Bubbles

I spent some time with my cousin Lindy taking pictures of her blowing bubbles. Some of them came out really cool looking. I love the sunlight hitting her hair and the deep intention she has on what she is doing. It is a perfect expression of summer. Enjoy!

And This Little Piggy Went to Market!

The downtown market is one of my new favorite weekend activities. We head down in the morning and get great donuts and pork buns. I love the fresh peas when they are available and there is also a Baltimore based all natural puppy treats stand! This was taken a while ago but it is a great picture of our fun morning at the market!

Dragons

Campus Pride is a Leadership camp for LGTBQQA Students from all over the U.S. This is the third year that Campus Pride has taken Towson University by storm and I got to help out by taking photos for the No Talent Talent Show. It was the first real event I have photographed and I was a bit puzzled by the lighting in this show and how to manage my camera. But some photos came out really fun. Take a look!

Grandma

This is my Grandma. I was at my mother's today for a high tea for my sister's birthday and my Grandma gave me a smile. She is a funny old lady. She likes to pinch my bottom still and she smokes like a chimney. This is a great representation of her. Gritty but cute!

Candle on the Water

"I'll be your candle on the water. My love for you will always burn. I know you're lost and drifting, but the clouds are lifting. Don't give up  you'll have somewhere to turn. I'll be your candle on the water. 'Til every wave is warm and bright. My soul is there beside you. Let this candle guide you. Soon you'll see a golden stream of light. A cold and friendless tide has found you. Don't let the stormy darkness pull you down. I'll paint a ray of hope around you. Circling in the air, lighted by a prayer. I'll be your candle on the water. This flame inside of me will grow. Keep holding on. You'll make it. Here's my hand so take it. Look for me, reaching out to show as sure as rivers flow. I'll never let you go."

-Helen Reddy

Speed!

I went to NY for a brief visit with family and I took all these sort of amazing shots of the kids and then when I went to view them they were blurry!!! Arrgghhh! So I knew I had to learn shutter speed and learn it fast. get it....ha ha...Anyhoo, I took this picture as we were flying down the mountain highways of Pennsyltucky. Perty huh?

I would love to have stopped at this fruit stand! Oh well...next trip.

Roam if you want to....

So one day this past April a cat decided that she wanted nothing more than to live with us. She showed up at our doorstep with determination and a crazy meow and would not leave. I fed her (of course) and then went to bed basically thinking well...she will either go home or find somewhere else to be. The next morning I was right! She did find somewhere else to be....that somewhere was on our roof!
I got her down and she thanked me but then an hour later she was right back up there. Crazy cat. We eventually after many days of her taking over our back porch decided that well...she wanted to be ours and we would let her.
Her name is Ruthie...get it Roof...Ruthie...anyway.
She is very sweet and has actually been a good little pal to our sometimes ornery cat Emmett. Welcome to the family Ruthie!

Puppy Love

This is a picture of my dog Chelsea. As many of my friends and family know...she is my baby. I realize that sometimes talking about a dog like they are your child is awkward...and suggests a lack of life and I agree for the most part! However, when it comes to Chelsea...all bets are off. She is the best. I have never had a dog that was mine. I grew up with family dogs but never one that I was responsible for. When my partner and I got Chelsea it was crazy hard. We struggled to make a connection and I spent most of my days crying or frustrated. Then one day (after a long crying discussion on the phone with the rescue center help line) I decided to not take life so seriously. From that day on Chelsea slept on my feet at night and now she is my best buddy. I believe that sometimes animals really can be kindred spirits. I haven't experienced it with every pet I have ever had...just a few. But when that connection is shared it lasts a lifetime. Here is to all of my wonderful pets...past, present...and who am I kidding...future!!!!

At Peace

This is a photo from last summer that was an accident that ended up working out in the long run. I was trying to get a picture of Aunt Linda and her grandson Graham laughing in the pool and just as I snapped the shot they moved their hands into the line of focus. The outcome is one that I enjoy. The hands. I like seeing how supportive and gentle she seems in this photo. This was a wonderful day with all of the family together. I miss days like this.

Just a few weeks ago my Aunt Linda lost her battle with cancer. The struggle that she went though was something that I have experienced with other people but never directly until now. Aunt Linda was an amazing woman. She had a great sweetness about her and her sense of humor was one I will never forget. " (She) had simple pleasures. She sang the praises of things we ignore. Glass coke bottles, bread crumbs, a sky full of stars; she cherished these things." Aunt Linda loved white. She loved clear surfaces, ironed table cloths, a good crease in her pants. She loved windex and dust cloths and she never ever went to bed in a dirty house (except when she stayed with me of course!)
I will miss her laugh and her scorches as she would call them. She has taught me a lot in the short time I knew her. Bless you Aunt Lin....Rest in Peace.

Flower Power

I loved this flower. It was just smiling at me so I decided to try and get a good image of it. Notice the little spiderweb running through it. Apparently I am not the only one who liked this flower. This was taken at my someday mother-in-laws yard. She has a fantastic garden with flowers and herbs. It makes me wish I had a green thumb. Alas, mine is black.