Life: Through the Lens

Take time to stop and smell the flowers. There are so many things on my "to do" list and it's difficult for me to prioritize.  With each passing year I actually think the list gets longer! Stop and rejoice in the sunset. Currently I am quilting, reading multiple books for work and pleasure, and writing. Well, trying to squeeze in writing.  But how can you write a book if you aren't sitting in front of the computer, or pad of paper, and taking those words from brain to hard surface?  Admittedly, my brain could be considered a hard surface sometimes. Some of you know my travel companion Roamin', who met a friend in Ireland in May. I also have the photos from my trip to Ireland to organize, and create a book which the University can use for publicity next year, and the students would be able to own a copy.  On top of that, I have my own vision for what I want to do with my photos from the trip.  I haven't even been able to post blog posts about t...

I am looking for any opportunity to take some photos and experiment with different effects.  A perfect opportunity presented itself just a week ago, when the Owosso Steam Railroading Institute had a gathering of a variety of trains and engines for the weekend, giving rides and on display for the public. A steam engine is so nostalgic, and the 1225 was used in the filming of Polar Express, so it was a double treat.  We had a very enjoyable day photographing this engine and the cars it pulled.  The cost of admission to the entire event was a bit much for us, so we were content to roam the town a bit, watching the activity and spending time in a fair atmosphere. People really love their trains. Trains are only a small part of our history.  The older I get the more I value the past, knowing that through the past we find our future.  It's important to keep records and tell stories - so our children and grandchildren will ha...

Sunday is Father's Day - a day for picnics and family get-togethers.  Hallmark makes a few dollars, and children create a lot of smiles. And memories come flooding back at unexpected times, in unexpected places.  For instance, tonight I am making Strawberry Shortcake and cookies for tomorrow's activities.  We have 1/6th of the family coming for dinner - actually, they're bringing dinner which is ever so much better!  As I was dropping chocolate cookie dough on the cookie sheet, I heard Lawrence Welk come on in the background.  And memories of my dad came flooding back to me.   Lawrence Welk was family night - popcorn and all.  My dad had had a dance band in high school and college, so Big Band music was irresistible.  Every summer, in fact, he would pull out that trombone and play it - in the back yard.  Mom would sing and dance around, and my sister and I would either go along with the festivities, or be embarrassed that someone might ...

The annual Otsego Lake Splash-in took place this weekend...a great family event and perfect place for the first picnic of the summer.   Pilots and aviation enthusiasts gather each summer to display their aircraft, and take part in planned events, such as a balloon drop and fastest take-off competitions.  It's pretty amazing to see the variety of aircraft which can land on land and/or sea with just a few modifications.    In a fly-by for the crowd, a Maule, J-3 Piper Cub, and an Aviat Huskey. A picnic lunch and afternoon with friends made for a perfect summer Saturday.  When I married a pilot I know I would be spending a lot of time around planes...and I have really grown to enjoy these events.    Over the past 30 years I have learned a lot about aircraft, as well.  I can identify some of the types of planes by sight and even by sound.  It is easy for me to identify the deep rumble of the engine belonging ...

And the passage of time hits me in the face again!  However, I am delighted to be able to post a photo or two that have no snow anywhere in the images! I am officially on my summer break.  My desk is cleaned off, files are in their place (for the most part), photo frames have come home so I can update them over the summer, and I have spent a couple of days doing pretty much whatever I wanted!  The weather is beautiful.   And my weeds are doing VERY well! So now it is time to catch up with all those who have followed me in the past, and those who would like to share my world moving forward.  This year has been very introspective, and I am trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up.  There have been exciting excursions, excitement and heart ache - all the natural growing pains a person who works full time and has a busy and active family might experience.  I used to think that once the "children" were out of the house and on their ...

Have you noticed that the hottest topic around seems to be the weather?  The snow is melting in Sochi, it's icing in Atlanta, there is 13 feet+ of snow in parts of Michigan.  The temperatures are below zero...not just a little bit, but in the double digits!  The sun shines maybe once a week and the wind blows cold and strong.  The drive to work is dangerous, and children can't go to school because it's too cold to stand outside at a bus stop. And life goes on.  I do live in one of those states which has a reputation for fickle weather...and lots of it. I grew up hearing:  If you don't like the weather in Michigan, wait five minutes.  Or was that two minutes?  Or ten?  Not remembering exactly, I did an Internet search.  The results both surprised, and irritated me! If you don't like the weather in Texas... Just blink! If You Don't Like The Weather in Chicago, wait a minute. If you don't like the weather in Michigan, wait five mi...

War Mother - 1939 While we were in Austin, Texas over the holiday we took the children to the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum.  It houses the largest collection of bronze sculpture in Texas, and is designed for enjoyment and accessibility.  There are "touch tours" for the visually impaired, captioned films for the hearing impaired and wheel-chair accessible pathways so anyone who wants access to the works is able to enjoy the experience to the fullest. Another great fact - the sculptor and his wife built a home and studio here, when they conceived this vision.  They overlook the existing park and museum.. "Touch" is a very key word....and perfectly designed for high-energy children.  "Bronze" also sounded good, as it sounds very strong and secure.  The kids could run around and burn off energy, as well as enjoy the art form.  Perfect. Beast of Burden - 1953 Spirit of Flight - 1959 And run and touch is what they did.  The...