Self-Portraits...embracing the lens.

You know what happens when one loses a great deal of weight?  The camera is a new friend.  Well, at least for me anyway.  I enjoy seeing the changes on a monthly basis and I am now incorporated in my memory keeping as "part" of the story rather than just the "storyteller."  We as storytelling scrappers hardly embrace ourselves within our photography.  But for me, this is going to change.  I know this because when searching for pictures of my mother...they were few and far between.  Not many exist and it is rather sad really.  So, I plan on changing this for my family and my storytelling.  I am important, too.

Embrace the lens.  A giggle is good, too.

Robin and I at Bob Trauger's Retirement Party

Carla and I at Bob Trauger's Retirement Party

Brian and I at Bob Trauger's Retirement Party

Brianna and I in the car headed home after swimming all morning

Me...after a weigh in

Brian and I at the Hot Rods Game

DITTO

DITTO

Brianna and I right before her performance at the Phoenix Theatre

In the car in my Orange Crush shirt...No, I am not mad-just did not smile

Brianna and I in our Fourth of July attire (shirts)  No MAKE UP DAY!

So, you see?  It is not selfish or egotistical to take self-portraits.  

It simply makes one part of the memory and the story.  It says,  "I WAS HERE, TOO!"

They do not have to be perfect or always in focus.  They do not always have to have you looking your best.

They simply are proof that you had just as much part of the memory as everyone else that was there.

So, go ahead...SNAPSHOT yourself into the memory, too!

Happy SHOOTING!

Picture This...

Hot, humid, roar of the crowd as a home run is hit, and in the background...barking!

Yes, we went to the Bark in the Park at the Hot Rods game at the ball park yesterday.

We had a great time.  Did I mention, HUMID?

Yes, it was!  But overall we saw so many beautiful and well mannered dogs.

Brianna and Chynna right before entering the ball park

Brian and his safari hat.  He loves his hat.

Hot and Humid.  But we were lucky to be in the shade and a breeze blowing.

Yes, she can make him speak in "baby talk."

My Brianna is really growing up!

Us

Chynna had her own seat!  She kept watching the baseball being thrown.

After the 7th Inning Stretch.  We decided to head on home.

For the record, the game started off really well with the Hot Rods and a Home Run Hit...but we were down 5 to 2 at the bottom of the 7th.  It was hot and humid and we decided to head on home.

It was a great day at the park and interesting with all of the dogs in attendance.

Just a great "family day."

Danville, Kentucky...

Yesterday, my beloved and my darling daughter went to visit and watch or son, Stephen play baseball in Danville, Kentucky. I had to work and they headed out early in the AM to catch some "BOYS of Summer" play our favorite past-time sport. Baseball has been so much of our lives since the boys were younger.
Now, Stephen is a Senior and will graduate from Oglethorpe University on May 8th and it is a bitter sweet feeling for him I am sure. His love for baseball is more than a passion, it has been his life along with studies for many years. I was not there but the camera was...here are some photos my beloved Brian took. He said he needed to learn my camera. But I feel he did alright.

The BEST NEWS! Oglethorpe Played a Double Header with Centre College and won both games. They will now head to the playoffs for their college division.

The GREATEST NEWS! My beloved got to watch his son hit a HOME RUN and he said he was overwhelmed with great pride at that moment.

I know ... I can imagine the glimpses of time that must of run through his mind. T-ball, Little League, Dixie League, and The World Series for Dixie when we were in thunderstorms and high humidity in Memphis several years back. The countless Bing Cherries I used to buy when we spent the weekends on the bleachers and soaked in the rays on our knees and arms. Usually one side got burnt and the other just pink. I am reminded of washing uniforms at 11 PM at night so that it was cleaned for the next game the following day as I hurried from work to watch a game that excited my soul.
I remember taking the boys and their friend to the Home Opener for the Braves and freezing our fanny off to only be warmed up by mid-afternoon and soaking in all Turner Field Fun.

Memories...they come at the craziest times and they are triggered by new memories as well. But this was a special day. Although I was not there my soul and heart sure were! Here is a boy who has become a man and grew up playing baseball. Here is a man that is literally on the cusp of starting his career in life working with math, numbers, checks , and balances. Here is the man who would as a child be depressed if a game was lost to another team. But this day, he WON! His Team WON! He was greeted at Home Plate and his father was witness to a day of elation, pride, love, and memories that will stand out in time for years to come.
How very precious this day was/is...