The above picture is a couple years old but it is one of my all time favorites. I smile every time I see it. It reminds me of the good old days when I didn’t worry about how things looked. If it was bugging me I fixed it! It also makes me wish all things that bug me were so easily removed….

6 years ago Jeff and I were invited to “race” in Warrior Dash with a friend of ours. It was a blast! We weren’t fast but it was super fun to get filthy while challenging yourself to climb barriers, run up hills, walk across beams, climb rope ladders and swim through mud. At the very end you jump over fire! OK, obviously it was a very small fire but you know they are taking your picture so naturally you play it up as much as possible. This week as I sat fuming inside my house because of toxic air which kept me from photo shoots and dog walks and prevented me from leaving my house these, pictures popped up on my FB memories and I just laughed! While I was choosing to jump into that pit of mud I regretted it. Not because I got dirty, because I couldn’t move! The mud was so thick and there was nothing to push off of. Many of us ended up stuck for way to long.  I feel like that pit represents 2020 precisely!  Jumping over flames while my beloved NW is burning up was just so ironic. These pictures sum up 2020 for me so far.

What I’m Reading

Belong To Me – by Marisa de los Santos

A novel about a group of women and how their lives intersect despite differences, prejudices and secrets.  The primary point of this novel for me was first impressions can be changed and don’t let what others believe about you change who you are. There is forgiveness and understanding that blooms in this book which is refreshing to read during a time of such turmoil for our nation. There have been times in my life where I pull away from someone based on first impression – I protect myself. I liked how one of the main characters Cornelia didn’t let the coolness of Piper keep her from being friendly and reaching out in spite of Piper’s snobbishness. The result a beautiful friendship. My take away from this book. I need to remember to not be so sensitive. Some days I’m not, some days I am – can you relate?

4 stars

Animal Farm – by George Orwell

Yes, it’s true I had never read this book. My high school education just didn’t include any literature and the little I received in college didn’t include many of the classics everyone seems to know about. I have had this on my shelf from probably 20+ years.  I’m glad I’ve finally read it. I feel like “I’m in the know” now. I’m also looking at animals differently, the ducks out back were quaking in a different way this morning…

Extremely Hazardous – to just Unhealthy for sensitive groups

What a nightmare the past 2 weeks have been. So many people have lost everything. The lucky ones just had to evacuate (which is miserable) and those of us who are the luckiest have had to choke on the worst air quality in the world.  Never in all my years here in the NW have I been afraid to breathe the air. Lucy has been absolutely beside herself wondering why on earth her walks and adventures aren’t happening.  There were days when I couldn’t see across the street but mostly there was just the strong smell of smoke which gave me headaches every time I did go out in it.  Having to keep doors and windows shut for our health is just wild to me! I have never been so grateful for rain in my life! According to the Columbian this week Vancouver had topped the state Department of Ecology meter at 500 AQI it may have been higher but that was as high as the meter would go.

So I did a puzzle, rearranged the living room, put out my fall decorations and cleaned the entire house and did all of the laundry. Once again we were all trapped inside our homes. When I did choose to venture out I found places I was trying to go to closed because of AQI. It was like March 2020 all over again! This year has been one surprise after another.

Thankfully we are getting better everyday! Our situation is much improved today and I pray it only gets better from here! The rain that started last night is helping us get closer to the safe mark and visibility is improving. I don’t even smell the smoke today!

What I’m Photographing 

I’m trying not to lose my mind. My two busiest times of the year are Spring and Fall. I was deemed “unnecessary” and had to close my business in the Spring and now toxic air is forcing me to reschedule sessions. I know I’m not the only one who feels like you keep getting knocked down every time you get up again.  But that’s what we’ve got to do! So my scheduled sessions from this past week have been moved. This Sunday I pray I will be able to do an engagement session as well as a Senior session. I absolutely love photographing my clients and I’m so sad when there are delays. But they are just delays we will make it happen! 

Yesterday I toured a new studio space in town. Luxrae Loft is really nice! It’s a perfect option when the weather isn’t working out for sessions and you don’t have the option to reschedule. I have an upcoming extended family session planned for the end of this month at Lucia Falls. Family will be traveling in for this shoot so rescheduling due to weather isn’t an option. So we have decided on the peace of mind option of reserving the studio in case the weather doesn’t cooperate. I’m thrilled with this local option here is their website check it out https://www.luxraeloft.com/

I have also spent hours working with my web designer this week. I’m looking forward to a new design for my website. While I was working on the website I was also ordering new pictures for the studio. It’s an investment to print new images to display but I realized that the majority of pictures in my studio have been on display for years. Time to update! I can’t wait. 

What I’m looking Forward To

Next week Jeff and I will be at the beach. Like so many others, we had to cancel our original plans due to our lovely pandemic. Originally we were going to Niagara Falls. I have never been and I was so excited to explore that area with our sweet friends from Georgia. While we still hope to do that some day clearly this is not the year. It was decided we still needed to get out of town. So Oregon Coast here we come! Lucy has some serious pent up energy so I know she will be running us ragged on the beach! 

Fall Mini Sessions – October 11th

Have you noticed? The leaves are changing!!! While they were covered in smoke they were quietly beginning their transition from rich greens to stunning reds, oranges and yellows! Hooray! I have already begun gathering pumpkins (any excuse is a good excuse for me to gather pumpkins) and mums. Soon I will be picking up the straw bales and corn stalks. My super cool green pumpkins are still on the vine and growing. I will be bringing out some cool props from the studio as well. This is going to be such a pretty backdrop for these Fall sessions. Don’t miss out! I have a few spots left! Click the link to see the details and which 20 min time slots are still available. Don’t be afraid to click the link and look around. There is no obligation until you enter your payment info. Go ahead and check it out!

Click Here https://book.usesession.com/s/fA76vQ785