Good News, Bad News

Good News...

I spent an hour or so this afternoon shooting photos of sassy colts and their mommas. I'll post more later, but here's one of my favorites.

(Better news? It might lead to more horse photography gigs!)

Bad News...

My 70 to 300mm Nikor lens won't focus, either in auto or manual.
Dang it.
Guess it's time for a check-up.

But Other Good News...

I finished editing photos from my first "Baby Bump" photo shoot and here are a few of my favorites... (do I really have to pick a photography'niche'? I enjoy them all!)

Life is Good

I've been in Florida for the past two weeks. 

Another family gathering, but under sad circumstances, this time. My husband's father suffered a stroke and passed away a few days later on the 9th. 

We were blessed to be at his side and to be able to stay as long as we did. After praying to find a full time job, I was giving thanks I hadn't found one yet so I didn't have to worry about the time away. 

It was a time of sadness, but also a time of laughter... a gathering of family from all corners of the country. 

Besides two weeks of celebrating Pop's life, Tom and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary, a nephew turned 12, and a brother turned 51. 

Life goes on, and it's good.  I know Pop would agree.

I don't care how poor a man is; if he has family, he's rich. 

~ Dan Wilcox and Thad Mumford

The last photo I took of Pop, at our family gathering a month ago. 

A few scenes from the past two weeks...

Pop was included in the cribbage games

Sons and a grandson raise a toast to Pop in the Kenneth P. Shallue Honorary Man Cave 

(aka NWA... No Women Allowed)

I spent a morning at the beach, photographing another (younger!) Mr. and Mrs. Tom Shallue who are expecting Pop's fifth great-grandchild very soon!

The Knights of Columbus held vigil over Pop's casket at the visitation service and Rosary

A table for 45, please...

Tom with a few of Pop's brothers and sisters, raising a toast to Pop

Thirty years and still smiling (most of the time)

Nine good men and the woman who raised them, with Pop's help

More cribbage...

...and cousins playing a rowdy game of 3-13

Discovering the wonders of nature

Boy cousins. No other words necessary.

Uncles giving advice in the man-cave...

Happy 12th birthday, Tyler!

Happy 51st birthday, Russ!

Yes. 

Yes, it is.

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them. 

~ Desmond Tutu

(And I'm so grateful for the gift of two beautiful families.)

Beach Yoga

Just spent a week in Pensacola Beach, visiting family, but also breathing in the sight and sounds and smells of the Gulf of Mexico and the snow-like sand, and letting go of my 'real' world and its daily stress. 

Obviously we aren't the only ones who come to the beach to de-stress. 

On one of my morning walks, I noticed this gull apparently giving yoga lessons beside the water.

  

He's pretty good, isn't he?

Hope you had a relaxing week!

I'm Kind of a Big Deal.

Scattered among the junk, antiques, and interesting people of the Wimberley Market Days, I also found words of inspiration.

Well, this first one just made me smile. 

I wish I could have bought ten or twenty to give to friends. 

I had to be satisfied with a photo...

Hope you're having a week full of inspiration and joy and beautiful dreams. 

I'm still busy with family, but will be hopping around to your internet porches for a good visit soon!!

Wimberley Market Days People

I fully intended to break my Wimberley weekend into just four posts...

...until I started going through my Market Days photos. 

I wasn't joking when I said I used my camera for shopping therapy, but I didn't stop at photographing things that caught me eye...

...there were also tons of people who caught my eye!

At one booth, the shopkeeper asked if I was part of the photography class.

It seems an instructor often takes his class to Market Days for hands-on practice.

I spotted them under the pavilion.

This little beauty was leading her daddy around. 

He didn't mind if I took her photo. 

How could I resist those blue eyes?

This artist created and sold his pieces right there in his booth.

Entertainment for those of us taking a break under a pavilion.

Recycling at its best - swings and planters made from old tires. 

Fireplace mantels made of carved and polished wood. 

Tom could do this!

The weather was perfect at 7:30 am when we first arrived.

Then it got HOT! This is the line for shaved ice treats.

Don Blevins, author of numerous nonfiction books about Texas. I would love to sit and talk to him for a few hours.

I loved this woman's hat!

The $1 per item rack. My friend Cheryl found tons of great pieces in there!

She also spotted this new friend high on a shelf in another shop. 

It was exactly the right price.

Stay tuned for Words of Inspiration at the Market, coming soon!

Weekend in Wimberley (Part 4: Oh, Deer!)

Deer love cantaloupe.

Did you know that?

I didn't until my weekend in Wimberley earlier this month.

See the look of delight and contentment on this deer's face? 

She ate every last crumb we tossed out there. 

So we saved bits of watermelon, strawberries, avocado... ah, I can't remember what else we saved and then tossed to the deer.

But they loved us for it!

Do you see the third fawn in the photo above?

Lots of little ones!

It was a tight knit family... even the men are watching over the babies.

"You looking at me?"

Gossip time, obviously.

Keeping an eye on me!

The babies were my favorites.

You wouldn't believe how many photos I took of this guy dancing for his dinner. 

I'm not sure what he's going after... acorns? 

Whatever it was, he really, really liked them!

And I really, really enjoyed watching him eat!

Hope you enjoyed the photos as much as I enjoyed taking them!

I'll be focused on family this next week so if you don't see me popping up on your blogs or on Facebook, that's why. 

Hope you have a great week!


(Thanks to Hilary of The Smitten Image for selecting this post as a Post of the Week!)