Easter Sunday

I've went through a lot of "Firsts" over the past 6 months. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Birthday, Valentine's Day and now Easter. Thankfully my parents have been there for all of them...though it's not the same. I didn't expect it to be.

After my Father's Easter Sunday Sermon - that I didn't attend...(yeah, I'm a Preacher's Daughter) I spent the evening with my parents. Things have changed there over the past year. So much that no one really speaks. I sat with them for 6 hours in near silence. Life has changed drastically.

Though I don't attend Church I wanted to at least look nice for the family.

Another "first" holiday to mark off the calendar.

I'm happy to welcome Spring - not as excited to welcome April.

With love,

Mika

Ophelia - poem

Credits 

"Ophelia" by Sir John Everett Millais 1851

Ophelia

 

Ophelia whispers to me
the songs of sorrow
the sound of madness
the breaking of a woman’s heart

In winter clover I find her
leaning the direction of the wind
eyes soft and smiling
her wild blonde hair flowing in circles

With an angelic voice so pure and white
she sighs, “I wish to forget last night.”
“These men are all the same.”
“These men are all to blame.”

Embracing her fragile frame
I wish to give her all of my strength
to clear her mind of the mud
and find her own voice once more.

Ophelia please find the joy
that I know you have buried deep
after a lifetime of servitude,
please have courage

Ophelia leads me to the river
singing with the birds
gracefully dancing to her own tune
laughing all the while

With an angelic voice so pure and white
she screams, “I regret nothing of last night!”
“These men are all to blame!”
“Now every man will remember my name!”

Catching her reflection from the water
a single tear runs down her cheek.
“Dear one, this is my courage.
This is the voice that cannot speak”

As she floats along the current
Ophelia echoes to me
“Take the last breath from me,
for I - am free.”


Copyright Mika Buell-Joseph 2013

 Credit
"Ophelia" by Elle Moss

24 Hours - My Trip to Roanoke, VA Part 2

Welcome to part 2 of my 24 hours in Roanoke, VA. This post is solely dedicated to Taubman Museum of Art! I simply have too many photos and want to take the time to break down the area and the experience I had so that others will have a better idea of the area/interests. I've received some very awesome feedback on my first post - which you can read here. If you enjoy these posts please let me know and feel free to share! Again, thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to enter my wacky world.

Much love!

For those of you that do not know me personally - I feel like I'm at an AA meeting. Hello my name is Mika and I'm an art addict. Taubman Museum of Art is only one of many museums in Roanoke. I chose Taubman's while I was researching the area. They simply offered more of what I wanted to see!

As with most museums photography was not allowed in 90% of the areas. For those areas I will link directly to their website.

Welcome to Roanoke!

Taubman Museum of Art

 

This unusual Nylon floating sculpture greets every guest at the museum. Hand sewn by artist Anne Ferrer - "Hot Pink" is suspended 20 feet in the air, giving the rather masculine architectural design a more feminine and rather whimsical feel.

Art Venture was the first area I visited inside the museum. It was inspiring to watch the children reading/painting and opening their beautiful creative minds!

I took this photo for Tamara. :)

 

 

Matching Anne Ferrer sculpture from the lobby.

"Un-usual Folk" Exhibit 

Artist: Unknown

Left: "Quilting Memory Painting by Helen La France

Right: "Self Portrait" by Mose Tolliver

Artist: Unknown

This painting was my favorite of all the "Folk Art"
Artist: Theresa Disney

These were the most unusual pieces. "Buster in Cage 2004" by Marvin Francis who is incarcerated in North Point Training Facility, KY. The most amazing part - they were made with materials Mr. Francis had access to in the facility. Proving you can literally make something from nothing!

Also on exhibit when I visited:

Faberge collection - over 100 separate pieces collected from 1899-1917 ranging from cigarette holders to crystal stamp viewers. Most were originally owned by Tsar Nicholas II.

Judith Leiber Handbags - over 100 crystal handbags. Simply beautiful.

Edward Burtnysky- Collection called "Oil" Mr. Burtnysky shows us in full detail the impact we make on the Earth and on one another. An absolutely beautiful photography collection worth viewing!

American Art from the Permanent Collection - Of course this exhibit was my of my favorite if for no other reason than I was able to view amazing American Impressionists paintings. I love Impressionism and was thrilled to have the honor of gazing upon such strong pieces from a lost era.

State of the Art: Virginia Crossroads - A vast collection of artists from the area (and around Virginia) ranging from sculptures to photography and everything in between. I spent more time in this section than I realized, mainly due to the fact the guard talked me to death! lol

Harold Little - A wonderful painter and Printmaker

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

That's it folks! If you enjoyed my little review please let me know!

Street art outside of the museum. Buy the print here.

There you have it. If you enjoyed my review please let me know! I can't wait to do another one!

Happy New Year 2013

Happy New Year everyone! I must say I'm thrilled to see 2012 come to an end. Hands down the second worst year of my life...only proceeded by 2009 when I lost my brother. I've been dating everything 2013 this weekend...my mind, body and soul are all ready!

Every year we make resolutions that we don't keep. I accept that the only resolution I've kept is this blog and as of late I've only half-assed that. I am now in year 3 as of today. Happy Anniversary to Shutter Blossoms and all my readers who stuck through some crazy shit.

2013 I am NOT making a resolution. Time to air dirty laundry...for those of you out of the loop, my husband and I separated a few months back. Since this time my motto has been "Move Forward" and that's just what I'm going to CONTINUE to do this year. By the way, I'm not using it because it was Obama's slogan this year. I was saying it before it was cool! I have no other option but to move forward and I do so with a smile.

Credit

So here is to a new year with new possibilities. I hope you will continue to join me through the ups and downs. I promise it to be entertaining.

What are your New Years resolutions? Have you ever kept them?


Happy New Year. Be safe!!!!

Love,

Mika.
 

30 Days to Fill Your Cup

I realize I spend most of my time banging away at the letters on the keyboard but never really accomplish anything useful in the end. Tonight I manged to pull inspiration down from the Heavens and let my soul pour out in words. I'm always in awe of how something simple can change your perspective.

 I'll be honest. I'm not making a dime from sharing this link...that's not why I'm doing it. I discovered  "30 Days to Fill Your Cup" through the gentle soul of Amanda Fall - Sprout Magazine. She shared the link and I knew coming from Amanda it was worth my time! After reading all you receive in 30 days I had to join immediately. The best part is it's free. Amy Lee Czadzeck is a wonderful person to do this! Quoted from the site:

Fill Your Cup is a 30 day practice.  Each day you will receive one loving email to your inbox.  Each email will invite you to DO something for yourself as well as a practice to just BE.

Needless to say I was sold! I encourage anyone who realizes it's time to take care of YOU to join! 

Again, providing the link/background is not paying me anything - but to know I believe in this so strong that I want to share it with my beautiful readers and possibly make a difference in your life is more rewarding than money could ever be.

This was my introduction to the group. The entire reason for this blog post. I made great strides tonight in my journey just by writing this:

My intention is to continue moving forward with loving the person I am/will become. It's a long difficult road, but I know I will go above and beyond - which makes me push even harder. I could not pass up a chance to fill my cup for 30 days. There has never been a better time in my life to do so and I'm thankful to be here with all of your beautiful souls. ♥

For more info/sign up - click here

With much love,

Mika 

PS comments/shares are always welcome

Poem - Kiss

Some things you cannot kiss better
like a bleeding heart
broken memories
and me

I've lived through your kisses
to tell the tale of sorrow
-such an unsightly scar

Your lips sealed my tomb
as you left me in darkness
my heart will not chance
another unmarked grave

A lifetime cannot heal
these kisses
our memory

-or this girl.

Mika Buell-Joseph 2012

"Kiss of Death" by *michellemonique

24 Hours - My Trip to Roanoke, VA Part 1

A girl can accomplish a lot in 24 hours - especially a girl with a camera and time all on her own. I had 4 days off this week and knew I couldn't stand to stay alone so I reserved a solo slot for an overnight trip to Roanoke, VA. Everyone has asked me, "Why Roanoke?" Why not? It's less than 5 hours away and is quite an amazing place. When I say everyone has asked me..I do mean everyone; including (but not limited to) the Virginia police officer who pulled me over.

I would be doing the world a huge misfortune if I didn't share this story with you all. If you're not interested then by all means scroll on down...but you're gonna regret it. While I'm at it; disclaimer for foul language. ;)

Nearly 20 miles from my hotel exit an unmarked car flashed their lights and stopped me on I-81. Now in my head: I'm wearing my seat belt, not speeding, not on the phone/texting, both hands on the wheel and the music playing low...what the fuck does this guy want? He strolls up to my passenger window doing the big macho man knock on the side of the vehicle (I guess to see if it was hollow) he asked the usual, how are you, where are you heading etc...finally he says, "I pulled you over because I'm pretty sure your windows are too dark." Wait...what? I'm puzzled at this point. "I think they're probably too dark for Kentucky too. I'm just going to give you a warning. May I see your license and registration" of course I obey.

After running me (which I'm sure he was disappointed in wasting his time doing all this shit) he brings back my ID and uses a little meter device to see how dark my windows are. While the meter is testing he says, "Virginia state law is anything below 15." We both look at the meter and at each other. My reading? 14! "So I'm under the law?" I questioned as I smiled. "Yes, it says you are." Knowing you're in the right, especially when it comes to a prick of a officer is the best feeling in the world. He then questions why I'm going to Roanoke for one day...I did not have to explain a damn thing to him but I have nothing to hide. I told him I was a photographer (and pointed to the camera bag in the floor) and wanted to get away. I live just a few hours away and didn't think it was a crime to spend the night one state away from home. Of course his reply was, "I work with the crime and drug task force and that's why I was asking" "Oh, so you think I'm smuggling drugs from Kentucky? Really?" "Ma'am, have you ever been in trouble?" "Didn't your little scan on me already tell you this? No. In fact I now have paper work to fill out when I return to work for talking to you...you gave me more work over nothing." "But I didn't give you a ticket or warning..." After I informed him in much more detail what I meant, he changed his tune quick. Needless to say, I was "Free to go" and he hoped I "enjoy your stay"...I was so pissed I didn't think to get his name. I know cops get a bad rap because of douche bags like him, but he really was just an asshole who tried to push the wrong girl.

Luckily things got better after that :)

I stayed at Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Salem, VA. Crazy that a double room was cheaper than a single, but a room is a room to me!

I want the bathroom lights!

I made reservations for one at the fancy steakhouse in downtown Roanoke. Call me Lily Davenport from now on. :) The dress code was "Business casual" so I played.

 

Me or should I say "Lily" :)

The place was called Frankie Rowland's Steakhouse and it was much more laid back and comfortable than I ever expected. My reservation was for 7:45 and I couldn't have picked a better time in terms of crowd. There were groups everywhere. I didn't allow myself to feel out of place for being alone. It's something I'm getting used to and if I'm to travel (like I dream) I have a feeling I will be doing it a lot. 

I asked the hostess for permission to photograph a few things in the restaurant to write about, this was obviously an odd request as she asked her manager. Needless to say I was allowed! My server was Stephani and I could not have asked for a better one! I told her off the bat about my plans and she went to great lengths to assist me. 

I had originally requested Split Chicken Breast with Rosemary Beurre Blanc but Stephani came back in a tizzy...for they had ran out of chicken due to a large party in the back. This turned out to be in my favor because I spoiled myself with an appetizer.

Artisan Cheese Plate (three cheese) I ate nearly everything on the platter!

My salad: Sliced Beefstake Tomatoes, Fresh Mozzarella and Balsamic Reduction

Every thing was fresh and flavorful. Tamara had mentioned the salad when I linked her the menu so after the chicken fiasco I knew it was meant to be!

My water never ran low, my table cloth was cleaned after each plate and I was thanked by every employee as I left. To have randomly picked a place to dine I really lucked up.

Be on the lookout for Part 2 this weekend!

PS: This is my 200th blog post!