Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Time to Relax

“Relax. No one else knows what they’re doing either.”

Ricky Gervais

YESTERDAY SCENE

This week Amy has invited us to take some time to relax. As the dog days of summer are upon us, a ride through the countryside of upstate New York provided me with just that opportunity. Above, a typical scene from a day spent meandering through the nearby hills and fields.

GRAZING

“Relax, Recharge and Reflect. Sometimes it’s OK to do nothing.”

Izey Victoria Odiase

There were many idyllic moments along the way, including these two beautiful white horses. They were a bit skittish at first, perhaps never having faced a lens 🙂 but before long they too relaxed and continued to enjoy their grazing.

TOMORROW’S SUCCOTASH

“Remember the time to relax is when you don’t have time to relax.”

Sidney Harris

Happily, we were just in time for fresh-picked corn on the cob – one of nature’s sweetest treats. Beautiful fields of corn dotted the countryside throughout the area, along with the ever-present hay bales seen below.

FIELD OF BALES

“Just relax and enjoy the magnificence of life.”

Debasish Mridha

I’ll admit I’m not a big fan of driving, but somehow meandering through the countryside is a whole different thing. No traffic, no noise, no anxiety – just peaceful relaxation. What could be better?!

COUNTRY ROAD

“The universe doesn’t even know that you exist, so relax!”

Carl William Brown

If you missed Amy’s challenge, click here. For more information on how to participate in the Lens-Artists photo challenge, click here. And last but not least, remember to tune in to Travelsandtrifles next week for our next photo challenge!

Fuji X-T2 images processed with Nik Silver EfeX Pro2

Tags: LENS-ARTISTS, New York

86 thoughts on “Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Time to Relax”

photobyjohnbo on August 3, 2018 at 4:10 pm said:

Rural life… idyllic scenes, all of them. My favorite is the opening photo.

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- Tina Schell on August 3, 2018 at 4:51 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much john
  
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Pat Bean on August 1, 2018 at 1:18 pm said:

This post earned a Bean Pat as blog pick of the day. Check it out at https://patbean.net

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- Tina Schell on August 1, 2018 at 6:53 pm said:
  
  Many thanks Oat!
  
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- Tina Schell on August 1, 2018 at 6:53 pm said:
  
  That was Pat, not Oat 😩😩
  
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Lucid Gypsy on July 26, 2018 at 1:37 am said:

I love a country drive but you need to stay alert on some of our single track country roads!

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- Tina Schell on July 26, 2018 at 7:34 am said:
  
  Absolutely! You never know when a cow is going to wander out lol!
  
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Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist on July 26, 2018 at 1:26 am said:

All the images are relaxing – it looks like a lovely meander in the country. I particularly like the Ricky Gervais and the Sidney Harris quotes. Both are so true and I am telling myself I should listen to them.

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- Tina Schell on July 26, 2018 at 7:35 am said:
  
  Thanks Irene. Who knew Gervais was a philosopher too!
  
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  - Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist on July 31, 2018 at 1:53 am said:
    
    He has a way of hitting the spot – and not always so comfortably as that quote.
norasphotos4u on July 25, 2018 at 9:08 pm said:

I love the horses!!

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- Tina Schell on July 25, 2018 at 9:40 pm said:
  
  Thanks Nora, they were really beautiful.
  
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robert20359 on July 25, 2018 at 2:57 pm said:

hi tina, great pictures of relaxed places.
regards robert

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- Tina Schell on July 25, 2018 at 4:07 pm said:
  
  Thanks Robert!
  
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Abrie Joubert on July 24, 2018 at 2:37 pm said:

I enjoyed meandering with you among the succotash. But after I Googled said word I realized it is the final product of to me an unknown dish. At least I deducted correctly that we passed a maize field while doing our leisurely drive. I know maize/corn as mielies. You also reminded me of Sunday afternoon drives with the family when I was a kid.

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- Tina Schell on July 24, 2018 at 3:42 pm said:
  
  LOL, that never occurred to me Abrie! Yes corn and Lima beans—one of my all-time favorites! Happy to introduce it to you!
  
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Patti Ross on July 23, 2018 at 10:17 pm said:

Love the quotes, especially the one by Ricky Gervais! And I always like a peaceful drive on a country road–might even figure out a post about that. I enjoyed the black and white photos. I keep meaning to experiment more in that color scheme.

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- Tina Schell on July 23, 2018 at 10:56 pm said:
  
  Thanks Patti, glad this one caught your eye! The NIK B&W tool is really superb – you’d love it!
  
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Judy @ NewEnglandGardenAndThread on July 23, 2018 at 8:54 pm said:

Your beautiful photos of a rural setting are breathtaking.

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- Tina Schell on July 23, 2018 at 10:56 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much Judy – it was a fun few weeks.
  
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Svetlana Grobman on July 23, 2018 at 11:33 am said:

What an interesting rendition, Tina! The country road is my favorite.

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- Tina Schell on July 23, 2018 at 10:57 pm said:
  
  Thanks Svetlana – funny story about that one which I’ll share offline 🙂
  
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pommepal on July 23, 2018 at 6:43 am said:

Just love all your quotes Tinaand nothing beats a drive in the country, especially when there is no other traffic around, the ultimate way to relax

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- Tina Schell on July 23, 2018 at 10:57 pm said:
  
  I think so too Pauline – thanks for stopping by!
  
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happyface313 on July 23, 2018 at 6:05 am said:

🙂 This all looks very relaxing, indeed!
Just what the doctor ordered 😉
You have a very relaxed and HAPPY week, too!
Claudia 🙂

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- Tina Schell on July 23, 2018 at 10:58 pm said:
  
  Along with the cool breezes T 🙂 Thanks for your visit and comment.
  
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Mabel Kwong on July 23, 2018 at 4:41 am said:

Very relaxing views, Tina. Did you get some of that corn, or were you just passing by? Interesting to hear you say you aren’t a fan of driving. I’m not either and much prefer to admire views from the passenger seat. Enjoy the rest of summer. Great sepia selection 👌😊

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- Tina Schell on July 23, 2018 at 10:58 pm said:
  
  Thanks Mabel – we did indeed eat the corn an it definitely did not disappoint!! Happy summer to you too.
  
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Writing Sparkle on July 22, 2018 at 10:52 pm said:

Great photographs. They carry a relaxing feeling to them, and the black, white and grey adds to that. Thank you for sharing.

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- Tina Schell on July 22, 2018 at 11:28 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much WS!
  
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anne leueen on July 22, 2018 at 8:27 pm said:

I love the hay bales. When I see them in the fields around where we live I always think they look like Muffets ( a cereal similar to Shredded Wheat) that have escaped from their box and are fleeing across the fields. Or an invasion of Muffets that have arrived from outer space.

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- Tina Schell on July 22, 2018 at 10:49 pm said:
  
  LOL, definitely huge balls of shredded wheat Anne!
  
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Grammy Writes on July 22, 2018 at 8:24 pm said:

So peaceful and reflective!

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- Tina Schell on July 22, 2018 at 10:50 pm said:
  
  Thanks Grammy – something to be said about “a day in the country” 👍
  
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Heyjude on July 22, 2018 at 7:04 pm said:

Meandering through the countryside is delightful Tina, though not quite as relaxing on our narrow, single track Cornish lanes! My heart is always in my mouth in case I meet a tractor and have to reverse.

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- Tina Schell on July 22, 2018 at 7:31 pm said:
  
  😊 I know just what you mean Jude! Thanks
  
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restlessjo on July 22, 2018 at 6:13 pm said:

Too hot to hurry! X

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- Tina Schell on July 26, 2018 at 10:14 am said:
  
  Amen Jo!
  
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Linda Wyatt on July 22, 2018 at 5:20 pm said:

A peaceful ride through the country side … I inhaled it !

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- Tina Schell on July 22, 2018 at 7:37 pm said:
  
  Thanks Miss L, you’d have loved the cool crisp air
  
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larencev on July 22, 2018 at 5:00 pm said:

Love Carl Browns quote! So true!

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- Tina Schell on July 22, 2018 at 7:38 pm said:
  
  😊😊
  
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Perpetua on July 22, 2018 at 4:39 pm said:

Meandering is one of those activities that is relaxing. The bale of hay means, the work is done! Time to relax. Corn on the cob means time to enjoy the fruit of your labour. As for the horses, I’m glad they relaxed for your lens. I could feel the wind on my face on a slow drive with no traffic, Tina.

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- Tina Schell on July 22, 2018 at 7:38 pm said:
  
  Thanks Perpetua, right on all counts!
  
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Murtagh's Meadow on July 22, 2018 at 3:39 pm said:

Sounds like a perfect way to spend the day, and beautiful photos too

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- Tina Schell on July 22, 2018 at 3:54 pm said:
  
  Thanks MM, it was indeed!
  
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Allan G. Smorra on July 22, 2018 at 2:45 pm said:

Beautiful B&W photos today, Tina. The cornfield brings back memories of when we lived in western Colorado. We were surrounded by 600 acres of corn (and pheasants).
Ω

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- Tina Schell on July 22, 2018 at 3:59 pm said:
  
  Thanks Allan—it’s beautiful in those rolling hills but not when winter comes along!
  
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  - Allan G. Smorra on July 22, 2018 at 9:17 pm said:
    
    It does bring out the white in B&W, though.
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Jane Iwan on July 22, 2018 at 2:20 pm said:

What beautiful country scenes!!!

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- Tina Schell on July 22, 2018 at 3:59 pm said:
  
  Thanks Jane!
  
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Terri Webster Schrandt on July 22, 2018 at 2:10 pm said:

Beautifully relaxing images, Tina! The black and white expresses the theme even more so!

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- Tina Schell on July 22, 2018 at 4:01 pm said:
  
  Thanks Terri, it seemed right for the scenes this week
  
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charlotteash on July 22, 2018 at 1:37 pm said:

Gorgeous country! Your photos are great.

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- Tina Schell on July 22, 2018 at 7:43 pm said:
  
  Thanks Charlotte!
  
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Darlene Murphy on July 22, 2018 at 1:06 pm said:

Loved these T-Bear. Looks like you’re enjoying your babysitting task. We are all sweltering down here but enjoying. Good on the old bones. Miss ya. Darv

Sent from my iPhone

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- Tina Schell on July 22, 2018 at 1:26 pm said:
  
  Thanks Darvelous! Will be with you soon 😊
  
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pattimoed on July 22, 2018 at 12:51 pm said:

The flashback to a peaceful place is just what the doctor ordered. Beautiful post, Tina!

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- Tina Schell on July 22, 2018 at 1:26 pm said:
  
  My pleasure Patti! Thanks for stopping by
  
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  - pattimoed on July 22, 2018 at 1:33 pm said:
    
    Of course! Enjoy your time in NY.
wanderessence1025 on July 22, 2018 at 12:19 pm said:

I love the nostalgic feel of bygone summer days in these photos, Tina. 🙂

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- Tina Schell on July 22, 2018 at 12:48 pm said:
  
  Thanks WE, it’s a very yesteryear feel up there!
  
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lensandpensbysally on July 22, 2018 at 12:01 pm said:

Tina, your images do have a feeling of calm and quiet. Thanks.

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- Tina Schell on July 22, 2018 at 12:52 pm said:
  
  My pleasure Sally, thanks for stopping by
  
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Laurel K. Greer on July 22, 2018 at 11:35 am said:

Made me want to be there and relax!

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- Tina Schell on July 22, 2018 at 1:06 pm said:
  
  We loved the low humidity up there laurel 😊
  
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dorannrule on July 22, 2018 at 11:21 am said:

It’s where I live…. the countryside, the horses, the fields of hay, and you have captured it all as it is….. beautiful, relaxing and the place to be in the summertime.

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- Tina Schell on July 22, 2018 at 1:07 pm said:
  
  Thanks Dor-yours is a beautiful world indeed
  
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transcribingmemory on July 22, 2018 at 11:15 am said:

Wonderful!

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- Tina Schell on July 22, 2018 at 1:09 pm said:
  
  Thanks!
  
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Amy on July 22, 2018 at 11:14 am said:

Thank you for taking us there, Tina! Photos are beautiful in mono.

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- Tina Schell on July 22, 2018 at 1:13 pm said:
  
  My pleasure Amy-good challenge!
  
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perdebytjie on July 22, 2018 at 11:05 am said:

This is so beautiful, Tina! It makes feel relaxed after a horrible day that we had.

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- Tina Schell on July 22, 2018 at 1:14 pm said:
  
  Sorry about the horrible day but glad to have brought you some respite
  
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loisajay on July 22, 2018 at 10:51 am said:

I especially love the level view of the cornfield. B&W is wonderful here.

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- Tina Schell on July 22, 2018 at 1:16 pm said:
  
  Thanks Lois—the scenery up there seems to scream yesteryear 😊
  
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Jane Lurie on July 22, 2018 at 10:32 am said:

Glad you’re enjoying your relaxing country life. The faded antique treatment in your post-processing adds to the nostalgic feel of better days gone by.

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- Tina Schell on July 22, 2018 at 1:19 pm said:
  
  Thanks Jane-the scenery up there just seems to call for it
  
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rabirius on July 22, 2018 at 10:31 am said:

Excellent.

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- Tina Schell on July 22, 2018 at 1:19 pm said:
  
  Thanks Rabirius
  
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Sue on July 22, 2018 at 10:24 am said:

What a lovely set of relaxing images!k

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- Tina Schell on July 22, 2018 at 1:19 pm said:
  
  Thanks Sue, glad you enjoyed
  
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  - Sue on July 22, 2018 at 1:42 pm said:
    
    I did!