10 Things to Live By

1. Throw out nonessential numbers and factors.
This includes age, height, eye and skin color, who your parents
are, past stuff and present stuff that you can’t change.
Don’t worry about what you cannot change.

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
Who you are attached to will bless you up or mess you up.
Make sure that YOU are a cheerful friend and not a grouch.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts,
gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. ‘An idle mind is
the devil’s workshop.’ And the devil’s name is Alzheimer’s.

4. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

5. Enjoy the simple things. Breath is one of the simple things.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. Don’t blame
others for your situation. The only person, who is with us our
entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it’s family,
pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is
your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is
unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get
help. Your body is the most important vehicle you will ever own.

9. Don’t take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the
next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every
opportunity.

Feel young and live life to its fullest each day!

I am one of twenty-three

I am very excited to be a part of this [juried] exhibition... this economy has had an affect on my own life in many ways... not all positive - not all negative.

I hope you will join us on October 29th, 2009 for the reception at Chromatics - I'm sure it will be well worth it.

If I should die before I wake...

An email is received on Friday night that a new friend has died... a man that I only met twice - but who forever will remain with me and the funny story that he created on our last meeting.

FINNEY, Michael Dean "Rick" Was born in Nashville, TN June 8th, 1946, and died there on September 29th, 2009. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mildred and Sol Schulman, and beloved mother-in-law, Peggy "Me-Mama" Whitworth. Rick is survived by his wife, Eleanor Whitworth Finney; son, David Charles Whitworth; birth mother, Velma Dean Finney; father-in-law, Charles Bosley Whitworth, Jr.; brother-in-law, Charles Bosley Whitworth III, and his cousin, "Aunt Alice" Zimmerman. Mr. Finney attended old Woodmont Elementary School, Castle Heights Military Academy in Lebanon, TN, The Bellefaire School in University Heights, OH and University of Tennessee. Rick lived his life in Technicolor. He adored the Whitworth family's "Gin Farm," and managed it with a true love of the trees, flowers, streams and animals, as well as the Turnbull Sports Club members. But Rick will surely be best remembered for his truly incredible voice and songs. From singing bass with Johnny Cash, to many voices for Disney and commercials such as the Pace Picante Salsa classic "New York City ... Get a rope!" to movie roles in Jim Varney's Ernest Goes To Jail and Ernest Scared Stupid, Coal Miner's Daughter, At Close Range (starring Sean Penn and Christopher Walken), Sam Stumpf'sThe Misadventures of Amy Everhart (Winner, Best Children's Film, Long Island Film Festival) and NBC's Elvis: The Early Years, as well as appearances in music videos with Ray Charles, Waylon Jennings, John Prine, Keith Whitley, Dr. Hook, "Cowboy" Jack Clement, Hank Williams, Jr., John Hartford, Roy Orbison, Moe Bandy and Tammy Wynette. Many of his compositions were recorded by artists like George Jones, Johnny Paycheck, Charlie Rich, Bobby Bare, Freddie Hart and O.C. Smith. Rick's velvet voice and larger-than-life personality made him the hit of any party. He even shared the stage of Nashville's "Night Train" with acts like Little Richard, Jimi Hendrix, Bo Diddley, and Chubby Checker. He still holds the record for being the main opening act at Nashville's Exit In with his humorous songs and friendly stage presence. While there, he met and performed with such artists as the B-52's, Dobie Gray, Clifford Curry, Johnnie Rivers, Jose Feliciano, B.B. King, Steve Martin, Asleep at the Wheel, Del Shannon, Johnny Winter, Bobby Bland, Linda Rondstadt, Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, Willie Dixon and many more. As one of his multitude of friends said, "What a beautiful human being!" And as Rick himself wrote, "We will meet, but we will miss him. There will be one empty chair. We will linger to caress him when we breathe our evening prayer." Indeed, know that your Lambie, Pikachu, and all of your countless friends love and shall miss our one-of-a-kind "Ramie" ... A Memorial service will be held at St. George's Episcopal Church, 4715 Harding Pike, at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 3, 2009 with family visitation and luncheon afterwards at the Finney home on Cornwall Avenue. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of one's choice. MARSHALL DONNELLY COMBS, (615) 327-1111.

Big John

While working at the Tennessee State Fair as the Co-Chair of the Photography Exhibit, I met many interesting people. As the 22 days together progressed, I would make pictures of my fellow workers inside the Creative Arts Building - John was a favorite, interesting, and humble character of a man - a career Metro Works employee, now retired but works the fair every year.

John was the last photograph made - he held out till the final day - it happened spontaneously... it is my favorite.

Little Piggies

And the photographic fun continues - I LOVE this shot!

Boots

After spending a good amount of time with the "Mule Horses" (this city girl had never heard of this species...), I noticed this...

Kyle Brooks comes out to Play!

Ask and you shall receive! Kyle Brooks, a singer/songwriter friend of mine asked if he could come out and play inside our photography exhibition here at the TN State Fair - I pulled a few strings... and vua la! Here he is - he sounded awesome - I love his songs!

As always - CLICK on the image to see a larger version!

Funkie Chicken?

Never seen a funkie chicken like this up close. They move fast - see the blur in the red thingie hanging down... kinda cool.

The Couple Cuddle

After the wedding these two really needed a break - anything that could go wrong seemed to go wrong for their critically planned wedding. The rain did clear for the actual ceremony - than started almost immediately afterward. Thanks for clearing the skies during the ceremony God!

The Mother and The Bride

48 Hours - Tempus Fuget Films Team - Best Acting Ensemble!!!

I just found out that the team I was on WON best ensemble!!! How cool!!!

48 Hours - Tempus Fuget Films Team

I was honored to work with a wonderful group of people this weekend on our film "Last Call" - a Suspenseful Thriller created by the Tempus Fuget Films Team. An interesting cast of characters in front of and behind the camera.
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See ARMY WIVES appearance!

If you missed it, here's an easy way to see it without having to sit through the entire episode: http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/shows/army-wives/full-episodes/season-3/video/about-face

I appear just after the third commercial at about 24:40.

Flutter By's

In March of 2004 I captured (photographed) my first butterfly. After that I was smitten with the beauty and detail of these tiny little creatures. In the past couple of weeks I was able to capture a few more at various locations around the country. ENJOY!!!
I love to get up close and oh so personal...

Angels Among Us - VA, NH, NY, & KY

My dream to search and photograph angels around our country and the world has begun... here are a few of them captured recently on my adventure to New England in July of 2009.

Angels Among Us in Rochester, NY

I specifically stopped in Rochester, NY to see my friend Lori -she's been sick with Cancer -this is her husband Steve acting like an Angel... he just gave me directions to the Mt. Hope cemetery where I captured these rockin' angels!!!



Mt. Hope Cemetery - Rochester, NY

LIke Butter!!!

I stopped at two butterfly houses today, one in Westford, NH and one in South Deerfield, MA.





They are so BEAUTIFUL!!! Like Butter!