Kaleidoscope #806

by D.M. SessousNovember 3, 2019November 1, 2019

There is something about words. In expert hands, manipulated deftly, they take you prisoner. Wind themselves around your limbs like spider silk, and when you are so enthralled you cannot move, they pierce your skin, enter your blood, numb your thoughts. Inside you they work their magic.
― Diane Setterfield, The Thirteenth Tale

Below is the original photo used to create this image. I visited a local-ish winery, Saude Creek, located in Lanexa, VA. Their late-summer landscaping was in full bloom and I probably took way too many photos of the lush foliage and flowers including these Black-eyed-Susans. Oh, and the wine was good too… No special lighting or retouching, just a snap from my smart phone.

Kaleidoscope #805

by D.M. SessousNovember 2, 2019November 1, 2019

Books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination, and the journey. They are home.
― Anna Quindlen, How Reading Changed My Life

Below is the original photo used to create this image. I stumbled across these bizarre flowers while taking a walk around my hotel on a July trip to Shawsville, VA to visit family. No special lighting or retouching, just a snap from my smart phone.

Kaleidoscope #804

by D.M. SessousNovember 1, 2019October 31, 2019

“One must always be careful of books,” said Tessa, “and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us.”
― Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Angel

Below is the original photo used to create this image. This dramatic sky was captured on my way home from work in downtown Richmond, VA. No special lighting or retouching, just a snap from my smart phone.

Home is where…

by D.M. SessousMarch 7, 2016January 30, 2017

…the books, wine, cats are.

My home is in flux now. I’m moving in with my boyfriend at the end of this month. My apartment is becoming less and less home, but my boyfriend’s house hasn’t quite become home yet.

So, how does one define home when it’s in transition? What does home really mean?

When I was in high school, I used to sketch partial faces with sad eyes captioned with “I want to go home.” I would say it under my breath throughout the day. It became my mantra. One day, I walked through my front door, heaved my book-bag to the floor and said, “I want to go home.” This woke me up in a way. I was home, but I still wanted to go home. So, where did I really want to be? I realized then that home wasn’t a physical place, but a state of mind. When my heart and mind were at peace, I was truly home.

My world is in upheaval again. Not so much due to teen-angst, but the stress of paring down, getting a new space ready for all my stuff and getting all my stuff ready to move has me thinking about home and what it means.

Since taking a photo of my physical home is not an option, I decided to snap a pic of the things that bring me comfort. I had wanted to show a cup of tea or cocoa, but all my mugs are already moved. I had enough forethought to keep a few bottles of wine here. Thankfully, one of my cats (Birdie) decided she needed to get in on the action and added the warmth needed.

Lastly, for any book geeks out there, here’s a list of the titles in the photo. These all have special meaning to me and contributed to the breadth and color of my imaginary world.