Occasions

We returned to Woods Edge farm for our third annual bonfire on Saturday. Angelina‘s non-profit hosted a camp for Native American youth this summer, and many of her campers returned for the day. So many sounds: Johnny Cash coming out of the barn speakers, horses neighing, a leaf blower making a giant pile for jumping, laughter, native flute. I spent time in the chilly upper pasture trying to get a good shot of the boy horses grazing. The only way I could keep them near me was to sing, so I made up the most ridiculous, operatic songs about horses and belted them while setting up my shots. Just when I thought I had the perfect picture, the horses were spooked by a squirrel. A SQUIRREL. So much for the power of opera.

We celebrated the life of a loved one this past weekend at the bay. Before stepping into the knee-deep water to take pictures, I pulled the bottom hem of my long grey skirt up between my legs and tucked it into the front of my waistband (think Lucy meets grapes). The flowers were so beautiful floating on the glassy surface. I followed them across the cove for a few minutes, watching the ripples from my movements gently rock each petaled head. After the sun set, the lanterns filled slowly with fire-warmed air and pulled away into the purple sky, flying in her memory and honor, while her flowers drifted in the tide below.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/DNZGlcfXM14

The above photo was awarded an Honorable Mention by the judges of the 2013 Mobile Photo Awards. This shot will be part of a show being held at the Soho Gallery For Digital Art in Manhattan from February 22-28. Opening reception is this coming Friday night and Lord willing I will be there to take it all in. We’ve needed an excuse to drive up to NYC and this seems like a pretty good reason to make the trip.

My sous-chef drizzled the maple sugar on the scones with more skill and style than I’ve ever brought to bear. My return to work weighed heavily on my heart and mind all day.

Spent the morning with my loves at a cozy coffee shop in Arlington. I wrote in my journal about 2013, about my hopes for renewal and rebirth. My girl began writing in her tiny purple Moleskine, too. Tonight we will light candles, share our writings and craft a family vision for this year to come. Then we will pop popcorn and play a game, and then we will blow out the candles and nestle down into our covers. And when we wake, it will be a new year.

Pre-dawn whispers (I stuffed my head under a pillow and went back to sleep). Presents opened before the eight o’clock hour. Hot coffee from the Chemex. Sweet, soft challah French toast eaten continental style by a bad piggie. Organic, fresh-pressed juice to cut through the sweet. Beautiful music streaming through the house. ...

For the first time, my girl helped braid the challah, her small fingers gently moving the ropes and curling in ends. We used the knife as a chisel and popped chunks of Callebaut in our mouths while we worked. The challah baked up quick. We left the hot loaf to cool on a wire rack and drove to church, where I sat on the edge of my seat as our pastor hit all the high notes in O Holy Night. Once home I sat in my bent wood chair under my mother’s cable-knit afghan and stared at the lights on the tree.

Three of my photos have been selected to be a part of the InstantDC Mobile Photography Show 2011, sponsored by the DC Ad Club and APA and in partnership with FotoweekDC. Opening night is Wednesday, November 9th at Interface Media Group, 1233 20th Street, NW, Washington, DC. I attended this same show last year as a wannabe. I moved from grouping to grouping and wondered if I’d ever be “good enough” to have anything of mine hanging next to anything of theirs. Crazy stuff.

Happy December! I’m downloading lusselatter recipes and making lots of plans for the month. I’m also listening to **Silje Nes** obsessively.