Still Life...

Headed up to Cobb mountain for a few days with the family.. it was long overdue..  No cell service, no internet, no television.. just us.  At first I checked my cell phone ALOT.. trying to see if I had any text messages or missed calls.. it took me a full day and a half to fully come to terms with the fact that it was just me, the hubby, the three boys and the dog.. oh, and the gal that runs the resort (thankful for some girl energy).  I knew that this was the deal and specifically that is why we chose to make this our vacation destination.  It was time to reconnect with my family and we did just that.  We played games, rode bikes, played tennis, the guys golfed, we swam (well, jumped in and quickly got out - water was very cold at this time of year).. and just "were".  It wasn't easy.. man the older boys sure know how to make the youngest shriek!... yes, shriek!!  But all in all, I got to "see" my kids in a different way.. and I have to say man those boys are pretty cool.. all in their own way.. and FUNNY!!  man, we laughed a lot...  I took a ton of photos and will share a few more in the coming days, but I chose this one because it was taken during the one time that I was alone.. I was walking through some weeds picking blackberries - marveling at the quiet.. but also reflecting on the time that I was spending with my family.. how precious this time was and how if we forget to take these trips/moments we lose so much more than memories.. we lose each other..

Sept. 11th past and present

On this day, I have no words to describe the horribleness that occurred ten years ago.. The bottom photo is present day New York, the rebuilding at Ground Zero..the top photo was taken Jan 2001 from the restaurant/bar on one of the top floors of the World Trade Center.. rest in peace those that didn't make it out on that day.. and those that chose to go in to help.. you will never be forgotten.

Love Lights

My sis-in-law Treva got married a couple of weeks ago.  His name is Glenn.  It was a simple wedding held on the deck of my in-laws house up in Grass Valley.  The day was warm and the view was beautiful.  Each of the family member's had a part to read during the ceremony.. standing up when it was their turn to speak.  Treva had written the script and it went perfectly.  We were all so very happy for this couple and it truly was touching to hear all of us partake in the ceremony.. one by one... voice by voice.. as if our participation would be the glue to help join this couple.. This was the final photo of the night.. the funny thing about this photo is when I viewed it on the camera screen, I thought the lights were stars... but realized later they were the reflection of the lighted canopy.  I am a bit amazed that they appear to be coming from each of their heads.. I call them "love lights".

Just a little bit of bravery goes a long way..

"I don't like horses" says Adam.. as a mom you learn to listen to the subtext and what I was really hearing was.. horses are big and scary.. therefore I don't want to like them (or.. maybe that was just me...)  Adam and I and my gal friend Marie spent the night and day up in Sebastapol at my brother Tim's house.  He owns two horses and is thinking about taking another one on.. this one here in the photo, her name is Ellie.  We got up there after dark so we only got to see the horses for a short time.. basically a meet and greet.  There was Roger, a tall copper  colored drink of water.. Tucker, mean and a bit on the wild-eyed side.. and Ellie, small and quiet with a sprinkling of salt and pepper here and there.  Uncle Tim asked Adam if he wanted to ride in the morning and after saying no a few times.. Adam finally said he would think about it.  Well, the next morning comes and Adam is ready to do it.. I was so proud of him and kept my mouth shut as I didn't want my fears to attach to him and ruin this opportunity for him...  He climbed right up and after a few feet asked to go faster.. I followed in front, behind and on his side... moving back and forth between pride and fear.. until finally I trusted the situation and knew that it was going to be all good.
I learned a lesson today from my son.  Face down your fears and do not let them keep you from having wonderful, fun experiences.  Sometimes you just have to push on through.

FYI: I even rode Ellie for a few moments.. and I have to admit I was pretty scared.. horses are big!

Palms

Something about palm trees.. we have palm trees growing in SF along the Embarcadero but they do not trigger the same emotions that ones on vacation do in me... when I see them here, I glance and move on.. but when I am on vacation and see them.. I stare for hours - just in awe at how tall they can get.. how come they don't tip over?   why aren't there coconuts?  .. if you live in warmer climates these probably remind you of home.. for me, they are a memory of precious time spent doing nothing but recharging...and staying still...  Hope your summer was good and relaxing..

Hanksy

I had just watched the movie.. "Exit by the gift shop" which is a 'documentary' on guerrilla graffiti artists and the elusive Banksy was featured in it along with Sheppard Fairy.. (wrong spelling, i know..) and a few others...  Anyway, it was pretty interesting and I love graffiti (well most of it anyway).. I thought that this was really funny.. I wonder if Tom Hanks has any idea that he is a graffiti artists star.... he'd probably think it to be funny as well..

AMERY

The sun was low in the sky.. just an exquisite time of day to photograph.. This is Amery, my friend Sara's teenage daughter, and we were in Carmel Valley for a few nights.  The weather was perfect.. hot and sunny.. nice for a Pacifica fog dweller.. (at least for a few days anyway..).  She has features that remind me of a silent film star.. very interesting.