with these hands

these are my bread and butter. they earn the money that provided for schooling, supporting my family, and keeping a roof over my head.

my hands have always been ugly, with veins protruding. even when i was thin, these hands were the same way, only now arthritis has started to find its way in them.

but, these hands have always impressed, especially those who held some kind of power and/or authority. whenever i was introduced to them, my firm hand-shake was always a point of discussion. and that's why i never used to wear blings on my hands when i was young - it would hurt whenever i shook hands with another person with a firm or tight handshake.

i hate a limp handshake.

for the 52-week challenge, this week we are studying portrait with focus on the hands. i found more blings and i think i meant to have bought these for my girl sophie la rue but i keep forgetting to call her. so you get a selfie of my hands for this challenge.

-o0o-

meanwhile

ongoing: the abstract mundane or mundane abstract (however it's called) challenge

also tag challenge.

and please cast your vote for the artist challenge finalists.

thank you for your kind visits and comments; they are much appreciated.

[Sheralee S]

Well, I have to say they look like very nice hands to me! If you want to see ugly, I'll show you mine :)

[Nancy]

Veins on your hands are a sign of great inner strength. That's why u have always had them!

Like the low key and tones... Super shot!

[Tracie Broadhead]

neat shot-I love the ring chain. I agree with Sheralee!

[summerfield]

@bella_ss - thank you, sheralee.

@nanderson - thank you, nancy.

@tracie8266 - thankyou, tracie.

[Hazel]

I was trying to work out the problem when I saw your photo - from the expression on the part of your face I could see and from your posture - but I never thought of you hands as ugly. I thought the whole of you looked elegant. I haven't seen this challenge - could you please give the ref?

[katy]

Lovely long slender nails. I have always liked protruding veins in hands. I used to play with my grandmother's and my children would play with my mother's. To me there is something comforting in them and I agree with @nanderson about inner strength. Because of that , yours should be bulging! (; such an elegant selfie with great focus on a very important part of you.

[summerfield]

@quietpurplehaze - thank you, hazel. here are the links. please join us!
http://dogwood.photography/52weekchallenge.html
http://365project.org/discuss/general/27013/fifty-two-week-challenge-let-s-do-it-together)

[Maggiemae]

I think we all notice the veins on our hands as we get older. I suppose we should be grateful we have them! I love your beautiful blouse - or do you call them shirts?

[summerfield]

@maggiemae - we call it "top" :-) thank you, maggiemae. where are you now?

[alta]

Hard working hand! Love the ring chain!

[Ann H. LeFevre]

I only have one finger now that is straight. The rest are either crooked or knuckle-swollen. But I'm not complaining as long as I can hold the camera and take a picture with them! Great hand portrait and pretty tunic/blouse!

[Caroline]

I've always had big clumsy hands - please - we are never happy with what we have lol!! I like this portrait a lot... and love knowing you don't like a limp handshake - I do NOT like limp handshakes!!! :)

[belinda]

This is a lovely shot. The lighting and tones are very flattering. They do look like strong hands which I like. I too hate a limp handshake - why bother!