when the water is warm

On this day a ball ran away, first with intention and then with current, and I dove into the ocean after it fully clothed, up to my neck in the salt of July. For the rest of the day and until we sailed home I festered in the sun, my shirt crispening and stinking of seaweed, but oh, the rightness. There's something rare and delicious about being wet and dressed.

Tonight, the land is tucked in for winter along with the sailboat and the beach, and the sea is a determined grey, and thanks to your encouragement I am set to keep my photo-mojo from going into hibernation.

Can I tell you something? You're all glorious, a kick in the pants in the most excellent way. I visit the flickr pool and see this and this and this and think my god, how can I presume to post in company like this? You are teacher, mentor, muse.

Thanks for being here, shutter sisters. Thanks for being that runaway ball for me, for each other, for saying jump the heck in.

++++

 

In grand celebration of our sisterhood here, we are giving away a coveted Flash Bulb Necklace (as seen above) to a lucky reader.  You must comment on this post today to be included in the random drawing. It seemed like the perfect way to jump start the December festivities here at Shutter Sisters. What December festivities you ask? We thought you'd never ask. All month long we are hosting A Giveaway a Day and just as the name promises, each and every day this month we will be giving something fabulous away to one of you. It's just a little way to show our gratitude. Click over and comment each day for your chance to win something wonderful just in time for the holidays. Be sure to invite your friends! The more the merrier we like to say.

Updated 12/2...and the winner is Lilia (aka Pumpkinoodle)at Babymoon Photography. Thanks everyone for your comments! 

Comments

[Geralyn S.]

A giveaway is always fun :) Thank you, and happy December!

[michele]

ooohhhh......what a great necklace.

[liz]

A great giveaway! Happy December.

[Rachel Dallaire]

I absolutely love that necklace. Would love to have one! :-)

[Cindy]

What a great way to kick off this magical month!

[daniela]

what a profound post, and gorgeous photo. thanks for inspiring me to keep on keepin' on.

[mnkathy]

Nice post Kate. I feel like I need inspiration too--thanks for all the links of beauty in this post!

[amy]

Fantastice photo!

[betrank]

Though I may not comment on a regular basis I'm always gazing at the photos on the site and in the Flickr pool. I'm blown away by the beauty there and oft times those photos have brought me to tears because of the sheer emotion packed into each pixel.

Happy December Shutter Sisters and thank you for putting yourselves out there for all to see so that the rest of us can be encouraged, enlightened, comforted, celebrated and inpsired.

[mel]

Yahoo! Thanks for sharing all the loveliness, Kate.

[diane*v]

I hope oh hope I win!
xoxo

[jillian]

Love the necklace & the photo!

[gina]

Happy December Shutter Sisters! Love browsing this site...great photography, great writing, great giveaways! :)

[gina]

Happy December Shutter Sisters! Love browsing this site...great photography, great writing, great giveaways! :)

[shelli]

I've been gone all week, but I'm glad I'm back in time to put in my name for this necklace. I want one! I want one!

[maggie ann.]

This post is stunning. Really.

[Secret Agent Mama / Mishelle Lane]

I would wear that necklace with PRIDE!!!

[mamie]

gotta try for a flash bulb...so wonderful, all the links. thanks kate

[josephine]

a friend led me to this site, and i have been visiting every single day since.

me want the necklace. :-)

[Cindy]

Thanks for being a giving site! I HEART the inspiration I find here.

[kburmane]

Love the necklace!

[Kate at LIttle House Monday]

The chances seem slim, but what the heck... its all about going for it, right? :) That, and I love the challenged I'm now feeling to find winter inspiration through the lens..

http://flickr.com/photos/30297021@N02/3017373740/

[Courtney]

I have been eyeing that necklace quite a lot, and since my birthday is in a couple of weeks, it would be the best treat ever (hint, hint)!

:)

[Kyla]

Love that photo! How gorgeous! I too, will miss the warm days of summer, but I'm looking forward to the possibilities that only winter brings.

[mary]

I"m pretty new to your site but what a perfect give away from you. . . the flashbulb necklace.

Merry December!!

[Sharon]

I'm in. I'm all in. How cool. I am so glad I found this site. Love it!

[CindyC]

Thanks so much for posting on my new site. I've been eyeing that necklace for my sister. :-)

[Jennifer B]

This picture is amazing. Really.

Thanks for the goody giveaway!!!

[Jeanine]

oooh oooh oooh! i heart this necklace. pick me please :)

[Amanda]

I love the necklace, so I'm in. Thanks for the month of giveaways!

[Gail]

..what a beautiful picture that shows off that gorgeous neckless so well! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, the give-a-ways, and the inspiration...Thankful I found Shutter Sisters this November! Happy December to all!

[Kristy]

What a Beautiful Post & Picture!!
And we also get a Great Giveaway.
It's a good day:)

[mika]

cheers! http://www.flickr.com/photos/msquid/3072958783/

[Laura]

I think the necklace is wonderful, and what a fun way to celebrate the season of giving! Good luck to all! And of course, the photo is gorgeous!

[liza]

lovely photograph, beautiful necklace! I want!! :)

[Traci]

how exciting. i love that necklace.

[Betsy]

Love that necklace and was noticing it on the side when...voila...I was so excited to see it is being given away today. Love the poetry in your writing...and the post below about your daughter's tooth. How true it is that we are taken by surprise at what tugs at our hearts.

[Amy]

I love giveaways, especially jewelry!

[Jamie]

Happy December to you all! Thanks for all the great inspiration and good cheer.
http://umbrellablog.com/inspire/december-one/

[phyllis]

wow!!!!

[Pamala]

Giveaways are always fun!

[Anna at Hank & Willie]

I think I'm going to be very inspired here this month. Love the necklace and hope I win!

[Cheryl Doran-Girard]

Thanks for the inspiration.

[Jennifer]

Inspiration galore!

[marty]

Oooohhhhh, so pretty...new to the site and just really enjoy it :-)

[Martha]

Thank you, shutter sisters for so much inspiration!
What a fabulous way to celebrate!

[sarai]

hooray for holidays! hooray for giveaways!

[Bonnie]

Woohoo....December giveaways. What is better than giving stuff to others (I guess being on the receiving end!)

[Kate Baumert]

yay for my fellow shutter sisters!!!!

[Jodie]

I love the site and sharing of all the great ideas, just found it a couple months ago and now I'm hooked. Thanks!