Summary

The website content details a week-long photo-a-day challenge by author K. Barrett, capturing the stirring of creativity through the beauty of nature in various settings around Lake Huron and Lake Superior.

Abstract

K. Barrett, the author, embarks on a creative journey through a photo-a-day challenge during the second week of July, documenting daily encounters with nature that inspire creativity. From the serene early morning view at Lake Huron to the vibrant rocks at Lake Superior, each day presents a new perspective on natural beauty. The author shares moments of observing wildlife, such as a heron and butterflies, and reflects on personal experiences, including family fishing trips and memories associated with columbine flowers. The challenge culminates with a unique sunset photograph incorporating a ceramic ornament of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Throughout the week, Barrett emphasizes the healing power of nature and its ability to replenish creative energy, echoing Maya Angelou's sentiment that creativity is an inexhaustible resource.

Opinions

The author believes that immersion in nature is a source of endless creativity, as expressed by the quote from Maya Angelou.
K. Barrett values the unique beauty of each natural element, such as the rocks at Lake Superior, which are described as "creativity rocks."
The author suggests that nature's tranquility, as experienced during the sunset fishing trips, is more significant than the act of fishing itself.
The columbine flowers evoke a deep emotional response for the author, symbolizing hope and resilience, particularly in the context of the Columbine High School tragedy.
Barrett appreciates the opportunity to share personal experiences and creative insights through the photo-a-day challenge, expressing gratitude to those who initiated and participated in it.

Photo, K.Barrett, author (**Creative Energy Glow**)

PHOTO-A-DAY CHALLENGE

Stirring Creativity

Second Week of July

You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have. ― Maya Angelou

Day 1

I am visiting my parent’s home on Lake Huron. The cover photo is taken from my writing chair on the front patio in the early morning. A cup of coffee and my computer completes the setting. The scene is glowing with creative energy. I am soaking in every bit of it. All remnants of stress are melting away.

Day 2

Day trip to Lake Superior. Waves wash over brightly colored rocks — creativity rocks.

I am going to say it is creativity (not crazy) that fuels my fascination with rocks. We spent so much time walking along the shoreline examining the uniqueness of so many rocks. We found all colors, shapes, and sizes. Some with fossils and some super interesting patterns. Awe.

We didn’t have time for the second part of the trip to a nearby waterfall. That is how much we enjoyed the rocks.

Photo, K.Barrett, author (**Creativity Rocks**)

Day 3

This Heron spends time on our dock. I have been enjoying watching it fish and groom itself. I have some pictures of the grooming process with feathers all fluffed out as it combed itself with its beak. I figured it may prefer me to share the more prim and proper pose.

Photo, K.Barrett, author (**Prim and Proper**)

Day 4

I caught sight of this beauty along the path to a hidden beach. The only access is by off-road vehicles. We traveled for miles along the very wet and extremely rocky terrain. The edge of the woods and fields were flooded with fancy-free fluttering butterflies. Nature undisturbed.

Photo, K.Barrett, author (**Undisturbed**)

Day 5

My family fishes. I generally do not. Last year I joined my family on several of their sunset fishing trips while we were on vacation. I joined them again this year. Every sunset is a great catch in my eyes.

Photo, K.Barrett, author (**Great Catch**)

Day 6

Simple columbine flowers used to remind me of the woodlands of my childhood. Now, I see much fancier versions in flower gardens. I am always glad to catch a glimpse, they don’t bloom for very long.

In my adulthood, they have taken on a bit more meaning. I am reminded of a speaker at a conference I attended. His message was sad but inspirational. The speaker was the Columbine High School Principal at the time of the school massacre in 1999. Hope was important to that community's healing. I hold hope in my heart, especially when reminded by this beautiful flower.

Day 7

I love to catch a sunset! If I am not in the boat I have a couple of other places that have become favorites. Walking to a nearby bridge is one of the best vantage points for awe. To try something different, I carried a ceramic ornament that has a cutout of Michigan’s Upper Penninsula. I caught this sunset through the U.P. cutout.

Photo, K.Barrett, author (**U.P. Sunset**)

Final Thoughts

The time I have spent at my parent’s house this summer has offered layers of awe, inspired by the natural world. I have felt the setting stir my creativity! I am tapping into it, I reserved a lot of time for writing!

Thanks for reading! I hope everyone gets a chance to enjoy settings that soothe their stress and stir their creativity. Let the creativity keep flowing, more will follow.

Thanks to Dennett for starting this PHOTO-A-DAY challenge. Also, thanks to Barbara Radisavljevic for her response noting the use of nature to soothe stress.

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