Kat

I have decided to challenge myself for the month of June via Live Love Simple 30 Day Blogging Challenge.   Thanks to Sally at Hot Dogs and Marmalade for bringing this challenge to my attention!

 

Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Take a New Photo

For Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge  we were asked to take a new photo or use any topic for our photos. I decided to use photos from an outing I took with the little guys a few months ago. I had forgotten about these pictures and it seemed like the perfect time to use them. We went to discover a nature center nearby and both boys really enjoyed the trails, lake and waterfalls.

Dandelions in various stages

CJ checking out the waterfall and ducks

Lots of lily pads!

Waterfall

Thank you for stopping in! Hope your week is off to a great start!

-Kat

Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: It’s All About Nature

“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.”

– Frank Lloyd Wright

 

This post is in response to Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: It’s All About Nature. prompt.

Thank you for stopping by!

-Kat

Cee’s Compose Yourself Photo Challenge: #15 Cropping Tips

I’m a big fan of cropping and I try to seize every opportunity I can to do this. I tried to find a variety of photos to crop and here they are!

These photographs are my contributions to Cee’s Compose Yourself Photo Challenge: #15 Cropping Tips. 

In my first picture, cropping all the bystanders out makes a big difference.

Here is a picture I took when we were in Disney World. 

And here they are close up.

In my second picture, I wanted the dandelion and its shadow to be the focus by cropping out some of the other stuff.

Before cropping.

After cropping, I think that the shadow plays more of a part in the whole picture.

In the next picture, I liked the reflection in the puddle but felt that it was easy to over look.

Before cropping

And after. I probably could have cropped even more. 

And finally, another dandelion picture. I liked how the flower with fuzz is bent over the flower and I wanted them to be more prominent than the grass surrounding them.

Before cropping

And after!

What Do You See?

In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Symbol.”

When I first decided to name my blog Dandelion Fuzz, I felt it was fitting. I hoped it would always feel that way. I wrote about naming my blog in The Birth of a Name or why I named my blog after a weed…. over a year ago.

Looking back at that post, I have a better understanding of why I chose that name. As I continue to write about my experience having a transgender child, as well as many other things, I realize that  those dandelions represent more than just a symbol of resilience and wishes, childhood and joy.

Those dandelions stand for more than just possible wishes. Whether they are bright yellow flowers or puff balls of fuzz, it has been my attitude that determines what I see – weeds or wishes. So you can add ‘attitude’ to what dandelions mean to me.

As I take this journey with Kris, with all its twists and turns, I am finding myself in places I never thought I would be. I’ve met so many new, wonderful people. I’ve learned more about myself than I thought possible.

And even when that fuzz blows all over the place and I’m feeling like I’m flying apart in a million different directions, I try to hold onto my feelings of hope and positive energy. Wherever I land, I plant myself there and you better not try to pick me up and toss me away because I’m a lot stronger than you might think and I’m not going anywhere except where I want to be.