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Respectfully, Clematis (6 MACROS)

[All photos of Clematis flowers hand held with no image stabilizer]

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So here I am in my front garden, wrestling with a black umbrella to be the shade I need in order to use my camera. This past Saturday, I was struggling with said umbrella to stay on a vine stand as it was sitting on a Honeysuckle Vine. It kept tumbling off, and I just could not for the life of me get it to stay. I needed to find a stable place for it to remain the shade block I required for beautiful Clematis.  I was not about to let a mere umbrella defeat me! Uh-uh!

Walking across my lawn at that moment, pushing a baby carriage, comes along my neighbor. I did not see her because I was just so focused on getting that um, well, that stubborn umbrella to stay put. All of a sudden I hear,

“Amy, you really do look crazy now!”

[Insert mocking laugh from same neighbor]

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[REALLY? I thought. ME crazy??? … As I could feel my hair stand straight up.]

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I stopped what I was doing, turned to face this woman, and looking directly at her, replied, “[Name], I do not care what anyone thinks of me or of what I am doing, for that matter. Beside, you cannot photograph flowers in direct sunlight.”

[Name] replied, “Oh! Yes, that IS true. All you would get is glare.”

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“Ah-huh, that’s right.” came out of my mouth, as I kept looking steadily at her.

At this point in that moment, my neighbor now could not get to her driveway fast enough, pushing that baby carriage.

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I do believe she will think twice before calling me crazy.

Thank you, Clematis, for helping me to stand up for myself. My neighbor believes she can talk to anyone in any way she wants. Not so with me. Hopefully she learned that Saturday. If not, if she disrespects me again, I will stand up for me again.

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Yes, I do deserve respect. Thank you!

Hope you enjoyed both my story and these gorgeous petals. (((HUGS))) Amy

Photography/Writing 2014©AmyRose

92 thoughts on “Respectfully, Clematis (6 MACROS)”

      2. I’m thinking of packing it in for the day, Don. This morning I had an emergency on my hands which I am not out of the woods yet with. I’ll talk to you later. xx

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    1. *giggling* Mark, what amazed me, the pictures I took were perfect for the story I told. Now, think about that. How do these things happen to me all the time? And no, Clematis did not get the “glare”. I am thrilled that you “got it”. The photos were just SO perfect regarding what transpired. Too funny!!!! Love, Amy

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      2. (((HUGS))) Mark. I’ll be over to see you in a minute. Now I must clean up “upchuck” from a cat who ate too fast. Lovely. See ya in a few. Love, Amy

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  5. Amy, remind me never to cross a woman with a umbrella doing a balancing act LOL… Giggles… I just got this image in my head and the ‘Flash’ of your eyes .. 🙂 I had to click the like button comment of markbialczak… with the pun on ‘Glare’..
    I so love you Amy.. and I love the photo’s you managed to get.. I have tried twice now to grow these types of clematis, each time they have died on me.. And yet I have others which have thrived… So what am I doing wrong.. were they on the the wrong wall?… they were East/South facing wall… .. I planted a Large Pink one last year in the same place, and thats not doing much either?… Yet I have a very rampant one thats almost covered my garage its that big, which I have had for years.. 🙂 Love and Hugs… Sue xx

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    1. *giggling* Sue, IF people KNEW what really happens in my life, the “humor” in it will have them rolling. Well, this was a test today to see if the “humor” would be seen, and it was. Yep, these kind of things happen quite freqently. Tee hee. About the Clematis, she did not look to healthy when I bought her, so that was why I was struggling with the umbrella before the flowers dropped. And they did. All of them are now gone. I am going to try to bring this flower back to health. We’ll see, Sue, and I will let you know what I did that worked. I am just so glad you enjoyed my story. Heehehehehehehe Love, Amy

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    1. *giggling SO hard* April, these things happen to me quite frequently and when I put the spin of humor on them, are quite hilarious. Yes there is a “moral” to the story, but between the pictures that go PERFECT with my words (tell me how does THAT happen???) and how I told this story, yes it really is funny. Tee hee. Thank you for the reblog! I am thilled you enjoyed this! Love, Amy

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      1. Dang it I wrote my comment out it and it disappeared.
        Here goes again.
        Coincidences No. You have the gift of sharing just how your heart is and it is beautiful to read and yes, ADORABLE! Something tells me I double posted this lol

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      2. No, you didn’t double post it, April. What is the point of me living a life that is sometimes so unbelievable without sharing, so that others can LAUGH? (((HUGS))) Amy

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      3. For me it is a laugh because I can relate. I wish the first post came out because I wrote a little more. I think a lot of us relate.. 🙂

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      4. That is why I wrote it, Luv. It is time for us to stand up to the “bullies” of this world and tell them NO MORE. I used to just shrug her behavior off, simmer inside, then cool off, and get back into Love. Now I am LOVING me by standing up and saying “this is not going to happen anymore!”. I have another life story for tomorrow’s post that is even funnier. It is about how men think. Tee hee. Love, Amy

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      2. YAY!!!!! I had an emergency this morning, friend, that found me flying to Vet with Rusty. His rear right leg is blown up like a balloon. We THINK it is from a bite, and if he doesn’t improve within 24-48 hours, back he goes for xrays to rule out a fracture. He was gone longer then he normally is, and thank God he came back. Very high fever, dehydrated and in mega pain. Right now he is sleeping with Daddy. xx Amy

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  9. Beautiful photos Amy! The umbrella really works well – very smart of you in avoiding the glare of the sunshine..(thanks for the idea too!!)..hugs and best wishes…

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  10. Good Morning Amy! Yes, you deserve respect and actually think the idea of the umbrella is a great idea to direct the sun away. The flowers are beautiful and love the close-ups. You go Girl!!!! xoxoxo

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    1. Thank you, Kathy. I hope you got some giggles from this one. Yes, there is a moral to the story, but the way it is written with the flowers saying exactly what I am, too funny. Tomorrow will be another funny post. I have to work on that one today! LOL Love, Amy

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    1. Thank you, Harold! I have shrugged off this person’s behavior for many years. No one stands up to her, including her husband. She is the Queen Bee, or at least she thinks she is. That day, my friend, I had enough. No more. IF she demeans me again, I will AGAIN say something. Uh uh. I respect me. I am not about to let me be mocked or insulted or but down in any way. Whew! Some people, Harold, some people …. (((HUGS))) Amy

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    1. OH how you make me laugh. My neighbor offer to hold my umbrella? Um, she wouldn’t think of it. She does know how to mock other people though, and that day, I just had enough. So I really did my best to get it across to her that she is NOT to make fun of me again. (((HUGS))) Amy

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    1. Thank you, DellaAnna!! Thank you! The wrestle with the umbrella was worth it. I knew those petals were coming down, and I had to photograph them that day. The plant I bought was not too healthy, and I am hoping I can bring it back to health. Sure enough, all those petals are now on the ground. It is a good thing I followed my Heart and photographed them when I got the chance. Love, Amy

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  17. Seriously? Do you have a history with her, or was she just being totally random. I love the photos of the Clematis. They look breezy and cool.

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    1. Susan, really. This woman mocks others all the time, to the point her husband won’t stand up to her. She is the one whose cats I take care of in her barn, because she won’t. What does that say? She says these things in a very degrading voice and that day, I just had enough. She really thinks she is the Queen and all are her subjects. Yup, most definitely time for me to say NO MORE. xx Amy

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      1. Good for you. I had one of those moments a few months ago. I was pretty harsh in fact because kind words were not heard, and there was some serious self-deceit on the woman’s part. I didn’t get downright nasty, but I called her out for lying to me and she denied it. I seldom go all psycho like that, but it was called for.

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      2. Thanks, Susan. I just finally got to a point with her, enough. Being neighbors and all, I really tried to go the route of staying calm, quiet and neutral. Not that day. I think she needs others to stand ground with her. I’ll do it again, too. I am just so done with her attitude towards me. Of course, I won’t be nasty. That’s not me. But I will be VERY firm with a NO NONSENSE attitude. High 5! Love, Amy

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  18. Sorry you experienced that. I was hoping she was just being playful.

    Lovely photos and so true about the light. I took myself to Burchart Gardens, in Victoria, Canada, for my birthday, in 2012, and my direct photos of flowers did not come out well.

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  19. Such beautiful pictures, Amy. I never thought about trying to use an umbrella. But I usually don’t have one with me when I need it! HA! Good for you standing up for yourself! 🙂

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    1. Thank you, Linda! It’s tricky with the wind using an umbrella. LOL I have to get more creative somehow to come up with another something for shade. Good to see you! Love, Amy

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    1. Ya think so? I hope so. She has been a “terror” for too long. Peeps just don’t stand up to this woman. Hmmm….That has changed. (smiling) Thank you for the compliment, Audrey. Love, Amy

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    1. Thank you, Cindy! The only thing with an umbrella though, is the wind takes it IF it is breezy. That was part of the problem that day. I’m using my creativity to come up with all kinds of things for shade block … a hat, a gardening glove, a piece of cardboard. Anything that works. I really do appreciate your comment, and no, I am not shy about sharing “tips”. What is the point if we hold out and not share with each other? I want all my WP friends to do well in their chosen art. (((HUGS))) Amy

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  22. Whoo! Way to go Amy!! Ain’t nobody got time for dat! Lol some peoples kids I tell ya. 😝 those are lovely photos by the way. *Hugs*
    Michelle

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    1. Don’t get me going on kids, Michelle. I quit being a teacher’s assistant because I could not do one more day with the attitude of kids. No respect anymore. I was told I could not discipline, by saying no? Like I said, don’t get me going there. Tee hee. I’ve put up with attitude form this woman due to being neighbors and all, but well, looks like I drew the line on the lawn, so to speak. Tee hee. Love, Amy

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      1. Hehe, I wouldn’t dare 😉 It sounds like a debate topic, The Steady Decline of Proper Social Upbringings 😀 Yes, I think you very much did do that, lol. ❤
        Michelle

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  26. Don’t take all of the words from all of the people seriously. The only matter what people who you love telling you. Try to ignore things, people, words, thoughts which are not important to you. Time pass too fast – it is already clematis season. Beautiful flowers and pictures.

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      1. Amy, sending you both a healing thought… Im working this afternoon/ all night so if I miss your post will be Friday sometime I get to you. xox Love Sue xox

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  28. Willy and I enjoyed your pictures, applaud your garden stand for respect, and pray diligently for Willy’s new friend Rusty.

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    1. Willy, Rusty’s leg has been saved. All of the prayers, our valiant efforts around the clock for 2 days, our knowledge of Homeopathy in combination with Vet medicines, came through for us. We went to our Vet this morning and she was stunned at how his paw improved in a mere 24 hours. I am SO relieved it is not funny. Tomorrow there will be a post to celebrate LIFE. We’ve also come face to face with a situation here. Due to our neighbor who deems it is OK to have rusting farm equipment and a whole lot of other stuff, sitting in his fields, we no longer are willing to allow our cats who LOVE to be out, to go out. This is how we believe our Rusty got so hurt, on a nail or a piece of very sharp wire just laying in the grass. This breaks my Heart. My cats look forward to the nice weather, they get stronger, healthier, happier, and now due to a negligent human (another one) they have to suffer. I am praying for a solution to this. These guys go nuts if they don’t get outside, and that includes Rusty. This too shall appear a solution!!! Love, Amy

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    1. LOL Thank you, Yazmin! I have not been online much due to an emergency so I am just now getting back into the swing of things. Hope all is GOOD with you, my friend! I really do thank you for your wonderful words. Too back you were not with me to tell this woman what you said. Tee hee.
      Love, Amy

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      1. lol :). I’m glad all is fine with you Amy! 😀 I would have told that lady, all right. I’m known for my mouth, hehe

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      4. Um, not really. She really has a mean streak in her. She has gotten away with talking to others any way she wants, but not with me. Uh uh. I drew the line in the grass. Yup. Surely did! Love, Amy

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  32. Even with a baby carriage, I think my wife would have said “can I help you with that?” How much easier it would have been. I have pictures of my daughter (photographer) keeling on a wet and probably oily tarmac at an air show, and kneeling in the surf in Florida. I also have an amazing photograph of a line of people waiting in the rain at the airshow and a wonderful little bird standing in the same surf. People say things like :oh, you were so lucky to be at that spot at the right time.” Most don’t realize how much work goes into great photos like the ones you take.

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    1. Bless you for understanding, Dan. You are absolutely correct when you say most people are not even aware of what goes into getting a fantastic photograph. And yes, point taken about her not even offering to help me. Unfortunately we live in a world that IF you dare to be an iota of different, you get “labels” attached to you. I bet you did get fantastic photographs and yes, I bet you did much preparation in order to get those photographs. I don’t use a point and shoot camera. There is much thought into what I do, then letting go of the thought, and getting into the feeling of the moment. Takes one to know one. (smile) I really thank you for taking the time to come on over to read this post. It meant a lot to me. (((HUGS))) Amy

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