Good Intentions

In my first post on this blog I promised not to just give you my daily dribble of thought, but to actually work at making images that turned the ordinary into something more interesting. My intentions were good. I wish I could say that I've succeeded, though. I think I have at times, and at others it's been a struggle even to produce a single image that was worth the effort or your time and attention.

With the warmer summer weather here, one might think that there would be more to photograph. True. There is. But there's also more to do, and therefore, less time to photograph.

Today was a perfect example. I actually had several things in mind to photograph, but there were weeds to pull and trees to plant (what?! we need MORE trees?!) and it took all day. Consequently, I never got around to shooting what I had planned. Instead, you get to see my new trees.

And, tomorrow I'll work harder at doing what I set out to do, which was to make images that I love and hope you love too.

Sunday Morning Snugglers

Before I Die*...

If I were Amy Winehouse I might reconsider saying "Yes yes yes" to rehab before I die*. The only thing I'm stunned about are the reporters who are saying they're stunned that she's dead. Sorry. It's not that I'm unsympathetic. It's more that I think it's very sad and a huge waste of a good human life, but the last thing I am is stunned. What part of "if you do drugs you're likely to die" don't people get?

Had her death not hit the news today, I might have said "Before I die*, I want to finish construction on our home". That statement is true, but hopefully it'll be done LONG before I die. Sometimes it seems that we live in an endless construction project, but I can't really complain. The work is coming along nicely.

(Our carpenter brought his boys along today...I think they would have preferred to be up on the beams with their dad, rather than watching from the ground). 

 

My step-daughter and her husband came to visit with their yellow lab, Blue. Jake and Albert were happy to see Blue (Jake, especially...) and they tried to teach her how to play fetch properly. She didn't quite catch on (or maybe she did and decided that she'd just relax while the little scottie dogs did all the work). The scottie boys had fun and were thoroughly exhausted by the time everyone went home again.

 (Oh treats! Does someone have treats for US!?)

Happily, I'm not thinking much about death these days. The reality is that before I die*, there are LOTS to things to do...of all kinds. Long may we live!

*another Saturday which means another Saturday Centus!

Resurrection

Some days it's just not about the photo so much as it is about the subject. Today was one of those days.

My husband is a very sentimental guy. That means that he sometimes has a hard time letting go of things that hold rich memories for him. The thing is, though, that he has a highly detailed memory and so LOTS of things are meaningful to him.

One of those things is a 1977 Ford van that has been in storage since 2003. It had been his parents'. His dad had fixed it up to be a perfect family traveling/camping van, and as such, there were lots of wonderful memories associated with it.

Since we now have plenty of garage space to keep it, it was time to retrieve it from storage. So, off we went to Salt Lake City to collect it. It was no small task to get in on a trailer, but he managed. On the way home he said "we've got to take it by my mom's house and show her", so we did.

My mother-in-law is as sweet as can be and funny too. (The first time I met her was at the end of my first real date with my husband. I remember him taking me by her house, ringing the doorbell, then opening the front door with his own key. Before I even saw her face, I could hear her voice yelling from another room, "So, are you married yet?!") 

But I digress...back to my story of today. When we rang the doorbell and she looked outside, you might think she'd seen a ghost...a friendly ghost. Her eyes lit up and you could tell that she was absolutely delighted, albeit a bit puzzled. I know that there was an instant rush of fond memories of times with her husband, now deceased and much missed by her. Not having seen the van for so many years, to her it seemed as a miracle had occurred and the van had been resurrected. She had lots of questions about where it had been and what had happened to it.

I wished I'd had my proper camera, but I didn't. I only had my cell phone with the battery about to run out, so this is all the evidence there is of that happy few moments when she was reunited with the resurrected van and thoughts of her beloved husband. It was a sweet tender visit and I'm so glad we took the time to go see her.

Happy First Birthday, Jake

Today is Jake's birthday. He's one year old.

He's a good friend, loyal and true. He is sweet, happy, smart, obedient when he wants to be, and handsome (even though Albert has all but destroyed his beautiful black beard). 

He was just a little squirt when we brought him home at 8 weeks old. He was eager to greet us when we first met him and he continues to enthusiastically greet anyone new who comes to the house. He's a social boy, and loves everyone. 

We thought he might be jealous when we brought home his little cousin, Albert, but they've been best of friends. Jake willingly shares everything with Albert. Even now, on his birthday, when Albert was more eager to play with the squeak toy, Jake let him have it without any fuss. 

Happy Birthday, Jake. We love you.

Farewell, Dragonfly

At this time of year, it's nice to sit outside as the sun is setting and enjoy the cool air.  I love to see the hundreds of dragonflies floating like fairies on the evening breeze. They make it possible to sit outside because they dine on the mosquitos and other no-seeums that would be dining on us otherwise.

I was sad to find this one trying to make one last desperate flight this morning. His wings are like lace made of fine copper wire. And his body is like a beautiful native American necklace crafted from fine turquoise and carnelian stones. Farewell, Dragonfly. May your spirit dance on the breezes of heaven.

Clean Bill of Health

Men are funny. Not to generalize, even if it is true...but let's face it, most men hate going to the doctor, and my husband is no exception. But he knows I'm interested in his well-being, so he agreed to get a physical and a colonoscopy. It was all good news, and so here he is in his post-colonoscopy drug induced happy dream state. He won't be thrilled that I posted this, but hey, at least we're not posting the photos of his colon on Facebook for all the world to see...

And for any of you "cowards" out there, he, like many others before him, will tell you that the worst part is the prep. The rest is a cakewalk, especially with the help of wonderful sleep inducing drugs. It's so worth it for the peace of mind of knowing that you are healthy.