Bloom...
"May my soul bloom in love for all existence." ~ Rudolph Steiner
Journey...
"Life is pure adventure, and the sooner we realize that, the sooner we will be able to treat life as art." - Maya Angelou
Spring!
"Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems." - Rilke
Friends as Superheroes...
Friends are the superheroes of life. Their powers are more subtle than Superman, but no less dynamic. They possess the ability to make us laugh in times of sadness, listen in ways that make us feel important, help us see (and appreciate!) the brilliant absurdities of life, and feel connected to something bigger than ourselves.
This month I lost one of my heroines. She departed as mythically as she lived. She was a light in the world; enchanting all she met with her grace, warmth and humor. We were college roomates and friends for twenty-two years. As I try to comprehend the loss, I ask myself "what would Carrie do?" She always knew the perfect thing to say... a balance between pragmatic wisdom, and wit. How do we get through this in a meaningful way? I feel awkward and raw.
In the weeks that have passed, I have been comforted by the show of support for her family, the reunion of old friends, and our capacity for love and humor in the face of grief. There have been some breathtakingly beautiful moments. Our journey is just beginning; we will ache for a long time. In the meantime, I will strive to meet each day with an open heart, practice kindness with myself (and others), and keep looking for the delighfully wacky in life.
Goodbye, my friend.
Sisters...
These two were fun to photograph. Silly and sassy, a style all their own, and some inside jokes that didn't need words.
Happy Summer.
Friends recently gathered to celebrate a birthday, and learn a little more about the art of wine tasting. It was the perfect combination of weather, food and company that made for a memorable summer night. I hope there are many more to come. Happy summer! Cheers.
Happy Mother's Day...
I believe in the compelling power of love. I do not understand it. I believe it to be the most fragrant blossom of all this thorny existence. -Theodore Dreiser
Carolyn...
Carolyn is lovely and easy to photograph... but what made our brief session extra special was our location. We used the empty rooms of her home as our studio. Carolyn and her husband are expecting their second son shortly, and they are moving to accommodate their growing family. It was four days before closing, and a chance to say goodbye to the home where it all began.
Faces...
I love when I can have an infant's mom standing just behind me to help generate some expressions... works like a charm.
Spring! (part II)
I found out that the pink tree is, indeed, a type of magnolia... a Jane Magnolia. I love it! Its pink blooms have given me (and many passersby) a smile this warm March.
Spring! (part I)
This is my first spring in my (relatively) new apartment, and I was delighted to see these bloom in my front yard. I've been a bit obsessed. They remind me of Virginia; like a miniature pink magnolia. The bees are having a party.
Cynthia's Juju...
It's February and frigid! (-14 last night) Brrr! I'm sitting with a warm cup of tea in my hands, and thinking about my to-do list. Normally, a heavy sigh would follow. So many goals... how to keep it all sorted out, and moving forward? Then I remembered an ingenious technique that my friend Cynthia showed me... "mind mapping." Cynthia Morris is a writer, coach, and bonne vivante extraordinaire. As I sat in brief overwhelm this morning, I was reminded of the technique. A few minutes with a pen and notebook... and voila! The clutter was out of my head, and a clear path of action was on paper. You can learn about mind mapping and other helpful tips for living a creative life on her website www.original impulse.com I love the Juju Infusion videos... that's where you'll learn about mind mapping and so much more.
Here are a few photos of Cynthia from the fall.
