PHOTO-A-DAY CHALLENGE
My Life Between Working in the Sky and Enjoying Nature
Week 100 of the photographic documentary of my daily life
100 weeks of taking one picture every day. That is one hundred weeks of photographing and writing. Documenting my daily life in photos. And sharing it with you.
It’s a long time. And a lot of photographs taken. About 700 or rather more since some days I shared more than one picture per day. Over a time span of almost two years.
I’ve taken way more pictures than that. But those were the chosen ones representing my day or standing out to me.
It’s kind of a diary I’m writing. A journal with pictures included. But it’s a public one. One that allows others to join and comment.
There are days when I need to force myself to take a picture and there are days when I take a certain photograph specifically for the weekly photo essay.
However, in the end, I’m still enjoying it. I enjoy reflecting on my weeks and picking out the highlights of every day. I’m looking for the small joys in life with this challenge. It forces me to focus on the positive things. And that’s what I like.
Not everything always goes according to plan, especially when you’re jumping out of planes for a living.
Today was one of those days where it didn’t work out. Getting back to the landing zone is what I mean. When I opened my parachute I saw how far away I was and knew I wouldn’t make it.
But there are plenty of off-landing options all around us and so I chose a field next to a bicycle trail I knew to land on. Since I knew I wouldn’t make it to any road where the shuttle could have fetched me, I decided to quickly pack my parachute on the bike lane to have it easier walking back through the cornfield.
So here I am, walking back a few kilometers through the field. With a smile on my face because, well, the sun is shining.
And after a day full of sunshine came a day full of rain showers. We had rain for the most part of the day and we didn’t even think of jumping out of a plane.
But that was exactly what I needed. A day to rest and a day to catch up with reading and writing.
In between the rain showers I just quickly took a picture of this yellow shining beauty with tiny raindrops on it.
Saturday the weather was perfect again and we had plenty of customers.
I did not take any other pictures than the ones at work, so here I am sharing with you some of my smiles of the day.
On Sunday we were also busy until late in the evening but on my last jump, I remembered to take a picture for the challenge, turned my canopy around, and took this photograph of the setting sun.
Well, and there comes Monday. My favorite day of the week because I’m off. It’s the only official off day I have. Unless it’s raining of course.
Off days mean to me to spend time in nature and paddle out on the water.
I drove to a nearby lake, paddled for two hours up and down the canal, went for a quick swim, and then relaxed in my hammock.
Because I love it.
Only later I realized, I had taken another picture that day too. This butterfly. One that often visits the lavender bush. The meeting point of countless butterfly species right out front of our trailer.
Tuesday. Back to work.
And even though it was a long day, I ended up finishing work with a smile on my face. My student had been waiting patiently all day long for the winds to calm down so he could jump and all his patience paid off.
I did not do one but two sunset jumps with him. We landed past 9 pm on the second jump and yes, the sun was still up. He was happy and so was I.
On Wednesday morning I remembered I had forgotten to water my plants the previous evening and quickly soaked them knowing the day would get hot.
That is when I saw that the chili plant is loving its location. More flowers are coming up and so many chilies are on the way to getting ripe.
My dad had planted the seed for this one earlier this year and handed me the small seedling.
“Whatever makes you uncomfortable is your biggest opportunity for growth.” — Bryant H. McGill
This has been my week in photographs. 7 days. 7 photographs. Anyone can join. Once. Or weekly. It doesn’t matter. We welcome everyone! Dennett started this photography challenge in 2020 and many have participated ever since.
Erika / Eileen / K. Barrett / Juan / David / Mia / Susan / LensAfield / Kim / Barbara / Diana / Barb / Sandra / Shruthi / Ellie / Pene / Olive / Gustavo / Jane / Penny / Jillian
Join my email list here if you would like to read more photo essays or sign up for the Medium membership to receive unlimited access to my and other writers’ stories out here (I will receive a commission fee in return).
