Who am I? When I started this blog in January 2012, I hid my identity and took my childhood name of Mona. Since that time, I’ve become more comfortable and have talked about my life in Phoenix, Arizona. I’ve shown pictures of my family, especially of my granddaughter Elle (also known as my favorite model). Recently, Elle became Big Sister and I am now snapping pictures of both of my granddaughters.
Family is my center. I share my home with Sophie, my black and white Cocker Spaniel, and I share my heart with my sons, my daughters-in-law, and my granddaughters. I am blessed beyond measure to have them near me.
I picked up a Nikon DSLR three summers ago and immediately felt complete. I am more comfortable with the camera in my hands than without. When I’m at a party or event and my camera is not with me, I feel naked. If I feel as if the tyranny of the urgent is pressing in on me, I pick up the camera and practice lighting or DOF or focus, and I eventually clear my mind and can return to the necessary task.
Last summer I sold the Nikon and picked up my Canon, partially because my son, the pro-photog, shoots Canon. When I assist him on jobs, I can now navigate my way around his camera, and (this is the bonus) I can borrow his super-cool lenses and cameras. I was sad to sell the Nikon 85 mm, however. That sweet lens took some nice images.
I have taught for nearly 25 years and am now looking forward to my next adventure: retirement. I will never quit working and I will never be bored; this I know. I will take my Canon, explore the ordinary and extraordinary in the streets and mountains and waters near me and far away.
By the way: Who am I? I’ve gone by three names in my 62 years of living. I was named Ramona (I thank my parents for that name as I’ve always liked it). 
As a child, I was called Mona. When I went to high school, I was given the moniker Ramie; that name stayed with me for two decades until I turned 30 and decided that Ramona was a more “professional” sounding name.
I welcome you into my ordinary, and at times extraordinary, world.
~Mona
Nice to meet you too, Mona. Thanks for a recent visit to A Traveller’s Tale. Will look forward to more of your work as well. Regards.
I really like your work, Travellingartist.
Thanks for the ‘follow’ I too used to do agility…exhausting isn’t it? Dogs love it though!! Good luck.
Jasper loves agility … and so do I. I view it as my workout of the day. It’s best when there are just a few of us, which means dog & I spend more time running than sitting. When the class if full we spend more time on the sidelines. I saw a video last night of a championship competition … ah, if only! Those dogs (and their trainers) were fantastic!
You are an amazingly talented woman, cuz!
Thank you so much my dear cousin. You are sweet. Did you see the post about Daddy’s hands?
Hi Mona, Thank you so much for following my blog
You are welcome. Your blog intrigues me & I want to spend more time with it.
I hope I will continue to write works that will continue to intrigue you
Wonderful!
Hello! I’ve nominated you for two awards; The Versatile Blogger and The Kreative Blogger awards. If you’d like to accept it and pass it on to your own favourite blogs, please go to http://googsy.wordpress.com/2012/02/11/the-versatile-blogger-and-kreative-blogger-awards
Congratulations
Thank you so much. This is encouraging since I am so new at photography & blogging.
I’ve nominated you for the 7×7 Link Award…you can have a look at the details on my blog here….http://wp.me/p244yO-Ac
WOW thank you!
Hi Mona, Thank you for following http://www.liferevelation.wordpress.com. I am always grateful when folks spend the time to read it.
I read your last post (which is why I am now following) and don’t ever worry about length. Your voice is pure…keep it that way…we need you.
Be encouraged!
Thank you for your encouraging comments.
Hi Mona
Thanks for visitng my blog and liking my post about the Bonnet macaques.
I find your blog inspiring, paticularly your recent post about your neighbour. We should all stop and think about how we interact with others as we never know how long they will be with us or before it is too late to say a simple ‘Hi’. Sometimes we plan to ‘get in touch maybe next month or year’ – that happened to me once, we lost the person and I’ve regretted it for ever.
So true.
Hi Mona… thanks for stopping by my blog! I just read your latest entry, I am sorry about your neighbor… this is, sadly, the typical situation for most of us. I’m in China… but I think I’ll get my assistant to help me say hello to the 2 neighbors I have on my floor here.
Looking forward to reading more of your blogs!
~Sandi
Sandi, I worked in China last summer and will return this summer; therefore, I’m extremely interested in your blog. Last year was my first experience out of the US and I was in a state of confusion much of the time. During the past 6 months, I’ve tried to learn as much as possible about the province (Shandong) and the country. Sadly, I’ve failed miserably at learning Mandarin via CD, DVD, or online. Keep blogging. Your writing is GOOD; I love your voice in your writing and I believe that you could make money by selling your pieces.
My Mandarin is limited to about 10 words/phrases. I have a personal assistant and that spoils me!
It’s a fascinating place, full of lots of places to see… the winter was AWFUL and almost did me in, but the sun came out a few days ago and the flowers are blooming and life is semi back to normal
Mona, thank you so much for being so amazing! I finally figured out what I was doing with the Sunshine award and felt really silly for not knowing what to do! HAHA! i posted it today and I just want to send you a personal thank you as well ! You have made me feel like I might actually be good at something and just you being sweet enough to nominate me, with being so new to all this, just really made me happy! Thanks again and you’re amazing!!
I am happy that you feel this way. I think you have a good eye and I just know that your pictures will get better and better.
Nice to meet you Mona,seems you are quite busy and enjoying life. liked your ramblings.
It is nice to meet you too.
please check out my today’s post, about awards and more… I’ve mentioned you there ’cause you’ve nominated me once ~or twice~ and to show my respect for your work
Your blog sounds inspiring..
Do you have Arabic origins? ‘Cause Mona is an Arabic name..
Sara, I did not realize the Arabic connection, but I would be honored. Actually, my mother is German (but born in U.S) and my father is English. My name is Ramona, but my family called me Mona when I was a child, and some still do. When I created this blog, I initially called it Ramblings by Ramona, but something took me back to the simpler times as Mona, and I like it. Thank you for your comment that my blog sounds inspiring. I use it as a place to practice writing and photographing, and had not intended that it inspire anyone, but that is the highest compliment that you might think so. Thank you for visiting.
Ahaaa I see..
Hi Mona!
I see you’ve already received the Sunshine award…but I nominatged you again!
In addition, I nominated you for the Genuine Blogger award. Here’s the link: http://cpgutierrez.wordpress.com/2012/04/28/awards-and-more-awards-really/
Hi Mona, I’m happy I found your blog. Interesting and lovely photos. I once wanted to move to Arizona because I fell in love with Tucson the first time I visited. I haven’t been back to Arizona in over 10 years but it’s still a part of my heart. Look forward to more of your posts.
Thank you! I am looking forward to following your blog.
Hey! I nominated you for the Versatile Award! Check it out! http://wannabephotographer87.wordpress.com/2012/04/30/the-versatile-award/
Congratulations. I have awarded you the One Lovely Blog Award. You have a wonderful blog. You can read more about and find the award on my page here: http://workthedream.wordpress.com/2012/06/08/the-illuminating-blogger-award-and-the-one-lovely-blog-award/
Well thank you! I will read about it and follow-up. I am honored!
Mona, thank you so much. I was just awarded that last week so I want to ask you to please award it to someone else so that the award is shared. I so appreciate you thinking of me for this award. Thank you again..I feel truly honored that you think my blog is that good. But, like to make sure others get to share in these awards too when I have already received it. Thank you.
Nice to meet you, Mona. Thanks for ‘follow’ my blog.
Greeting from Jogjakarta, Indonesia.
Nice to meet you too and I look forward to finding out more about Jogjakarta.
It is so wonderful to be connected here. Coming over here to read your “About Me” helps me to understand you better. I read some of your posts and I must admit that you are a wonderful blogger who knows what to share and how much to share/reveal. As for me, I tend to go a bit overboard, and I think I shared to much details, that too intimately and emotionally. I wish I could draw a boundary…
Hope to read more of your posts and reach out to you more often… Happy blogging and much blessings!
hi,
I have nominated you for ‘one lovely blog’ award. click here to see your nomination:
http://jaajaabor.wordpress.com/2012/07/13/merci-merci-detre-ici/
have a wonderful day !
Thank you very much! This is quite an honor. Thank you.
Thanks for following our blog! Enjoying your ramblings…
You are quite welcome … and thanks ….
Finally took those moon shots lol, and I posted a link to your blog
Check it out when you can! http://wannabephotographer87.wordpress.com/2012/08/03/the-full-moon/
Hey! I nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award!! Go check it out
http://wannabephotographer87.wordpress.com/2012/08/09/the-very-inspiring-blogger-award/
Hi there,
I have nominated you for a One Lovely Blog Award. I would be honored if you accepted.
Thank you for an awesome blog.
http://pictureperfectmemoriesforlife.wordpress.com/2012/09/17/my-first-blog-award-nomination/
Have a lovely day.
Coreen
Thank you. I am honored and will participate.
Hey Mona! I tried to open up your Reds blog and the one before that one and they say, “page not found”
Just thought I’d let you know!
Thanks for stopping by. Loved your landscape shots. Reminded me of my trip down your way in Spring… http://quieterelephant.wordpress.com/?s=phoenix
Thank you so much … I like your site (and I love the name Quieter Elephant).
[...] Ramblings [...]
Hello, Mona. I have nominated you for the Food for Thought Award! I hope you’ll participate – I’d love to hear what you have to say! Here’s the link: http://wp.me/p1OXNv-yT
Thanks!
Hi Mona, thank you so much for dropping in at my blog. Otherwise, I may not have found this beautiful blog of yours
I invited you to have coffee with me! Check out my blog
http://wannabephotographer87.wordpress.com/2013/01/24/2254/
I like your blog. Nice to meet another AZ blogger! I’ll put you on my AZ blogger blogroll.
Thank you. I like your blog also. If I could figure out how to do a blogger blogroll I’d add you too. Nice to meet you.
I have nominated you for the “Wonderful Team Member Award” check it out on my site! http://wannabephotographer87.wordpress.com/2013/04/28/more-awards/
Amanda, I have been so BAD about responding to awards, but I am going to do my best to respond to this one. THANK YOU for thinking of me (especially since I’ve been absent from my blog for a while).
Hahaha no problem! I just always think of you when I see certain awards