The Knox's

In December of 2004 I shot this photo while this couple was waiting for me to get prepared to take their family Christmas photo. I told them to just relax and be with each other... then the magic happened... It was my first shot, and they weren't really ready yet...Maybe it's just me, but I think this shot is so sweet, the way he is holding her, and the way their hands are entangled...

I'm not mad...

I'm not quite sure how to react to this... I've sat just staring at the package that I put in a public postal mailbox days ago; thinking it was on its way to the little girl that it was meant for... These are children's books, not a bomb... it was going to a destination only 35 miles away from its origin... there was no need for it to go on an airplane... it is OBVIOUSLY not a threat...What have our lives come to with this terrorism? I'm not mad; I'm just affected now. Sure, if I book a flight now, I am affected by all the extra security at the airport... the hassle, etc. I don't enjoy flying anymore... I don't like being treated like a criminal... what happened to our rights? I don't live in FEAR... I work hard to NOT live that way in this society...

When I was a little girl, I used to collect stamps... I LOVE the colors of stamps, I love the Art of stamps, and I always thought that the cancellation stamp that the post offices do was also very interesting... that is why I put "stamps" on a package for children to see. It takes me longer to do; but there is an educational purpose in why I do it... and now, because I put stamps on it... it got sent back to me... how sadly confusing…

Please don't get me wrong; I'm not mad...and I’m not really sure what the RIGHT thing to do in this situation is… I'm confused as to how far we (as a Nation) will let things go in this country before we just stop having ANYTHING to do with our fellow human beings; I’m talking about personalization…

I live deep in the woods of Tennessee for a reason; and every day that reason becomes stronger and stronger. I am away from the ANGER in the streets. I moved to Tennessee fifteen years ago to get away from the anger of Los Angeles people, there are so many wanting to get where someone else already is... my property values don't sky rocket where I live, but they don't drop either... it’s consistently rising…

I just don't know how to react to this... I AM a proud American, but I am also a confused American...

P.S. I bought this postal scale at Costco ($19.99+tax) a few weeks ago; to save on fuel (the post office is a 22 mile round trip)… now I guess I can’t use that either… are we REALLY a democracy anymore?

Tree of Love

The tree of love sold tonight at the Untitled Art Exhibit. I priced it to sell, and it did! I'm so pleased to see one of my children go out into the World and grace another human beings home. How cool!

A 1000 Clicks

A picture is worth a thousand words... well, I took about a thousand photographs of Don Kirchner last week, the author of A Matter of Time, and the founder of the Society for Return to Honor. Entering prisons has become easy for me now. These are just men and women who have made some wrong choices... they're doing their time... this could be you or me... easily...Click on the photo montage to see a larger version.
Click on the photo montage to see a larger version.
Click on the photo montage to see a larger version.

Jack Ass?

So I'm driving down the street minding my own business... and there they were a couple of Jack Ass'.

Why Orange?

It's kinda weird to think that I'm getting used to going into correctional facilities... spending time with large groups of inmates... and taking their picture... I'm actually enjoying this human experience...

Today I asked someone in the know... Why Orange? His answer was simple, "Because it is a color that isn't normally worn by just anybody, and if an inmate were to escape, the color would be quickly recognized." That made complete sense to me, and after the answer I felt a little stupid for not having figured that one out... but then again in my own defense I do live in Tennessee where Orange (and White) are staples in clothing color choices (Tennessee University).

I'm a visual artist; I am attracted to certain colors more than others... Orange is not one of them...

Weed Eating Again!

She showed up again... I think she's really serious about finishing ALL my weeds. I think she's eating for more than herself, I could see some nipple action...

Weed Eater 2007

This past month in middle Tennessee we've seen record highs and record draught. I took a chance and spent a few extra dollars to save my lawn... it's a small lawn where my dog Lucy visits daily... I didn't want her in dust and dirt... anyway... guess who else has been attracted to my lawn???

A beautiful deer eating up my weeds... she's been back twice today; (as far as I've seen) she's driving Lucy nuts. With the draught, we haven't had to mow the lawn at all, and with the watering, the weeds are thriving... so I'm grateful to her for eating the weeds! She's my weed eater 2007 model.

Empowering CHILDREN to be CREATIVE!

Here he is! The cool cat of the twenty-first century! The next collectible happy meal character! The dude!

Empowering CHILDREN to be CREATIVE! Teaching children how to Love, Appreciate, and Respect themselves (and others)!

It's a small small world...

I am laughing my %$@ off right now looking at the picture of me catching a wedding bouquet 26 years ago... there was NO WAY I wasn't going to catch it... look at the height advantage I had alone... what a hoot to see this picture so many years later.

How did I come across this photo?

It was sent to me by the groom/husband (David) of my sorority sister (Maribeth)... talk about a SMALL world... they are now living in Nashville too! And, to top it off, David is a part of the production team on "A Father's Choice," an independent film made here in middle Tennessee last April. I guess that editing was being done on the film, and Maribeth recognized either me or my name... I talked about the production in my April 30 blog entry; I play a nurse in the maternity ward in a scene with the lead character.
Here's the other photo's David sent me; ahhhh the memories...

Fortune 1

Just like I wrote to Oprah, "I believe in the power of believing!" My life took a turn for the best about 28 days ago... everything from there on out has been more than hopeful. But really what made the difference were the decisions that I made to make it that way.

I am creating the life that I have always wanted... I am an active participant in this experience! I do believe in asking for something, and then doing what it takes to receive that request. I expect to receive, this has changed my life too.

I invite YOU to do the same... I'm having the time of my life; I smile a lot more each day. I am happy - and I accept this in my life daily!

6 Entries 6 Winners

One of the best county fairs in middle Tennessee is happening as we read. I entered six of my photos into the photography contest since I am a member of the Brentwood Camera Club in Williamson County and that entitled me to do so. Here are my winners.

The categories I entered were: People, Architecture, Scenic/Landscapes, Still Life, Animals/Domestic/Farm/Zoo, and Nature/Flora/Wildlife.

Click on the photos to see a larger version.

A GREAT loss...

This is a sad time for me. A truly "GOOD Friend" passed today. It is hard for me to describe the feelings that I have during this passing. Mostly confusion. I thought he was going to beat this thing... this cancer... and then again, maybe he did beat it; by not staying here on this plain to continue to experience the hardship of living with this dis-ease. His final weeks were filled with dis-ease. He quietly left us this morning. I remember him with a smile and a snicker at some of the funny experiences we shared over the years... especially the "pickle"... (you had to be there, and only he, Claudia, and myself were there...) that was one of those unforgettable laughs.

I snapped this photo of Bill last year while celebrating his birthday at the Lovelace Cafe with many of his friends... What a nice man... he will fondly be remembered... never an unkind word EVER came out of this man's lips...

Many years ago I heard it said, "that sometimes God takes the best flowers from the garden," Bill was a GORGEOUS flower.

Portrait of a Family Heirloom

I believe I am finished with this challenge. I like this picture because the lighting is the best of all of them.

This was a good exercise, it broadened my horizons... stretched my brian... and my brain too...

Tomatoe Art (take two)

Am I trying too hard? Which one?