Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving


Happy Thanksgiving!


In bocca al lupo.  m & v

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Photoshoot


Something I've been doing to earn a little extra income is photographing some musical events near home.  Last weekend the Hidden Valley Music Center hosted an event featuring the Monterey Flute Choir.  Over the past year I have photographed several of their concerts and my photos can be seen on their Facebook page.


The group has many fine musicians, some of whom are involved with other musical groups.


Through their generosity in inviting me to photograph their concerts I have been gaining a great appreciation for flute music along with improving my photographic perspectives.  

The Hidden Valley Music Center was a beautiful place to work.  The lighting was wonderful.




A favorite shot from a previous shoot.


In bocca al lupo.  m & v



Saturday, November 23, 2013

The Dunes


We finally found the entrance to Ft. Ord Dunes State Beach along Monterey Bay.  On the spot where I took this from there used to be an enlisted mens' club that was commissioned by General Stillwell.  It was an elegant place for the soldiers to relax and escape for a time during the wars.  The interior was beautiful with large well lit rooms, huge fireplaces, reading rooms, and beautiful murals painted by WPA artists.  In 2003 the building was torn down. The cliffs were eroding and the building had been battered by recent storms. The army tried to save the building, but nature won.  I don't know if the murals were preserved.  I know it was discussed. It will take some looking into.  One would hope that, at the least, there are photo documents. Stillwell Hall was the first enlisted mens' club built. Prior to that only officers warranted such grand accommodation for their relaxation.  The views of the bay were stupendous.


As we sat on the bluff a large school of Risso's Dolphins swam playfully by.  They leaped behind the waves and surfed within them.  For some reason every shot I took of those lovely dolphins came out extremely under exposed.  Must have been my excitement at seeing another creature at play.  We will just have to keep going back.

In bocca al lupo.  m & v

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Working Together


Today v and I had a job in Carmel Valley.  Good light in the manzanitas.

In bocca al lupo.  m & v

Monday, November 11, 2013

The Corner "Studio"


Setting up my corner photo shoot for the hands project.  I have working hands, exploring hands, teaching hands, loving hands, and now (hopefully) creative hands.  I'm loving film, but love the digital as well!

In bocca al lupo.  m & v

Sunday, November 10, 2013

The Lesson

One of my favorite shots taken with the film camera. v showing fb the features of fb's new iPhone one morning at coffee.

I'm so loving my film class.  I've never experienced a semester that went by so quickly, way to quickly...

In bocca al lupo.  m & v

Friday, November 8, 2013

Down Days


Today v is down from the chemo.  All those months that he had very little reaction...Since September it has been knocking him down for several days after the infusions.  We're so happy that we accomplished so much yesterday.  It makes today, and probably tomorrow, that much easier to deal with.

In bocca al lupo.  m & v

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Back in the Saddle


I have been sick for roughly a month.  Whatever it has been it is leaving and my energy is coming back.  Time to get out to the garden again. Mostly it needs to be put to bed, but there are some things we like to have on hand through the winter since it is so mild here.  Spinach is one of them.  From my energy point of view, this is all I can write today and still get some other work done.

In bocca al lupo. m & v


Monday, November 4, 2013

Big Sur Backroad


This morning I wanted to run down to Big Sur for a film shoot.  I took both cameras so I'd have something to share here.  I woke up wanting to add some redwoods to my tree portfolio.  v was finally feeling much better: no stomach pain, no abdomen pain, no back pain.  These are the majority of the complaints he had through September and October since restarting the chemo.  He states he's still feeling weak, but he's been knocked down so much by these other symptoms that he isn't moving around that much.  He was kind enough to drive us down to Big Sur in his truck, but I drove home.  We're both so happy he isn't experiencing any pain today.
Ahhhhh...

In bocca al lupo.  m & v

Friday, November 1, 2013

Maybe....?


We're being considered for a calendar photo!  I submitted this shot that I featured last February after a great hike at Elkhorn Slough.  My first time submitting and getting a "consideration" notice.  Whoo-Hoo!

I have no idea when we'll finally know the outcome, but I will keep this site posted for anyone interested.

In bocca al lupo.  m & v