Person 1 - Gentle Bear

My husband - A motorcycle riding, steel mill worker. Gruff on the outside with a loud booming voice. Gentle and cuddly on the inside with strong conservative morals. When he is angry his nostrils flare like an angry bull. However, in the 18 years that we have been married, I have never heard him cuss. He is an extremely strong man with a tattoo and an earring. He is also a very sweet man who lets his daughter and wife brush and braid his beard. I think the above image captures him and his personality very well and an edgier edit of that image is below. It shows how editing can really change the feel of a photograph.

My Life's People

As I lay in bed at 4:30 am, wide awake all night again, I began thinking about the people in my life. I think I would like to do a series of photographs of the people who share their life with me. A new expressive photo at least once a week of one of those people. One that tells a story, that you can see through the image something about who they are, not just what they look like. I wonder how many would be willing when I tell them I will be posting the picture on my blog? That would be interesting. Many of the people in my life are very private and may not like the idea. It could be quite a challenge for me. hmmm, we shall see what will happen...

Positive Thinking or Denial?

New York Times article on Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

The cancer I have, Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma was written about recently in the New York Times. Every time I read something about it, it smacks me the face with the reality of it all. It is a short article and reads easily to understand the basics of the disease. Reading yet again, "cannot be cured" and "typically, patients survive about 10 years after their initial diagnosis" Yes, some have survived longer but that is the average 7 - 10 years.
I try not to think about those things and yet I know I have to. I need to make sure my family is prepared. If I make it to 10 years my youngest child will then be 14 - 15 years old. This is one of those dark days that I have to force myself to face what may happen and to think about what I can do now to make things easier for my family to go on without me later.
I try to stay positive most of the time but where do you draw the line between staying positive and being in denial of reality?
I used to say that denial was my friend. Denial helped comfort me from painful thoughts and memories. Denial has now become my enemy, something I feel I have to fight right along side my fight with this incurable cancer.

Miniature Play

I photographed the play Beauty and the Beast at the Pitman Broadway Theater last week. I thought I would attempt to make the actors and set look as if they were miniature figurines, doll house sized. The play was fantastic. I think it is the best production they have done so far this year. These are my miniaturized version.

Are you sick of...

my cat yet?

Now offering Photo Sessions for Pets

Kidney Stones

After 5 days of pain, I THINK I passed these darn kidney stones. I woke up and had no pain throughout the day today. I did dream last night that I passed a kidney stone. In my dream I looked in the toilet and what I thought was a kidney stone that I passed was actually an electrode thingy that they put on you in the hospital. Haha, what makes us dream such things?

Ouch

My body has been trying to pass kidney stones for the past 3 days. I'm assuming that is the pain I feel in my back like someone is kicking me with pointy toed shoes. It happens about every 6 months. Hubby brought home something to help relax me a little tonight.