downtown charleston

This was taken at a 1/4 second shutter speed.

I wanted to go longer, but the amount of daylight wouldn't allow it.

Same 1/4 second shutter.

I will try this later in the evening sometime.

Yes, that's a trash can.  I think it adds an element of loneliness.

Oh, super-wide lens, I love you.

Let's stay together forever.

I took these with the intention of converting to black & white, but the colors are so great I can't do it.

November 28

I went for a long walk on the beach today, alone.  It was just what I needed.

Sometimes, I think I might like to walk out and disappear.

It looks so peaceful out there.

I love reflections.

The ocean never looks the same, and so I'll never get tired of photographing it.

don't call me Martha Stewart...

I'll kick your butt.

Just kidding!

But, I do make a mean Thanksgiving dinner.  (That's an apron...not a skirt.)

Although, this was the star of the show.

Happy Thanksgiving!

giving thanks

The origins of the Thanksgiving holiday are clouded with events we’d rather sweep under the rug, but the modern-day American tradition of “giving thanks” has evolved into a fairly tolerable celebration.  (If gluttony and sloth are things that you’re into.)  Ok, I’ll stop.  I couldn’t help myself.

It’s a tradition that brings families together.  I can live with that. 

In the spirit of giving thanks, I’d like to share the things that I’m thankful for everyday, not just on the 4th Thursday in November. 

I’m thankful for:

Family

Stuart and Denise (and their 'stashes')

Little bro and I on his wedding day.

Photo credits to Jessica Fike .

Mom and Dad!

Clif and Amy

Sami

(You really need to stop being so cute.  I mean it.  Stop now.)

Noah

Josh

Friends
Tom, Jeremy and Josh.  First night in Austin, at Rudys.  Best. BBQ. Ever.

Doug, Matt and Josh

Ranger Matt

Alex (and Heather!)

Mallory

These little friends make my day.  Really.  Look at those faces.

photo credit to Mary Helen Horne

(she gets credit for making cute babies too)

Mary's daughter, Mallory, calls me "MeMaw" and it turns my heart to mush.

Janell and Luke and little Eli.  I miss you guys.  Wish you were closer.

Dogs


Juno, and Juno's tongue

Juno and Ajax.  Best. Dogs. Ever.

Health
Yes, I'm obsessed, but it has changed my life.  Go try it .

Freedom
 Thank you, service men and women.

And, of course, little things like: 


Hockey 
Go Canes!

I'm starting to realize that everyone I know makes this face a lot.

True Religion jeans

flat irons

ice cream

beer, particularly this beer

cheeseburgers

summer

movies

authors like Bill Bryson, Jon Krakauer, and Douglas Adams

rubber rain boots

the internet (goodness knows I couldn't live without it)  I will be googling "how to cook a 12lb turkey" very soon.

clean water (that's kind of a big deal)

Of course, I could go on forever, but I'll spare you.  I hope you are all having a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!

Really???

Really Ajax?  Because I'm pretty sure this is why you aren't allowed in the house anymore.
.

Note the hierarchy.  Poor Juno.

(Both shots were taken through my filthy windows, which I will now clean.  Geez!)

Just so we're clear, my dogs have beds.  Big, fluffy, expensive dog beds.  They choose to sleep on the floor.  I don't understand.

a change of scenery

The weather has been absolutely foul for the past few days.  I'm sick of cloudy, rainy days! 

While I'm cooped up inside I went through some pictures on my old computer and found a few worth sharing (even though they were taken with a crappy 6.1 megapixel canon powershot from 5 years ago).

These were taken on my first trip to the Grand Canyon.  We stood on the south rim for approximately 5 minutes before committing to hike to the bottom.  For a girl who's scared to climb ladders this was not an easy thing to do.  Hence, my face in this first picture.

Really???  Where are the handrails???

This remains the most beautiful, awe-inspiring thing I've ever seen.  Someday I will paste together the other photos, as this extended from one rim of the canyon to the other.  It brought me to tears.  I will remember it for the rest of my life.

And what western road trip would be complete without your buddy's van breaking down on a lonely stretch of highway in the middle of Navajo country?

Next time I'm going back with my big-girl camera and my junior ranger pink rattlesnake patch.

So I was thinking...

...that I want to go back to school.

So I applied...

...I am so happy!

Now let's hope my transcripts get postmarked by Dec 1.

Saturday November 21

I've been slacking in the picture-taking department this week.  Yesterday I went downtown with the intention of setting up the tripod and actually using fill-flash, and lower shutter speeds, but I was feeling lazy.  I didn't even feel like changing lenses so I stuck to my 10-20mm, which I love with all my heart, but it's not very versatile.  I love downtown.  I love my little "camera dates".  They make me happy.  I should do this more than once a week, and not be so lazy about it.  Here are some lazy pictures from yesterday.

*I'm an idiot and didn't think to take a picture of the dog I met!  His name was Rascal (great name) and his owner, a little old lady, said, "My husband calls him a German Shepherd standing in a hole."  (He was really a Welsh Corgie, but I like her description better)  Too funny.  I want to remember things like this forever.  That's why I'm recording it here.  Wish I had a picture to go with it.  Darn.*