C'est La Vie

I just read this post and I couldn't help but smile.

That was the first of two summers I've had to exist without having Jenny here. Which let me tell you...it's pretty tough to have fun without her.

It's exciting for me to think that I get to be with her at camp this summer.

I am leaving for Cedar Lake Camp on Monday. I won't be home for a month or so.

So this is probably the last time I'll post until then.

I cannot wait to see what this summer holds. I know that's trite to say, but I mean it.

Have a lovely summer.

I'm so involved with living life right now.

I love it.

also, I haven't really been taking pictures lately. which has been good. I needed a small rest.

Oliver James

hmph.

sometimes things just don't work.

and it's frustrating.

the end.

three hundred and sixty five days

three hundred and sixty five photographs.

three hundred and sixty five special days documented with dancing light, digital sensors, and thin emulsions on film.

one whole year.

a year full of dear things. dear friends. dear memories.

I cannot believe it's over.

out of three hundred and sixty five days, I only skipped ten times. that's a lot. and I'm ashamed. but still.

I have grown immensely as an artist and as a person during this process.

there's nothing more challenging and wonderful as forcing yourself to create something nice every day.

many days I have felt distracted by the harsh realities of this world and the only thing to focus my mind on what really matters has been to grab my cameras and walk and see things.

I have appreciated my lovely and patient friends for being my fascinating subjects and letting me pose them as I want to or redo their hair or paint their faces or countless other ridiculous things I've done to them to get a photograph I'm satisfied with.

this project has been one of the many things that has helped me see that making pictures is in my blood and I can't escape it's call.

I will continue to photograph the world until I cease breathing.

free spirit.

so nowadays there are lots of little boys and girls going through life telling people they are a free spirit, without caring or knowing what that really means.

do they know that a free spirit isn't someone who "bucks the system" or "sticks it to the man"?

instead, a free spirit is someone who is not hemmed in or stretched thin by the expectations of society.

do they know that a free spirit isn't someone who is moody, loud, quiet, thoughtful, flippant, tame, or wild?

no no, a free spirit is someone who comes alive to the world around them.

someone who wants to know who their own self is.

someone who wants to know who their maker is.

someone who copes with the weight of sin by laughing, crying, dancing, singing, running, yelling and creating.

someone who strives to love deeply and intently.

someone who intends to only speak the truth.

I'm a free spirit.

are you?

I've always had

a wild imagination and a see-through heart

you really should click on these to make them larger. they look tons better.
so. inspired. right. now.