We have had heavy fog in the area for a couple of weeks now. I have said to myself. It is a shame if I cannot catch up with fog before it is completely out of sight for the season. I am aware that I like fog enough that I am going to get it. It is the secret of desire.It was cold 30F (Celsius 1 subzero) degree no less, but my fingers were frozen when I was just out for about half-hour. I put both my hands inside my coat pockets and held my tripod under my arm. I walked into the park feeling a bit of pride. Hey, cold weather is not stopping me. I am here for the fog.
I walked around and felt like in a dream. Today’s fog is not as dense as I like it to be, but beautiful enough for me. I saw a little commotion ahead of me. As I walked closer, I noticed a group of runners who just finished their morning run. Though I am early and tough, when I am just ready to begin, they are leaving their finish line. There is always someone ahead of you, be humble. I got the note.
When the heart is light and the mind is clear, everything looks pleasing to the eyes. On a regular day, I might not consider this shot, but in the fog, these trees create a medium tone between sky and ground and they suddenly become appealing to me. I also like curved fine water lines on the ground. They sit on a narrow road without a shoulder but with perpetual traffic. It was fairly early, so I managed to pull over and snap it quickly. I could get a better angle, but cars were coming and I got nervous.
I drove past a railroad. When looking down side-ways, I simply could not resist. Let all the cars pass, I barely found myself a parking spot and walked back to the track. In spite of the frowning and astonished look of the drivers, I fired my shots, one after the other.
Just another image to show you how foggy it was. Sun was putting on a veil and looking at the earth through a filter. A whole field of thistles is the ‘occupy residents’ on this path. I had my 15-85mm in hand, and got down low on the ground and captured this image. Nothing dramatic, but I certainly like it better than the other thistle shots I have taken so far.
I have tried to shoot thistles at different times of the year and at various angles of view. I literally shot them when they were green, bloomed with purple flowers, and dead brown like corps. But I have not had much success. I came to realize that I have been only using my Marco lens because I have my heart set on close-up shots, nothing else. I was not willing to try other things…I am so glad that I made the switch, and did not hit the wall.
Everything is good for something and I have to explore that magic potion.
It was cold and the moisture from fog made it worse. My heart had pumped harder a few times when I tried to dodge the ongoing road traffic and my nerve got tighter when I stood on a railroad track. I was a bit tired, and hungry and thought I need a good meal tonight. And, I know what I want to make…..Anyhow,
I am part of the creative team of a local Inspired Living magazine. I am the photographer and writer for a couple of designated columns. Cosmopolitan life is our theme for the next issue and we aim to explore living out of bounds, i.e. something beyond local and regional. Recipe Exchange is not my section, but our editor asked me to share a Taiwanese recipe. I want the ingredients easily accessible here in Eugene, and I thought about this scallion and ginger chicken dish. My Caucasian husband has often said, “This is so good.” whenever I made this dish. I thought it may be worth sharing.
I grew up cooking without recipes, a little bit of this and a dash of that. So I actually bought a chicken and made it from scratch. In that case I can write down the steps and details more thoroughly. It was a bit of a task, but if you can have one extra way to make a chicken dish on the table, I will be just so thrilled.
photobychriskilpatrick.com 
Lovely photos, Chris. Your recipe sounds really delicious…I will have to try it.
Chris… Your art is growing so well developed. I am so proud of your growth over the last year. Keep up the wonderful work, the effort is showing some marvelous results.
It has been a very fulfilling journey. Without your comments, I would not know how I do.
Thank you for your time and uplifting notes. I really appreciate it.