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52 Photo Challenge: Week 11-Green

“The dawn was apple-green,
The sky was green wine held up in the sun,
The moon was a golden petal between.

She opened her eyes, and green
They shone, clear like flowers undone
For the first time, now for the first time seen.”-D. H. Lawrence

This week my assignment for the 52 photo challenge was to capture something green. My mother, daughter, and I caught a break between storms and took pictures along the American River and in downtown Folsom. It was a lovely day with plenty of green things to catch my eye. We all needed this time together.

Things with my daughter are hard. Last night we went to see the brilliant film “Everything Everywhere All at Once” for a second time and it struck me how much the battle I’m fighting with my daughter’s mental illness is like that horrible black bagel. Her brain tells her so many lies I often feel like I’m at war with her mental illness. Maybe I need to find a way to download some kick-ass martial arts skills or, better yet, find a way to wield my kindness like a weapon.

I sobbed last night in the kitchen for a solid five minutes and then pulled myself back together. What we are doing isn’t working well enough. I’m calling her mental health team again today and asking for more help. I’m exhausted, but I’m hopeful. To quote the film, “When I choose to see the good side of things, I’m not being naive. It is strategic and necessary. It’s how I learned to survive through everything.” I also love this quote, “The only thing I do know is that we have to be kind. Please, be kind. Especially when we don’t know what’s going on.”

Thank you to everyone who reads my blog and spreads kindness. Your comments mean the world to me. Let me know what photo you like best this week. I’m quite partial to the little mushrooms (#2) and the weird cactus-looking weed (#5). I got muddy for both shots but totally worth it. Have a wonderful week!

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

  • Photos were taken with an Olympus OM-D and edited with ON1 Photo RAW
  • If you want to join the 52 Photo Challenge, you can find all the information at nicolesy.com

52 Photo Challenge
Week 1: Bokeh
Week 2: Silhouette
Week 3: Black and White
Week 4: Motion Blur
Week 5: Texture
Week 6: Framing
Week 7: Leading Lines
Week 8: Negative Space
Week 9: Patterns
Week 10: Symmetry

87 thoughts on “52 Photo Challenge: Week 11-Green”

    • Thank you. Caring for a child with mental health struggles has been by far my biggest challenge as a parent. I keep thinking we have a handle on things, but then something happens and we are starting all over again. I appreciate your kind words and I’m glad you like those images too. I’ve been on the lookout for cute mushrooms for weeks and I was so excited to see that pair!

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  5. I like each photo for its uniqueness. I’m sorry about your daughter, Bridgette, I hope that you find proper help for her. 🙏🏻 ❤️

    I saw that movie you mention on TV the other day and man, it was the weirdest movie! It is so disjointed that I couldn’t watch it all.

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  6. The mini mushrooms and leaves in twilight both have great contrasts with the background. 😀 Hope you both manage to have a brighter week ahead – shame it’s such a tough ongoing challenge ❤

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    • Thanks Tom! I’m so glad you liked those photos. Green was a great theme to capture for the first week of Spring. Yes, I’m really struggling to help my daughter right now. I hope for a brighter week as well.

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  9. I’m also thinking about watching this movie once again. It is indeed a very unique one. It is very easy for me to tell you to stay strong but I can understand it isn’t.
    All of the green captures are lovely

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    • Thank you so much for the kind words. I was worried the film would lose its impact the second time around. I was wrong. If anything, it felt more powerful. I appreciate your kindness and I’m trying hard to stay strong.

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    • Thank you! I tell myself that all the time. I often think of this quote, “One day someone is going to hug you so tight. That all of your broken pieces will stick back together.” I keep trying to hug her hard enough.

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  18. 1 and 5 are my favorites. I love purple so a touch of purple draws me in. I am sorry your daughter is struggling. I wish I could explain to her that it isn’t always like this. That depression ebbs and flows, that her brain is lying to her. I feel so sad for both of you. As a parent, your heart is breaking for you, knowing she is hurting and you can’t fix it. For her, I know how I feel when the depression is in full force. I know how things that are absurd lies becomes truths in my head. I am so happy she has you, I battled alone for so long. I don’ know if she needs a medicine change, a different kind of therapy, I don’t know. But I am glad you are proactive. I am glad you have a team helping you. I am so glad she has you and that you love her so completely. I wish I could hug you and tell you it gets better, and I hope she gets better. My heart hurts for both of you.

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    • Thank you for the hug, I feel it. It’s honestly so hard, but I keep telling her and myself that it won’t always be like this. It’s better than it was—more good days than bad. But the self-destructive behavior and the lows are nearly impossible for me to handle right now. On the surface I’m calm and ready…but underneath I’m a terrible mess. It makes writing and doing just about anything so darn hard.

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  20. I’m so sorry your daughter is still struggling. It must be so distressing for her to experience these lies that she interprets as being real. I feel for you so much, my friend, from one parent to another, as although I don’t think I mention often, if not at all, that my daughter went through similar issues and experiences with her mental health, and it’s just so excruciatingly painful to watch them go through the agonies of their lives. I know that it’s so painful for you to watch her struggle and yet, feel so helpless to ‘make her better’. I do hope you get the further support that your daughter needs and also support for yourself as you travel this painful journey together. I am always happy to listen to you or chat with you – you have my email address, and my door is always open for you.

    Back to your gorgeous photos; I love #2, the mushrooms – they remind me of fairy tales. I also love #1, the first picture, which looks like a sweet nettle, although I’m probably wrong. Are the tiny orange flowers in #8 called Fox and Cubs? If so, I get them on my lawn every year. They are a wildflower, and I love them. So much love to you, dear Bridgette – so often thinking of you and your daughter. Xxx 💖💝💖

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    • Thank you Ellie for your kindness toward me and my daughter. It is very hard. I feel like I’m waging war against an enemy I can’t see. I don’t even know what to do most of the time, and it is taking a toll on me. I’m finding it harder and harder to get things done and to maintain my positive attitude. I’m really hoping we get a better balance soon.

      I have no idea what any of the plants are 🙂 I just take pictures of things I find interesting. All of these were growing along the river path.

      I appreciate your love. Thank you!

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  26. I love the first image 💞 but they all are amazing in their own right! Sending hugs and prayers to you and your daughter….so hard for a Warrior Momma to not be able to fight a battle for our children. Kindness is one of the stealthiest of weapons, you can’t immediately see the effects like you can a wound from a sword, but its results compound over time. Keep slinging your kindness, Bridgette, pare back the things you can put on pause for now, and don’t forget to take time to refill your cup as well. 💞💞💞

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  30. The light and shade on number 7 is a favourite. We fight many battles with, and for our children. It is okay to be vulnerable. As parents, our children’s struggles are our own. Their courage gives us strength and we continue to seek the light. All we can do is be there and support them. Don’t forget to look after yourself too.

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    • I’m glad you like #7. There’s nothing quite like moss on stone is there? Thank you for the kind words. I’ve lost a bit of the care of myself lately, but I’m finding my way back. I need to be around for them and for my own goals. My books aren’t going to write themselves 🙂

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