Thursday Challenge: Toys -

"Leighlund Reaches For More Toys"
manipulated digital photograph by Mick Mather

"... it's hard to believe that in a few short weeks
this little bit of heaven is going to be seven ..."
- A Proud Poppa

Thursday Challenge: Quick -

"Leighlund Has A Piece of Cake"
digitally manipulated photograph by Mick Mather

Last weekend my granddaughter came to visit Poppa. Having overslept, I jumped out of bed and rushed to the door to let her in, attempting to smooth down a particularly wild section of bed hair along the way! As little ones will often do, there was a quiz about my funny, unkempt appearance to which I replied, "Poppa has a wing in his hair." That seemed to settle things as we hurried to the kitchen to get the promised, last piece of Poppa's Birthday Cake. It was eaten as quick as that brown fox that's always jumping over things in his hurry to get away from the proverbial lazy dog. I suppose I've now satisfied the premise of this week's Thursday Challenge theme which is, quick, but, before I too, rush off, the word has been quickly spread 'round by Li'l Leighlund that, "my Poppa has wings!". :D

Moody Monday: Under Pressure -

"Under Pressure of Looming Deadlines"
digitally manipulated photograph by Mick Mather

Here, once again, is my youngest granddaughter, Leighlund. She's quite likely to become an artist, just like her Poppa. Already she has that pained expression that some of us take on when attempting to bring in a commission by the deadline. It seemed perfect for this week's theme of under pressure over at Moody Monday. :)

NEW from The Memory Series -

"A Future Memory of Leighlund"
digital collage by Mick Mather

I've been working with images of my youngest granddaughter quite a bit lately. Soon enough she will be 4 years old and it seems like last week that I was holding her, from tip to toe, in one hand. That old expression, "they grow up way too fast", is becoming a reality for me and I was taken by surprise when this piece began to reveal itself as a portent or premonition. While doing a bit of final touch-up, it occurred to me that I was staring into the fully grown countenance of that sweet little girl. Yes, my thinking, realist mind has been dutifully branded and I know my role as "Poppa" ... get out of jail free for the next 21 years!