Looking for the Little Things

I didn't realise quite how much I love my SLR camera, and how much it has changed my life. It's right there at the top of my list of 'things I would grab before leaving my burning house', right there alongside the laptop, my childhood soft toy and my photo albums. And Rob of course - although I'd hope he'd be helping to carry the photo albums.

But this fortnight I find myself camera-less. Rob is away in Germany on a skiing trip. I think it's officially a work trip (OK, I know it is, and I know he is working very hard!) but it is February and he did take his skis. And he has my camera. He has been abroad for work before and asked if he could take it, but in the past I have always said no (because it's MINE). But in an unusual fit of generosity, and a genuine desire to see some photos of snowy Oberammeragau, I let him take it this time. And now England has the biggest snowfall for 18 years. Typical.

So I'm feeling bereft. Not only am I husband-less for two weeks, but I don't have the one thing with which I would happily fill my days. OK, I have several thousand photos of the snow after two winters in Canada, but this is snow in England, and I have days off school in which to enjoy it!

Still, it has made me realise just how differently I look at the world now I use my camera a lot. I find myself constantly on the lookout for the little details around me - a reflection, a shadow, patterns and colours that it's so easy to overlook. These were taken in Oxford a few weeks ago.





So although I'm frustrated by my lack of camera, I am trying hard to keep my eyes open to these kinds of things. There is so much of interest and beauty around us, whatever the weather, and it's easy to forget to look. As William Henry Davies put it, more eloquently than I ever could:

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?