Where is She?

Where is she? The person I use to be? The woman who had more energy and determination? The other day I was trying to remember her. What did she look like? How did she think? How would she react to life today? How did she manage to push on everyday?  She was a mother, a wife, housekeeper, bookkeeper, laundress, friend, confident, co-worker, sister, daughter, cook, the one that held the family together, a dreamer, a doer and a lover - and that was all in a day's work.

Where is she? The person who was strong and capable? Who would march forward undaunted by fear and failure? If something wouldn't work, she would try something else, her fierce determination would keep her going and exploring for answers. Life could throw her a curve ball and she would either catch it, move out of the way, or throw it back.

Where is she? I looked for her the other day, wondering where she went. Was she hiding? Was she gone forever? I don't know where she is, but I sometimes really miss her.  And most of the time I really need her. 

Whether I find her again, or a part of her, I can be eternally grateful that I at least got to know her.  I appreciate her more now, which is something I should have done when she was here.

Where is she? Maybe she is still here somewhere? Maybe she is changing and maybe I just don't recognize her yet?

My First Publication

I was invited to be a brief part of a brand new magazine. I was asked to select six photographs and write a brief byline.  I felt so honored and delighted to be asked. The magazine is still in production and should be out soon.  For now here is my submitted byline and the six photographs I selected.

In 2005, my husband and I, coasted in to Anacortes thinking we would hang out for a year or two.  At the time, I wasn’t sure how a big city girl would adjust to a small town.


Well adjust I did.  After opening up That Photo Shoppe, I started organizing photography workshops and I became involved with the Skagit Valley Camera Club.

At first I had no real interest in taking up photography. My talent and passion was in organizing workshops. I teamed up with photographers and instructors, Dick Garvey, Vince Streano and Tony Locke and after years of watching, learning and absorbing - I found I was hooked and I got my first camera.


 I am no longer a city girl. I love living in Anacortes. I love the community, the people and the arts.  I am actively involved in the arts, the Anacortes Arts Commission, the Skagit Valley Camera Club and the community in which I live and photograph.




















Karla Locke
Alternative Focus
http://alternativefocus.weebly.com

Is this door opened? Or is this door closed?

I am firm believer that things happen for a reason. I may not always understand the reason, or agree, and sometimes I don't even know the reason, but there is a reason.  Most of us have heard the saying, "When one door closes another one will open".  Well these past few years I have felt like I am in a large room full of doors, most of which don't go anywhere.

When I open what I think is a door of opportunity and peek inside, thinking this is the direction I am suppose to be going, the door closes (sometimes slamming shut) when I try to put my foot through it.

One such door was that way last week.  I saw what could be a great opportunity and when I tried to open the door a little wider, what I found was that it was blocked.  Frustrated and disappointed that yet another day was closing on me, I started to let it close and felt defeated. Then I realized maybe what I was doing wrong is, I was letting the doors close and I was giving up to quickly.  Maybe what I need to be doing is chipping away at the resistance that is blocking that door and keep trying to push it open.

Expressing myself with a little shoulder to the door and hope that it may still open up wide.