Wednesday, February 27, 2008

under the tuscan sun


Street scene Cortona, Italia, canon digital rebel xti



A few months ago I had the pleasure of visiting Cortona, Italy. I took the most amazing pictures while I was there. In fact, four of the scenes I shot are going to be transferred to canvas and hung in my tuscan themed basement.

I was enamored with the narrow streets, the laundry hanging from lines between buildings, the architecture, the history and the food. I could definately buy a little villa there and spend several months out of the year.

Monday, February 25, 2008

freckles, red hair and spunk



Griffin at Lake Diane, MI, canon digital rebel xti



My little buddy Griffin is my nephew and you could say he is my "mini me". He not only has the freckles and the red hair but he also has that red-headed spunk that I have. I have seen him have several meltdowns and I chuckle to myself as I remember having those same feelings at his age. He has such a great spirit and he is so smart. He never forgets anything and he always makes me laugh. If I am lucky enough to have a child someday... I want one just like Griff

Friday, February 22, 2008

vote for denver



Bryan, Denver and my sweet nephew Griffin, canon digital rebel xti


I have been down with a horrible flu bug for the last three days. I haven't been this sick since my childhood. The problem with being sick as an adult is that your mom and dad aren't there to take care of you.

In happier news, Denver is in the Bissell Pet Photo contest. I am asking all of you to vote for him. You can vote by clicking here

Monday, February 18, 2008

where has time gone


Bryan and I, canon digital rebel xti


It's hard to believe that I have been married to this man for over ten years. When I met him over eleven years ago, I knew he was the love of my life. As time has gone by, I have felt more distant from him than in the first several years. I guess you take things for granted and life sometimes gets in the way. My illness certainly didn't help matters and it certainly didn't help that he was non empathetic and didn't know how to just be the way I needed him to. Through all the good times and bad, he is still my best friend. I wish I would have bottled up all the passion and excitement we had in the early days so I could use it now. Sometimes I find myself wishing we could meet all over again...

Sunday, February 17, 2008

shoot into the sun - superhero photo challenge


Piazza del Campo, Siena, Italy shot directly in the sun, canon digital rebel xti


This weeks superhero photo challenge over at Shutter Sisters is shooting into the sun. I have never been one to shoot directly into the sun until this fall when frankly I was left with no choice. I spent 21 glorious days in Italy this fall. Out of all the wonderful places I visited in Italy, I fell in love with Tuscany. I wanted to pack up and move, buy a villa and run my own farm producing olive oil and red wine.

I was in awe of the Piazza del Campo, the main square in Siena. It was breathtaking. It was massive in scale and the colors were fantastic. Everyday I took pictures from all angles of the clock tower and square. It rained and poured the entire time I was in Siena. I was bummed. The best photo opportunities of a lifetime and my pictures looked scary and downright frightening. There were storm clouds luming in every picture I took of the square.

The early morning of our last day, we were packing the car and the sun suddenly appeared. I ran down to the square as fast as I could to take what I hoped to be the fabulous shot I had dreamt of. I arrived at the square only to discover I would be shooting into the sun since it was so early. I decided to just let go and shoot into the sun. Besides... It gives me an excuse to go back and get that perfect shot.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

just be...


Denver the great outdoor dog


Sometimes I am jealous of my dog, Denver. He truly lives in the moment. He doesn't sit around during the day and wish things were different. Living with an illness is tough. There are many minutes of every day wasted on wishing I could go back in time or wishing that I would be miraculously healed. I grieve for all the things I have lost along the way and grieve the things that will not be accomplished in the future. I admit it I feel sorry for myself at times and the pain sucks me into a deep abyss. When I get into this funky "woe is me mood" I just have to let it out. I allow myself to cry for 10 minutes and then I throw myself into work, knitting or writing. I give myself a pep talk and hope that tomorrow will bring a ray of light.