Christmas Memories

 2020 has been a very different year for everyone with Covid. Its the little things that have brought or kept family & friends together. While technology is wonderful, it is really those physical feelings that make a difference. 

On Christmas day I called my Dad wishing him a great holiday. After catching up, I asked him if he still had any of Mom's Christmas decorations up in the attic. He tried his best convincing me Mom had sold most of them before she passed & that after all these years they had pretty much cleaned the attic out. I was disappointed but we remeninced about previous Christmas years decorating with Mom. We laughed about how we would complain about so many boxes we had to bring down from the attic every season. Dad said he sent a box & it should be arriving any day now. I told him I felt bad about not traveling this year but he insisted it was better to stay safe.

The next morning, the dog & I awoke up by such a clatter. What, Santa, a day late? It was not even 0700. I rose to see what was the matter & I could see the mail truck parked outside. Sure enough, the box Dad sent was inside my entry. Hurray! More presents as the Christmas spirit continues.

Everything was wrapped carefully and packed delicately. The first package I unwrapped was a familiar old vintage box. I recognized it right away. I could not hold back the tears and out loud awes. I was overcome by fond memories of Mom & I once again while flooded with tears. Those moments of decorating the tree with Mom had become surreal as I held the vintage ornaments in my hands. It was the most perfect gift. 

Another package was wrapped individually. It was hand written with love and a message of "found in the attic& since you live near disney" Oh my goodness, it was a vintage glass Mickey Mouse ornament. It may have even been the one I brought back from Disney on my senior class trip 40 years ago. 

Every gift Dad & my step Mom sent me were very thoughtful and I'm forever grateful. The memories being cherished with every sparkle and glistening. 

We may not be able to spend the holidays with everyone but we can enjoy the gifts and the thoughtfulness behind them. 

For now, I'll be grateful for the things I do have.

You cannot cancel Christmas as it lives in your heart not under the tree.

Merry Christmas & warm wishes for the New year! 

  

Two hour tour

 I am blessed to live near the beach these days. It is said a cold front is upon us so I decided it was a perfect opportunity to put my toes in the sand. The day was sunny and cloudless. A mere 90 with a slight breeze & zero humidity at the end of November. The seagulls appeared happy & celebrating the end of hurricane season. I too was relieved with the change and start of a new season. The Osprey hovered and made dives for their dinner, while sandpipers were at a frenzy with incoming tides. I walked a two hour tour while the ocean sifted long stretches of shells. It never gets old wading in the shallows searching for treasures. No matter what age you are or how many shells you already have. Each time you walk the beaches is a new memory, a new page in your journey or a renewed feeling of being refreshed. I filled the pockets of my shorts with the treasures I chose and thought to myself; "it is well with my soul". It was the perfect way to wrap up a Thanksgiving weekend. After 2 Thanksgiving gatherings with family, friends & neighbors, I had much to be grateful for this year. 

Share the Love

We are all living in a non perfect world. Yet, the world continues to turn. It's challenging to stay focused on the positive while everyone has their own opinion or agenda.
Why can't everyone just get along? Why do we have to be so divided? I don't look at someone as if they are white, black, red or whatever race they may be. That someone is a son or daughter to somebody. Or they are a sister or brother, Mother, Father or possibly your own next to kin and don't even know it. It's a human being. Plain and simple. And whether a good human being or not, is not up to me to judge. I'll leave that to a higher power. I do know I try to treat others with love and respect. To me, everyone matters. Everyone should matter to each of us. Why is that so hard for some people to do? If we say black lives matter, the White people say what about us. If we say all lives matter, some think we're not focusing on the troubles & violence of the blacks that has been happening for years. I think if we look real hard, it's not just blacks that matter in today's world. What about babies being killed, teenage girls being sold or killed, blacks killing blacks in big cities, white cops now being killed everywhere, native Americans still being pushed off their land while their own women & children end up missing, bombings and shooters, the list goes on and on. We don't have to love everyone, but respect everyone. What a wonderful world it would be if we all did just that. It is true actions speak louder than words. But two wrongs don't make it right. Hate doesn't fix hate. Burning and stealing won't fix it. So set the bar, be an example for your children and grandchildren. Be an example to your friends and family. Non of us are perfect. We are all a working progress. But we all need to start somewhere. Give without expectations.
To love is to be loved. If you want love, show love. Give love & you'll receive love.
Share the Love ~

Perfection, Inside the photographer's mind.

Every picture tells a story, or a few images can direct the story. As a photographer, I can adjust the color and lighting but it is not like a painting where I can just put things where I want without the use of photoshop. I'm not a big believer in photoshop. I like to take photos that are real or actual. I also like to challenge myself with lighting and composition. This morning's walk along the beach was no different than most. I'm always looking for that money shot or what makes an image extroadrinary. I was greeted by an ibis fishing for breakfast. I thought my image would be far more attractive if the white ibis was surrounded by white sea foam. It's always a photographer's challenge to capture white on white and I accepted that challenge! After a couple of those shots, my mind begins to switch gears. I'm thinking, wouldn't it be cool to capture the ibis as a silhouette in the sunrise. So rather than waiting on the ibis to walk a little, I move to center the ibis in the sunlight. Now I have my subject right where I want. Only it keeps moving. Sometimes I can see it clearly and other moments I can't because the ocean and foam are different with each incoming wave. As I try to keep up with the ibis, a seagull photo bombs the bottom of my view finder. Ok, that's cool, I like the seagull's shadow in the sand. But could you fly a little higher next time? The sun is changing and getting brighter with each second. Like a clock ticking. In a couple minutes the sun will be too bright for anything. I don't have much time. No pressure, haha! So I wait for another seagull. Usually there's lots. But this morning, not so much! Go figure. Where's a seagull when you need one? Finally, I spot one coming up the beach. Each second feels like forever. I waited patiently, panning up the beach side, but it flies too high. Mean while the ibis is still fishing back and forth. I am amazed it is still with me. With one eye I am trying to keep view of the ibis in line with the sun and the other eye anticipating another seagull in sight. And you're probably reading all this thinking, man, this is for the birds! An elderly woman slowly walks by and I have to pause. Breathe. Yes, it's the beach. We are just out of a 2 month quarantine and I am not the only one out viewing God's masterpiece of the morning! I can still see the beautiful sun rays pouring through the clouds. Like angels upon us. The ibis is in my view finder. But the sun is getter more brighter and I have a white blob on the top of my image. I can't zoom in or I would loose the ibis in the foreground. The whole idea is to have both birds in the shot to be unique.  If I could just get a seagull to fly straight through where the glare spot is, I would be golden! My opportunity arrives coming from the north. A large seagull is in view. Perfect! The seagull is like a stealth, slowly it begins to hover. Much to my surprise, it hovers right in front of the sun where I needed! Amazing! CLICK! So in my next shot in a matter of seconds, my timing is right! I lower my camera with a huge smile of accomplishment on my face. I know this moment will never happen again! Oh the excitement of a photographer's life! All in a days work! Happy shooting!

Celebrate Life

I would like to share my version of Celebrate Life blog with you.  Being a photographer is not always just fun capturing nature and weddings. It also involves capturing people. An image, or expression of a split second that can last a lifetime. A reminder of what once was or whom was. It can be heart wrenching if I photograph a person and soon after they pass. That's the hardest part for me as an artist.  It may be a birthday celebration, anniversary, event or even our finest local young musicians. I'm also responsible for capturing the very last photo of my Mother and dear Grandmother together. Both passed within 30 days of each other about a week after I took the photo. It is also up to me, emotionally, to turn that negative into a positive. It's not an easy choice and I still struggle with some of those ever lasting smiles.
I have to choose joy that I was able to capture that person, their expression or lasting impression as my gift to others. I don't seek the thank you's, I feel it's my purpose here on earth. I know I was given a gift as an artist, but it's mostly to promote and give back to others. So today I say out loud Rest In Peace. All is not lost as they are home.

Divine Love

Everyone desires a divine love. A love that never disappoints. But we use the word love freely. We love our family, we love our children, we love our spouse.  We love our jobs, and special places. We even love the cars we drive. But what is true love? Love in the acts of kindness? Giving gifts of love? Or is it the feelings of attraction in being close and intimate? Perhaps it's an unconditional love while never expecting anything in return.  It's a love we can't live without. A love that is free and fulfilling. God's love is the only love that never falters and never fails. Take comfort in your faith and know that God truly loves you, now and forever.

As one door closes

We've all heard the phrase, "when one door closes, another one opens" The question is, do you have the faith to walk through one? Or which door is right? Only you'll never know if you don't take that opportunity right in front of you. As we step into 2020 I wish you the very best. There are no goodbye's, just another time and another place.

Trust your instincts and walk through those upcoming doors. May you find peace and happiness in the New Year!