For A Moment Photography

Ghost Bikes Removed:

 

Please read this link first it will help...  A few months ago I was at the light on Ash Ave and University Drive in Tempe.  I noticed one of Presley’s school friends father, Brad (he works for the City of Tempe) on the corner working.  In the past he had mentioned he works for the City.  Presley and his son play a lot together after school so I’ve had a great time getting to know the family.  

 Weeks went by and even though I see him daily I had forgot to mention it.  Finally one day after school I remembered.  I can’t remember how I explained the spot or what I said but some how the memorial on that location came up.  This I remember, I told him about Chris Volpe.  Although I didn’t know him because of this memorial I got to hear of Chris and meet his brother, Tony.  Brad then explained to me that the memorial was in jeopardy of being removed.

 Someone wanted to have the ghost bikes removed.  The ghost bikes were placed in two Tempe locations where bikers had been hit and killed by cars.  The removal of these bikes was so shocking to hear, why?  This memorial is such a great reminder for me and my family who live (near there) in a busy area with both cars and bikes, to be careful.  Presley mentions the memorial to friends when we drive by and she will say, even if you’re riding safely doesn’t mean the cars see you.  The memorial is such a great reminder to me (and my family) as a biker, and driver to be cautious on the road.  Too quickly a life can be taken.

The photo above was taken a few weeks back.  The bike and memorial have been removed.  I was pretty aggravated to write about it then.  I still don’t know why anyone would want to have the ghost bikes removed.  I’m still pissed...  I've linked below where you can read about both Jay Fretz and Chris Volpe.

Jay. http://ghostbikes.org/tempe/jay-fretz        

Chris.http://ghostbikes.org/tempe/chris-volpe

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Wild with Wonder.

I always look forward to photographing Charlie.  I've taken his photo every year for the past three years.  Each spring I start to wonder if I'll hear from his mom and each year I do I'm pleased!  She always dresses Charlie in the most adorable outfits and she is open pretty much all of my ideas.  Both of those things are part of the recipe for a great photo session.

This year Charlie turned 4 and was a lot more talkative than I've ever seen him.  I asked him if he remembered me, he didn’t but it didn’t matter.  From the moment he arrived at our location to meet me he was comfortable and had stories to tell.  The time we spent together is so special to me, I love seeing this little guy grow.

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Hoping My Little Girl Never Loses Her Sparkle.

On vaction in the Bahamas 2013.

This past week I went to my parents house to visit after coming home from vacation.  When I got there my mom gave me a letter she had been holding on to.  It was a letter from my first grade teacher, Mrs. Nancy Bingham to my parents while I was a student of hers.  I’ve always been fond of Mrs. Bingham and have great memories from her first grade classroom.

When I read the letter above, my heart hurt a little bit.  I don’t think I had ever read the letter or even knew about it before Monday but the concerns were all very familiar to me.  Stuttering is not something that happens much anymore but I still speak fast and sometimes slur my words together.  Something I still work on as an adult and most likely always will.  

Story telling is part of the human experience and I feel it is instrumental in bonding relationships.  As an adult I hope I have become better at knowing when it’s appropriate or not to share a story.  There’s nothing more uninteresting than a person incapable of listening.        

The part that stings was that it reminds me of conversations I have had with Presley’s teacher and her learning style.  Presley is a very caring, imaginative and artistic child and we’re so thankful for that.  She also has trouble staying focused and loves to share stories.  Luckily she had a wonderful teacher that understood her learning style and worked with Presley in a way that she could be successful and excited about learning.

My heart ached because I know how difficult school was for me all the way through college (I never expected I would actually graduate)...  It has been suggested to me on several occasions that I most likely have ADD.  Lucky for me it was not so severe that I was able to be successful without medication or proper diagnosis.  Having professors let me test in their office, instead of in auditoriums with 300 other students was crucial (so I could stay focused).  Tutoring in calculus was the only way I passed.  

The good news is that we understand her learning style and she can and will be successful.  Reading the letter brought to my attention the fact that Presley doesn’t stutter.  She is still in the very early stages of learning and her experience quite possibly will be different than mine.  

 I’ve spent the last few days processing my thoughts.  Presley and I bond when we can do creative things like, draw, work in our art journals or craft.  Recently I taught her how to make a friendship bracelet and I hope to teacher her to knit soon.  The bright side of it all is I’m pretty sure I’ll know how to connect with her and we’ll most likely we’ll shift gears often. 

 

Rara Avis (Rare Bird): A Style Icon For Any Age...

            

 

My mind has been running non stop today!  Not sure why but I’ve been in deep thought, maybe the resent vacations have helped refocus my thoughts...  I have been planning to write a post about some of the fashionable older ladies and gentlemen I had seen in Paris.  

While there I loved seeing men in suits (and scarfs of course) riding bikes through Paris looking so dapper and sophisticated.  The women had a style that was much more polished than I’m use to seeing. It seems that here in the states the there is more of an emphasis put on looking young and comfortable rather than looking great for your age.

That also doesn’t mean you have to stop being you either.  In my study of photos and people I have found that Iris Apfel the style icon is an inspiration to me.  Her work is amazing and her style is fun a little crazy and totally her.  

I wanted to write a short post about her (share the clip above) and add a link to this blog I love.  Advanced Style blog is all about older men and women photographed on the streets of NY and their personal style.  This (snapping photos of fashionable people in Paris) was something I had planned on doing while in Paris.  Next time.  

 

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Summer Bucket List 2013

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Summer is here and we are getting ready to head to the Adirondack Mountains.  Over the past few months I have tried not to wish the days away, but now it’s time to start planning my summer bucket list.

Here is a look (and a link) at our list from a few years ago.  I know we had one last year, hmm.  Where did I post it?!..  Here is my summer bucket list, Presley is still working on her's.   

 

 1. drive to the Antique Show in Brimfield, MA.

2. drive to Sharon Springs, NY

3. visit Boston, because we love it!

4. visit NYC because it’s been 7 years!  

5. build a tree swing

6. eat ice cream

7. look for fire flies, red newts and frogs

8. play tennis

9. go berry picking

 10. build a camp fire

11. climb Rogers Rock

12. go sailing

 13. go fishing

 14. jump in the lake

15. read a book

 16. visit Norman Rockwell Museum

17. hike several of the 46 high peaks in the ADK.  One is named, Mt. Colvin

 18. play shuffle board, haha- I love it!  

 

I hope to make it over to Burlington, VT. and a few other favorites spots but summer is so short.  EEKKK, I hope you all are making a summer bucket list too!  

Living in the Moment...

Side Note:  We just went on our first cruise with two other families, a Disney cruise to the Western Caribbean.  

After a very long eventful day, Presley was in bed and I ventured out to get some paper for her and her friends to do some drawing (the following morning).  On my quiet (relatively speaking) walk I noticed this lil’ boy 3-4 years old (with a pirate sword) spot Mickey Mouse walking towards him.  

 The little pirate jumping up and down yelling, “Mickey!  Mickey!  Mickey!  Mickey Mouseeee!”  Miraculously there was no one else around so his little boy had a rare run in with Mickey Mouse virtually alone.  This was such a thrilling moment- the reason people come on these trips to have, I looked around to see his mom or dad’s reaction.  There was a women with her back to him but she didn’t pay any attention to him.  Mickey walked up to this little guy and gave him a high five and a pat on the head.  The boy was beaming!  He jumped as if he had springs and smiled and giggled like only a child can.      

 The little boy proceeded to jump, no- bounce and scream around the corner to the Port Adventure Desk where two small groups of people where talking.  I still could not determine who’s this boy’s family was.  As he bounces over between the two groups he finally says, “Mom!  Mickey!  Mickey!”  The mom without looking at him pat’s him on the back and continues the conversation...  

 As this happens Mickey walks on by and the mom never caught a glimpse of the excitement her son face and experience the joy he had...  These few moments gave me pause...  Not in judgement of her, but in my day and my awareness of Presley and how have I reacted in her thrilling moments. 

 Why is it so easy for me to get caught up in everything else but the moment?  Seeing this brief but poignant observation was just a reminder for me to recommit.  I’m thankful for that subtle prompt.  The great thing about being a parent is I get to keep trying to do it better everyday of my life and hopefully she will be thankful for me for the rest of her life...