My 2020

While my 2020 did not begin well when I had to bury my Mother on January 2, I tried to bounce back. When I finally figured out how to do this “blog thing” it became a path of healing for me. Here are highlights from some of my posts.

• Through My Eyes
  With aging comes new perspective. Follow me with my daily journey and life as an artist and crafter.
• A New Day
  While blogging is new to me, I have always loved a challenge. Here you will see me craft, my art, my travels, my loves. Hope you will follow me as life is always an adventure. Maybe not always what we want, but still an adventure.
• Messages From Heaven
  My mother was 92 and this day would be a particularly unusual day for her. Mid morning she was in her usual place, her favorite lounge chair. I went every day to her house to take care of her. Little did I know that when I left my house this day how hard it would … Continue reading “Messages From Heaven”
• Discovering Lenoir County
  When boredom overtakes you, what do you do? You grab your camera and drive. With my husband as my chaufer, we wound around on some Lenoir county roads and took a few pics on a cloudy day. steeples first spoke to me and then the painting over the door… The Last Supper! It is like … Continue reading “Discovering Lenoir County”
• Change
  The past three months have given me plenty of time to re-examine priorities in my life. While it is just me, my husband and my dog Roco, nothing physicially has changed. On the other hand, emotionally and spiritually things have changed. I find despit all the stress of today’s challenges, I am stronger. As defiant … Continue reading “Change”
• Day Lilly
  When looking out my window, I saw this lilly in full bloom. While life recently has been dismal at best, their is still beauty that God provides. Rejoice in the simple pleasures of life.
• A Little Morning Madness
  While I don’t typically shoot a lot of flowers, with the subtle rain I thought I would see what happens. This is what you get when you add a little water to the mix.
• Fruits Of Our Labor
  About a moth ago we started our first raised bed garden. My husband and I have never done much gardening so this was a new venture. We built the first 4×4 frame with an aging piece of 2×6 lumber that we had just laying around. After a trip to Tractor Supply, we came back with … Continue reading “Fruits Of Our Labor”
• Preservation
  I am a bit of a history nut or at least as it applies to some things. One thing that really gets under my skin is old historical houses and buildings that are left in disrepair until they fall to dust. Equally frustrating is buildings that are torn down for no apparent reason. Such was … Continue reading “Preservation”
• Photography
  If you enjoy my photography, now you can purchase prints at ArtPal. Here is the link: https://www.artpal.com/buy/photography/landscapes-nature/?s=Sue%20Heath%20Originals&f_ss=1 Thank you for visiting the site. Here is one of the prints you will see.
• Finding Roots
  Yes, you guessed it the above picture features some of my ancestors. The lady in the picture is my 1st great grandmother on my father’s side. The gentleman behind her is her husband and the gentleman on the left is his brother. I have been doing geneology research more than thirty years. Doing so, I … Continue reading “Finding Roots”
• A Black And White Moment
  As a professional photographer, you learn to adapt to equipment changes and processes. One thing I have always loved is black and white shots. Even the most boring subjects seem to come alive in detail. While I was doing my training and yes, shooting with a manual 35mm camera, my most enjoyable moments were in … Continue reading “A Black And White Moment”
• A House With No Name
  A house with no name in days of old could tell many tales or full of lost souls. Its windows are broken and its doors have lost its charm, its broken floor could cause harm. And yet you can imagine amidst the dust and wethered boards an untold story of working hands on piles of … Continue reading “A House With No Name”
• More Photography
  There are few boundaries on what I will shoot. I used to be a wedding photographer and did that for about seven years. I felt trapped and that my creativity was suffering. I quit after a client was taking too long to pay me because I was not only not enjoying it but got tired … Continue reading “More Photography”
• A Beach Experience
  Thousands of people each year flock to the beaches just to get a glimpse of the rolling waves, massive piers and calming sand dunes. The images below were shot several years ago. They are a reminder of calmer times. While hundreds of people walk on these rough wooden planks daily to catch what lies beyond, … Continue reading “A Beach Experience”
• Creativity and Crafting
  My creativity is not limited to photography. Making sonething beautiful out of very little is what drives me. You don’t have to be an experienced crafter to do these projects. Being a crafter is very rewarder. While I don’t sell a lot, I enjoy it a lot. This is cross stitch. This piece will soon … Continue reading “Creativity and Crafting”
• Needle And Yarn
  I started doing needlework and crafts more than 40 years ago. A lot of the reason I started was to cope with divorce. My funds were limited. Over the years I found I could buy supplies at yard sales, flea markets, auctions and even habitat stores for a fraction of the retail cost. Here are … Continue reading “Needle And Yarn”
• A Little Sunday Creating
  In addition to be a photographer, I have my hands in a lot of things. Needlework is just one of them. This is cross stitch. It is an early form of embroidery dating back to the 1600s. While then done on fine linen it is now done on fabric and canvas. I particularly love to … Continue reading “A Little Sunday Creating”
• Sleepless In Carolina
  I struggle with insomnia a lot. Ironically it is sometimes when I am most creative. While this is not a creative time and I am struggling to rest, here is a peaceful scene from the banks of Washington, NC.
• Freedom!
  While I am putting the finishing strokes on this painting it leads me to think about what its title means. Freedom is a term we use loosely but seldom really think about. More and more our “freedoms” have been taken away from us. In just a few months we have lost a lot. The freedom … Continue reading “Freedom!”
• More Black And White
  I love shooting cypress knees because they are never the exact same size or shape. Like people, each one is unique. I love the detail in black and white. Have a great morning.
• Protect & Serve
  While I don’t always approve of some of the actions of law enforcement, what pray tell would we do without them! They are not perfect, but then neither am I or you or anyone else. Dispite the fact that this country is already in turmoil, there would be no resolve without the police and sheriff … Continue reading “Protect & Serve”
• Rescue Roco, the $5 dog.
  I apologize for my lack of blogging lately and I promise to do better. Here is today’s story. About two years ago while driving around we decided to drop in on the Craven County Animal Shelter. Our last dog had passed away some years earlier. My husband insisted we stop even though I was somewhat … Continue reading “Rescue Roco, the $5 dog.”
• Needlecraft Lesson
  Ok ladies. If you like to crochet, here is my version of the Daisy Granny Square. Actually, I probably should call it a sunflower because it has 12 points, not 8. With an H hook ch 3 and slip stitch into 1st stitch to form loop. Work 12 hdc into loop and slip stitch into … Continue reading “Needlecraft Lesson”
• A quick look into my studio..
  Hope you have enjoyed a glimpse into my studio.
• Barn Mania
  Like most baby boomers, these structures covered in ivy green were once a vivid part of our youth! Since my grandfather owned a large farm, there were quite a few of these. They were tall and sturdy. They housed large burners that curred the tobacco. The guys would stand on the tier poles that ran … Continue reading “Barn Mania”
• The Beach
  For thousands of people, the beach is not just a place to plant your feet in the sand, but a place to depart from their busy lives. It’s like taking a bath and washing off all of the dirt in the ocean. Here are some shots to remind you of your beach experience. While Covid-19 … Continue reading “The Beach”
• Surviving The Storm
  While we survived another hurricane, more importantly, we are reminded of God’s power and love. Gratefully, we suffered no damage, we lost no power, and we awakened to another beautiful day. While some people fear the storms, they may have far worse storms in their own lives. We cannot give into fear. While certainly there … Continue reading “Surviving The Storm”
• Photography – Shooting The Beach
  While doing some pre-fall cleaning, I have found more beach photos. As I have gotten older, I really am not a beach person. There are a few things at the beach that can make shooting interesting. The piers, the dunes, the sunrise and sunsets and more…. The first lesson of photography, don’t shoot just to … Continue reading “Photography – Shooting The Beach”
• Folkways Creations
  As an artist I appreciate most types of art. Today’s topic is Folk Art. Primative or Folk Art may not be appreciated by some people but I can tell you it is not always as easy to do as it may appear. Created in a different time, materials were hard to come by, canvas almost … Continue reading “Folkways Creations”
• In The Gallery
  As an artist I guess I am more critical of my work than anyone else. I have been very hesitant to put my work up for sale for that reason but here goes… I think I have posted this piece to show before. This work is acrylic on canvas board. Unframed it is $75 + … Continue reading “In The Gallery”
• Renovation, Reflections And Roco
  During the past two weeks, my home has begun the process of renovation. While the hammering, ripping up of floors, adding floors and more is just the signs of renovation, in the long term hopefully it will just be seen as the birth pains of something more positive. Reflection on the past eight months, I … Continue reading “Renovation, Reflections And Roco”
• Vintage Trucks
  While vacationing in Kentucky one year, I spied these two vintage trucks on the side of the road. They were still full of color but somewhat faded in places. I knew then it was a picture I wanted to paint.
• Wasting And Creating
  It’s not just important how you paint but what you do after you finish a painting. Before I even clean up my workspace, I clean up my palette. Any unused paint is applied to a new canvas, not that it is saving it but it is not at least wasted on your palette. Sometimes I … Continue reading “Wasting And Creating”
• Life, Love And The Pursuit Of Happiness…
  Life: Life now has changed drasticlly over the past eight months. We have become a faceless society because of the hysteria of Covid-19. Because a common criminal lost his life unnecessarily, there are those who dispect our law enforcement. The BLM airs commercials that say “only black lives matter” when God says “all lives matter”. … Continue reading “Life, Love And The Pursuit Of Happiness…”
• The Identity Of God
  In a conversation between Moses and God he identifies himself as “I Am”. In doing that he means he is the one true God, the Creator, the supreme being that has the ability to control all things at his will. I have heard it said numerous times…”Well if God is so good why do bad … Continue reading “The Identity Of God”
• Black, White & More…a Sunday Venture
  As much as we love to travel, now seems to be a difficult time to do that but we don’t let that deter us completely. Unplanned short trips sometimes reap the most rewards. Today we ventured out about forty minutes from our home to the Rock Ridge Community. Below are a few pics from our … Continue reading “Black, White & More…a Sunday Venture”
• A Song In The Heart
  As you already know, I am a photographer and artist. What you don’t know is that I am also a songwriter/poet. While I love to write, I am very critical of my own work. Back in the 90’s my husband and I sang a lot and made several trips to Nashville. While we could have … Continue reading “A Song In The Heart”
• Creating Art & Crafts
  I guess I am a strange duck, so to speak, but it is not unusual for me to take something that would be considered a craft and make art out of it. I purchased this toilet tissue holder last night at an auction. It was very plain and I just knew I had to give … Continue reading “Creating Art & Crafts”
• Once Upon A Cloudy Day
  Once upon a cloudy day, I drifted down the road a ways And for a brief moment in time, I forgot about all the negativity in this world there is to find While raindrops fell to a dusty ground, new life will soon be found. When through the clouds a ray of sun shines down, … Continue reading “Once Upon A Cloudy Day”
• The Barn Quilt Trail
  I have always had an interest in barn quilts. A few years ago I started photographing barn quilts on both the western end and eastern end of the trail. For those who are not familiar with barn quilts, they were original placed on barns as a sign of welcome and friendship. They have since been … Continue reading “The Barn Quilt Trail”
• Age – The Good, The Bad And The Ugly!
  This month I am turning 69 and here are my thoughts about aging: The Good… I don’t have to work again ever, unless I want to. I can sleep all day, drink more coffee, hang out with my dog and husband of 34 years. Say what I think regardless of what it is and not … Continue reading “Age – The Good, The Bad And The Ugly!”
• Thinking Naturally
  About fifteen years ago I received my certification as a Doula (a professional advocate in natural childbirth). While I helped a number of families navigate through the natural delivery process, I didn’t realize how much I was helping myself. While I still find it difficult to maintain a healthy diet, I slowly started changing the … Continue reading “Thinking Naturally”
• When Notes Fly
  There has always been music around me. When I was just a small child my father would wake me up singing things like “Wake Up Little Suzzie” or “You Ain’t Nothing But A Hound Dog”. At the age of eight my parents made arrangements for my aunt to give me piano lessons. I drank up … Continue reading “When Notes Fly”
• X-Stitch Mania
  I love to create….anything. Since photography is a passion of mine, I use it for many things: material to paint from and as a pattern for cross-stitchers. Here is a sample. What does this have to do with cross-stitch you ask? Everything! For those of you who do not know what cross stitch is it … Continue reading “X-Stitch Mania”
• Tree Of Life
  We start out in life as part of a small family unit. We have parents and siblings. As we grow our lives develop much like a tree that has many branches as shown in the image. The right half depicts our family life while the left half depicts our work life. So many times the … Continue reading “Tree Of Life”
• Old But Not Forgotten
  I am one of those rare birds who not only shoot in digital but also still shoot with film. So, when I started gathering rolls to develop I also realized I had some old rolls I never developed. The picture above was one of the old ones so I can’t recall where this was taken. … Continue reading “Old But Not Forgotten”
• Women of the Bible
  All About Eve Eve of course the Bible tells us was the first women pulled from the ribs of Adam. God created her as a companion for Adam. If you think in the narrative, the Bible tell us very little about Eve. What did she look like? How did she and Adam interact? And more … Continue reading “Women of the Bible”
• Women Of The Bible – II
  SARAH There were many women in the Bible that followed Eve. There was Eve’s daughter-in-law, Cain’s wife who was of so little importance she is actually unnamed in the Bible. So Eve’s great great great grandson was Lamech. Well as some men were in that day, Lamech decided he was not satisfied with one wife … Continue reading “Women Of The Bible – II”
• Tree Limbs and Limbs of Society
  In the pictures above you see one of limbs and one of roots. What do they say to you? I know you are asking what does that have to do with society? A lot! The roots are like our own. They start out spindly but become a vast network into the soil to support what … Continue reading “Tree Limbs and Limbs of Society”
• Women Of The Bible III
  Rebekah Today’s woman is Rebekah. Rebekah was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah who was the wife of Hahor the brother of Abraham. The Bible tells us she was very beautiful and attractive, chaste and modest and unmarried. Abraham sent his most favored servant out to find a wife for his son Isaac…… Abraham … Continue reading “Women Of The Bible III”
• Photography And Nature
  While I love things that are complex, there are times when I just want to shoot something that is natural. This is a Cypress Knee. They are a natural oddity that are usually found on river banks. I love photographing them because they are like people, there are no two alike. I call this Nature’s … Continue reading “Photography And Nature”

I am grateful to all who have read my posts and to all my followers that motivate me. I pray your 2021 will be full of love, peace, resolve and empowerment.

Author: throughmyeyes720

I love art, especially photography and painting. My next addition is crafts or primarily needlecrafts. And as if that was not enough, I am a genealogist. View all posts by throughmyeyes720