Invincible Summer in the Winter Heart/Fire and Ice

In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.
And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there's something stronger - something better - pushing right back. ~ Albert Camus.

It was the shortest day of the year. The northern hemisphere was tilted as far away from the sun as it could possibly get; the solstice arrived at 4:21 a.m. It was around 26 degrees in mid-morning when I decided to go outdoors to try some frozen bubbles.

I had been out making bubbles a few days before, so I needed to add some stuff to my bubble mix to make more. I added more dish detergent, more clear corn syrup, more water. And just to be different, I added a half-teaspoon or so of sugar. I was curious to see what the impact might be.

And then I went outdoors to photograph some bubbles. When I am usually out doing this, I typically set up shop in our backyard near some tree stump slices that are about a perfect height. There are yard tables nearby. Sometimes there's a chair there to make it even easier. I sit, I take my time, I bring along my toys to play.

But on this day, I wanted my bubbles in a natural setting: free-range bubbles on the landscape, if you will. I did not take along any toys. I had some idea of a photo in my mind, of bubbles all over our front hedge, making beautiful crystals in the sun, with me standing behind them, shooting into the light.

But when I went out, I found it was breezier than expected. I started out by blowing bubbles on a little yard table. The wind kept blowing them out, so I eventually gave up and went for a short walk.

When I came back, I gave it another try. I took my bubble mix and found a more sheltered spot along the front hedge and blew bubbles onto the greenery on the hedge. I had a mind's-eye picture of each bubble hanging onto the edge of a branch, glistening in space, like Christmas ornaments on a tree.

However, my bubbles had other ideas. Heavy with sugar, they just would not behave. They strolled DOWN the greenery. They walked right off and popped. They would not stay put. The mix was pulling the bubbles down. (Don't bring me down! I thought.)

I decided my bubbles needed to be blown onto something more substantial, so I started blowing them onto golden, spent hydrangea blooms. The wind still tried to take the bubbles from me. They went hither and yon! I placed my body between the breeze and my bubbles; used my own self as shelter. And had better luck! 

To be honest, I wished for some sort of clear glass or acrylic structure to place AROUND my bubbles for protection - something that would let in the light but keep out the breezes. I shall have to think some more on that.

Since my temperature was in the mid-20s, I ended up with many shots of the semi-frozen bubbles, and lots of good color on the tops. I did not get as many big-crystal shots. I had plenty of time with each bubble; when it's colder, they freeze much faster. Even when they pop, it's gorgeous, like a rainbow exploding!

Above is one of my favorite shots. What I saw in it was flowers and trees and summertime. A world full of color, not a drab, gray one. Or even one that is simply white, with snow. It made my heart smile. I hope it makes you smile too.

There was a part 2 to my morning's icy adventures. When I got back inside the house, I discovered that my husband had saved some of the morning ice from the bird water stations in the yard for me. A big chunk of ice was sitting in the bathroom sink, melting. 

So I did one of my favorite tricks. I placed the chunk of ice on the sink. I pulled out two small Christmas trees that light up, and I tried placing them at different locations around my ice (making sure not to get them wet). Then I turned off the overhead lights and took 119 photos of ice!

The photo that you see in the extras is one of my favorite ice abstract photos. It features blue and red and green, which look so lovely together, especially this time of year. There's lots of sparkle and shine, and I hope that you enjoy this image of the beauty that I see in ICE!!!!

I've got two photos and here are a BUNCH of soundtrack songs. 
First, for the image of invincible summer in the winter heart, above, I've got Mungo Jerry with In the Summertime. 
Here's one for my walking bubbles: ELO, with Don't Bring Me Down. 
For the girl who sheltered her bubbles with her body, here are the Rolling Stones and Lisa Fischer with Gimme Shelter, a masterpiece. 
And for the picture in the extras, of course, I'm using Pat Benatar's awesome Fire and Ice. (You wanna hear an itty bitty lady - she's 5'0" - who can really SING? Listen to and watch the video!)

As always, here is a link to my canonical bubble making tips.

Bonus: the Instagram set.