San Francisco

Well, it's finally here, the start of the San Francisco photos. This is just the first of many blogs it will take to get through the photos I have. First off, here are a couple of Jason, I mean, Wolf and his lovely gal, Lindsay. It was great to see Jason again and Lindsay was such a pleasure to meet. She was more than kind to share her home with us and we had a great time getting to know her...although it didn't take much to get used to her. She seemed to fit right in. (And I hope she's not offended that I say that! ;)
















We met Jason around 2 pm on Tuesday before Thanksgiving. He took us to a cool local bar and grill for a much needed dinner. After that, we walked around downtown Livermore.




















This is the man with a creepy eye outside an Italian restaurant on the main downtown street. I thought he was cool...except for that weird eye.








On Wednesday, Ed, one of Jason's friends, showed us around the city (cities.) He was quite the tour guide, taking us to all kinds of cool locations. The first place he took us was this hotel in Berkeley. It was amazing...
























Okay, there is much more to come very soon...so ya'll come back now, ya hear?

The Greatest Show on Earth

First of all, let me say...I love the snow! This much snow has been heaven!












More on that to come soon...now on to the point of this post. For our 5th anniversary this year, Zac and I went to the Dave Rawlings Machine (click here for DRM) concert at the Granada in Lawrence.








Allison Olassa and her friend (forgive me, neither Zac nor I caught his name) opened for them. For a few songs, Allison played the accordion, something you don't see often. It was refreshing. I enjoy the accordion.












Then for the real fun...




















This was the second time we have seen the Dave Rawlings Machine in concert and they were, yet again, amazing. A few years ago we saw them at the Waiting Room in Omaha and it was quite different.
















This show had much more energy at times with the addition of Ketch Secor, Willie Watson and Morgan Jahnig (all from Old Crow Medicine Show...click here for OCMS). They are all brilliant musicians and it is obvious that they spend a lot of time playing together. I can't get enough of Dave Rawlings and Gillian Welch.












Thanks to the Dave Rawlings Machine for another incredible show!

An Intriguing Old Farm

Over the summer, I had the chance to take some photos of a friend's barns...(click here). A couple of weeks ago, I was back in action at the mountain. There was more light and I found all kinds of new old things to capture. I hope you're ready for this...it's long!




















He took me into the old milk barn where I found this old rusty plow. There was so much to see, I didn't know where to look first.




















This farm was the first place outside the Eudora city limits to have electricity from Eudora's grid.




























They have promised me that there is still more to see. So another installment may be on it's way in a few months.

Alexandria

This is Alexandria. She was very tired during our session, but we did end up getting a few good shots. Her skin is perfect. And she is so sweet! Oh, I just love little babies!
























I am still looking for babies to photograph. If you have a little baby, or know someone who does, let me know. Thanks.

Creativity

Sometimes I need to get out of the house. Sometimes I need to take photos. This was one of those days.








Taking pictures heals my soul in a way that nothing else can. I don't know what it is, but it makes me step back and take a new look at the situation I am in. It can change the way I feel about something in particular or the way I feel about everything.












On days when I am feeling sad, tired, angry, or hurt, all I have to do is go for a walk, camera in hand with no place to be.












Luckily for me, the kids are almost always up for a walk! And sometimes I get to try new things. Some of those things will be useful in the future...some may not be.
















But somewhere between actually coming up with new ideas and seeing the finished product, I begin to feel better about myself, my situation, my life.