Title Logo: Bits & Pieces in blue with a swish line under the words

Curiosity, my chosen muse, speaks to me in the clouds.

What hides in the wonder of clouds?

The small, blond-haired girl lay in the grass, watching the sky above her. Nestled in the freshly mown grass, she wondered about the clouds floating above her. Why were some fat and fluffy? She loved finding animals and objects in those clouds.

fluffy white and gray clouds show shapes in the wonder of clouds

But then there were scary clouds that haunted her imagination. Thin streaky clouds that looked like fish bones made her want to look away or cover her eyes until the cloud mysteriously disappeared. 

A wispy, white cloud stretches vertically against a vibrant blue sky, resembling a soft brushstroke. The scene conveys calm and tranquility.

Years passed, and the child grew up. Her fascination with the sky and clouds remained. Now, they become fodder for her creativity. Her curiosity expanded as her knowledge of the marvelous universe revealed the ecosystems and interrelationships between humans and the natural world.

In addition to her eyes, she uses the camera lens to capture animals, colors, and shapes that evoke all manner of emotions. Every day, the sky, clouds, sun, and moon open the door for exploration and spark her creative muse.

Dramatic sunset with vibrant orange and yellow hues, silhouetted trees on the horizon, and dark, billowing clouds creating a powerful, moody atmosphere.

I’ve always gazed at the sky.

When we moved to a more rural area with wide-open expanses for sky viewing, my love of the sky took on a new dimension. I could see beyond a narrow sliver between crowded rooftops and trees. I began taking photographs of stunning sunsets, misty sunrises, and storm-brewing clouds.

Inspiration snuck in through those clouds and found its way into my writing. I don’t necessarily write about the sky or clouds. Instead, my attention evolved into intentions to share the thoughts and learning that came from sitting quietly embraced by the sky.

Vibrant sunset with fiery orange and pink clouds spread across a deep blue sky, reflected in a calm lake with silhouetted trees lining the horizon.

Asking two questions changed how I see the scene in front of me:

  1. What story am I telling in this image? 
  2. How can I create an experience of emotion? 

Stories surround us if we care to notice. Words and images mingle to create experiences that evoke emotion or a response. My amateur status as a writer and photographer may never change, but my awakening to new possibilities has just begun.

From a child’s eye view of the clouds emerged a creative muse that continues to inspire and tell stories. What lies ahead? Perhaps the clouds know. 

A song for clouds

A cloud gift

“Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.”
— Rabindranath Tagore

A peaceful sunset scene with vibrant orange and yellow hues behind silhouetted trees and blossoming branches against a clear blue sky, set in a rural landscape.

I always welcome your thoughts, so please leave a comment

And always—

Be kind. Be brave. Be you.

Photos © Kathryn LeRoy