A Tribute for Fathers

Father's Day is tomorrow.  Many thoughts float in and out.  First, I miss my dad.  He has been gone for 5 years now.  Our fathers shape our lives in ways mothers do not.  He was a big man in my life, and I didn't fully appreciate him, of course, until I was old enough to understand him a bit more.  Father's are such a powerful force in our lives. 

Col. Robert A Campbell

Then I married and was blessed with 2 great children, and with their father comes another wonderful story... but I am going to share the pictures that I framed and will give him tomorrow.  And now he has my love & respect as a Father, not an easy role to fulfill. 

Ivan & Terry

Safely in Holding Hands

Yes,

Yes, we taught them early....

Time for Reflection

MY Dad!

 Happy Father's Day to all you Dad's out there....

Taking a Step...

I am undertaking another step in learning to put myself "out there" literally.

I am going to enter some images into a local call for entries for the Exhibit "Photomorphosis".

I started attending the meetings to a group I joined, long ago, at the local Art Center now known as  San Luis Obispo Museum of Art.  It has always been a challenge to put myself among other accomplished artist/photographers.  This group amazes me with the collective talent in the room.  Any way...we were asked to bring images for review, ok, that was a challenge.  So I printed some, did not email them as I should have and missed the opportunity to get some feedback.  So now, I have asked for one person to please give me some feedback on them, it is a lesson on many different levels.
The type of imaging being called is, well, let me quote:

"The goal of Photomorphosis is to showcase a wide variety of cutting edge digital imaging techniques which "morph" or stretch an image into a more abstract, expressionistic, impressionistic, or pictorial look and feel..."

Here are 6 that I have chosen, which in itself is difficult, how do you choose from literally thousands of pictures to play with?

So here I go, if anyone is even reading this, I would appreciate some feedback.  Thank you in advance.

Tomales Bay and Oysters!

Going back a bit further, to a long weekend taken in Sonoma to watch the AMA National Superbikes for a bit of racing, we took a ride over to the coast, which is always one of my favorite places to be.

I had read an article on the best places to try Oysters and there were 2 named in Tomales Bay, CA . One was The Marshall Store .  I have never had Oysters before, except when my dad would open a tin of smoked oysters.  So, since we were passing by anyway, I talked my husband into stopping and joining me for a new adventure.

 They took fresh oysters, shucked them, put them on the BBQ, added some sauce, covered them and warmed them through.  Yes, warmed them......

What could be better, motorcycle, the coast, and trying something new!

OK, here we go!

Lookin good!

One of the faces I made..

Actually, not too bad after the first initial shock of texture, gulp...

All done

 

 

 

Outside seating overlooking the bay

And that was that.....new experience, happy tummy and ride on down the road....

Memorial Weekend at the Arroyo Grande Strawberry Festa

Last weekend was Memorial Weekend.  My first thought is always of those that served and are serving our country to preserve my rights.  A heartfelt thank you to all.  My dad was a Marine, so I am officially a military brat.  My son in law is in the Navy and I respect and honor him and our daughter who support him.  My niece's husband is in Marines, and again my respect to both.

I had the pleasure of going to our local Strawberry Festival in  Arroyo Grande, CA . with our son and his girlfriend.  We had a great time eating funnel cakes, sipping lemonade and listening to local music.  Many crafters had their wares.  It was the first warm weekend we had had in a long time...almost too warm.  

Sites of the Festival....

Makes my mouth water!

What a fun parasol!

OKAAAA!?

Reflections of Strawberry Festival

THE best part!!!

 On Monday, we had a great BBQ with family and friends...great food & great company

Life Is Good

Loving Black & White

I lost me head in SF

I must confess that I feel the best when "playing" with my pictures.  I can lose myself for hours editing, playing and just reminiscing with the memories.  Trying new things and incorporating art with photography.  

Today I was fortunate to play, clean up a few things, try a few new things, join a new photog group through digital-photography-school.  There are so many directions to go and I have so many ideas, which is usually what ends up frustrating me for lack of time.  Alas, it is a Sunday and Monday is looming at the door.

But for now, it has been a sweet endeavor that I will visit when I can.
My black & white photos are these...
Hope you see something in them as I did....
Cat

It's always Garlic Time

Froom Ranch in San Luis Obispo after a storm

Yours Truly above the clouds in Sonoma Valley, w/ thanks to my hubby

Stonehenge

Agrigento, Sicilia

Moon Door at Old Edna

Trapani, Sicilia

Mother's Day

What an honor and a privilege to be able to celebrate Mother's Day.  In reading my Bible Study this morning it spoke of a photograph taken by Gertrude Kasebier named "Blessed Art Thou Among Women".  I was not familiar with her so I looked her up and this is the photo.

Blessed Art Though Among Women by Gertrude Kasebier

 

 

 

Gertrude Kasebier

This got me thinking about my journey to motherhood and how truly blessed that I have the miracle of the two children that I do.  Any one that knows me personally, knows the struggles I had with infertility and how difficult of a time that was.
So when I was actually able to have a child, it was not by mishap but long sought after.  First the miracle of out daughter and then then second blessing of our son by adoption.  As I was unable to conceive successfully after that. 

So my idea was to post some pictures, but that led me to photo albums and never enough time to do what I want.  The day calls me away.  But here are a few to share them with you, as I am still so grateful for the two of them each and every day.

Mother's Day 1981

Our Son

 

 

My Blessings!

 Could not have asked for more!

Cruisin through Morro Bay Car Show 2010

Got out & enjoyed the great weather this weekend.  We picked up my in laws and headed to Morro Bay for breakfast and to stroll the cars.  We knew they would like it, knowing they had some of the cars "back in the day" and bring back some good memories.

We started out with breakfast at Kitty's Kitchen with a great omelet and friendly service.  Then took to the streets for a walk.

The cars are always good for great color, lines and details.  So I had some fun, took some artistic leeway and here are the results of the morning.

Reflections

Dad in law admiring all the hardware

See the smile?  memories, good memories...

View at the end of the road

Pop's Favorite

 Always fun, always fun people......