What I’m Doing –

Last Monday, I had just come home and sat down to check the news and couldn’t believe what I was watching.  Notre Dame was on fire. Dramatic images filled the screen of flames leaping from the roof of the 850 year old Cathedral.

I feel I need to explain at least to myself why the devastating fire at Notre Dame has affected me so deeply. 

History – 

I have a degree in History. I believe strongly in the value of history and how it should be preserved and shared. The fact that Notre Dame had stood for centuries meant it was a tremendous host of history. A 12th Century cathedral that took 2 century’s to complete was severely damaged in a matter of hours this past Monday. Surviving the French Revolution and two World Wars it appears it was a construction accident (yet to be determined) that nearly destroyed it. Thankfully it stands. Irreplaceable art, stainglass, aritfacts, documents, wood carvings, stone work, all threatened. I love the stories of brave individuals forming a human chain to save the Cathedrals artifacts. .

I will now be counted as one of the lucky millions (billions?) who had the chance to visit the cathedral not once but twice.  My first visit to Paris was in 2001   . I was chaperoning a European trip sponsored by the school I was teaching history at. I was over the top excited to be going on my very first trip over seas. We landed in London first and after enjoying several days there we took a ferry to France. 

 

My very first cathedrals were St. Paul’s and Westminster Abbey in London.  I was deeply moved by the majesty of these mammoth buildings. Hearing the choir sing and the organ play moved me to tears. 

 I grew up attending church. But I went to modest American churches.  Nothing up to that point in my life had prepared me for the grandeur and Cathedral is.

A few days after visiting the cathedrals in London I walked into Notre Dame. Once again I felt myself get emotional. It was simply awe inspiring, humbling and demanded a spirit of reverence unlike anything I had ever experienced. I’m not Catholic and I’m ignorant of the symbolic reasons behind lighting candles but I found myself wanting to light a candle, talk in hushed tones and just marvel at the history that was surrounding me. 

850 years –

850 years of historic wood beams in the ceiling went up in a matter minutes. Shocking how quickly something that has stood the test of time, that has hovered over the heads of generation after generation of people, from all over the world, could be gone in such a brief moment in time.  

A tragedy such as this always brings to my mind the importance of pictures. While the pictures I have from my visits to Notre Dame are pretty poor quality I treasure them.  Yes, of course pictures can be lost in a fire or to the digital black hole but they are what remains after a visit, event, experience or individual is just a memory. Pictures are what you can take with you and revisit as often as you want.

Lost-

I consider those who toured the cathedral that morning. They will be the last that ever had the honor of walking through the “original” Cathedral.  Those who worshiped there at the very last service that would be held there on Sunday.  My heart hurts the most for those who had plans to tour the cathedral the very next day and all the days following.  An opportunity lost. 

How I react to a situation like this is I suppose selfish. I immediately feel a panicky feeling that I have got to get to all those places in the world that I have been dreaming of visiting one day. With the harsh realization they may not be there by the time I can finally get there!

I am sad to think of my children and friends who will never get the opportunity to see Notre Dame as it was. I am deeply relieved to hear the structure has been saved and many of the precious artifacts were saved.  There seems to be no question that it will be rebuilt. But unquestionably it will forever be changed. 

What I’m Reading – 

Bill Bryson – “The Road to Little Dribbling”.  Have you read any of his books? I remember years ago when I discovered “A Walk in The Woods” by him. Crying with tears rolling down my face trying to read out loud to my husband what I had just read. Happily, I then tore through several more of his books, largely with the same affect.  However, I have to say this has not happened so far in this book… I find myself trudging through it. It reads more like a Lonely Planet guide of what towns not to visit in England. I am halfway through the book and he has revisited towns of his past and written over and over again how each town has lost its charm with painfully detailed stories of buildings that no longer remain. Where are the hilarious exchanges with people? There are flashes of his past humor and perhaps my sense of humor has changed, but I don’t thing so.

I was hoping for an entertaining and humorous read. Instead it reads like a guide book of places you don’t want to visit… I may not finish it.

What I’m Photographing

Headshots, headshots, headshots. It seems to be the season to update those profile pictures and I’m happy to help. These are from last week and I have two more headshot sessions in the studio this week.   

 

Hooray! This Sunday morning I am super excited to do my first Grad Session of the year in PDX! I always have so much fun on these shoots! I love my job!

There is still availability for my Spring Bloom Sale. Any Family or Senior Session booked in the month of April will receive $100 discount in addition to the $100 print credit you already receive. Contact me today to book your spot!

Goal Check

Honestly, I have been resting on my laurels and haven’t even considered working on my next goals. It is time for me to get on it! I completely missed writing out my April goals. On my to-do list for today!

I am still working on my goal of participating in Best of Clark County 2019. Voting ends Sunday April 21st. I would really appreciate your vote. Simply click this link https://www.columbian.com/contests/best-of-clark-county-2019/#// and then go to Services and scroll down to photographers.  While you’re there be sure to vote for your other favorite businesses in Clark County.

I have also found myself nominated for Battle Grounds Readers Choice through The Reflector. So I’m going for it in both of these competitions. Unlike Best of Clark County the Readers Choice allows for you to vote once per day. Here is a link http://readerschoice.thereflector.com/voting/. That competition ends April 23rd.

Thank you friends! I would not have gotten this far without your support!!!

My {Current} Favorite-

Being active again {kinda} . My back has been on a wild roller-coaster of ups and downs. I was so thrilled to be able to carefully begin doing some of the things I love again. But, just when I think I am finally over this stupid pain it rears its ugly head again. I have been able to rock climb and I went to a spin class and I was feeling good! However, Tuesday and Wednesday the pain was back with a vengeance and I think I now know what triggers it.  So more PT and Chiro appointments in my future. 

I see a light at the end of the tunnel….I just hope its not a train 🙂 

Shelly