Monarch Musings

Market Madness

catherineross — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 11:18:09 +0000

The market was pure madness today~elbow room only!! Honestly, as much as I value my space~seeing Eastern Market bustling after this long winter was exhilarating!! Wagons, strollers, flowers and more flowers, produce, multi-cultural crowd~and I felt alive and refreshed! Continuing in my self-inflicted challenge to see beyond my comfort zone…here are a few of my favorite captures of the morning (and yes, I caved on a few flower close ups)…ENJOY!

“FUN TO FOLLOW* (Twitter Lingo)

Zingerman’s is an Ann Arbor phenomenon…and it’s so nice to have them come to Detroit!

This one was a total camera shake too long exposure that I almost deleted on the spot…but I’m kinda glad I didn’t…

These little chicks were the cutest things ever and their presence was known throughout the market from chirping to ummmm, yes, smell

Shrubs, shrubs and more shrubs

”Oh #%*+%#@* …how am I gonna fit this in my car”

And that, my friends, wraps up this weeks excursion to Eastern Market. Au revoir, til next week

Seeing Beyond My Eyes

catherineross — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 15:21:45 +0000

As artists, we all have our comfort zones. At least I do. And maybe that’s what makes my art, photography, jewelry design, drawings distinguishable as “oh, that’s Cathy Ross”. But sometimes, I think, to grow as an artist and creator of beauty, one must reach beyond ones comfort zone. Go out on a limb. Try something new, see something in a totally different way, take a risk and put it out there. This post, for me, is going out on a limb. I’ve gotten in a comfort zone with flowers, macro, fine detail. Now, I’m trying something new. Seeing nature in a new way. Allowing my muse to have some fun~and really, isn’t that what life is all about? Having fun?

I mean, fermented cement grapes??? Why not???

Counting The Days

catherineross — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 01:43:05 +0000

Wishing away time is not my thing, however, I am quietly anticipating the formal arrival of spring. I keep looking for buds and blooms, but they are still sparse. After a long day of work, I decided to invite myself over to my friend Dona’s house to snoop around her garden. I didn’t find a garden full of roses or pansies, however, I did find some interesting treasures.

Like this rose bush. Thorns surviving a long cold winter with a hint of fresh leaves bursting forth…

And delightful garden angels ~ spreading JOY

I think even doors and chairs are interesting when you choose the right angle

I loved this over sized cement planter…

Even in last seasons best, dried on the vine, I see beauty…

But alas, I have saved THE BEST FOR LAST!! GO GREEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Grosse Pointey

catherineross — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 01:02:08 +0000

It was one of those days where I couldn’t wait to get home. Not that I don’t love my job…I really do…but some days I have to “bless and release” office dysfunction, and today was one. It didn’t take long to get me happy to be alive again – 60 degrees, sun shining ever so bright, sunroof open…and a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T from Motown’s Aretha Franklin busting my speakers…and I was good to go. Got home, tweeted a few tweets, put on my jeans…and headed out with my camera. Here are a few shots of my “hood” in the “Woods”…Grosse Pointe Woods that is

OK…I admit it…I am obsessed with Pussy Willow trees. This house down the street from me, on Oxford, is where I took most of these pictures…their yard is soooo pretty

Lookin’ Up

catherineross — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 01:11:51 +0000

It occurred to me that most of the time, I’m looking down when I walk. Not that I give this alot of thought. It’s just what I do. Over the years, it’s paid off. I’ve discovered all kinds of treasures from money, to jewelry, to lost items. Fast forward. Today was an absolutely exquisite, gorgeous spring day so I decided to head out at lunch time to get some sun and fresh air and of course, capture some new spring delight with my camera. As I was driving, in no particular direction, I started to contemplate what I would photograph. I mean, scenic vistas are not the backdrop in Southfield Michigan. So, I headed east over to Royal Oak where eclectic things, people and architecture are abundant. And I started thinking along the way…ya know, things are “lookin’ up”. It’s finally spring. The sun is out. It’s 60 degrees. Man, this is great. And then the ”lookin up” part struck a chord with me. And voila…it’s kind of cool to change perspective, and “look up” when I’m so accustomed to looking down. Here’s what I saw…

I happened upon a vintage shop. I can’t help but go inside and ask persmission to click away!

Ahhh, yes. The sign says “Sole Sister”…and yes, that is my favorite song by Train. It’s even my ring tone. Which, if you call me and wonder why it’s taking so long for me to answer…it’s because I’m rockin’ to my ringtone

And last but not least….Gayle’s CHOCOLATE!!! I could live on chocolate alone

The Lake

catherineross — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:52:01 +0000

One of my favorite places in Grosse Pointe is Lake St. Clair. I have walked miles and miles, day after day, along these waters. Every moment is beautiful from sunrise to sunset to moon light, rain or shine, snow flakes to gusty winds. There is a peace, a tranquility, a force, that envelopes the soul as it breathes in the fresh air and lingers in the energy emitted from the lake. For those of you who are not familiar with Grosse Pointe (unless, perhaps, you watched the movie ‘Grosse Pointe Blanc”) Jefferson Avenue runs from Detroit through Grosse Pointe, along the lake where it becomes “Lakeshore Drive”, and then turns back into Jefferson Avenue once past this gorgeous stretch. The Yacht Club, so stately, is pictured here. The other shot I took at an angle just for some interest. Not alot of photos in this post…but enough to give you a taste of the beautiful town I live in.

Don’t Stop…Believin’

catherineross — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 01:55:07 +0000

Well, I wasn’t born and raised in South Detroit, but I am a small town girl, and I have I taken the midnight train to anywhere…and I know some will win and some will lose and it goes on and on and on…and I’ll NEVER STOP BELIEVIN’!!!! It’s a JOURNEY!! All said and done, I love Detroit. It’s a total GEM inspite of the rap it’s gotten and the blanket of despair that has fallen over us the last few years…but never doubt the power of Detroit and all of us folks livin’ here in SE Michigan…Michigan is coming back. And it’s coming back strong. Today Brooke and I mosied on down to Eastern Market, bought ourselves some roses and produce, and I said to her..”Brooke…we’re goin’ over to the Heidelberg Project” and over we went. This has to be the coolest 3 blocks in Detroit City. Crazy “out there” fun art…well, trash turned art…and I must say…it’s beyond cool. I had fun taking pictures. You tell me if Brooke had fun when you see her picture Anyway…browse Heidelberg & Charlevoix with me and see for yourself how really cool Detroit is!!!

Mommmmmm…I want to go home!! I’m hungry!!

Friendship Rose

catherineross — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 15:08:56 +0000

I LOVE my friends. Each and everyone of you, old and new, near and far and virtual!! A group of friends that’s very dear to my heart are my prayer group friends. We have been getting together and supporting one another spiritually and in friendship since 1995, or at least that’s when I joined them. Those first years together were a difficult time for me, as I was going through a divorce, and these women supported me and helped me and I am forever grateful for their love and kindness. We still get together on a somewhat regular basis…and this past week, Dona handed each of us a rose when we came in her front door. Once in the circle, we each put our rose in the vase, to form a gorgeous bouquet, which represented how each rose is individually beautiful, and when part of the friendship bouquet…magnificent!! I was very moved by this ritual, and brought my rose home to photograph. Here is my friendship rose…

Even as roses age, and their petals wrinkle and dry…they hold a beauty that shines from within…wisdom…contentment…what do you find?

A Taste of Mexico In “The D”

catherineross — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 03:03:31 +0000

One of my our favorite places in Detroit is Mexican Town. It consists of about one or two blocks on Vernor and Bagley, but once there, you kinda feel like you’re in Mexico (or what I would imagine Mexico to be as I’ve yet to visit in person) – but certainly NOT Detroit Brooke, my daughter at MSU, came home for a quick visit, and we headed down there. I wanted to leave before dusk so I could take a few pictures. Brooke, so impatient with my hobbies, was more interested in getting the menu (although she has the menu memorized) and ordering the “combo” at El Zocala. On the way down to Mexican Town, we passed the old Detroit Train Station. I whipped out my camera and was able to capture a few shots, while driving f course, through my windshield, while Brooke literally freaked out. I love doing things like that because it drives her crazy when I don’t focus on the road. She scolds me as though I’m the daughter and she the adult. That’s OK. I’m a kid at heart. Here’s what I found this evening…

Our last stop after dinner is always the Bakery on the corner. Shelves and shelves of apple turnovers, cookies, pastries, all housed behind wooden oak doors. You grab a tray and tongs, and fill the tray. Most items are 50 cents to a dollar. It’s so much fun!! Here’s Brooke and her friend Marcus, who joined us for dinner tonight.

Lost In Paradise

catherineross — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:01:02 +0000

I was invited to a party in Birmingham last night, and on my way, I stopped at this wonderful florist shop called “Blossoms” on Woodward Avenue. Immediately I was in heaven…hundreds of scented candles, gorgeous arrangements, a freezer of blooms the size of a ball room. It was enchanting. My two treasures were a white flowering kale, and this tulip stem. This is one of the most beautiful tulips I’ve ever seen, but then again, most of the florists carry the basic tulip. I think I need to save up and go to Holland. Honestly, I could be among tulips for hours and never grow bored. They make me smile. Here are a few shots of the tulip that came home with me yesterday…