The Importance of Showing Up

I didn't really want to go out with the camera this afternoon because I've been taking crappy pictures lately. But I decided that even if I didn't shoot anything interesting, I would at least have a good sweat in the hot sun. So I drove over to my favorite haunt, Leu Gardens, and went in pursuit of my usual quarry, bugs.

While I was in the "home demonstration" garden, I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. I turned to discover a hummingbird dipping among the blossoms. I aimed the camera and began shooting; luckily, I heard the Canon singing, "Beep! Beep! Beep!" which means I'm in good light and the lens is correctly focused. I am very happy with the photos:



I wouldn't have gotten these pictures, though, if I hadn't shown up. All creative work requires that the artist get her ass to the easel, computer, studio—wherever—to try at least, since the art isn't going to create itself.

I haven't been showing up at this blog very often of late. Lots of good ideas for posts have slipped right out of my brain because I have allowed too much time to elapse between getting the idea and sitting down to write.

I am planning to amend my ways, however. My goal for the entire month of October is to write here every day more. I recently purchased and read No One Cares What You Had for Lunch, a collection of ideas for blog posts. I won't be writing long, thoughtful daily essays, but I hope to produce 31 many quality posts over the next month. I have to show up if the art is going to happen!