Don't Wait

The Birthday Girl

I had the huge treat of being at the 95th birthday celebration of my cousin in Dallas this past weekend, and (of course) made sure to shoot the semi-official (as in, I was the only photographer around) portrait.  Yes it's already an achievement just to get to 95, but to do so in good health, with a sharp mind (and tongue!), living on your own and dressing to the nines daily, well, that's pure blessing.  And if you're so blessed to have such a person in your life too, DON'T WAIT -- take the afternoon off, make some tea, and catch up.  AND BRING YOUR CAMERA!

Her little sister ain't bad either

No, I didn't take this one ;)

Truly, Madly, Deeply Inspiring

Just taking a few moments out of the pre-school year (yay!) runabouts to look at something beautiful. In this case, four somethings beautiful.  I grew up on old movies, and the amazing silver images below still inspire me.  Those films and especially the extraordinary portrait work done at every studio taught me how to see, how to look at light and shadow, how to hold my breath and fall into an image.  I've yet to come up for air.

I was going to talk about these images.  But they more than speak for themselves.

Another reason to love my iPhone

Well wouldn't this stop you in your tracks?  Saw these today in Home Depot of all places -- Blue Mystique, the first blue phalaenopsis orchid.  So I ask you, is this necessary? No.  Could the world have survived without blue orchids? Sure.  But the Aibishter was just in a good mood that day.  "Hey, here's a blue orchid for ya! Enjoy!"  (I paraphrase.)  He puts all sorts of things in the world for no reason, it seems, other than to give pleasure to His creations.  In Elul we're told that "the King is in the field." Well, today, He was in Home Depot.  Happy Elul!