Arizona Spring Flowers

Posted on May 16, 2014 by azgilstrap

Each Spring, I experience the seemingly inexorable pull towards Arizona flower-related photoremedy. I know those who have not visited the Great American Southwest have a hard time picturing flowers in the desert; it is almost as difficult as trying to imagine a Redneck passing up a cold beer. The colorful gems, though, flourish during the Spring in Arizona’s breathtaking Sonoran Desert. They triumph on the ground and on trees, while consistently painting the ancient mountains in brilliant Spring colors.

Flowers can also be appreciated in well-manicured gardens. Traditionally, I have focused a greater percent of my efforts on capturing Spring wildflowers. This year, however, garden-grown varieties have received most of my photographic attention.

A few of the of the images I have captured (and developed) this year are featured in the gallery below. Just click on any image to view the selections in slide show mode.

Note: The photoremedy mission is to encourage those fighting chronic pain and other afflictions to consider using photography as a powerful tool to move their focus away from the pain. In the process, we strive to enhance readers’ ability to see beauty and experience elevated joy in their lives. There are many gifts that can accompany health challenges; one of the greatest offerings is it frequently forces sufferers to set better priorities for their lives and assists them in seeing the world in new and more meaningful ways.

Birds and Beasts

Posted on May 9, 2014 by azgilstrap

We consistently use the photoremedy term throughout the blog. What is photoremedy? It is simply the impressive range of benefits associated with the “good medicine” that photography offers those who get a healing-like rush from the creative process associated with taking and developing compelling images.

Want guaranteed photoremedy? Grab the kids and/or grandchildren and head to a local park that features birds and waterfowl or a local wildlife zoo. It’s worked wonders for me in 2014. Some of the images I’ve captured this year are featured in the gallery below. Just click on any image to view the selections in slide show mode.

At Arizona’s Wildlife World Zoo

At Arizona’s Wildlife World Zoo Aquarium

At Arizona’s Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium

At Anthem, AZ Community Park

At Anthem, AZ Community Park (Isabella kept eating the bread when we gave it to her to throw to the ducks)

Off the Strip

Posted on April 29, 2014 by azgilstrap

The days of $9 hotel rooms and 99-cent shrimp cocktails are long gone for Las Vegas travelers, but good deals are still out there if you look carefully and time it right. During our recent home renovation project, we had to be off our floors for a few days. We ended up going to Vegas because the rates for off-the-strip resorts were less than half of what they were for limited service hotels on our side of Phoenix.

We generally stay on the strip, but this time we made a point of seeing new sights in the Vegas area. The adventure created some great photoremedy opportunities as we checked out Freemont street at night, visited Lake Las Vegas for the first time, and poked around scenic Lake Mead. Click on individual images below to view in slide show mode.

Lake Las Vegas

Lake Las Vegas – fine art photography (FAP)

Lake Las Vegas – FAP

Lake Mead Marina

Lake Mead fish – FAP

Pup fishing at Lake Mead

Freemont Street East

Downtown Vegas

Freemont Street

Mary and I aren’t big gamblers, but we do enjoy visiting Vegas frequently. The new Hoover Dam bypass has made it less than a five hour drive from our home – even with the multiple stops I need to make to stretch my legs and generally load up on fresh ice for my back. Regardless, one thing is always certain when visiting Las Vegas. There is always–whether you are on the strip or off of it–plenty of opportunities to snap a few memorable images.

Oh Danny Boy

Posted on April 6, 2014 by azgilstrap

Our newest grandchild, Daniel Robert, came into the world on March 19, 2014. He missed being being born on St. Patrick’s Day by just less than 48 hours. Nevertheless, many of us have already taken a liking to thinking of him as “Danny Boy.”

Daniel Robert Gilstrap

Daniel came for a great little visit–and photoremedy–to our house today. It started out as a bit of a snoozer. The sweet smell of our beloved sunflowers, however, quickly opened his big, dark eyes. Before long, it became obvious that more than sunflowers were needed on this day. Big brother Emmett (who I like to call “Dude”) was able to briefly help turn the tears around. Emmett is only two years older than Daniel, but he is already a big boy and showing promise that he will be a kind and gentle big brother.

In the end, Mary (who I like to call Granny Long Legs) displayed her wisdom. She quickly concluded that all our little partially-Irish man needed was a good drink.

We so enjoyed our visit with Daniel, Emmett, Grandma Debby, and our daughter-in-law Katie (the latter two wouldn’t allow photographs today). And, all will get even better when the boys’ get to spend considerable time with all of their entertaining relatives like cousin Isabella (featured below).

Yes, Danny Boy and Emmett Dude, things are looking up on the road ahead!

I have previously posted the Old Welsh proverb, “Perfect love sometimes does not come until the first grandchild.” Well if that’s true, I have to say that around our house we have concluded, “Exponentially perfect love cannot be known until there’s a whole bunch of grandchildren!”

Garden of the Gods

Posted on April 4, 2014 by azgilstrap

During a January trip to Colorado, I was able to travel to Garden of the Gods near Colorado Springs and Pike’s Peak.

As best I can recall, we took a family vacation here when I was quite young, although I didn’t have any specific memory of the red rock wonderland. Thanks to a few hours of photoremedy, however, I’m quite certain I won’t soon forget this impressive destination; it is an awesome setting for both traditional and fine art landscape photography.

Garden of the Gods – Fine Art Photography

Pike’s Peak – Fine Art Photography

Heavenly Focus

Posted on February 24, 2014 by azgilstrap

Additional back issues and managing a small home improvement project at our house has kept me off of the PC for perhaps my longest stretch since the early 1990s, but I’m happy to report that I have been able to partake in a bit of photoremedy this year.

Granddaughter Isabella just before she turned one

Deacon Paul Louderman

I’m hopeful that I’ll be back to sharing the fruits of my photoremedy efforts regularly this month. And, stay tuned for new grandson photos on, or around, St. Patrick’s Day! One of the highlights for me this year was to be able to travel to Denver’s Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception to see our longtime friend Paul Louderman ordained as a Catholic Christian Deacon. It was a beautiful experience; we are so proud of Paul and his family.

The trip then allowed me to partake in some much needed Christ-centered photography.

Denver’s Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

Mother Cabrini Shrine

For me, photoremedy at religious places that speak to (and calm) my soul is the perfect combination. As a result, I recommend that others who have a similar orientation give it a try the next time you are focused on pain or feeling blue. Why not give it a shot? You too may find that a greater focus on heavenly matters–with your mind and, occasionally, your camera–is a great step towards bringing a little more heaven to earth.

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Category Archives: Photography