Baby See, Baby Do!

Once upon a time, there was a little girl.



This little girl SOMEHOW found Mommy's waterproof mascara and decided it would be fun to paint herself the way Mommy always does.



What're you lookin' at? Hey - it took me twenty minutes and 10 cottonballs of makeup remover to get me looking this good!

The End. :-)

The Long Wait

Mommy said Daddy was supposed to meet us here...but I don't see him.




I think she is pulling my leg. I've been waiting for over five minutes and haven't seen a soul!



I-yi-yi...



Will he EVER come??



What! He's here you say? Hurry up Daddy...Mommy needs to go to the store for some Windex!



Daddy!!



I knew you would come!

Bird Watching

I was in the backyard the last night when I noticed a pair of Robin tending their nest of babies. It was fascinating to watch! The nest was placed upon one of the house gutters just under the ledge of the roof. You can hear my daughter playing with the dogs in the background of this clip. :)

The only thing that worries me is that these robins built the nest smack dab above the path the dogs have made to the front yard. So when the times comes for the babies to be pushed from the nest, they will land in dangerous territory. Unfortunately there's not a lot I can do about this - I can't keep all three of our dogs chained or out of the way 24/7.

I'm not typically a bird person, but I have to admit, I had a lot of fun watching these parents. It continually amazes me the lessons we can learn from animals. Think about it - these Robins have succeeded in doing what approximately 50% of Americans cannot - working together to raise a family.

Next on my wish list, I suppose, is the 1.7x conversion lens so I can get closer images of wildlife - especially birds. We'll see...I can't be getting ahead of myself again!

Fork Horse Trials

As promised, here are a few photos of my brother and sister competing in the Fork Horse Trials near Pinehurst, NC. My other brother, Ian, actually took most of these photos and he did such a good job! I think we have another photographer in the making! I took a lot of video as well - I am going to edit it and post it online, but I need to catch up on editing a few recent photoshoots before I get into all that. But until then, enjoy these photos!



^ Matthew & Misty during dressage. I guess someone suggested he needs a bigger horse (she is 15 hands), but I think they complement each other perfectly, don't you? He is so good to her and they have come so far together - if you ask me, they are a match made in heaven.



Cymry & Patriot during dressage. Mom said that Patriot seemed a little nervous the night before the event, so we worried how he would do in dressage. But he actually relaxed and did quite well!



Cymry and Patriot complete show jumping. I love how the trees frame them here! This image was actually taken by my youngest brother, Ian. It was Ian's 13th birthday, and he spent the day using my equipment while got a break from still photography and took video :)



My sister and her horse Patriot take a cross-country jump at yesterday's horse trials. Cymry was competing at Novice level and Matthew at Beginner Novice.



Matthew & Misty during the stadium jumping phase of the event. Misty dropped one rail, but was so steady and calm - I was so proud of them!



A shot of Matthew & Misty going cross-country! (taken by Ian)



Yay! They did so well!

I'm so proud of all of them - horses and people both!

Weekend Anticipation

Guess where I'm going to be this weekend?

I am going to be here - at the beautiful Fork Farm & Stables in Norwood, NC with my family, watching my brother and sister compete in their horse trials.

You see, my brother and sister are eventers. I could go into a long explanation for any non-horsey people, but I wouldn't want you to have to listen to me any longer than was absolutely necessary, so I will just direct you to this webpage, and also the following video that my sister took and uploaded to her flickr photostream.



Trust me - it's not as easy as it looks!

Of course, I have been to horse shows before, but I am especially excited this time because the Fork is so elite and so beautiful. You can bet I will be taking hundreds of pictures, and video that I will be sharing later on. :)

Futbol @ North Park

Yesterday, Grace and I went up to North Park to watch the guys playing soccer/futbol. What began as a very hot, muggy afternoon turned into a nice evening as the sun started going down. I took this video with my new Sony Hx1 and I can tell you that while the pictures aren't much to speak of, I'm happy with the HD video quality.

My husband is one of the players in this video, as are his two brothers, brother-in-law and at least one cousin. (There aren't many Ecuadorians in Burlington, so they are a tight-knit group). You can hear Grace cheering them on - I can almost guarantee you that she will be out there with on the field as soon as she is old enough to keep up. :)

P.S. I forgot to make the wind filter before I left the house, so pardon the noise. :(

Little Jane Wayne

Yesterday, my sister took my little girl for a ride on her horse, Patriot.



They made several big loops around the ring. Grace sat straight and tall. Patriot is somewhere around 15.2 hands but she didn't seem at all afraid. (For you non-horsey people, one hand is 4 inches :-)



Grace is doing her best impression of John Wayne in these images.



She held the reins too :-)



Grace is ready to gallop off into the sunset, to locate the Ponderosa and those Cartwright boys.

She gets that from me, I'm afraid. ;-)

Popsicle Puppies

The weather here has been gorgeous the past week, full of warm temperatures and sunshine. In fact, the other day it was downright hot outside. I had the brilliant idea that a popsicle might be just the ticket, and brought one with me out to the backyard.

But I forgot about the dogs. After all, dogs need to stay cool too ;=)

Jessie thought a cold treat was a good idea, but wasn't crazy about the orange flavor.

Rambo, however, was a different story. I had a hard time convincing him to share!

Although it looks as though he is going to devour the whole popsicle in one bite, he was actually very good about licking rather than biting off chunks.

:=)

After Rambo finished off the popsicle, I decided to treat all the dogs to some milk. We had half a gallon of milk in the refrigerator that tasted somewhat sour, although it had not yet reached the expiration date. The dogs all crowded in - heads together - to quickly lap it up and it was hard to get a good shot.

I told Rambo so and he was happy to take a moment to help me out.

They all took the time to let me know how mmm-mmm good it was!


Gotta get the other side as well ;)

All gone, Meeka. Sorry :-(

Yikes! Maybe I shouldn't have said that... ;-)

The removal of America's last wild horses....

Please take a moment to watch this video. This is something I feel very strongly about, and hope that folks will feel compelled to make a difference by taking action.

You can also sign a petition by clicking here.

For more detailed info and beautiful photography of these wild horses, you can visit Pam Nickoles blog and Carol Walker's blog.

My Wild Dogs

One of my favorite things to do when I'm taking a break from working is to go out in the backyard and watch my dogs. They are outside dogs and have a huge yard to roam free in. In fact, our backyard is bigger than many of enclosures I've seen for exotic animals at zoo.

In our backyard, Meeka, Jessie and Rambo are allowed to live naturally. The only difference is that Meeka and Jessie are spayed, they all are fed everyday and they love for us to come out and play with them!

Yesterday while "dog-watching", I took this picture.



Meeka (left) likes to make faces but she is actually very gentle with the puppies. Jessie (center) is currently the lowest in the pecking order, but she is not afraid to stand up for herself if need be. Rambo (back, left) is the dominant male. He's really started challenging Meeka in recent weeks and I'm sure he'll soon be taking her place as "pack leader". Meeka and Jessie are spayed - Rambo is not. I was planning to get him neutered shortly, but have noticed that his male behavior is making him very protective of the house and its' residents, which I am very pleased with as we do not live in the best neighborhood. I'm thinking about letting him stay a full male for a little longer before getting him fixed - we will see. :)

No puppies were harming in the making of this photograph. ;-)

I promise. :)

My girl's daddy

My little girl is growing up so fast.



Grace and her daddy have a really close relationship. Everyday when he comes home from work, she screams "Dada!" and races to meet him.



I was surprised to find that although David is mostly Ecuadorian-Indian, he also has some pure Spanish blood in his lineage so that might be part of the reason Grace is so light skinned.



At the end of everyday when Grace has worn herself out, her daddy is the one who tucks her into bed.



Did I mention I'm very lucky to have a guy like Grace's daddy?

Because I am.

Shiny Trinkets

I'm a naughty girl. I admit it. I like to play with things. Like a crow, trinkets have always caught my eye.

What's better than trinkets? Shiny trinkets. They capture my imagination. The saying "all that glitters is not gold" is not even in my phrase dictionary. (Yes, my mind is so narrow that it even requires a phrase dictionary).

My favorite moment at every wedding is when the bride and groom slip off their rings and hand them over for me to get the "ring shots". Like a toddler who has just gotten away with a fistful of gummy bears from the candy jar, I scamper off to play.



It's cliche, but I love the traditional "rings with the flowers" thing. There is something that just works about that (hence the reason it's been done to death).

Still, I like it. :-)



And of course, there's the whole "rings with the guestbook/invitations/marriage license" routine. Nothing new or original there either. But like I said earlier. It just...works.



In this case, I wanted to try something different. Personally, I really liked how it turned out. Even my husband thought it was neat!



When I saw the diamonds that had been spread around the wedding cake, I could not resist this shot. I think this was probably my favorite of them all.



This angle's not too bad either. ;)

Don't even get me started on cake photos...

Fred Perel: June 15, 1939

I'm running haggard and was too lazy and tired to come up with something creative and innovative myself tonight, so I thought instead I would post another love letter. I promise to post something different and more "me" tomorrow night.

I also wanted to mention that if anyone wants to comment, it's that little button on the upper right hand of the post - where it says "0 comments". Just click that and a comment box will appear!

Not sure why, but I only took one photo of this letter.



June 14, 1939

Dear Marion,

After waiting quite a while I've received your letter yesterday and have, like I always do, forgiven you already, and understand your position all right but I believe you really don't have to let me wait so long, if there isn't much to write, don't write much but at least let me hear from you. Please don't misunderstand, but I really worry if I have to wait so long.

In the meantime you must have received the big picture. How do you like it? I think its swell. We are both good on it, I even found that our lips look exactly alike on it. Gee! Didn't I find something there. I received the film from Silvia the other day, and send you enclosed a few prints.

I am very happy that you enjoy my staying with you as much as I did and the fun and good times we both had. Well a few more weeks and I hope we will enjoy ourselves together again here in Birmingham.

How did you enjoy these dances from the A.[Z?].A and that other one? Our club the J.L.C. Gives a banquet and dance next Wednesday. Boy! I wished you were here. Would we have a grand time. I wonder if you could make it. Gee! I wouldn't know what to do. I know how it is but maybe you can come anyhow.

A nice experience you had the other day. 2 miles to walk is plenty to make you hot and tired. I am also glad that the driver of the automobile had the car under her control.

Yesterday our Y.M.H. + Ping Pong team played the Y.M.C.A. Skinny loosing his game gave them an early lead which then came to a 3:2. I had to play the last game and in this match I had the most important one. I played their no. 2 man and did I fix him up. I beat him 21:8, 21:10 which tied up the score. Our no. 1 man then had to play twice so we can find the winner and he brought us the victory. It really was exciting.

In summer school I am enjoying myself. I take Biology and Sociology. Like usual I don't intend to work hard in this heat, so don't worry I won't work myself to death. Three more weeks and I will have completed my first semester. Five after this and I will be through and waiting for you to come here which reminds me, have you written your aunt yet?

Now let me tell you the big news if you don't know it already. Hellen, Sam's wife, left him a couple of days ago. She is in Atlanta now for good. Everyone seems to be happy about it, I don't know about Sam, but I try my best to make him forget her by taking him along wherever I go.

Well it looks like I have written you all there is and its getting late, tomorrow at 5:30 o'clock is my night over, so I will close my letter hoping you all in the best of health and sending my regard to every one including your dear father and sister.

Yours Always,

Fred

P.S. I love your new stationary. Its very pretty.

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Amy's Comments:

I like Fred. He has very pretty, easy to read handwriting. :)

Birthless is Time

It is almost 2 AM and it is time for me to wind down and abandon the computer for sleep. Tomorrow I will get up, heat up some coffee and begin another long day. Lately I have been working too many long (long) days. As much as I love my job, I am reminded that I need to take a step back and make time for other things in my life as well.

It's been a long week - full of beginnings and endings. Earlier in the week, we had a death in the family. And yesterday, on Sunday afternoon, I was witness to a new beginning.

I don't pretend to understand the way life works sometimes. But I do know that there is a higher purpose.

I took the photo below as I made my way home from a wedding yesterday. It made me think. If we were able to look today, into the rear view mirror of our lives, would we be doing something differently?



The following poem was penned by Sri Chinmoy:

Helpless is Time
When I sleep.

Useless is Time
When I doubt.

Hopeless is Time
When I despair.

Godless is Time
When I halt.

Measureless is Time
When I move.

Birthless is Time
When I am of God.

Deathless is Time
When I am for God.

Evelyn: Aug. 28 1939

As many of you probably know (or have guessed) by this point, I am a photographer. It's the reason I am on the computer 12 to 15 hours a day and the reason (aside from my daughter) that I look forward to getting up each day. It is extremely stressful, time consuming and unrewarding, but it also challenges me and pushes me to grow not only as an artist but as a person.

It is also the reason I indulge in waaaaay too many bowls of ice cream (can you tell what I'm doing now? ;)

At any rate, since I do not (as of yet) have any new interesting tales to share, I thought I would share another letter with you. This one is not from a suitor, however. It was penned by Evelyn - Marion's [older] sister.



I feel almost like I'm intruding by posting this letter, but since nothing is actually revealed within I figured it would be ok :) And yes, it literally does say "Don't show this to anyone".

Btw, this was sent to an address in Birmingham.

August 28 -[19]39

Don't show this to anyone.

Dear Sis,

I hate to write this letter but Mama thinks its best for you and for Bessie that you come home. We will tell you why when you get here.

Mama says for you not to leave later than Wed. and let us know when you will leave.

Brother went to Miami Sat. nite. Papa came to the store for the first time since he has been back Sat.




That's all now. Will tell you everything when you get here.

It wasn't my idea for you to come, but I guess Mama knows best. She has her reasons.

That's all, give Bessie + everyone my love,

Love,

Evelyn


Amy's Note: :( Unfortunately I never was able to find out why. I have very few letters from 1939 and 1940 so those years are hard to trace. I have a lot of letters from 1942 and 1943 though...and during those years we get introduced to my favorite guy - Bill!

The "I Love You" Letter (Aaron: Aug 19, 1940)

My own grandfather, a WWII vet who lost his brother overseas, has not been doing well of late. It is a reminder that we lose history everyday in the form of our elders who have passed on. My goal is to photograph and record the contents of these love letters in my own personal endeavor to preserve a bit of history of my own.



Ok, I don't live anywhere near Charlotte but as far as I can figure, Uncle Sam's Loan Office is long gone. However, I did find a photo in an old NC photographer's archive from the beginning of the 20th century – located here: toto.lib.unca.edu/findingaids/photo/ball/jpeg /ball1811.jpg

As best as I can figure Aaron is (maybe?) Harry Orenstein's son (Harry was the proprietor of Uncle Sam's at the time). The reason I think this is because businesses back there were often family owned – also the return address on the envelop is 2 doors down from the store and Aaron apparently still lives with his father (being that it was his Dad that gave him Marion's letter). Also the return address is typed in the same font as the stationary head.

From Aaron's letter, he seems pretty close to Marion, but I don't think he was her boyfriend as she apparently tells him about hanging out with other guys and signs her letters to him with “as ever”.

For anyone who is interested, I can tell you that Marion was the daughter of Russian Jewish immigrants. Her family lived for a while in Philadelphia, but her father became partner (and eventually owner) of a Delicatessen in Atlanta where the whole family worked except Marion.

I found out the above info by doing an Internet search. That being said I don't have any contact info for any of her family members and I'm not quite sure who sold me the letters.



The envelop is postmarked Charlotte, NC (Aug. 19 1940 12:30PM)

FROM: 205 East Trade St.
Charlotte, N.C.

August 19, 1940

Dear Marion, I love you.

Doggone you, why don't you send me some good pictures of yourself? Man those pictures are really terrible. If you don't send me a good picture, I'm coming there to find out what's the matter. You ought to be ashamed to send me pictures like that. I'm almost mad at you. But then again for some reason or another I can't get mad at you. I don't know why. (Gosh this certainly is getting to be a slanting letter isn't it?) I'm almost ashamed to show those pictures to anyone. You're twice as cute as those pictures. Aw ell I guess I raised enough h-- about those pictures now I'll write you a letter. I'd better start all over. Here goes.



Dear Marion, I love you.

Well how are you honey? O.K. I hope. I certainly was surprised when Dad gave me your letter this morning. I really didn't expect it.

Here it is another [dull?] Monday. You think that your work is boring. Huh, you ought to be here. Say that's a good idea, why don't you come down here and spend 3 or 4 years? That would be O.K. with me. How about it? What-cha say?

There's a possible, quite slim chance that I might come to Atlanta within the next two weeks. I don't know how its going to come out but I'll just keep plugging. Maybe I'll win and maybe I won't. But here's hoping anyhow.

You'll have to excuse the stationary but I'm at the store now and this is all I could get my hands on. Sorry. I love you.



I believe you're trying to make me jealous by telling me about the boy-friends you go out with. I'll be doggoned if you're not really making me jealous. So quit before I really get mad and come up there and get you. I love you.

Honey, those pictures of you kind of made me speechless. How about sending me some pictures that look Marion Muldawer? I had to look twice before I could recognize you. I believe you said something about some pictures that you took at the pool. Well where are they? Good gosh if I had a figure like yours I wouldn't be ashamed to show it off.

Well I guess I just about ran out of saying nothing, so I guess I will lose.

Please send me a good picture of you. Thanks a lot.
I love you. With all my love,
(p.s. By the way what does “as ever” mean?)

Aaron

Amy's Note: There are a number of letters that mention photos, but unfortunately, I have been unable to locate any.