Happy May Friends,
Class of 2020 Graduates –
I’m thinking a lot about the Class of 2020 Graduates lately. I received a graduation announcement in the mail this week and it made my day! I hope everyone is finding ways to celebrate despite the radical changes in our lives during this pandemic. As the Graduates of the Class of 2020 finish up their highly unusual school year I hope they know that we are every bit, if not more, proud of them! I hope you find ways to wear a cap and gown and hear the graduation march – even if its just in your backyard with your family.
This is what Coronavirus is teaching us. How to look at things in a different way. It’s pushing us way out of our comfort zones. Yes, it is handing us a lot of disappointments and frustrations there is no denying that! But when we can, we should strive to be innovative, creative and overall hopeful, proud and excited about these moments that aren’t what we thought they would be. I don’t say that lightly. It is a real challenge to stay positive in the face of so many changed or cancelled events.
I spent the morning looking back at my Class of 2020 Senior Sessions. Katelyn was my first 2020 Senior and it was still Summer time. Then I think about all of the Fall sessions that followed. Never in a million years did we dream that your graduation would look different. It’s easy to go through life taking for granted what will be – mostly because it has always been.
I have such fond memories of each session as I look through them. There is no question that there is a ton of talent going out into the world! Wherever your path is leading you next, go boldly knowing nothing can stop you! Not even a pandemic!
Chin up Class of 2020 – You will not be forgotten! Congratulations to each one of you!
Unemployment Saga
Well after waiting a week the threat of taking money out of my account disappeared from the website. The word disqualified fell off of the 7 payments they had made to me. So that was great news! However, the word disqualified did pop up next to last weeks claim. I waited until Tuesday of this week to claim the previous week. I also checked my bank account and noticed that while the website clearly states I’m disqualified (of course without any explanation) they made the payment. And as of Wednesday morning they have not disqualified my latest claim. So…. I think I’m good.
If you missed last weeks blog and don’t know what I’m talking about click here https://shellyfryphotography.com/my-everyday/small-business-owner-shelly-fry-photography
It’s just weird how they don’t communicate with you at all. I’m just thankful they are no longer demanding money from me. Of course who knows what tomorrow holds?
Escape
I’m sure I’m not alone in my disappointment with the Governor’s announcement that our Stay at Home order is extended until May 31st. Regardless of how I feel about the necessity or effectiveness of the order, it is a challenge to see the inconsistency of other States opening up and life continuing on while I feel trapped. I went into Battle Ground yesterday and I am always struck by the amount of traffic and overall busyness. While home I imagine the rest of the world is home as well, but when I venture out I begin to question if I’m the only one staying home? Parks, fishing and hunting as well as golf are open and yet we are to Stay at Home? Why is golf an essential business?
I shoot 90% of my sessions outside and I can easily stay more than 6 feet from my clients honoring all social distancing guidelines – however, I am ordered to remain closed. It is a confusing time which makes it even more challenging.
So one of the ways I escape all this madness is by running away from home. Jeff and I hopped into the Jeep and headed into the wilderness on Saturday. It was raining and cold but we didn’t care. We stopped at roadside streams, Lucy went swimming and we had a picnic in the car. It just felt good to get out…to get away from everything and try to feel normal. No face masks, no lines on the floor to follow, everything looked very normal out there and it was beautiful.
We also switched out the hard top for the soft top and I’ve been driving around with the top down this week! Sometimes I just go for a drive in the sun. I will head over to the studio to make sure all is well there or take Lucy on daily treks. It’s just more fun with the sun on your shoulders!
What I’m Reading
Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah
I am not a sci-fi fan so the beginning of this book had me a bit worried. It is a heart felt novel about 3 individuals all struggling with the demons of their pasts. As they each struggle to find their way more of everyone’s past is revealed. It is this months book club pick. I look forward to discussing it with the girls. 5 stars
The Only Plane in The Sky – An Oral History of 9/11 by Garrett M. Graff
This book had me at page 1! I could not put this 424 page book down, I read it in less than 48 hours. I was completely riveted and transported back to 9-11-01. At times my heart was pounding and I was in tears. Not a book to lift the spirits. For me, it transported me back and told me more of the inside story of what individuals were experiencing as they were in NY, The Pentagon, or in the planes…. as well as those that were on the periphery of each of those events. This is a deeply moving and informative book about those who experienced 9/11 first hand. 5 stars
Bowlaway by Elizabeth McCracken
I just began this book and so far I’m not sure I will get through it. I’m trying to get into the style of her writing but so far it seems overly descriptive with a lack of development.
Imperfect Foods
I don’t like going to the grocery store. It has gotten worse with the mask. I really, really hate wearing the masks. They make me hot and sad! I feel this sadness come over me when I wear them. The one thing that keeps me going to the store more than anything is produce. A friend mentioned Imperfect Foods and I decided to give them a try. We received our first order on Tuesday and it was Perfect! Nothing imperfect about it. I’m a fan already!
Housekeeping
Last Friday SFP News – my monthly newsletter – hit inboxes. If you would like to sign up for my monthly newsletter use this link http://madmimi.com/signups/f92831e48f4c4758a38ad3779e2d9f9b/join
Also, just an FYI, I have had people comment to me that when they leave comments on the blog they don’t know if I see them. The answer is yes! I approve the comment and always respond. Apparently it doesn’t notify you that I have responded. If you go back to the blog post you will see my response. If you prefer you can always comment on the FB link where you do get notified when I respond. Please know that either way, comments, feedback, from my blog always make my day!
Thanks for stopping by friends,
Shelly
