Thursday Challenge: Rare -

"Mystery Dance"
photograph by Mick Mather
- click on image to view full size -

The theme at Thursday Challenge, rare, was tough for me even with all of the usual terrific alternatives that Dale Hudjik offers. When I stumbled over this photograph the words of Elvis Costello came to mind as I studied the twists and turns of a wild vine with added decoration by some enterprising spider:

"... Why don't you tell me about the mystery dance
I wanna know about the mystery dance
Why don't you show me
'Cause I've tried and I've tried, and I'm still mystified
I can't do it anymore and I'm not satisfied ..."
- Elvis Costello

Thursday Challenge: Hands -

"Lost & Found"
digital photograph by Mick Mather

The theme is hands at Thursday Challenge this week. Blessings upon Dale Hudjik for always, and I do mean always, offering a number of sub-themes ... one of which is gloves this time out. While working on the much mentioned Kings Court Cube, I would often walk about and snap a few other pics that weren't, strictly speaking, part of the documentation. Well, as it turns out, it's all connected somehow, most likely due to the mere mention of these two images in the same breath. Anyway, this glove was lying on the ground about 25 yards from the cube and now I have a chance to use it. Who knew?

Thursday Challenge: Earth -

"Weeds and Shadows"
digitally manipulated photograph by Mick Mather

The theme at Thursday Challenge this week is Earth. As I've mentioned before, Dale Hudjik always gives a string of related possibilities and this photograph of the first dandelion spotted this spring seems to fit perfectly. Clinging to a sliver of earth along the foundation of a building where it meets the sidewalk, it seems to be receiving a reassuring hug from the shadows of two adjacent trees ... and the beat goes on.

Thursday Challenge: Happy -

"Three Happy People"
digitally manipulated photograph by Mick Mather

I know I've said it before but Dale Hudjik's Thursday Challenge is my favorite photomeme site because of the latitude always given with each assigned word. The fact that he always posts the following week's theme along with the current week is another plus. Anyway, happy is what we have in front of us for now and I couldn't resist posting this photograph of my granddaughter, Leighlund, snuggling in as close as she can get to poppa while being kissed by Draco, the dominant Tom of the house. Easy to do, since he's the only Tom in the house. Dare I say it? Don't worry, be happy! :)

Thursday Challenge: Thankful -

"Thankful"
$50 Unframed - LUCAS GALLERY
digitally manipulated photograph by Mick Mather

Another Thursday Challenge is upon me with the theme of thankful as the word of the week. As I often say, Dale Hudjik always gives a handful of ideas to work with and related to each theme . One of the alternate or additional words is home and today's post is a photograph taken of the large mass of water lilies at my parents place earlier this summer at a picnic held for a large gathering of friends and family. Thankful? Oh yeah!

Thursday Challenge: Toys -

"Toy Box"
$50 unframed - LUCAS GALLERY
digitally manipulated photograph by Mick Mather

This week Thursday Challenge sent me on a treasure hunt. As soon as I saw the theme, toys, along with the many sub-themes that Dale Hudjik always offers, I thought of my old collection of toys and cereal box prizes and went searching for it. Come to think of it, not much has changed when it comes to the purchase of breakfast cereal - if the prize is cool who cares what the cereal tastes like! :D

Thursday Challenge: Garden -

"A Psychedelic Users Secret Garden"
$50 unframed - LUCAS GALLERY
digitally manipulated photograph by Mick Mather

As always, although I haven't said so lately, Dale Hudjik's Thursday Challenge always offers a multiple of ideas with every theme. This week garden is the topic and I went with a rather straight (ahem) forward image of a chair next to a Spring garden. From there things began to twirl, ripple and melt...as they will for the serious user or unaware thrill seeker. The electric drip of pure color and sound flow, puddle and pool on their way to a trance state and the door to enlightenment. Dude, pass the kool aid! :D